Toothers

just wanted ot update...mitchell now has three teeth. the two on the bottom have been joined by a beauty on the top right. he's been handling it well. very little fussing! what a good guy.

by the way...there are two more on the way. bottom on either side.

First Day of K

Wow...the day I've been preparing for for so long....is over. Connor is now a kindergartener. The day was pretty great. We got up early...got out of the house okay. (thanks to the Grandmas for coming over to help with that.) It was a brisk morning..so Connor asked to wear a jacket (I know my son and had one ready and waiting). He also wanted pants...but that was not going to happen.

We walked down the lane together...Connor and I held back a little. I wanted to chat a bit about what he should expect. I was sooooo nervous. I truly had butterflies in my stomach! He was a-okay though.

We paused part way to the bus stop to take this pic. He was so cute! When we got to the bus stop, we were actually surprised when a different bus showed up (bus 21 pulled up instead of bus 6). The driver told us that from now on he would be picking Connor up at the end of the lane. I was a bit concerned and stopped traffic to figure it all out...but after my questions were answered...Connor took his first steps onto the big yellow.

Once he was on...he asked me, what do i do now? I told him...while sniffling back tears...to sit down and relax and soon I would be there picking him up. So he did.

Ugh.

My little boy is growing up.

I cried the whole way back home.

My mom and the boys and I went to Panera...then took a walk.

I couldn't wait to pick him up. We were the first people in the parking lot...though I let another car pull in front of me to be kind.

He spotted us right away. I couldn't wait to give him a hug and hear about his day!

He climbed right in the van...i hugged and kissed him...and started to tear up again.

His teacher stopped by the car and told us he had a great day......except.....for one minor? meltdown. He didn't want to cut out a school bus with scissors...said he hated cutting and couldn't do it....refused to do it. She kindly said that we'll have to work on fine motor skills at home. Hmmm.

Wow. My baby is a kindergartener.

Watch out world.

A Dutch Wonderful Day

we promised the boys a day at dutch wonderland before the end of summer. so friday...amidst the rain drops, we fulfilled our promise.

we had a great time. so many smiles. jackson was non-stop!



Sawyer didn't get to ride too much...but loved the slide and all the trains.



connor and i posed. he thought this was pretty cool!

my boys on the merry go round. this is the first time we actually rode it. we branched out this trip. we road at least 5 new things!

of course, their favorite....the train. choo....chooo.

we got there at 11 am...left for lunch for 20 minutes at sonic...and came home at 7 pm. they closed the park early because it was pouring!

the boys were awesome. no naps, no fussying...just patient, polite little boys. they crashed at 8:30...craig and i followed at 9:30!

picture pages

We pulled out the ol' exer-saucer for Mitchell. Its on its fourth little one in our house (plus the two kids from the family who gave it to us.) He loved it right away.

Craig called it...he said Mitchell would love chewing on the plastic flower. Mitchell reached right for it.



We painted a little bit this week too. The boys had a good time. Connor painted the "whole earth". Jackson loved it too. And Sawyer...well, Sawyer ate and wore more paint than he painted. YUM!

Oh what a week!

This was an eventful week for us. On Monday Connor and I attended his kindergarten assessment. I was so nervous...he was totally cool. He asked me to go with him to the actualy assessment, so I walked him there...then left. About 40 minutes later he and the other kindergarteners returned. Connor was full of excitement! He loved it...and told me that kindergarten was awesome. Such a relief for us. Connor doesn't like change, so we knew the first impression of K-town would be huge.

On Tuesday, Craig and I returned to the school for orientation. Connor was so excited to go back. He met his teacher...(Craig and I went to high school with her) and it turns out two kids he already knows are in his class. He road the bus too. Loved it!

Tuesday was a loooooong day. I went to work after the orientation and didn't get home until after 8:30. The whole week was kind of like that....long. Plus, it was hot and super humid. UGH.

Thursday we laid low. In the evening we went to our church picnic. The boys ate everything I put on their plate. Rare, yes. But they did it. Then Friday was our day care picnic. It's hard to believe the boys only have two days left. I have such mixed feelings.

Saturday we mostly relaxed. The boys painted at the kitchen table. Sawyer ate more paint than landed on the paper. I'll post pictures later. We had a great time though.

Tomorrow, the boys will be home with our new babysitter. I'm a little nervous, but excited. I'm praying it'll go really well.

Five months...oh, my

Mitchell is five months old! Wow. It flew by. I've enjoyed just about every moment!

*your eyes are a little red in these pics...maybe you have some allergies?

Here's a bit of a status update....

• You have two teeth - the bottom middle - but a third is working its way in
• You love to roll on your belly...and can stay there for a few minutes
• You have an awesome laugh...you really get going when I tickle your thighs!
• You love to sleep on your belly and will fuss until you get there
• You just started taking a pacifier. you like to chew on it.
• You've had your first taste of cereal...your reaction is still a bit mixed
• You're getting a bit more on a regular schedule...but still wake up twice a night
• you've got the most adorable chunky thighs that i love to kiss
• You get "excessive" love from your brothers, but take it in stride
• You love your bouncy seat...and have really started to enjoy your play mat
• Daddy and I love to lay you on our bed and play with you after your brothers are asleep
• You still enjoy taking baths but have started kicking the water everywhere
• I love to cuddle and hold you...no matter the hour!

ps - you also love your toes...you get them in your mouth whenever you can!

The Graduate

Connor is a graduate! It's been 5 long years, but he finally made it. He made it through daycare...now its on to kindergarten.

Here he is being escorted in by Miss Cherie. (He was not looking forward to graduation. He told me he didn't want anyone to clap or cheer, he was feeling shy.) Miss Cherie has been his special buddy since the first day he was at day care...it was so touching to see her walk him in.)

This is his teacher Miss Brandy reading him a special letter that Craig and I wrote to him. It was neat to hear what each of the parents had to say as their kids graduated.

Connor and Miss Cherie. (He insisted on wearing his spiderman shirt. It lights up, after all.)

Miss Brandy, Connor, and Miss Cherie.

(at one point, they asked parents to share a special memory...i started to cry as i shared the story of how miss cherie would take time out to rock connor to sleep almost every day when he was an infant.)

Let the celebration begin!

Cake for everyone....(watch your hand Grandma!)

Elmo (and Aunt Kelly)...love you so, so, much...

Anut Kelly was over last weekend. The boys were excited to see her. Mitchell especially loved playing with her and ELMO.

(notice the blue painters tape on the windows...no it's not an exciting new decorating statement...we're finally getting around to painting the windows in the rec room. I'm not sure which is more surprising...that we haven't painted them yet...or that I actually taped them all off before trying to paint.)



Mitchell: Who are you? And why are you looking at me like that?



Thanks for playing with me Aunt Klelly.

Grandma visits...

Grandma Shannon came over to visit us last Saturday. It was so nice to hang out with her. Mitchell enjoyed sitting up and taking it all in. Do you notice the red tinge in Mitchell's hair? By the way, Mr. Mitchell started using a pacifier!

PS Sorry, I don't know how to move the pictures so they're upright.

Blessed

I'm feeling very blessed today...actually, not just today...I'm blessed every day. I just notice it some days more than others.

This is one of those times, though, that I'm so overwhelmed with love that I can barely contain it. I must be the luckiest woman in the world. (cheesy, i know..but i think its true. you can remind me of this later) I've got a beautiful healthy family and an extraordinary husband.

We've been at a bunch of family and friend events lately...and each time we're out with people, I'm more and more proud of my boys. They have been so polite and well behaved. Of course they still have plenty of vinegar inside...but that's to be expected. Plus, we've been having a really good time. I love seeing them having fun. Nothing makes me happier than hearing them belly laugh!

I also really dig my husband. (He'll roll his eyes when he sees this) Truly, I am blessed with an over-the-top, more-than-I-ever-deserved, totally-hot husband. Even though we don't always agree on child rearing....(okay, so maybe I am a bit too over protective)...he's a great dad and totally loves our boys. The last couple of nights he was awake when I got home from work. (he was washing the kitchen floor last night) I loved it. We talked and talked and talked. We don't get to do that too often with 4 little guys nipping at our heels. Anyway, I'm blessed.

As soon as I can, I'll add pictures of our weekend fun. A visit from Grandma Shannon, a visit from Aunt Kelly, and some outside stuff.

By the way, my friend Carrie just posted some pictures of Mitchell. She took them when he was 5 days old.

Check out her site http://www.lulubellephotography.com/ go to online proofing. the password is our last name. (Go to the oh, baby photo gallery and you'll see three pictures of Sawyer posted there. Too cute.)

Something new...

Mitchell got his first taste of cereal today. the first picture is one that craig took while i was feeding mitchell. (its a little fuzzy)....but it captures his first bite! He's not so sure....

Mitchell loved it though. He ate a bunch...with a little dribble here and there.

I think he's sold on it. we'll give him some more tomorrow. (sigh of relief from mommy since it means i'll get a little break from being the sole source of nourishment for this little one.)

anyway...we had a good day. one of the highlights came as i was folding laundry and came upon connor's new spiderman shirt. sawyer picked it out of the laundry and started showing it to jackson...jackson said..."i don't need to see it sawyer. give it to connor, he loves spider man! he wants it."

it was really cute. jackson is always quick to share and think of others. it is really hard to believe that about a year ago i was so concerned about his progress. he has really broken out of his shell. he's so eager to talk and tell us about his day and what he's doing. he constantly impresses me with this gentle spirit. i couldnt' possibly love him any more.

my cup overflows with blessings.

One big happy family....

*check out the serious frown on Mr. Connor....ewww, he wasn't happy!

Give thanks for friends...

We were really fortunate to be able to catch up with some old friends this week. Our friends Joel and Lonna and their kids were up in Lancaster for a few days. They live in Atlanta and we don't often get to see them. Joel was in our wedding...and has been a good friend to Craig through the years. He had a stroke about two months ago...it was pretty scary at the time, but he seems to be doing well now. We were so happy to get a chance to see them.

Lonna's parents have a pool, so we thoroughly took advantage. The boys LOVED playing with their new friends. (Lonna and Joel have three kids...Ben, Gabe and Naomi...plus their older cousins were there too.)

Naomi liked playing in the dirt pile almost as much as Sawyer!

(Hey cutie...what do you say I throw a little dirt on you and we make it a date!)

But no one can wear their ice cream like my little bull!

Jackson LOVED the ducky swim toy...he could have spent all day in the pool. He's really getting to enjoy the water.

Sawyer and Joel...Sawyer did not like the life vest...but eventually warmed up to it. (He doesn't like being restricted!)

Baptism

Sunday July 26th was a special day. Mitchell was baptised. It was a beautiful service...made even more so by the fact that we were joined by our family. Craig and i thought it was important to have the other boys in front with us. (okay, i thought it was important, craig agreed...though he had to hold sawyer for the majority of the service so he got the short end of the stick.)

I felt overwhelmingly blessed...Connor, Jackson and Sawyer did great out in front. They were very interested and listened. When Pastor Kent uncovered the baptismal font, Connor asked...how is mitchell going to fit in there? too cute. all jackson wanted to do was kiss his little brother. he was concerned that mitchell was getting wet. Mitchell did great too. Although he spit up all over me, himself, and the floor. he never spits up...so it was a little strange...but no big deal. the big boys got to touch the water before mitchell was baptised. they loved it.

Then kent asked the boys (and Craig and I) to lay hands on mitchell and pray. i was a great moment. I felt overwhelmed with joy and love. God is so good...and was very much there as we dedicated Mitchell's life to the Lord.

Mitchell wore the same blue sweater set that his brothers wore at their baptisms. (jackson acutally wore a polo shirt since he was older than the rest.)

This is Kent as he's introducing Mitchell to the congregation. I love this part of the service. Kent asks the congregation to take a role in raising Mitchell. It takes a congregation.

Our littlest blessing!