our future author and story teller

Since Cameron was little he has had a very vivid imagination. He was always telling us stories about his toys and what adventure they were going on. This past month though has been different. Instead of being stories they have become real life to him. I don't know what to make of it. On one hand it is good that he uses his imagination to write in his journal or play with his toys. But on the other it is really hard to understand why he tells family, friends and his teacher outlandish tales. Here is an example, at his school they have an after school program called KIDS EXPRESS. It is for kids that's parents work until 5 and can not come to pick them up until then. My friend Jamie and I have an arrangement that her husband brings the kids and I pick them up. Since I am able to pick them up at 3:05 when they get out of school there is no need for kids express. Cameron had told his teacher last week that I was not going to be able to pick him up that day and that he needed to go to kids express. Mrs Lopez said I think your mom would have sent me a note if this was the case. But Cameron insisted and I guess made a very valid argument why he was supposed to go. So Mrs Lopez brought him down there only to discover that he was not registered for the program. After she decided to bring him to the parent pick up, where I normally pick him up. To discover that Brett had been waiting there for him. She told Brett what had happened. When Cameron got in to the car Brett said Cameron why did you tell Mrs Lopez that story? Cameron said I wanted to stay at school because I love it. I know that should be comforting that he likes school. But it is scary to me that he can convince an adult of something that she knows to be wrong. Then on a completely different day he was riding to school and told Bill (the other kids father of the car pool) that the guy that was singing on the radio was my friend Jill's Boyfriend! That he was a rapper that wrote and sang the song that was playing on the radio. WHAT? I don't even know how he knows the word rapper let alone comes up with the story. Bill that night called to see if the story was true. I don't know how he can pull one over on so many adults. I just wonder if this is going to continue. Or what story he is going to come up with next. I don't want to start questioning weather or not what he says to be true. Brett and I are working on the difference between stories and lying. I do not want this to turn it to the boy who cried wolf situation. When he really does want to tell me something important and I then waver on it's truth. I hope this is a faze.

One day down 13 + to go!

Yesterday was Cameron's first day at school. I should start by telling you how he got his lunch ready two days before school started. He was so excited. The night before we got his stuff ready, and I laid out his school clothes on his toy box for the next day. I could not sleep that night probably because I knew my baby boy was starting his first day of school that next morning. So at 4:30 I was up ready to start the day. At 5:45 Cameron comes stumbling out of his room still half asleep but with his school clothes already on. It was so cute. So we got the rest of his lunch ready and started out to the car when it was time to leave. Before getting in the car Cameron stopped and said "Can you believe it is time for me to start school already?" He must have heard me say that a half a dozen times just this week. He was also asking how many girlfriends he will have by the end of the day. Brett and I told him to concentrate on school. Girls love a smart boy. When I dropped him off the walk to the classroom was tough but he made it so easy. When we got in the class there were kids crying and saying "mommy don't leave me." I was worried but I said alright I am going to leave and he said "see ya". It was great. Both of us made it through the cutting of the imaginary umbilical cord. It has been 5 wonderful years together but it was time. Time for both of us. He is going to thrive for sure. Throughout the day Landon enjoyed being the center of attention. I think they both are going to like the school schedule. Cameron goes full day so at 3:05 we picked him up. Before we could even get in the car he asked when does he get to come back. He then told us he is in the COOL BOY CLUB. Wow even in kindergarten there are clicks. I will keep you updated with future stories I am sure. Till then

Almost here!

In 29 days Cameron will start kindergarten. It is amazing. I can't believe he is old enough to go to school from 8:35-2:35. That is a long day! We are talking to him and telling him what to expect from school. He has been to Pre School but that was for 3 hours every other day. NOT a full day. He sometime tears up thinking about being away from us. I think he believes he will be at school FOREVER!. LOL. We are keeping his mind on the things he is excited about, friends, recess & girls. He is all Boy let me tell you. So now we are getting ready to buy the backpack, get the school clothes and a new hair cut. We are really excited about his school. We had gotten several referrals for Hancock Elementary. In 2007 Hancock had the Highest MAP Scores (Measure of Academic Progress) in the district! We are very excited. I can't wait to see him learn and grow. I will keep you updated with new pictures and stories. I am sure we will have many.

Happy 5th Fathers Day X2!

Brett,
Our journey started ten years ago. When we first got married and lived off Koo laid and Ramen. It then hit me that this was not going to be easy. But we decided we were strong enough, especially if we faced life's challenges together, side by side! Watching you grow into the amazing father that you are has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I know that might surprise you, but it is true. There is nothing that makes my heart melt like watching you sharing those little moments with our boys. They are getting older everyday and I know that our boys will be honest, forthright, strong, sensitive and caring because of you.

Happy 5th Father's Day X2
We love you
Cameron
Landon
&
Mom

Final Product

The backyard landscape is finally finished. We have to wait to hang the other three lanterns on the pillars and also the gutters when the sod is ready to be walked on. But here are some pictures to see for those of you far away that can't just drive over.

Go run and play outside.

Go run and play outside! You don't know how bad I want to say that when my boys seem to do nothing but run and yell LOL. Our backyard is finally getting done. In Illinois grass just GROWS. That is why it is hard to believe we have to pay someone to plant grass. It was supposed to take two weeks for the guys to even come out and get started pouring the concrete, installing the sprinklers, laying the sod, and then planting the trees and flowers. Well a week in and they have just finished the curbing. So one step is over. And the rest should be done by the weekend. Here is a picture of the backyard before landscaping. If you look really close you can see the curbing through the weeds. LOL No really we haven't pulled them since we moved in almost a year ago. We have been going out there lately in disbelief that soon it will be done. If you want to see the finished product you have to come over. We are going to have a BBQ as soon as we are allowed on the lawn. I think the kids are going to go crazy looking at the backyard but not being able to play on it. I guess we will just have to make lots of plans away from the house during those two weeks.

10 and counting

May 18th 2008 will forever now be known to us as Dylan Scott Longtins Birthday. Brett and I were lucky enough to go to the hospital to see him. He is healthy and perfect so what more can you ask for? This is my favorite picture that Mike and Monica sent to us. When we get more we will post them. The Longtins are now at 10 grandchildren and counting. Wow! Who will be the next to have a little one??? We will just have to wait and see.

The girl who broke his HEART!

On Friday we had story time at Cameron's new school that he will go to for kindergarten. It was wonderful to meet the teachers and see the school. After story time we did a tour. We seen the Lunch room, Library, The school yard for recess and last the class rooms. The current class was there so Cameron got to "BUDDY" with a student that will be going into 1st grade next year for a project. Cameron was acting shy which is not his personality at all. We thought it was just a lot going on so we helped him pick his partner. It was a beautiful Indian girl named Karisma. Cameron and her colored and talked. He was mostly excited about the water bottle that she said he could bring next year. When we left the school Brett asked Cameron "Why were you being so shy?" Cameron said that he was scared that Karisma was "So beautiful that she made his heart break". Brett and I could not believe it. Before kindergarten even started he has already had his heart broken. On the way home we passed a Michaels store. Cameron said that is where Karisma said she got her water bottle so he wanted to stop and also get one. But NOT PINK. We could not possibly tell him no after his heart had just been broken for the first time. So we went in. After walking around the store we could not find them anywhere. Then Cameron says " Dang it I should have asked her what Isle they were in." OMG. My little boy suddenly doesn't seem so little. I know that this is now only the start of all the Father & Son talks that Brett and Cameron will share.

Longtin Family Picture.

No one ever said taking a family picture with 19 people would be easy. But I would say it turned out well considering everything. Not everyone is looking the same direction or has a smile on their face (Brett) but with all those kids what can you expect? We did try to keep Landons binki out of his mouth as long as possible. But he so cute with or without it. I will have the rest of the family pictures Saturday so I will post them soon.

All Together Again

So this past week Jared, Michelle, Teyah & Ryder all came to Arizona. We had family gatherings, Teyahs Birthday Party (ALL things princess), Family Pictures, Bonfires, Eric singing by the fire, Ice Skating & A double date. The family pictures were great but it is because Landon wasn't in half of them having a fit. LOL Ice skating was fun. Teyah wanted to see Cameron on his turf. So Cameron tried to teach her how to skate by telling her "Teyah You need to March March Glide." He is so funny. By the end she was doing well. Date night was wonderful. It was the best food we have had in a long time. But the food was so good it makes Olive Garden now seem like Burger King. Once we finally got a taste of the good life. And the most important thing that we did was have Teyahs party. It was so cute. The princess castle was amazing. Every little girls dream and the cake was made with love by Michelle & Only took 2 days. LOL It was a success. We all had a great time.

Cameron's best buds

I thought I would put a picture of Cameron and his best friends on here. It seems like I will always remember who his best friends were but in reality if I don't write it down I probably won't. It is a sad fact that even the cutest things that I love about them will fade and get replaced by new cute things that they do and say. Cameron when he was almost 2 during Christmas would say OH LIGHTS. It doesn't sound that impressive but the way he said it was the cutest thing. I can still hear it just like it was yesterday. Landon's new thing is saying YES. It kind of comes out like YETS but it is still perfect. He says it over and over as if to practice by himself. I will put new things on here as they come.

We love you!

For all that you do.



This week Brett is starting a 60 day trial period with his job. He will be going out of town every 3 days for 36 hours. This will not be easy for him but he is doing this for us to make a little extra money. Landon is almost climbing out of his crib so we need to get him a new bedroom set before he falls out onto his head. Did I mention that he is also in those 3 days in between running his Auto Glass Company. Taking phone calls, ordering glass, picking up parts, doing the job. All of this just for us. I wanted to yell from the roof tops how great Brett really is. He would kill me if he knew I was saying this. So I guess it is good that he doesn't even know what Blogspot is. Brett is a wonderful husband, father, son and friend. I have always known how great it is to have him in our lives but now that he is gone for days at a time I can really appreciate how he is the major part of what holds or family together. Without him we would have no home, cars, insurance, food, clothes or anything. And all that is only STUFF. Without him I wouldn't have anyone to share the good times, tell all my secrets, laugh, cry or grow old with. Without Brett my children wouldn't get to see day to day what it means to be a good DAD. How to treat your family with respect and honor. To do the things that are hard, that no one wants to do but that have to be done. I hope this inspires you to tell your loved ones what they mean to you.
With love

Skate Rattle and Roll

Cameron turned five on New Years Eve 2008. We can't believe that we have a five year old. It almost doesn't seem real. He is such a good boy. He is smart, kind, fearless, observant, determined and loves attention. And boy does he get it too. I can't believe that I found 3 pictures of Cameron without Buscia. She loves him so very much that in almost every picture she was right behind or next to him. I love the close relationship they have even being 36 hours away when they are together they pick up right where they left off. We had his party at the Polar Ice Arena where Cameron is currently taking Learn to skate classes for Hockey. The kids all had such a good time that a few of them are even thinking of joining themselves. I will get a few videos up when the blogspot videos work. LOL

Papa & the boys.

Both of my parents came this month to visit. We had so much fun with Cameron's party, Shopping and just hanging out. Here are a few pictures of the visit.

First minute on the ICE

Brett & I