Dream Log

Liz~ Last night I dreamed about cookware and and old boyfriend.


Tucker~ Last night he dreamed that he had one laser gun, he could see through walls and he could jump and roll. HE also had night vision. He used all of these amazing skills to defeat an evil robot. The robot had two laser guns and could walk through walls. The only way to kill it with one shot was in the throat or the heart. Tucker finished him with a perfect shot to the throat.

Fynn~ He dreamed last night that he went to a farm. There was a cat there that had human ears and it said meeow. It was orange and it rubbed up against Fynn. It was a very nice cat.

An Eventful Hike

At the moment my days have all run together, but it was sometime last week that I asked the boys if they were interested in a hike and they all said yes. We packed up a picnic together and Rollin and Tucker each made his own sandwich. The hour that it would take us to get to our destination seemed to be the perfect opportunity to polish off the Halloween candy, and they did. We had Koda and Piper with us and it was a beautiful fall day! When we finally got out of the van there were two options for our course. We could head down the big hill towards the lake or down the trail toward the Dismal swamp. We chose the latter. Which I strongly encouraged, due to the fact that when three little boys play near water, someone will surely get wet. So, we headed down the trail and within the first 30 seconds I realized that the peaceful, dreamy, mind clearing hike I had been so longing for was not going to happen on that particular day! The boys were like pups that had been released from a kennel after days of confinement. They ran and jumped and climbed and squealed! They raced and chased and tackled one another. Koda was like a grey Hound running with long strides in giant circles around us. They found a rock and insisted I take their photo. They found a larger rock and climbed it and slid down it and climbed again. Koda and Piper joined in the rock climbing. Then up a hill they spotted a rock that with a little imagination could be a cave and a wonderful place to explore. So we did. Tucker must have been feeling photogenic and kept asking for me take capture his pose. When they tired of that spot we followed the trail around a bend and by the time I completed the turn, Rollin had scaled the tallest steepest hill we had seen. Tucker quickly joined him and Fynn also began to make his way to the top. As Koda continued to run laps around us she slid down a portion of the hill and uncovered a spotted salamander. I quickly scooped him up and called to the boys to come and see. Rollin and Tucker both slid down the hill quickly and eagerly held and inspected the slimy creature. Fynn did not come. I heard him call to me but I just called back "come down Fynn". Then his voice began to sound more and more distressed. I could not see him because of a huge fallen tree. So I began to climb the hill and squeeze under the tree, that was to big to climb over. There was Fynn, laying near some large rocks and for some reason not sliding down this very steep hill. I thought maybe his arm was stuck in the rock. It wasn't, but as I gently pulled him he would not budge! After closer inspection I realized that a very thin root was run under both of his arms and he was sort of hanging there, stuck on the hill. It only took a second to release him but as we walked on from that spot I thought How lucky we were that it hooked under his arms and not his neck. We walked on and the boys found many bugs and plants to discover along the way. Then we stopped for a moment so that I could remind them that how far we hike in to the woods is how far we have to hike back out. An energy check point if you will. As we discussed our options we realized there was a bridge not far from us. It was a boardwalk that wnet out into the swamp. We all really wanted to walk on the bridge so we went on. The puppy was getting tired by now and I carried her some and then put her down on the bridge, Koda however was not tired yet and ran straight toward her and knocked her off the bridge, Probably a 5 ft fall. I quickly handed Tucker the camera and jumped down to save her. Luckily she was okay. I carried her the rest of the time we were on the bridge. The boys loved the bridge and each took a turn with the camera. We had not finished the bridge and the end was not in sight but I had a feeling hunger would be grabbing hold of my little explorers soon and I wanted to beat it to the food. We had just gotten back onto the trail when Rollin, who had run up ahead, found a hole in the ground. I'm not sure why I said it, I suppose because it had been said to me so many times before. Or maybe because the hole did look fresh and probably "in use" or maybe it was just my natural intuition, what ever the reason I said to him "Rollin we shouldn't stick our fingers in holes, something could be living in there". "Like what" He asked "well a snake" I replied. Then I went on to explain that "there are some snakes in Tennessee that are very dangerous. The cotton mouth or water moccasin and the Rattle snake. The cotton mouth is black or very very dark and when it opens it's mouth it is white inside like cotton. And Rattlesnakes are......." and I am here to tell you that as the words rolled or slithered rather off my toungue, I looked down to see the biggest rattle snake I have ever seen! My eyes must have been as big as apples. I instructed the boys to freeze, and I looked closer to be sure it was a rattle snake. It's back seemed to be covered in dirt or dried mud that camouflaged his diamonds but the sound of his rattle was unmistakable. I stood about three feet at most from it and Tucker and Fynn were to my right. Rollin had already past by it as he ran ahead, but he heard the word snake from me and Tucker and was making his way straight toward it on my left. I told him to stop. He did not. I shouted at him to stop. He did not. He continued to come toward the huge snake and as soon as he was an arms length from me I reached over and swatted his bottom! I'm sure it stung a bit but mostly his feelings were hurt and he turned and began to cry and walk away. I had a sleeping puppy in my arms so I could not lift the boys and as I contemplated my next move, which could not include just backing up because of the steep drop off behind us, the next thing happened. Koda who was still not tired, noticed that we had stopped and came running toward us from the other side of the snake. It was down hill toward us and she came closer she stepped, not directly on, but right next to the snake. Causing it to slide toward us! It then became more agitated and it's rattle was shaking loudly and it began to slither away from us. We slowly and respectfully went on our way and caught up to Rollin. I apologized and explained the seriousness of the event. We continued and made it back to our starting point. We ate and drank and then headed for the lake, where we spent about fifteen minutes before all three of the boys had gotten cold and wet. They stripped down and loaded into the van. The hike had not been the lazy, dreamy, mind clearing walk through the woods that I had been longing for but it was an exciting, thought provoking, bonding experience that I couldn't have planned any better than mother nature did for us.

Piper

Piper is a puppy that is in our care. She was abandoned by her owner and was much to young to survive on her own. Now at six and a half weeks old she is healthy and frisky. Tonight while I was organizing my food shelves I heard Fynn having a word with Piper. It went like this. "Hi puppy. If you don't kill me I wont kill you. okay? okay puppy? good girl". I think the word "kill" is what got my attention but the fact that he was talking in the sweetest softest voice he could manage is what made it so comical to me.


Another thing about Fynn right now is that he is totally appose to any kind of nickname or pet name or even adjective. So on any normal day you might hear this:

L: Good morning sweet Fynneus
F: I not sweet I Fynneus


L: Come on darlin, we need to go.
F: I not Darlin, I Fynneus.

L: Can I help you down little Fynn
F: I not little Fynn, I Fynneus

L: Okay Fynny Fynn what would you like to drink?
F: I not Fynny Fynn I Fynneus

you get the idea.....................

He gets really angry when his brothers refer to him as a baby.

R: No Fynn, these markers aren't for babies.
F: I not a baby I Fynneus! (shouted)
R: Okay, Sorry Fynn these markers aren't for 2 year olds.
F: I not two yea old, I big wike Tuckeh, I Fynneus! (shouted)


Also tonight at Tuckers class the instructor asked Fynn how old he was, Fynn answered shyly, "six". :)

The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done; men who are creative, inventive and discoverers, who can be critical and verify, and not accept, everything they are offered.

-Jean Piaget


I love this quote!

Fork

At the market tonight I was very tired and totally distracted by my 3 sons bouncing and touching and jumping etc............... They were not being bad but I was tired and trying to read labels and So I got down on my knees and pulled them all in to a huddle and said "guys listen I am really tired I just need a little cooperation and we can get out of here (giggles and wiggles) seriously guys, I'm done, stick a fork in me I'm done!" More giggles and wiggles erupted and then they were quiet and still for 6.4 seconds but as we moved to turn down an Isle and Fynn pushed the cart with all his might, while I held it back to keep him from running into everything, he said, "tick a fouk in me, I'm ti-yued".

To hang a postcard

I heard pounding coming from Rollins bedroom and asked Thadeus if he knew WHAT was going on. He did not but proceeded to the room to investigate. Rollin and Thadeus came out to the living room together and I asked Rollin what he was doing in there. He told me he was hanging up a post card. "I didn't have a hammer for the nail so i used a rock to dang it on in there".

Halloween 2009

We had a great Halloween. The boys were all pirates but each with their own flare. It was so fun to see them grow further into confident children and shout "trick or treat" at each door we went to. Then follow each generous offer of candy with a "thanks" or "thank you" and "happy Halloween" I was really proud of them as they ran from house to house using their manners and having fun. Rollin was even so bold as to ring the doorbell on a couple houses that did not have their porch lights on! They ate candy all night and all the next day, and they loved it. I wish I could let them eat what they want all the time, but I love them to much to put that junk in their bodies. I hope they understand some day. We had a lovely visit to a pumpkin patch in Rossville with some great friends. THen a second trip to buy a pumpkin that was big enough to carve into a jack o lantern. We have had a great fall so far and a very Happy Halloween!

Boys Art

Water Color by Fynn


Humming bird with sun and blue sky in pencil and marker, by Rollin
White Tail Buck and Blue sky in pencil and marker, by Tucker

a note to Tucker

"Dear T Dog, Monday we can tie up Rollin. Yo Baby, From John"

Amazing Daddy

Thadeus has been trying to get new wheels for a lawn trailer that was given to us. He decided to take one of the wheels off the trailer and take it into town with him and Fynn. Fynn watched Thadeus remove the pin and slide the tire off the axle. Fynn gasped and said ( Your Amazing)!

A short hike to the beanfield

We ALL needed to get outside today. The sun is finally shining again! We started with a game of baseball but Tucker didn't seem to have the patience for his younger teammates. Then I insisted on a hike to the bean field that is behind the schools football field. Tucker Protested but his mood quickly changed when I agreed that he could be the leader.
So the boys sometimes like to take my picture but I have a hard time posing for a photo alone. Koda always makes a great companion for me.
Three in a row



Fynn always manages a great snapshot of the sky!

Growing Fast!

On our last trip up to Indiana Tucker and Koda posed for a picture and I realized that I had taken a similar photo back when we first brought Koda home last spring. She is around 8 mths old now and Tucker is 6. But wow they have really grown a lot since then.

We find a delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.

A Tire swing for Mom

The other day while playing in the woods the boys found an old tire. I'm not sure how much work it took but they dug it out of the earth and rolled it home. They were filled with excitement when they told us about their new tire. It lay smack dab in the middle of the back yard for at least five days. Then while the three of them and I were doing some yard work it came back to life. We rolled it around the yard and learned how to do some new tricks with it. In the midst of our play Tucker said "I haven't heard a thank you yet" I wrinkled my for had and asked what he meant. He said "well we brought it home for you, so you could make a tire swing with it". I told him I had not realized it was for me, and proceeded to thank him. Finally today we manage to gather the rope, a ladder, and the time to hang it. So now our home is accessorized with a tire swing, as all homes with young boys should be.

Our new Shelf

Thadeus made this awesome bookshelf! I designed it. He built it and sanded it and we white washed it together! I Love it!

Skill Log

September 22, 2009

Tucker James Andrew Douglas at age 6 years 1 month and 3 days old taught himself how to blow a bubble with his gum.

Our New Piano

So it may not have been the most carefully planned purchase I have ever made, But when I saw this cute little Wurlitzer Spinet Piano for 150 dollars I couldn't pass it up. I had been thinking recently how a piano would be an asset to us all and how it would hopefully create a spark in these little men to want to make music of their own. So it wasn't by total whimsy that I drove to Memphis with the boys, ran my fingers down the keys, and threw down some cash (i did talk her into taking 125). I am still mostly convinced that it was the right decision. However the piano tuner came today, and with a fine tuning, unsticking of some sticky keys and replacement of one black key we are spending more than double the cost of the instrument! On another note :) We really have been enjoying it. This morning when I woke up I thought I was the first one out of bed but as I walked down the hallway I realized the doors to the living room were shut and then I began to hear soft piano music. It was Rollin! It would only have been sweeter if I had heard it while I was still lying in bed. ( I'll have to remind myself that I said that one of these mornings when he starts playing way too early) Fynn loves it too especially for climbing on and driving cars on and hiding under. He will, every now and then, sit down and gently play a few notes and, he will, every now and then, pound out a few ear rattling sounds. I am not sure yet how Tucker feels about it. I think he likes it although he would rather it be an electric piano or electric guitar for that matter, and he would like to play rock 'n' roll. I told him we could play rock 'n' roll on this one but I know he is skeptical. Thadeus has been playing around with it. So far he can play Ode to Joy, for the Turnstiles and a Merle Haggard song. I have almost mastered, Up On The Housetop, Jolly Ole St. Nicholas, heart and soul and the chord of C. I hope the enchantment with this amazing instrument will last......................

Muddy Mischief

Thadeus came home from work today not feeling well and needed to rest so I Sent the boys out to play. It has been raining for two or three days and the earth here is saturated. I hoped they would ride bikes in the driveway or play catch or something of that nature. Fynn wandered back in whiny and hungry so I fixed a snack and a cup of tea for me. We played a little and giggled and had a nice time with each other. Then I heard a noise from outside the bathroom window. I looked out to see Rollin, up to his elbows in mud and John boy trying to carry a tub of muddy water. They were shouting for Tucker to come and help. I watched them, unnoticed, while they sloshed and dragged the tub. Finally John left to get Tucker but Rollin did not leave the prized tub of filth. Shortly John and Tucker Returned. I'm not sure why but I was shocked to see that Tucker was also Covered in mud up to his armpits. I ran from window to window watching the three boys haul the tub toward the woods. I was lucky enough to snap a photo of the event! Now as I write this I can hear them out side. They still don't know that I have already seen their messy selves and are probably quite worried about my reaction. They have sent John to tell me that Tucker wants me, of course John did not get muddy. I must go now and decide on a method of cleanup.

Home again home again jiggity jigg

Well Tucker is home and had a wonderful time with Tim and Becky in Indiana. It feels like a pretty big milestone and yet it all went by so easily. Sometimes I feel like I am doing a pretty good job raising these three amazing boys and sometimes I feel that I am no more than an observer watching their accomplishments. I shared with Tucker that I was afraid he would not want to come home with us for all the fun he had without us. He smiled at me and said "I do want to come home but I want to come back by myself again too".

Tucker is spending some time in Indiana right now with his Mimi and Papaw and having a wonderful time. It has been a new experience for all of us and I am having a tricky time changing everything I do from 3 to 2. We will leave in the morning for Indiana and get to spend a couple of days there with the family before we have to head home. I hope that Tucker will share some stories with me and that I can write them down. But for now I just have this lovely picture of Becky, Tim and Tucker just before they left last Tuesday!

Fynn and the Wobbly Wheel

I need to write this little bit of information down so that I don't forget and thought you might enjoy reading it too. Fynn has a "scuttle bug" it is a ride on toy that he pushes with his feet. He taught himself to ride wheelies on it and jump things and crash. He enjoyed the scuttle bug so much that he did not want to ride a tricycle. He had no interest in learning to pedal or steer. Then one day the tricycle was left in the driveway and in his hurry to leave for work, Thadeus ran over it. It was not totally destroyed. In fact the only damage was to the front wheel. It was bent in such a way that it still turns fine it just wobbles drastically from side to side. That very day Fynn got on the tricycle and has LOVED it ever since! He very rarely gets back on the scuttle bug, except to show off an occasional wheelie. He also insist on taking it to the BMX track when we go and everyone there knows the story of Fynn and the Wobbly wheel.

Redbirds Game '09

Some wonderful friends of ours invited us to join them for a Memphis Red Birds Game. Thanks Kearneys! The Boys were excited and each went with their baseball glove in hand. We arrived at our seats at the top of the 2nd inning just missing a Grand SLAM!!! To bad for us but there were more exciting moments to follow. I had hoped it would be an exciting experience for the boys but I didn't realize how many "firsts" they would encounter at just one event. From the first glimpse of a real base ball diamond to maneuvering the crowed at the end of the night it was all new! They saw a Bat fly into the crowed and many foul balls. They experienced the crowed doing the "wave" and of course we all sang "Take Me Out To the Ball Game". They witnessed the camera guy below us and then saw the image up on the big screen. They learned to clap along and yell "charge" at the fun baseball chants. They all three shared a soft salted pretzel and a lemonade. They learned about "leading off" and "foul balls". Thadeus and I had a great time too and We were both surprized that we all made it through all 9 innings. At some point in the game Rollin asked me "why is there home baste, first baste and second baste and laste bast and home baste?" I was so amused by his words I told him I thought that was a question for Thadeus. The Red Birds won and after the game we saw 3 military men prachoute from a plane and land right on the field infront of us. After that we watched an amazing firework display. The boys faces were lit up from excitement and wonder and the glow of sparks! Then to top it all off there was a live band sending us off. And of course you can't beat the live music in Memphis. I know It will be an evening I Never forget!!

Kicked out!

I still need to blog about Tuckers 6th birthday but I am having trouble finding a quiet time to make that happen. So, for now, I would like to share this quick story.


We were driving to the Gym today and Rollin was asking to go swimming when we got there. I said that I would like to but I didn't have swim trunks for him. He asked if he could just swim in the shorts he was wearing. I explained that it was not allowed at the gym and he asked "How bad does it hurt when they kick you out?"

Several weeks ago, we were driving home from the bmx track, it was after 10pm and the boys were mostly quiet. Suddenly Rollin said "watch out for tractors mom". I was sort of confused by his comment but then realized that he had seen a tractor crossing sign and we were all quite tickled. Then yesterday while driving home from errands he chimed in to tell me "watch out for deers mom". Once again I couldn't help but giggle at his "warning". Finally today we were headed home from the gym when he shouted "watch out for side ways T's"! Again I was temporarily confused and then was about burst into laughter when I heard Tucker say "what? what is a side ways T?" Rollin replied " It's a T that's sideways like on the sign".

Recipe for Mud

Rollins discovery of the day was that if he couldn't find a mud puddle he could always make his own. "You just need some water" he told me. Then he showed we that he had made enough mud to cover the wheels on his bicycle.

We rode or bikes to the lake today. Our main goals were to let a baby snapping turtle go that is currently in our care and to catch minnows and baby catfish in minnow nets as we have done before. Also, Koda was in need of a good romp. We gathered all our gear, and set out on our bikes. Tucker and Rollin are becoming increasingly good on two wheels. Anything that is remotely higher than the road becomes a jump and anything with significant height becomes a launch pad! We happen to have 4 speed bumps on our street. Can you imagine the joy? The biggest challenge of the ride for me is getting three little boys a dog and myself across the highway safely. Today was a breeze. I couldn't see a car in either direction. Normally we wait quite a while for the perfect break in traffic. We got to the lake and within seconds I had my camera ready and within minutes Tucker had caught his first minnow! He is very good at learning animal behavior. At first the boys are always very cautious around the water only getting wet up to their ankles, then up to their shorts. Then one of them usually asks if they can get their shorts wet and the next thing I know they are flopping around soaking wet and having a blast. At some point in the middle of our fun I realized that we had not brought the snapping turtle! Tucker was quick to point out that it was okay, we'd just have to come back again! Rollin found a long stick and a string and went fishing the rest of our time, tucker continued to catch many fish, which we now have at home living (for now) with Uncle Freddy, and Fynn stayed occupied for a while with my camera. We did have a good time but hunger and the lunch hour drove us home for nourishment and rest. Tucker usually puts up a fight about resting but When I mentioned it was a race night at the BMX track tonight he went right to his room and laid down. Fynn is already asleep ad Rollin is waiting for me to come cuddle him, so that is all I can say for now.

Give a kid a camera

Fynneus asked to take pictures with my camera while we were at the lake today. I agreed as long as he stayed back away from the water. I love looking at the pictures he's taken later. I love that he takes pictures of Everything he sees instead of waiting for "the perfect shot". I hope you enjoy them too.

follow up

Well Fynn is doing fine. THe second day the bridge of his nose was swollen and his forehead was pretty bruised. Is upper lip was fine though. I did notice that the corner of his eyeball was really red also. Now he seems good though. Everything is healing very quickly! Thanks for the reminder about the Arnica Becky I am sure it helped!

Incident Report

Fynn climbed up the ladder to the top of the bunk beds today and proceeded to look back down over the edge directly over the ladder. He then fell over the edge hitting his face on the ladder all the way down and landed on his head. When I arrived on the scene he was face down on his knees and elbows holding his face. He sustained bruising to the forehead, nose and upper lip along with slight bleeding from his right nostril. He is recovering well but I expect the bruising to worsen before it improves. updates will follow.

Tucker's Bald Eagle Dream

Tucker woke up with a smile and climbed in bed with me. I asked if he had slept well and he told me that he had. Then he began to tell me of his dream. He dreamed that I took him and showed him a bald eagle with a broken wing. He knelt down to pick it up and it did not even try to fly away. He showed me how in his dream he gently lifted it with both hands. He said after that we built a cage for it and we kept it in the cage while we fed it and cared for it and when its wing had healed we released it and it flew away.

Yesterday I looked over just in time to see Fynn trying to bite kodas' toe nails!

strong brothers

I realized today that I am really glad that I have 3 boys who are strong and stand up for themselves. And while I do feel like there is more I want to teach them about the importance of treating their siblings well, I am grateful that I don't have either a totally dominant bully or completely passive pushover in the family. I have seen a family with such dynamics and it is sad to witness either child in such a distinct role. So while I have great disdain for the bickering and tones I am grateful and proud that I am raising my sons to be strong, fair people who will not be walked over, even by a brother and who will not totally dominate even a brother.