Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Just wanted to add a few pictures of the boys, and the fun we have been having for the past couple of days. The boys had two snow days this week, but since my school NEVER closes, we still waited until today to carve pumpkins. We spread towels out on the living room table and watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" while we cleaned pumpkins.

I was so happy to get to go the the boys' parties at school on Friday. They had so much fun, and I know they were so excited about wearing their costumes at school. I actually LET them pick out their own costumes this year. Usually I make them go as a duo--you know, Mario and Luigi, Racer X and Speed Racer. But this year, I let them go for it. How funny that they picked the exact same costume.

It was cold, but we went around the neighborhood with a friend of mine and her family, and we had a blast! The kids were loaded down with candy and were pretty much pooped after an hour. (Thank goodness!)

I know...I know!!!

So I haven't been doing so well with the blog. What can I say...I'm a busy girl. I promise I will try harder. But for now, here is a smidgen of what we've been up to...

Logan is quite the little man...

Tyler is still a cutie pie...

I almost did it...

So, I came really close to getting a picture every day. It's going to take me a while to get used to. Plus a smaller camera (hint, hint Prince Charming). I love my camera...but it is super bulky and not really travel friendly. I would like one that I could just leave in my purse. Of course, then I would let it go completely dead and still not be able to take pictures. Oh well, one step at a time, right?

SATURDAY

We went to the second annual movie at the park night. It helps that the park is directly across the street from our house. Our friends like that our house is directly across the street too. Kids have to go to the bathroom at the most inconvenient times. We watched Bolt, which I think is one of the best Disney movies ever!

SUNDAY

Tyler has become addicted to wearing his Crocs. Hey, I'm totally fine with that. Until your toes get super crusty. He had taken a shower the night before, but obviously the dirt-laden toes didn't go through the entire cleaning process. So I made him wear his "fancy" shoes sans socks to church. He complained the entire time. I told him that maybe it would remind him why I like for him to take a bath instead of a shower. It allows time for the dirt to soak off.

MONDAY

It hailed three times in one day. Hopefully you can see the hail on the sidewalk.

TUESDAY

This is what a kid looks like when there is no electricity. It actually went out before the storm even started and came back on after the storm was over. Weird. Tyler kept insisting that every light bulb in the house was burned out.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY...& FRIDAY

Hey, I never said I was perfect.

SATURDAY

I'm not sure why he chooses to sleep in the recliner when there is a sofa and loveseat. Not to mention the bed he has in his room...

SUNDAY

We went to a car show in Old Colorado City today. The boys love going to car shows, thank goodness. I love this picture of them. Now I have to figure out how to get my camera off the black and white setting.

Whew...summer went by too fast!

I can hardly believe that summer is over for us. The boys started school on August 5th, and I had to report on August 3rd. I hate not being able to take them to school and pick them up, but Ed does a great job taking care of everything for me. What a great guy! Since the boys are in a regular public school now, they get to wear whatever they want to school, which they love. I even gave in and let Tyler wear his Phineas and Ferb shirt to school the first day with his Lightning McQueen light up shoes. Hey, I should consider myself lucky that Tyler opted for the $14 pair of Lightening McQueen shoes instead of the $50 Nike shoes. My new philosophy is that if he prefers the cheap stuff now, that's what I'll get him. I know that in a few years that is bound to change! Of course, Logan's wardrobe is full of skulls, skateboards, and guitars. I stood firm on no character shoes for him...no matter how "cool" those Bakugan shoes were.
Since our schedule has changed so drastically, I have decided to do something different with my blog. My cousin's wife does this neat thing called "Project 365", where she takes a picture every day and blogs about what they did every day that week, but she only does it once a week. I think that Saturday mornings will be my catch up from the week blog day. Of course, I can't do that today because I have no pictures from this week, except a phone shot of the boys the first day of school.

Wish me luck! (Oh, and I have no idea why the first part is underlined!)

I won't be selling Girl Scout cookies any time soon...

We took the boys to Limon this past weekend to take part in a Cub Scout Day Camp. Nothing like spending a beautiful Saturday in the great outdoors, right? Well, I think we all have our own ideal outdoor adventures...and unfortunately me for me, Cub Scout Day Camp was it for this day. The boys got to shoot bb guns, go fishing, look for creepy crawling water bugs, and participate in archery.

Now, I'm sure every boy wants to say they shot a gun. I guess it's a man thing. But these bb guns were almost as big as Tyler. He couldn't even pump it by himself. Everytime he went to pump it, it inadvertantly was aimed at his face or at someone near him. Thankfully, Ed intervened and injury to Tyler, Ed, the state troopers, or anyone else was adverted. I never thought it was a good idea to let 4 boys go at it with guns. But that's just me...

Tyler taking aim...

Looking for pond creatures...

Oh, and then there was the pond scum...I mean, search for water dwelling creatures. They used a contraption that looked strikingly similar to a collander on a long stick. No people, it was definitely not a legitimate net. But it worked because Tyler and Logan both managed to come up with tadpoles and other slimy things. Tyler wanted to bring one home as a pet. He started to get upset until I asked him it he wanted to go shoot a bow and arrow. He subsequently forgot about the tadpole.

Logan shooting with the bow...

Logan and Tanner performed excellently in archery. As with the bb guns, the bow was as tall as Tyler and Cayson, so they were not as successful. They both managed to hit the back board, and I definitely gave them credit for trying! I was proud of them all.

Fishing was our most successful event of the day. Tanner and Cayson both caught a fish, and Logan and Tyler each got a few bites, but no fish. Tyler was more impressed with the worms. He wanted to bring one of those home too...but then we fed him to a fish. Traumatizing, I'm sure. But I bet it wasn't as traumatizing as the Boy Scout ripping the live worm in two and handing one half to Tyler and one half to Cayson. Apparently he didn't get the memo that Tyler and Cayson were seriously considering how to smuggle the worms home. Now they had to figure out how to get Cayson's half a new head.

Logan fishing...poor guy couldn't get a catch...

Tyler with his worm...when it was in one piece.

What we have been up to...

Cayson checking out the fish...

All the kiddos with their painted faces...

Tyler the tiger

Tanner is pointing to the queen bee

Tyler being grumpy...but he's still so darn cute!

I thought they were refusing to smile, then they informed me they were making skunk faces...

Tyler getting map guidance from Cayson...this was like the blind leading the blind!

Of course Logan knew more than the expert on the albino wallabee...what?!?!

Freezing at the pool...

Before they decided it was too cold (80 degrees) to swim...

It's been a busy summer for the McCoy-Rossman family. Unfortunately, by the time the boys got back from Michigan, my summer classes were in full swing. That meant quality father-son time for Ed, Logan, and Tyler. For me it meant classes 4 days a week, 2 days of which I didn't return home until after 7pm! Talk about a long day! But nothing is better than coming home to all my guys!

At the first of July, the boys had their cousins from Texas--Tanner and Cayson--come and visit. Tanner staye with us last summer, but this was Cayson's first visit. Tyler was so happy that "his" cousin was getting to come because it wasn't fair that "Logan's" cousin always got to come. I'm not sure why his categorizes Cayson as his cousin and Tanner as Logan's cousin...but oh well!

After an eventful trip to Grand Junction--with Mimi and Papa in tow--we settled back down at the house for a long July. My classes wrapped up for the summer, and we were finally able to go do some fun things together. Here's what we've been up to...

Oh, how I miss my boys...

Of course, Ed got the great, giggling goodbyes at the airport...

And he got the kisses...

I had to beg them to stand still long enough to get a picture with me! Trust me when I say, it was harder for me than it was for them!


Have you ever sent your kids off for a while and they come back a bit different? They were only gone two weeks, but the boys came back as two different little boys. Don't ask me what it is exactly...Logan doesn't want to call Ed "Dad" anymore for some strange reason, and Tyler challenges me on everything. His choice starting phrase is, "Oh yeah? Well..." Irritating. Here is an example of our conversations:

Me: "Tyler, it's time for bed."
Tyler: "Oh yeah? Well, I'm not tired!"

Me: "Tyler, it's time to eat."
Tyler: "Oh yeah? Well, I'm not hungry."

Me: "Tyler, it's time to brush your teeth."
Tyler: "Oh yeah? Well, Logan hasn't brushed his teeth yet."

And here's my favorite:

Me: "Tyler, you could've gotten hit by a car!"
Tyler: "Oh yeah? Well, no one was there to walk me across the street!"

Ugh. Irritating. He has these big bags under his eyes. He always looks tired. I thought maybe it was allergies or something. Maybe he just needs to get back on a regular sleeping schedule. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon. I miss my sweet baby boy.

Now, on to Logan. He decided he didn't want to call Ed "Dad" anymore. Let me stress that we never told him to call Ed that. Logan made the decision on his own when he was making a Valentine's card for Ed. Tyler, of course, does whatever his brother does. I liked it. Ed was definitely pleased. Imagine his disappointment when the boys called on Father's Day and yelled into the phone, "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, ED!" Ed was crushed.

When Logan got home, he said he didn't feel like Ed was completely his dad because we weren't married. What the heck? Where did he get that from? We once again told him that it was his decision on what he wanted to call Ed, but I explained to him that there are tons of kids who have more than one dad. Calling Ed "dad" doesn't make his real daddy any less his daddy. He is so lucky to have someone like Ed in his life because I think it would be very lonely for a little boy to not have an adult male figure in his life. I know it doesn't seem like it, but he should consider himself lucky that he still has someone in his life to call dad.

Logan has transitioned back into Colorado life pretty well. He calls Ed "dad" now. We never addressed it again after that first night, so I'm really not sure what conclusion he came to. Actually, he has started affectionately calling Ed "Optimus Dad" and Tyler calls him "Autodad". Gotta love their Transformer enthusiam.

Tyler, on the other hand...well, we'll just see what happens with that little booger.

Logan's Birthday Party

Even though Logan doesn't officially turn 9 until the end of July, we went ahead and let him hav ehis birthday party so he could invite his school friends. It's hard when you have a summer birthday to get in touch with classmates, so we gave in. He had a great time at Pump It Up with his friends.

Logan in the birthday chair. I think this was what he was looking forward to!

Logan with his cake...there are 9 Bakugan on it. He was so happy!

Ed after he raced Drew on the obstacle course. Ed won.

Logan having fun on the slide.

Happy Birthday Logan!

Please don't vomit...please don't vomit!

Logan, Tyler, and Grandma Carol

Goofing off after graduation

Sure, I should have been crying. I should have been giddy with excitement. My little guy was graduating from kindergarten! Why was I instead praying to the Lord not to watch over my little guy as he enters first grade, but to not let him throw up all over the cute little girl in front of him? Let's rewind to yesterday morning:

7:55am-arrive at school

7:56am-Tyler runs into bathroom to throw up. Other boys in bathroom tattle on Tyler, saying he cut in line. Nice kids...

8:00am-bring Tyler crying out of the bathroom, deliver gifts to teachers, walking towards the front door

8:01am-notice Logan is on the phone in the office. Apparently he had a dress code violation. I guess windpants don't qualify for jeans day. This is what happens when mom doesn't do laundry.

8:03am-sign both children out of school because I'm not making a special trip home to wash jeans or to Old Navy to buy jeans. It's the next to last day of school. What could they possibly miss out on?

Later that afternoon:

2:00pm-Tyler eats 4 small chicken tenders from Burger King at the airport because he insists that he's fine and he's STARVING. Eh...what's a mom to do? Starve the kid? It didn't help when he started crying in the airport saying, "Why won't you get me something to eat? I SOOOOO hungry!" That'll get you votes for worst mom of the year for sure.

2:15pm-get Grandma at the Denver airport. Tyler is running around like a maniac.

2:50pm-arrive at Krispy Kreme in Lone Tree. We buy two dozen donuts. Tyler wants strawberry milk, but we talk him out of it.

3:00pm-back on the highway headed home. Tyler and Logan are happily eating their donuts in the backseat.

3:01pm-loud burp

3:02pm-Logan screams

3:02.10 sec-Tyler starts crying. Logan is gagging.

3:02. 20 sec-whip car over on side of the major highway going through Denver. Not the most responsible move as a mother, but one child had already puked, and the other way was threatening to.

3:03pm-refuse to remove vomit covered child from until vomit is cleaned off the seatbelt, lest it get sucked up into the magic slot seatbelts get sucked up into, allowing the vomit to transfer into that abyss. Cars speeding by at 85mph.

3:05pm-remove vomit covered child from car and hand to grandma, who is armed with baby wipes.

3:06pm-really take in the damage the car sustained from Tyler's vomit. Who knew so much could come from someone so little. Logan continues to gag. Grandma is cleaning Tyler, who wants to know where his donut went.

3:07pm-remove vomit carseat from car. Survey the damage. Realize Logan had thrown the headphones for the DVD player, Tyler's stuffed dog, Sonic the Hedgehog action figure, Bakugan carrying case, and my Coach purse all at Tyler's feet...direct in the line of fire. Awesome. Cars continue to blow past us. Tyler wants another donut.

3:15pm-used almost every babywipe in vomit cleanup. Tyler is as clean as possible. Grandma graciously cleaned up the carseat. Prepare to re-enter car.

3:16pm-look in trunk to find something to prevent another catastrophe...that I would have to cleanup...again. Locate a sheet in the trunk. Not sure why it's in there. Use the sheet to cover the smelly carseat and protect the carpet. Thinking I should have done this to begin with since the kid had already thrown up once...but refer back to my 5 year old standing on the side of I-70.

3:20pm-everyone back in car. Tyler's crying because he wants another donut. Pull out onto I-70.

3:21pm-engine light comes on in car.

Now do you see why I was praying my kid wouldn't puke all over the place at graduation? Sure, a good mom would have kept her kid home. But I am a GREAT mom. I realized this was a monumental moment in my child's life that he will look back on when he is older and be so glad he didn't miss it (that's what I keep telling myself at least). I put my fear of him throwing up on the backburner (okay maybe it was still on the front burner, but it was on simmer), brought my kid to school at the lastest moment and missed the kindergarten breakfast, as to not disrupt the fun with a sick kid. I wanted that kid to get his diploma. I am a GREAT mom. I kept my kid away from all the other kids. Changed him into his fancy clothes as the teacher was lining everyone up (good thing I brought another pair of undies...the damage was starting to drain out from his backside, if you know what I mean). I gave him a brief, albeit very specific, lecture regarding the urge to throw up or poo. It went something like this:

Me: "If you think you're going to throw up, walk off the stage."

Tyler: "The front of the stage?"

Me: "No, the back."

Tyler: "I don't know how to get out from the back."

Me: "Just get behind the curtain and I will come and get you."

Tyler: "But [the teacher] said we're not supposed to move."

Me: "It's okay if you're sick."

Tyler: "But I'm not sick."

Says the child who projectile vomited all over my car a mere 17 hours earlier.

Maybe he was better, but I wasn't taking the chance. That's why I'm the great mom, remember? I covered all my bases.

The ceremony was 15 minutes. They sang four songs, I think. (Remember, I was focused on any potential signal of a vomit face). They didn't even pass out their diplomas. We had to pick them up afterwards with a homework packet. Each child's name was called out, but...no handshake? No cute waves to mom and dad when they got their diplomas? No ooohs and ahhs over those tiny little people? No awards?

Maybe I was so focused on Tyler being sick that I wasn't able to truly enjoy this moment, and maybe that's why the ceremony seemed so, well...disappointing. Hey, I can only imagine how difficult it is to coordinate and choreograph 75 five and six-year-olds. I wasn't expecting a Broadway show. I love the three kindergarten teachers, and this wasn't their first rodeo. I'm sure there was a method to their madness...something I'm sure I will appreciate when I start teaching. But as a mom, it was a little bit disappointing. Sure, there were a lot of extenuating circumstances that altered my giddiness as a mommy, (the fact that we covered the seat in the truck in a rain poncho just to get to the school) but hopefully you know what I mean.

My baby boy graduated from kindergarten. Maybe the true extenuating circumstance was that this could potentially be the last time I see one of my own kids graduate from kindergarten.

Our family...I think Logan really wanted to be partying in his classroom with his friends instead of being at graduation.



Me and my little guys!



Me and the graduate...sans Mrs. Robinson.




The Graduate himself!

Of course he waved at us! Does this look like a sick kid?

Our Scouting Family!

Last night was Pack 228's Graduation. Logan finally became a Webelo, and Tyler became a Tiger Cub! Logan has really enjoyed Cub Scouts, and he is the first boy in his entire pack to earn ALL of the junior ranks-Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear. Cub Scouts is a year-round project, and Logan really enjoys it. The entire family will be taking on a much bigger role in the fall. I will be Tyler's den leader for the Tigers. Ed is the assistant Cubmaster for the pack. It will definitele be a busy year for all of us!

The new Webelos I Den

Logan receiving his Webelos neckerchief and slide

Tyler receiving his Tiger compass, signifying his entry into the pack

Logan receiving his belt loops

My two Cub Scouts!