Carter's First Day of Kindergarten!

Hard to believe this day is finally here! My baby boy started kindergarten. I'm not sure how that happened, but it did! We all 4 walked to school together, and then we all went to pick him up this afternoon. Things went well, I think! He had good things to say, and although it sounds like there was a hiccup with his snack, and the fact that he was exhausted afterwards, he had a great first day, and I'm sure things will continue to go well.

So big!

Look how happy and excited he is!

One with Dad

and Mom

Can't leave out silly sis.

Here is the start to a project that will be 13 years in the making. Love this idea! Just hope I can keep up with this shirt and remember to take his picture in it each year, like it's intended. He said to me, "Mom! This shirt is WAY to big!!" :)

Here is a little nervous smile once he got in his classroom and found his seat.

That's better!

When we dropped him off, he definitely seemed a little nervous, but he was very brave and handled it all just fine. We all said our goodbyes, and there were no tears from any of us! Really, I'm shocked I was able to hold them back! But I did, so I'll give myself a pat on the back for not crying and freaking him out more! That's a pretty big feat for an emotional 9 month pregnant woman! I did, however sit in church yesterday and cry when both Carter and Ella sat and received the blessing of the backpacks. Ella walking up there, so tiny with her huge backpack, and Carter walking with her, arm around her shoulder. Oh my, that was double heartbreak! So I've definitely had my moments, but we have all handled this transition well so far! Ella seemed a little lonely first thing this morning when we got home, but she got over that pretty quick. 

Hoping for a smooth next few weeks as we continue to transition before we welcome our next one!

Final Week of Summer 2014

Well, as of today, summer is officially over. Before I post First Day of School pics, I figured I should wrap up our summer first. Ella does still have a couple of weeks home with me before she starts preschool, so we'll keep busy in the mean time, but it's not summer without her big brother around!

Ella moved up to the 3s class at gymnastics, which means no more parent and me class. Great timing, because my back and body just can't handle helping her through a gym class anymore. She calls it "the big girl class" and is super excited to be in it! She followed directions and did so good! I was so proud of her! And I enjoyed my seat :) She's in the teal and purple

 One last swim playdate with Gavin & Lucy

  And enjoying more time at our own pool.

 HA! Finishing up their ice cream from Braum's

 Carter at Meet the Teacher the week before school.

One last office visit and lunch date with Daddy before school starts.

The kids thought this gas mask in Eric's office was funny!

And there is a 36 week baby bump!

  My little helper wiping down cabinets while I cleaned the kitchen.

 Sunday afternoon shenanigans to cool down.

We had some seashells that we brought back from Destin that we let the kids paint outside. They had fun doing this!

Carter and Ella both completed the ice bucket challenge. They laughed and laughed over their videos! Brrrrr!

Summertime, week 11

Last week's pictures!

Sillies pretending to be forest animals.... they make me laugh! 

 Clearly bored, and jumping onto the lovesac for entertainment! The afternoon heat brings out the wild in both of them!

Play area, carousel, and lunch in the food court with friends this week. Mall playdate fun!

  Ella and Taylor (who is going to be a big sister VERY soon!)

  Lots of coloring and painting going on this week.

 And practicing handwriting. Trying to do a little refresher before kindergarten starts!

 We puppy-sat for friends who went to the beach this past week. Tater and Stormie could be siblings!

 The kids loved taking the dogs on walks in the evenings.

 I got a stroller frame for the carseat this week from my sweet friend Emily, and the kids enjoyed playing family with it while it was set up.

 Silly faces at the pool.

 Eric took Ella to the park one evening this week while I took Carter to a fun dinner playdate with his preschool friends.

 

  So pretty!

 

 Carter with friends at Mason's house, listening to a story.

Heather was sweet enough to fix dinner for the kids (and Mama's too!), and it was a fun evening for all of us!!

 35 weeks. So ready for this baby to come!! 

We've got Carter in soccer for the fall, and he's very excited to get started! We took the kids to the park Saturday morning for some practice. Ella found a little ball to bring for herself. They are both such naturals. Ella just might want to play sometime soon, too!

 

In action :)

And the kids went to the aquarium in Grapevine on Saturday night with Nana, Grandad and Andrew while Eric and I enjoyed a date night. Had to laugh when we got these pics. :)

We've started our final week of summer, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, I'm so done with summertime (I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with being huge and pregnant and running out of ways to entertain these kids, ha!!), but then on the other hand, I feel sad for the lazy days to be over, and my big boy off to school forever! Anyway, we'll enjoy our final week with more activities and play dates, and look forward to meet the teacher this week, and getting ready for the school year, too!