This was our August...

A quick recap of the rest of August. I realize these are heavily favoring one of my children. In my defense, he is the only one home all day with me and his messes are just a lot more photogenic than the bigger boys messes these days!

One day I could hear the Little Guy, but couldn't find him. We finally found him all the way upstairs. He was so proud. Now, whenever we forget the gate, he's up in a flash.

We are practicing with the fork. As you can see from the photos below, we need to work on his aim!

These pictures melt my heart! I love how his big brother is playing with his hair in the 1st and notice the 2-handed thumb sucking in the 2nd photo!

This is a Kindergarten tradition at our school. The assignment is to disguise your bear. He chose Captain America- looks pretty good!!!

The Littlest Guy loves loves loves puppies. He has found every stuffed puppy in the house, but this one seems to be the favorite. He now wants me to feed his puppy before I feed him. So, here they are in their bibs ready for dinner. 

And honestly, this kid can sleep (when he wants to!) Every day is a struggle to make it to kindie pick up time. Once he falls asleep, that's it- you can wiggle and jiggle him, change his diaper, and he will sleep "like a baby!" The other day, he fell asleep on our way to Costco. He stayed asleep in my arms. Once I thought they might fall off, Kevin grabbed some pillows and made a bed in the cart. We had things balancing all around him and he slept the whole time.  I wish I could sleep like that!

First Day of School

First day of 3rd Grade and First Day of Kindergarten for these boys.

Love this one!

My heart was torn this morning. I have always been by biggest brothers side as he ventured off to a new classroom. But, this year, we had to drop him off in his line since I had to be with Mr. Kindergartener. Biggest Brother didn't seem to mind at all. I guess it bothers me more than him!

They had us attend about half of the mornings activities with our kindergarteners. We did some of the same activities as we did when Biggest Brother was there. Brought back some fond memories. He even has the same teacher. 

This may be the look of a soon-to-be-too-excited-to-sit-in-his-chair-and-work-kindergartener!

When the parents were finally dismissed, this is what he looked like, sitting with all of his buddies from the last 2 years of preschool. 

After pickup- I had 2 very happy boys. They both love their new teachers and are ready for a great year ahead.

I asked Biggest Brother what was different about this year's teacher than in the past- he said, "She's nicer!" She must be amazing because he's had some good teachers in the past.

After his first ever experience in PE, Big Brother said, "It is so fun- you totally have to try it out!"

Is it bad if I'm already tired of making lunches on day 3?

The night before school starts

It's the night before the kids head back to school. Biggest Brother a 3rd grader and Big Brother a Kindergartener. We had to live it up a bit this weekend to celebrate a fun summer behind us. On Friday, I took the kids to a favorite park for some cooling off....

On Saturday, Kevin ended up working in the afternoon/evening. The neighbors have been bbq-ing and roasting marshmallows throughout the summer. We've joined a few times, but this night we were celebrating some good friends/neighbors that are moving shortly and school starting up. 

We ended the weekend (today) at a fun local water park. We didn't take any photos- because 3 kids at a water park is more than we can handle! But, it was so fun. Big Brother finally learned how to swim after many weeks of swim lessons. He was so brave going down slides that even scared me! 

It's been a fun and full summer- lots of fun and lots of memories. Lots of relaxing and lots of mess. I am looking forward to having the kids back to school, but at the same time I am not ready to be back on the daily schedule. I know we'll be back in the swing of things quickly- so I will work on getting more of our summer memories on here quick!

Take Me Out ....

Well, another summer of baseball has ended. This was a busy summer with a lot of games and practices, all with the littlest one in tow. Biggest Brother played for his 4th time- this year on a modified kid-pitch team. In previous years, he's always played coach-pitch games. This year the kids pitched to each other. After 4 balls, the coach would come in for a chance. In addition, they played on dirt fields for the first time as well. There were a lot of changes and a lot of new things to get used to, but he did a great job and we enjoyed watching him play each week.

Playing kid pitch with 8 year olds takes a lot of courage- there were quite a few walks to 1st base!

Big Brother played (what he hopes is) his last year of t-ball. He had a group of boys from school together on his team, The Ninja Turtles. They had a ton of fun and good coaches that taught them a bunch this year. He's been practicing at the batting cages and can't wait for next year when he gets his turn at coach-pitch!

They love baseball and it's become our summer tradition to be out there all summer practicing, playing and watching them now!

And this little guy got his first taste of what summer ball is all about. He loves balls and I have a feeling it won't be too long until he's out there hitting alongside his big brothers!

Happy 1st Birthday

Happy 1st Birthday to our greatest surprise!

It was one year ago that the greatest surprise of our family joined us! Though you were a surprise to us, you were no surprise to God. I will be honest that I had many fears about adding another little man to our family. We had just turned a corner from baby/toddler hood into the early school years and things were starting to get just a bit easier. I was finally sleeping all night for most nights and we had said goodbye to all our baby gear and baby days. So we thought!

God took what I thought would be our little family and shook it up a bit. But, when he was done and life settled back in- it was settled in more beautifully and fully than it was before!

Being your mom has given me the chance to slow down and enjoy the moments of baby-life again. To experience all the firsts - just one more time. To cuddle just a little longer. To know love just a little deeper. To see the miracle of life unfold again. 

When your big brothers were little the days were sweet, but often it was hard to imagine a time when life wouldn't feel so demanding. Well, that time came and then I missed those cuddly sweet baby days so much! Being your mom has let me experience that all over again, but this time with a new perspective of how fleeting these moments really are. 

This year has been so full- full of change and growth; full of wonder and sweetness. We have watched you grow from a sleepy little baby who could hardly wake up to eat into a curious, on-the-go, into everything little guy toddling all over the place!

But, from the first moment we saw you - you have nestled your way into the depths of our hearts. What a great surprise you are!

Happy 1st Birthday Little Man!

Love,

Mommy

We actually celebrated your first birthday at Laguna Beach, in California. We were on our family vacation and it was a fun day to be with you. We went to my friend's house for dinner and they surprised us with a cake and your first cupcake (the bottom pictures). We waited until we were home to do our traditional family celebration and decorated your door (which you loved to walk through!)  We got you a basketball hoop and a really big ball- since that is the only thing you love more than food right now! We ended our celebration with some more sugar and mess! I'd say you were a lucky 1 year old this year. 

Now that you are one:

- You shake your head "no" when we tell you "no" and laugh and continue to do what we don't want you to do!

- You love animals, especially dogs, but you are afraid of them too. You get just as close as you can without touching and then cry when they come any closer!

-You are starting to be so much more aware of things and learning new things every day.

-You are falling asleep on your own for naps and bedtime. Finally sleeping in past 5:30 in the morning and slowly moving towards one long nap in the day.

-You love to play with your brothers and to be outside. You love to investigate everything by putting it in your mouth.

-You love balls. It's your only word so far. All sizes, all colors, all sports, all balls. You endured a long summer of baseball games for your brothers and now know how to set the ball on the "T"and hit it off. Not bad for a little guy!

-You would eat all day if I let you. You are always getting things you can't have out of the pantry and sneaking crumbs you find off the floor. You like pretty much everything you try, but really love watermelon, peaches and strawberries. Also, pancakes and smoothies rank pretty high too!

11 Months Old

He turned 11 months old on Father's Day. In just weeks he'll be one! I don't know where his first year went. Though he will always be MY baby, he really isn't A baby anymore. 

He started walking at 10 months and by now he's pretty quick on his feet. 

His only word is "Bau" for Ball- he loves them- any size, any sport, any color!

He has the cutest little "Ooooo!" whenever he sees food or something he's excited about. 

He is hungry all the time. Loves smoothies, avacados, graham crackers, any fruits, peas, brocolli, Cheerios, pancakes, and whatever anyone else might be eating at that moment!

We have to keep all the doors shut- especially in the bathroom. He loves the toilets... 

He's loved having his big brothers home from school this summer- so much to laugh at and so much to watch and learn from! 

He has a cute little wave- you can see it in the last picture on the bottom- turned toward himself and squeezing tightly! 

He is finally napping and sleeping much better. Still an early riser, but falling asleep on his own much of the time and not night waking much anymore- thank goodness for that!

Still loves to suck his thumb.

He is a really snuggly baby who is also very outgoing, will let most people hold him and explores and ventures out without needing me right there. 

His funny side is starting to shine through. He likes to make silly noises and have us copy him. He remembers things we thought were funny the day before and tries it out the next day- just to make sure we still think he's funny. He has a great memory!

It has been amazing to me how quickly he's grown and changed. When the bigger boys were little, it seemed like they'd be little forever. But, slowly and surely, they have grown and changed and it was so easy to forget what life was like with a little one around. It isn't all fun and it isn't all cute and easy, but it is so precious. He has been such a blessing to us and a reminder to slow down and enjoy because in just a few fleeting moments you forget what it was like. I wish there was a way to get it all on video or picture or in writing- but life isn't like that. As much as I look forward to seeing what God has in store for this little guy (and the big boys too!) I wish there was a way to slow it down a bit- to memorize what this day is like and who they are right now!

Happy 4th!

 We woke up not quite knowing how to spend our holiday yesterday. Usually, we go to the town parade and the kids ride their decorated bikes and gather up bags of candy. This year, I didn't get organized enough to gather decorations and we read their would be no candy at the parade. They had even cancelled our fireworks show because of the high fire danger. Sounded like a bummer!

So, after a little research on the ipad- I found a hiking place we'd never known- St. Mary's Glacier. It was about an hour-ish away. 3/4 mile hike up- not too bad- but we made it. It had some spectacular views. That water was cold!!! People were actually swimming in it- yikes! There were people actually skiing on the ice- in their swimming clothes!

I feel so blessed to live in a state with such amazing beauty at our doorstep. It's fun to explore and show the kids the creations God's left us to enjoy!

Who can say they played in snow on July 4th?

Before...

After!

We headed a bit further west and had some yummy treats at Dairy King! The littlest man finally is loving his ice cream. The first time he tried it (back in March) he was in tears- maybe too cold! Now, he couldn't get enough!

After a long drive home and resting up for the night, we headed to a nearby town to watch their fireworks show. I have a cute photo- but it is still stuck on the hubby's phone!!!