Welcome Baby!

We welcomed our daughter into our family Sunday, October 7th at 1:05am shocking us all with her speedy entrance into the world!  7 pounds 13 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long with blond hair, fat cheeks and a set of lungs that let you know of her disapproval.  We are all in love! 

I've received many emails regarding "Behold Him" kits.  Please understand I'm learning all about babys' needs and working on several events for October.  I will be offering the kits again after November 1st.  Thank you for all your support and understanding!

First Day of School

The first day of school came late this year.  I thought it would be great to have the extra summertime, but unfortunately, my internal school clock kicked in right when school should of started so the last ten days of Summer seems to drag a bit.  The kids felt it too!  They were very excited to go and meet their new teachers, see old friends, make new friends and enjoy themselves.   And it was a success!  They all LOVE their new teachers and classes.  Such a wonderful relief of the anticipation that is felt leading up to it. 

First out the door was this guy.  He's getting too old for my likings!  Can't believe he's already in 7th grade.  He was so excited to start Jr. High that he left before I could snap a picture.  We got him back, but not for long.

Soon, it was time for the elementary kids to head out.  This cutie is headed to 4th grade.
 

And this excited little friend is heading to Kindergarten!

 



They were so excited to meet their teachers!  My daughter was so excited to take her brother to Kindergarten this year.  She's pretty good to him.  I loved listening to her tell him all about his Kindergarten teacher and how she is the best Kindergarten teacher there is. 

We had some extra time since everyone jumped out of bed so early so I got to indulge her with some poses that she had in mind.  Her outfits crack me up.  She's such a fashionista!  We had a great time picking out her school clothes and came out with some great pieces that she loves to mix and match. 

All in all, it was a success!  Kids LOVED everything about school and are still going strong with the excitement!  I'm thankful that I have a wonderful husband who gave a great lesson and father's blessing to each child the night before.  You could feel the warmth and spirit in our home which I always appreciate.  I always loved going back to school so I'm glad that the kids are following in my footsteps.

Lemonade

It's been a long standing tradition at our house to have many lemonade stands during the Summer.  The kids love going out there to sell.  This year, this little guy really got into it.  He was determined to set up stand daily and would spend hours out there shaking his handmade sign. 

Being his Mama, of course I love, love, LOVE his handmade sign.

He did it so much, he sold out of lemonade.  Made himself enough money to buy some special darts for his dart gun and a treat. 

Thank you generous neighbors for all your support with his little lemonade empire!

Happy 5th Birthday!

I can not believe that my baby is five!  FIVE! How time has flown by.  He, however, thinks it is fantastic. Birthdays are for spoiling and yes, he was spoiled.  This year, I didn't throw him a friend party.  He didn't understand why we were sending out the envelopes to his friends.  Thankfully, we were able to snag a few friends for an afternoon movie and some playtime.  I couldn't hardly catch these boys for a picture.  They were too excited to play with the present they brought.

It's tradition to help make your birthday cake.  This year, he picked homemade chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. Mmmm!   He wanted it to look like a muddy battlefield so we sanitized some army men and let him have at it.  Love his chocolate face!

See what I mean about being spoiled?  That heap of presents is mostly from Gram.  She just can't seem to help herself!

A few highlights about him:

• You love Curious George and monkeys (notice the shirt and the wrapping papers?)
• You ask to make cakes often because you just can't resist the licking the beaters and the bowl
• You really love preschool! 
• You're best friends are Eli and Abe.  You would play with them everyday, all day long if you could.
• You love Mexican food especially enchiladas. 
• You still have cute round cheeks that I can't resist kissing. 
• You love to wear that old bomber jacket of your uncles and black wellies every single day.
• You can't wait for your Dad to take you duck hunting.  
• You often ask for a Grandma Sharon day and if she is busy, you always ask for a Uncle Matt day.

Happy Birthday my little man!  I love you so much and you are such a joy to have in our home!

Thankful for Art

Today, I'm thankful for the watercolor set that Gram gave li'l missy last Christmas.  It kept all three kids happy and getting along for quite a while today.  And now we have some new master pieces to add to the mix!

I'm off to toot my flute again tonight.  The holiday season keeps me busy with that.  Have a good night!

Sometimes You Don't Realize It

Somedays, you don't realize all the little things that you are thankful for.  Today was one of those days.  I have a whole list of little thanks today.

• I'm thankful that my littlest guy has learned numbers well enough to call his Gram's home.  
• And he thinks it's super awesome to call her.  A lot.
• I love hearing him giggle and giggle because he thinks he is sooo hilarious.
• And I think it's hilarious that he puts it on speaker phone and lounges by me so I can hear his conversation. 
• I also find it funny that Gram and Gramps think that I don't know he is calling them. 
• I love that he will declare the day a Grandma day and Gram always agrees.  
• I'm thankful for Grandparents.  Fantastic, spoiling grandparents. 
• I love hearing about his Grandma days even though I really miss him during the day.  (What am I going to do when he goes to school next year?)
• And I love that he wears the top of him monkey costume as a jacket.
• I'm thankful for my husband.  
• And the fact that he just bought himself some microwave pizzas but shared them with the kids so I didn't have to make dinner. 
• And that he can always make a witty little comment on just about anything including said microwave pizzas.
• I'm thankful it's almost bedtime. 
• I'm thankful for prayer.
• And that there is a new episode of "Once Upon A Time" on Hulu.
• I'm thankful for my daughter and other son too, but that will have to wait until tommorrow because this list is long and I've got to get these kids to bed and watch my show! 

Third Baby

Sometimes, I think my littlest guy gets the short end of the stick.  He's not the loudest or the biggest (which coincidentally is the oldest boy), not the only girl, not the whiniest, not the sassiest (um without question my only daughter) and it takes a lot for him to cry.  He's the one that is content to play a big battle with his army men or watch an episode of Curious George.  He's just as happy to run after the big kids, to play with my friends babies or to snuggle up with me and play the iphone.  Because he's not demanding, I feel he gets lost in the shuffle of the big kids demands.

Sadly, I had to miss taking him to his first day of preschool.  And his second day.  So, even though it was his third day of preschool, let's just pretend it was the first day since it was my first day with him, mmmkay?

He was especially excited that day because he had the treat bucket.  Awesomeness!  I love his bag.  His teacher had them make them at the preschool open house.  She had stamps and paint out for them to stamp their bags.  He chose to paint the entire thing and I think that he did a grand job of mixing the colors.  It drove my husband crazy to see him not stamp like he was supposed to.  I thought it was artistic creativity.   I see a future for him as a painter.  And since he's such a quiet kid, he'll be considered a mysterious and moody painter.  Haha!

When he comes home from his day, he'll quietly throw out little comments here and there.

"My teacher is a really good teacher!"  

"I was the water boy and I only spilled one cup." 

"I was a really good singer today."  

I'm so happy that he is so happy in his little preschool.  Happy 3rd day of preschool my little one!  I hope there is many, many more happy mornings of school for you.

Love, 

Mama