Flanagan Clan

Ethan has been getting weird rashes around his mouth since he started solids and we’re not sure what is causing them. We gave him a milk product a week and a half ago and that really got him, but this morning when he woke up he had a major rash all around his mouth and I felt quite downhearted, as I felt helpless in knowing what was causing all this irritation in his skin. Then I realized that he was really drooling, so I pried open his mouth (much to his dislike!), and saw a definite tooth just barely peaking through the swollen gums. So, yeah, he took a little longer than his older brothers, but it looks like this little guy is about to be the proud owner of a brand new pearly toothie. I hope it pops up soon, so we can get rid of this mouth rash!

Lately Andrew and I have resorted to spelling out everything in front of the boys since they’ve become quite smart. It’s become our little code language. Well, I think Patrick’s starting to figure out some of the spelling meanings, even if he doesn’t know how to spell them himself.On many nights as the time approaches 8 PM I’ll tell Andrew that it’s time to put the B-O-Y-S to B-E-D. Well, the other night Patrick looked at me and said, “No, I don’t want to go to G-R-S!”.

Speaking of Patrick, even though his birthday isn’t for another week, tonight we’re having a little dragon birthday party for him. Imagine 4 active boys, 2 curious and mobile babies, 4 plastic swords and one dragon pinata. Yes, we’re going to have a crazy night. Pictures to come later!!!

As you probably can tell by the lack of posting, we’ve been very busy. We’re having Patrick’s b-day party this weekend and I have much to do besides that between taking care of three boys (one of which is a suddenly very mobile and dangerous 11 month old), keeping the house in order, and doing lots of custom orders for the business. So, I’ve been a little slow on keeping up with blogging, e-mails and other forms of communication. I will try to update soooooooon…

One exciting tidbit to share until then… I’m officially a sponsor for the November 2008 Great Cloth Diaper Hunt! You might have read about it in my personal blog back in May… well, this time around I get to hide a diaper icon on my website and I’ll have lots of people coming through trying to find it. Thankfully, I have a very techno-savvy husband who will be hiding my icon for me. So, if it’s the only one you look for in this contest, I’d love for you to try to find my icon for this hunt, starting Nov. 1st!!!!

A little ways down the road that runs behind our house is a Lutheran Church that happens to run a little preschool. We decided to enroll Patrick into one of their classes this year. He’ll be going on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 2 1/2 hours each day. Yesterday was his first day and he had so much fun! They learned about the letter A and about Adam and Eve. Patrick’s class is small… I believe they said there were 2 other boys and maybe 2-3 girls? Anyways, it’s a really nice preschool, and they have a lot of fun things planned for the year. I received a calender yesterday and there were all sorts of fun things to do, like Show and Tell, Dress like a Farmer Day, and even a trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

I didn’t get a picture of Patrick at his preschool because I forgot my memory card, so I had to take one afterwards. Here’s my little preschooler!!!

He's Growing Up!!!

Pictures from the past month!!! Yes, we’re behind!!!

Three handsome little boys

On the ferry to Victoria

Our Hotel in Victoria

Our Hotel Room

Our Hotel Room again!

The Fireplace

I received fresh flowers each day we were there, but this one was a special order from Andrew since red roses are my favorite!

Cool doorway leading into the bathroom, complete with large jacuzzi tub!

On the Waterfront

Beautiful Castle we visited

Fuschias at Buschart Gardens

Shamrocks!

More Fuschias

More Pretty Flowers at Buschart

Beautiful Yellow Rose

Us at Buschart Gardens

Andrew's name was on the ballot this year. He was running for the office of precinct committee officer. He didn't win, but it was still cool to be able to vote for him!!!!

I am being lazy and not flipping this particular photo, but I just wanted to show one of the latest projects I worked on... a leather biker vest!!!

Yes, I needed someone to try on a dress I made... the job fell on Sammy. Sorry, little man...

Two Cuties in a Basket!!!

Preparing for a long, long plane ride with three active little boys...

Our Family at Sam and Savanna's Wedding in Eastern PA

A Visit to Grandma Flanagan's old Horse Farm in Massachusetts... she and the horses don't live there anyore, but it was still neat to see!

The boys and Andrew enjoying Uncle Joe and Aunt Liz’s pool- they live right behind Grandma Flanagan, so we got to go over several times!!!

Ethan enjoying (?) the baby float!

Andrew and Sammy enjoying the pool again!

Sammy following Andrew into the barn

Patrick finding eggs in the hayloft

Patrick riding Buster- he was very unsure at first

Starting to gain some confidence...

Definitely enjoying the horse ride!!!

Grandma's Stallion, Elijah

Grandma Flanagan with Grandson and Great-grandsons, too :o)

Grandma playing with Ethan

Our Family at Andrew's Parent's Home in Virgina

Grandma and Grandpa Flanagan with the boys

Patrick was very concerned that both he and Big Bear had forehead stickers for the plane ride home...

Basically, that was the past month in a nutshell! Most of the month I was busy with the boys and the business, and then at the end we did the whole whirlwind East Coast trip. It was a fun way to end the summer. Now we’re back with our noses to the grindstone, and Patrick begins preschool on Tuesday. The Puyallup Fair opens today and I’m getting excited to take the boys. That’s always a fun time! There’s probably a lot that I’m forgetting, but I have so much to do… so that’s all for now!!!!