Braden's Class

Today was the first day I got to go into Braden's class for centers. It was "watermelon day" and everything was adorable! I was SO excited to see all of his little buddies and see all the fun they have each day. Cute stuff!

Ethan's Open House

Tonight was open house at preschool for the 2 and 3 year old classes.  I debated on whether to go...I mean Ethan obviously knows the school and knows his teacher, Mrs. Jaime well from summer camp. But the guilty mommy part of me decided we needed to go because we did all of this for Braden of course (got it make it fair right? Because one day they'll look back and really care?!?! HA!!).  So off we went. :)

Oh Ethan and his smiles. :) We LOVE Mrs. Jaime!  Jaime...we are praying for you right now!!! ha!

Braden wanted his picture too. :)  He seemed so big at preschool tonight and to think he was just there last year.  sniff sniff

The goal=3 smiles at once....Result: somewhat successful. :)  School starts next Tuesday for Ethan!  He's excited to be with his Mrs. Jaime and his "siends" (friends).

A quick stop...

Today on the way home from Bloomington we made a quick pit stop to check out Jellystone Park on Monroe Lake. We had heard about it so we thought we'd check it out. They have cute little cabins and campsites so it might be a fun option in the future for a boating weekend. The boys always want their pictures taken with any cut outs like this that they see. ha! I just thought their faces were funny in this one.

And then Braden wanted to take ours! Could my head look any bigger?!?! :)

Our anniversary date night

Yesterday after Melissa's party we left the kids with my Mom and headed to Bloomington to celebrate our anniversary. Our anniversary is the 28th, Tuesday but this was a good opportunity to do an overnight with childcare. Woohoo!  We had the best time! Anytime you can get away and relax without kiddos is just good for you, right? :) 

 

We got a hotel right in the heart of kirkwood and campus so we could just walk around and see everything. It's changed so much since I went there (can we say I'm getting old?!?!) so it was fun to see the new shops and restaurants. We had dinner at Malibu Grill (yummy!!) then hit the shops, people watched, grabbed dessert and just enjoyed our alone time. :) Then this morning grabbed a huge breakfast at my old favorite, Village Deli, vegged around and went and got the kids from my mom.  Just a perfect little getaway. 8 years and going strong!! :) Thanks Mom for keeping the rugrats.

We got one picture. I was a little embarrased asking college kids to take our picture (which by the way they look 12!!) so I only asked for one. I kept wondering if I looked like an old mom or if I could pass for a student. ha! I'm pretty sure I know the answer. :)

And a few oldies from our wedding.  I'm pretty sure we look a bit younger, and rested in these. ha!  Happy 8th anniversary Babe!  Love you bunches and so grateful for my perfect little family that God blessed me with!

Melissa's party

So I posted about my friend Melissa recently moving back to Indiana from California.  Well her mom wanted to throw her a "welcome home, meet my grandbaby" kind of party on Saturday.  It was great to see some of my old high school buddies and to get some good baby snuggle time in. :)  Chris hung with all the guys and my kids had a blast in their pool.  It was such a fun day!

  It's crazy to think I've known these girls since 6th grade (some even earlier) and now to be moms and living all over. It's neat that we can get together here and there and catch up...and talk about how goofy we were as kids! :)

Me, Sarah, Pam, Melissa, Emily & Hope

And sweet Jackson snoozing away during his own party. How precious is this?!?!

Kate's birthday

On Friday night we celebrated our friend Kate's birthday. Her husband planned this fabulous surprise party for her. She had no idea anything was going on. :) gotta love those surprises! We all met at Stoney River (yummo) and had a scrumptious dinner followed by cupcakes from GiGi's. Wow! Her hubs even had a video made that he showed at the table with pictures from her family. Way to go Matt!  You other boys have your work cut out for you! Uh....Chris, my bday is in a month.  Get to work. ha!

Singing happy bday to Kate

The Girls

Braden kneeboarding

Last weekend I caught some pictures of Braden kneeboarding...unfortuantely I was on another boat so they weren't the closest shots but he was glad he had a few to see. Last summer he got up on the kneeboard but only with help froms someone in the water. This year he can pull himself up, attach the knee strap and grab the rope.  Chris said he tried to do a 360 right away...ha! Maybe next time he'll get that. He looked like a little peanut out there. I can't believe all these little guys are so brave behind the boat. :) The last picture is a video if you click the arrow.

Pancake Pen

So after reading a couple friend's blogs (Janelle and Alicia :) and seeing how fun their pancake pen looked, I finally ordered one.  We love it! The boys love it and I think it's pretty cool too. You just pour your batter in and it makes shapes, letters, and designs so easy.  Ethan loved watching. I'll have to get creative next time on what to make, but at first we did letters in our names, hearts and snakes (requested by Ethan).

"I go boating!"

So Ethan is obsessed LOVES boating! I mean loves boating. In fact when he does his prayers at night, we always have to pray for boating (not sure if it's a person or a need or a blessing, or what we're praying for but we say "and we pray for boating" because that's Ethan's request). He talks about wakeboarding and skiing endlessly. So for his 3rd bday party coming up, there will be no trucks, no dinosaurs,no Deigo in this house...yep it's a boating theme.  This was a practice round of pictures for his invitation.  He even pretends he's holding the rope and falls.  ha!

Braden's first day of kindergarten!

Finally I get to blog. :) Our stinky Internet has been down and I'm losing my mind with no Internet. hee hee!  Braden's first day of school was Monday at Grant Line.  I knew this day would be hard for me but honestly I didn't anticipate it to be as hard as it was. :(  My sad day was Sunday, the day before, as reality hit me. I cried when I made his lunch, I cried when I got out his outfit, I cried getting the backpack out....OH MY!! Chris thought I was a little nuts and I'd have to agree. :)

The thing is...he's my first, my baby and I've been home with him for 5 years. Now he's gone all day everyday. It really is a hard thing for us mommies. My emotions were all over like being scared that I haven't taught him enough (academically or even with manners or how to wipe his booty properly. ha! I mean the list is endless). Then it's just how much I'll miss him and I'm used to him doing everything with me and doing everything for him! Plus, will he embarrass me? :)  Will he listen to his teacher, be nice to others, remember to bring his lunchbox home (all the importants right?).  This is such a HUGE change and it was hard on me.  Now come Monday, it was a whirlwind so I didn't have to time to get emotional. We were up, dressed and out the door before any of us were really awake. :) Plus I had a "Boo hoo/yahoo" breakfast back at my house for other Grant Line mommies leaving their kindergarterner for the first time. It was a great distraction.

Chris said, "wait, we have to get your picture making his first lunch." ahhhh, the joys of a blogger husband. :) Good work babe!

 The first lunch...with a note from Mom and Dad of course. :)

 Uh....do you think I was ready for the morning? :)

 Rise and shine my big kindergartner!!  He wasn't quite ready to be up yet.

 Trying to be all good mom and all, I thought "Oh peanut butter on toast would be filling and some good protein." Of course he complained and wanted cereal instead. ha!

 Then the paparazzi had to take several shots....don't worry-I only included 1/3 of them. ha!

 Poor Ethan, always tagging along with his "Bubby."  He's such a good supporter. :)

 Daddy came for the first day drop off too!

 Mrs. Schneider, his teacher that I have dreamt about! No not really, but she is the best and I'm thrilled he has her. :)

 Cousin Izzie is in the class next door.  Didn't we just have these babies Laura? :(

 A quick pic with Mommy (who by the way is apparently wearing a "Halloween shirt??" Braden asked why I was wearing a Halloween shirt for his first day! ha! And so the embarrassment of Mom's clothes begins.

He waved to me the whole time his line walked away.  Talk about trying to make a momma cry. "DON'T GOOOO!!!! :)

* So just for an update since day 3 is now over...Braden is loving it but is beyond exhausted when he gets home! I mean pooped, dramatic, cries, mean to Ethan-the works!  Hopefully we can make it through the week and rest up some on the weekend. Shooowee!