that 70's show

Hanging out..
                   ....down the street..
                                                 ...same ole thing we did last week..

This is a theme song that my boys have come to learn from the show being on so often around dinner making time.  It would be one of Brian's favorite shows.  The boys like to sit on the couch and watch it with him.  It is cute to see the 3 of them on the couch singing the theme song and laughing a Fez.

Funny until one of your cute little boys tells his cousin while playing that she is at DUMBASS!

Not funny and not cute. (But funny enough that while at Brians parents for dinner we all had a good laugh at.  Mommy had to step in and be serious and hand out the punishment.  I think Brian was picturing Red saying it on the show and it made him laugh even more to hear his son say it)  It definitely tells me that they really do pay attention when the show is on and that just maybe, we need to stop having it on so often. 

You know you have Boys when...

This morning I was awoken by Mason...No biggie you say. The difference in this morning and every other morning that he wakes me is that this morning, he was holding a MOUSE.

Not just a mouse but a DEAD MOUSE!

It took me a few seconds to realize what he was holding but when I opened my eyes at 7:15 ish I was definitely not expecting to see a little dead mouse in my sons hands. At first I was unaware of what he was holding until I saw the tail. And quickly my eyes adjusted to see this little thing in Mason's hands. Quickly I told him to go throw it in the trash and wash his hands.

By the time I came down stairs he had done as I had asked. Thus I asked the boys where they find the mouse. The answer was: in the middle of the hallway. Which brought on their imaginative answer as to how the mouse got there.

This is what I heard

Mason: Mom, the mouse was killed by a bear.

Me: A bear?

Aidan: A bear wasnt in this house!

Mason: No, No. The mouse was attacked outside and he came in to escape and he died.

What imaginations. I think most of it came from a movie was watched yesterday called Gruffalo. Nonetheless it was funny to hear them talk about how this nasty little creature got into my house.

How cute are these faces? Love these boys

Family Camping

This past weekend Brian and several other firefighters rented a pop up camper for the their annual Maryland softball tournament. They went up on Thursday and came home on Saturday morning early. The weather was not in their favor. And after 2 rainy days the tournament was cancelled because the fields were too wet. One persons loss is another persons advantage.

I was glad that they came home because Brian wanted to take the boys for their first camping trip.

This was our camper. I was surprised as to how nice it was. But it actually was so enjoyable I want one myself. That of course is a long way off but a girl can dream cant see.

The first night Brian got beat to the office by seconds. The lady in front of him got the last campsite with electrical. So we were in an open area with no shade. Which was rather toasty until the sun went down. After the sun went down and we went to bed it was very pleasant outside. A bit chilly actually. I was wishing I had more than a sheet to cover up.

On the second day, we got to move campsites to something with electrical and water. This site however had way more mosquitos than the first. You must take the good with the bad, right? At this site there were a bunch of trees that the boys were playing on. They loved it. It is what real boys are made of. After a nap we took the boys to the beach. On the beach we were surprised to see hundreds of dead horseshoe crabs. We were thinking that it was from Hurricane Irene.

Aidan found a piece of drift wood in the ocean which quickly became his stick. And it true Aidan fashion went straight to bashing all the crabs to pieces. I think he had more fun walking up and down the beach within range to smash all the horseshoe crabs. Mason joined in. So when I saw one that was in alive, Aidan wanted to wack it too. We quickly told him that this one was alive and we dont hurt living things. He was ok with that and went to back to smacking dead ones.

After the beach Brian took the boys and showered while I got dinner together for the grill. When they came back I went to the shower and my fabulous husband and children cooked dinner. They had a jam season to some Mumford and Sons. And dinner was great. Followed by some cards ( Uno and Go Fish!) with the boys and smores!

All and all it was a great first camping trip with my boys. One of their favorite things was helping daddy out with the fire. jThey were great wood finders. And anytime they thought the fire was getting to low they were the first to say something about it. How they thought it needed more wood. haha

Seriously?

First day ever of school and my little boy makes the paper.

and this is the caption,

Aidan Rafter learns how to be quiet as he and his class line up in a pre - kindergarten class at Sherwood Forest Elementary in Norfolk.

First Day of School

This year marks a big year in the Rafter household. Aidan and Mason got into the Norfolk Public Schools Pre K program.

Today just like all other Hampton Roads kids, was the first day back to school. Or in our case the VERY 1st day of school ever. How exciting! and nerve racking! well just emotional. Not only are the boys going to school all day from 9 - 3 but they are doing in solo. The school has placed them in separate classes. We are happy with this decision. Brian and I feel like it will give them the opportunity to grow as individuals.

They go to Sherwood Forest Elementary which is just right up the street from the house. Their school requires the kids to wear uniforms. Hunter Green polo shirt ( which was really hard to find in their little sizes) and khaki shorts or pants with white, brown or black shoes. There is no bus pick up since we are so close to the school. So we are walkers. :) However, this morning we did drive them to school since we had to take in all their supplies. Much more than I want to carry.

At the school Brian and I took them in to their classes. Aidan was a champ. Went right in said hi to his teacher and kissed me goodbye. Brian was standing at the door with Mason. When I came out Brian went in to kiss Aid. Mason looked at me and with a sad voice said, " Can I go give Aidan a hug?"

I told him to go on in and hug his brother but that he would see him later. It was such a big hug. Then across the hall we went to drop Mason off. That was a bit more difficult than we expected. He clung to my leg with this death grip. He began to cry. I hugged and kissed him but handed him off to Brian to calm down. I know how it works with kids and lingering parents since I see it at church all the time. I wasnt trying to make things worse for his teacher. Brian hugged him and off we went. Leaving my boys at school. I didnt cry until we got home and I realized they would be gone all day. I counted down the minutes until I could go get them.

At pick up I gave each of them the biggest hug and kiss. But the sweetest moment was when they saw each other for the first time after a long day at school and hugged. This is the first time they have ever been separated from each other for a long period of time like this.

Tomorrow is a new day and they want to go back. That is a good sign.