GOODBYE TO VIC!

30 days ago, Zach brought a new pet in to our home. He was a green anole (mini chameleon) that he picked out. He had wanted one for a long time and had done tons of research. We purchased the tank and all the materials needed and set it up and then I took him up to Petsmart to pick him out. He knew that he wanted to name him "Vic" ...with the emphasis on ViC (with the strong "c" sound at the end :) ). Vic quickly became a member of our family and we would all walk by to see what he was up to or spray water in to his cage to make sure he had lots of humidity. Zach cleaned out his cage, made sure he had plenty of food and basking options and truly loved him.

He was a lucky chameleon, but on Sunday, Zach noticed that he was not looking very well and yesterday morning, he was on the leaf in the morning, but Zach checked on him shortly after and he was dying. Zach knew it and he was heartbroken (as was I). By the time he left for school, Vic had died, but was bright green and lying under the plant. When they are bright green, it means they are happy and content and that is what I reminded Zach of. He and Todd buried him in the backyard under the tree where all of Nick's firebellied toads have been buried. (Nick still has "Lucky" and we hope he is around for a while longer...but that's another "pet story"). Both Nick and Chris felt very bad about this for Zach. It's funny how a little tiny lizard becomes part of your family. Last night, Zach wrote about him in his journal. As he went to bed and we were talking about it, I told him that in 30 years, we would probably all be sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table and remembering "Vic" and what happened. That brought a smile to his face. So people can say that pets are just pets, but when you love them, they become more than that to those who cared.

(Sidenote: Today, as we walked to school, we saw a black/white salamander on the sidewalk. At first I thought...maybe we should let it live in Zach's tank and he could have a new lizard for a while. Well, Zach was just going to move it into the grass and we found out it was no longer alive. THEN...we continued our on our walk and we saw a couple baby toads (no longer alive also) BUT to redeem our walk to school, Zach did save 3 baby toads and moved them to safer ground. Hope he remembered to wash his hands as soon as he got there. )

GETTING IN THE SWING OF THINGS

It's been a while since I last posted...now Chris and Nick are well in to the swing of things as well as Zach. Nick is getting to school at 6:30 for his 0 hour Honors Algebra 2 class and then playing tennis every day after school as well as doing challenge matches and keeping up with homework. It looks like he will be a top player on the JV team this year which is a great opportunity to play well and be a leader on that team. Chris started middle school with a great attitude and has adjusted really well to the different teachers, 8 different classrooms and LOTS of kids. Last week, he auditioned for the school play and got a "call back" and then found out that he MADE IT and will be in the fall play. He did this all on his own and had the confidence to go for it! Zach is doing great in school and I think he likes the social part as much as the learning. He is doing well being on his own without his brothers.

Since I'm behind, I included pictures of Nick and Chris' first day photos and I hope to be a little better about blogging. If nothing else, I love having a place to share my thoughts and journal. It's great for me to look back and see what I have written so far and the pics I have included so I'm very glad I started this blog.

ONE DOWN...TWO TO GO (and I don't like it)

Zach is starting 5th grade today. Chris will follow on Monday and Nick on Tuesday. We had to do our traditional photos in the backyard and the dogs were definitely a part of the photo session. They think the house is pretty quiet when the boys aren't around. (me too)

Nick and Chris were nice to cooperate with me getting the 3 of them together...especially since they had to get halfway ready for the pics. Since they all go on different days this year and will go earlier, I may not get another chance to get all 3 together for my annual shot.

I remember when I thought that 5th grade was so old, but now with my "littlest baby" in 5th grade, I think he is still little (at least in my mind). Zach has worked so hard to overcome the struggles of learning to read and is doing awesome. His least favorite subject is math, but loves to write (wouldn't his teachers in kindergarten and first grade be surprised!). I hope this year will be awesome. His teacher is great and I think he will have a fun time with her...she's young, energetic, creative and organized...all things that will be good for Zachy. He is so organized so it will help him to have a teacher like that, too. She is a big CU fan, so Zach and several others wore their Ram shirts today :). It will probably be a friendly rivalry throughout the year.

I always dread the days the boys start back...always have. I do get back in a regular schedule, but I love having them home and just hang out. I get to know them in different ways and see their different personalities. ONe thing I do consistently see is that these 3 boys are truly really good friends and, even though they will fight and argue, they are there for eachother and are eachother's biggest advocates and support and best friends. . My biggest hope for that is that it continues throughout their life.

Had fun taking Zach to lunch yesterday (his choice was Arby's) and Todd met us. We also went to Kohl's and picked out a couple new things. Today, Chris and I head to Chick Fil A for his back to school lunch (and he's not too interested in shopping, but is fine with me picking him up a few new things) and then on Monday, Nick and I are planning to go to breakfast. Love spending time with each of them and can't believe that I really get to be their mom! I think I'm the lucky one!

REALITY...

It's a fact, no matter how much I want to try posting a photo a day, it is just not going to happen. It doesn't mean there isn't a picture a day...just that getting it done may not happen. My new goal is just to post as often as I can and include at least one photo in each post (probably, more). It will still be a good documentation of what is going on, without the pressure of trying to keep up or "catch up". In reality, any kind of documentation of a life is good so I am cutting myself a break :).

Great weekend up in Ft. Collins for the Wake/Theta reunion. It's too much to process to post what I feel about the house selling and our chapter closing. It was an incredible time to spend up there with old friends and fun memories and it is proof of what an important part of my life this was.

Todd and the boys are up at Wellington Lake for the day/night and so the house is a little quiet. Zach starts school on Friday, with Chris following on next Monday and NIck on Tuesday. I am NOT ready for summer to end and for them to be heading back. I LOVE getting to have them home. We have had a great summer and hopefully, this little mini vacation will get them rested and relaxed and ready to start a great new school year.