Kayode is so big!!!

Kayode at 4 months...

Kayode at 4 1/2 years! He has grown up so fast!! Today was his turn to visit the Dr. Kayode is 45 inches tall and 45 lbs. The doctor says he looks great! He, too, had to have shots... 3 today and back for 2 more later when their shipment arrives. Seems like everytime we go, their shipment is expected "tomorrow." He was so brave and only shed a few tears after his three shots (2 in the leg and one on the arm). Poor guy! I just can't get over my little boy growing up... I thought my last one would stay small forever! No such luck, I guess!

Rain...Finally!

So, while the big kids were at school Kayode and I played games, watched a movie and practiced his handwriting. All of a sudden we heard a loud bang... we went outside and yes, we were having a thunder storm!!! Yeah! I've been waiting for it to rain all summer long! Kayode and I went outside on our patio and stood in the rain, and as you can see, Kayode was having fun jumping in the rain.

1st Day of School

Wow! I can't believe it's already that time of year already! The kids have new clothes, they've got their supplies and the lunches are packed. The morning began at 5:30 when Derek had to get up to get ready for his first day of High School. He's got a very busy schedule. He's taking Honors English, Honors Algebra, Honors Science, PE, Guitar, Social Studies, Spanish I and Woods. He had his first football scrimmage on Saturday and played defensive corner. He had a great time! He's not so sure about going to school all day (7:00am-1:30pm) and then having football practice for two hours (2:00-4:00pm), but I'm know he'll be fine! Below you'll see a pic of Derek's new shoes.... he loves them and we had to drive all over town to get them!

Go get 'em!

Am I really old enough to have a High School student???

As Derek left for school at 6:30, the morning continued with Sade getting up to get ready for 7th Grade! She was just my little girl yesterday...or so I thought! She's not looking forward to school this year! She'd hoped we'd have moved so she could try a different school, but I keep reassuring her that she'll be fine and that Middle School is hard no matter where you go! Sade is beautiful, talented and set in her beliefs...not something many parents can say! I have faith that this year will be different for her! :) Sade, too, has a very busy schedule this year... Accelerated Math, Accelerated English, Science, PE/Reading, Drama, and US History/Nevada History. She's applied to be a member of the Jr. Honor Society and has a lead role in a Musical at our church that rehearses twice a week until the end of September!

I'm so proud of you!

After Sade walked out the door at 7:30, the morning continued and it was Ayodele's turn to wake up and get ready ! I can't believe he's already in 2nd grade!!! I pray that he has a great year! He's not that into school, so I hope his teacher can help change his attitude about it! Kayode and I walked him out to the bus and then followed the bus to school to help him find where to line up. They all line up outside and say the Flag Salute, have 30 seconds of silence and share a few "Words of Wisdom." I must say, it was stinkin' hot this morning... almost 90 degrees. I can't wait to hear how his first day went!!!

You can do it!!!

Mayleen

Our kitty is growing...isn't she cute? She loves running around and chasing her tail. She sleeps with Sade and enjoys spending the afternoon on the couch next to us relaxing! Kayode loves to carry her around whenever he can...he'll search for her until he finds her and then carry her until she jumps out of his arms. Thank you Omojola's for letting Mayleen join our family!

Ayodele's Song

Ayodele wrote this song the other evening while he was riding his bike. I'd been getting on him about singing mean songs about Barney, especially in front of Kayode who still likes him. So, he came up with this and surprised me the other day! How cute is he??? The lyrics are:

"Thank the Lord for what he's done,

He gave us life and birth,

He gave us birds and animals,

He gave us trucks and cars,

He gave us everything,

He gave us everything,

He gave us everything!"

Meet the Teacher Day...

Can you believe Ayodele is going into 2nd grade??? Yesterday was "Meet the Teacher Day" at Rogers Elementary School. Ayodele and I started the day with a trip to good-'ole Walmart to pick up his short list of school supplies. His teacher is supplying all of the crayons, glue, scissors, etc this year so we only had to get things like paper towels, cleaning wipes, kleenex, and folders. Not too bad! We packed up all of his new school items and took them into his teacher so he wouldn't have to figure out how to get it all there on the first day. His teacher's name is Mrs. Hunn and she seems really nice. While we were scoping out the classroom, two other boys he remembered from recess last year walked into the classroom, so at least he knows a few kids already. I hope he has a great year! Second grade is such a fun year, but lots to learn!!

Does he know how to sit?

It appears that we forgot to teach Ayodele how to sit on the couch properly... It doesn't matter how many times we ask him, we always find him sitting upside down when he watches TV.

Weird... is he related to me??

Does he know how to sit???


Ahhh, Yes... It appears he does know!

Don't you wish you could do this???

This lends itself to a new meaning of "on your toes!" Kayode has walked like this for as long as I can remember. In fact, I think he walked on the tops of his feet almost before he walked "normally." I finally decided I should video tape him before he outgrows this "special" talent. Now he can't ever deny that he had a very "special" way of getting around. He says it doesn't hurt, but every time I see him walk this way, my feet get little pains in them! Who knows, maybe someday he'll be a dancer or gymnast!

Fun at the Water Park

Derek had football practice, Sade went to a Birthday party and daddy's in Milwaukee for work, so Ayodele, Kayode & I went to the Water Park in Henderson to play and stay cool! Although the water feature was very small, the boys still had a good time staying cool and playing on the equipment. A girl about 10 years old came with her two dogs and played with the boys. I enjoyed watching them and finishing my book, "The Red Tent," in the shade. Occasionally, I was in the water with them as it was about 105 today and more humid than normal. I promised them I'd take them to a bigger water park next week! Hopefully we can fit that in with all of the back-to-school prep.

Doctor Visits...

So, yesterday was Dr. Day at our house for all three kids returning to school on the 25th. We had an appointment at 10:40 for all three kids. By 9am we were finishing showering and eating breakfast so we could leave and run a few "Football" errands before we left; such as, picking up the athletic packet so Derek could have his physical form filled out by the Dr. and picking up an Ad that a company wants run. We signed into the Drs office at 10:20...yes, we were a little early, but I figured since Derek and Ayodele hadn't been in since last year (I thank God daily for my healthy children!!!) I'd have paperwork to fill out! Well... we sat and sat and sat and finally around 11am I was finally asked to pay my co-pay and fill out paperwork which was now on a wireless handheld computer monitor device. Now, realize our appointment was at 10:40 and we'd been there 40 minutes already. The kids were starting to get a little anxious. Finally about 11:15 we got to go back and get weighed and measured. Derek is officially 6'1-1/4" and 130lbs, Sade is 5'7" and 100 lbs & Ayodele is 4'8" and 75lbs. Once they weighed, measured, took temps & blood pressure, they put us in a "temporary room." We finally got into the "Normal" room at around 11:45 and around noon the Dr finally showed up! She's great, but I'm not sure worth an over-an-hour wait with four kids! (At least I didn't have any screaming babies!) Well... we've got three healthy kids, everything looks and sounds good, she said! Before we left, she took a look at shot records... oh... did these kids have a surprise! Derek had 3 shots, Sade had 2 and Ayodele had 1, plus they all had their fingers poked for bloodwork and Derek & Sade have to go back for another shot tomorrow since they'd run out it! Ayodele is definitely the most brave out of the three of them... he just sat there and took his shot like a man!! Derek made funny faces and squeezed my hand for the first two, then manned-up for the 3rd and Sade...well, let's just be reminded she's our princess drama queen and I'm not looking forward to taking her in for one more! I'm just pleased that all is well, that they are all healthy and that we finally got out of there!

So... while Derek's in Washington having a terrific time hanging out and having fun, I'm left here doing all of his football fundraising! Had I known, he never would have gone to WA as long as we allowed! :) We've got to sell a minimum of 10 "Blazer" cards at $15/each. These cards offer discounts to local restaurants and fast food joints until August 2009. They really are a good deal as long as you live in the area and can use it! We also have to sell a minimum of one advertisement for their Friday night program. This must be done in two weeks, or he won't get his equipment!!! If we sell 20 cards or $300 in Ads, then Derek will get his required "Spirit Pack" for FREE!!! (Guess what I'm working towards!) I understand that this is only the beginning of fundraising for athletic events! Let the games begin! I can't wait to watch his first game! Before he left, he was going to weight training and skills practice 4 days a week to help get ready for the season! Coach is a toughy! Let's just say I hope Derek is never late, never misses a practice, never talks back, or never tires first! Official practices start on the 14th, so I'm sure we'll have more to tell then! Go "Blazers!"

No fair....

Derek is in Washington visiting Morgan and his friends!

He's been begging to get up there all summer, but it just hasn't panned out. So, Morgan asked his parents for an early birthday present, and four days later, Derek arrived. He's up there for 2 weeks, hanging out and having fun! He was even there for Morgan's actual Birthday for the first time in years!

Of course, everyone here is jealous... even though we shouldn't be! We're happy for him...we really are, we just wish we all could have gone to see family and friends. It's been over a year since we've seen some of our family and our friends and we miss them tremendously.

We're trying to convince Dele that we need to move "home." Someday we'll get back up to the Seattle area! We're all hoping it happens sooner rather than later! :)

Date Night

Dele and I finally got to go on a date! The first time in a very, very long time! I happened to get tickets to the preview of the new movie "Swing Vote." We laughed through the whole movie! It really gets you thinking... our vote does make a difference! I would never want to be in his shoes, but our vote does count! Derek and Sade stayed home with Ayodele & Kayode and we returned home to normalcy. I hope Dele's convinced that we can safely "date" again!