School

Last week was our first week of school for Ethan and Madeline.  They are both loving school so far and honestly I can't believe how fast time is flying.  Ethan is now is THIRD GRADE.  I totally remember third grade.  And third grade was my first year at Jordan Ridge where my kids attend school.  Kinda crazy!

First day pictures:

 Madeline got to meet her teacher for a short visit on Ethan's first day, and then the next day was her real first day of first grade.  I still can't believe she's old enough to be gone all day.  And I'm not used to her being gone during lunch.  I miss her in the afternoon.  And while she's loving school, she's still not happy about the lack of playing time in her life.  I wish they got home a couple hours sooner each day so they could have time to play.  They're kids!  Playing is what they should be doing!  But I'm really glad she's happy.

 Ethan's been taking good care of her.  He picks her up each day, and looks for her during lunch.  I felt like it was a blessing to find out that first and third grades happen to have their lunches overlap by 15 minutes so they see each other every day in the lunchroom!

 She was nervous and excited on her first day

 and she's growing up too fast...

 Madeline's second day, looking cute and waving bye to me as her line goes inside.  You know me, I'm a cryer.  I cried on her first and second days of school when I watched her walk away.  But I'm okay now.  :)

Back to Ethan's first day of school, with his best friend.  I probably shouldn't have made them smile into the sun...

 are you excited for school Ethan??

 My cute kids:

I'm so glad my kids love school!

Boy or Girl???

Will the cake be pink or will it be blue??  That was the question on everyone's mind all day yesterday.  We could hardly make it until after dinner to find out.  Who knew it would be as exciting as Christmas!

It's a BOY!

 

Dinosaur Museum

I have to admit, having a membership to Thanksgiving Point has been awesome.  Saturday we went to the dinosaur museum for fun in the evening and it was nice to be able to stay as short or long as we wanted and leave when we wanted and know we can go back whenever we want too.  It makes the kids more willing to leave.  Well, except Cooper!

We started in the huge brick room where Madeline was happy to let Todd brick her right up!

 He left her a window

 and after it was complete, made the door so she could get out and the boys could get in.  Though, this is as far as Cooper would go...

 There were lots of areas of the museum that Cooper was unsure of

 woah biiiiiiig!!

 but he loved the water, water, water!!

 watch out!

 and of course, he LOVED the sand pit.  Which is why he wasn't a happy camper when we left.  Next time, we're going to skip the rest and go straight to the sand.  I think we could stay all day!

22 Months Old

22 Months Old:

 Sometimes he even calls his milk "milk" now instead of water!  Though lots of times he says "milk or water" for milk.  I think I confused him asking him if he wanted milk or water.  Lol!

 He LOVES the garbage truck, but calls it a "garbage car".  And a dump truck a dump car.  I ask him if he can say dump truck and he smiles and says, "dump car!"  Then he'll chuckle and grab his milk cup and look and me with a sly little face and say, "water!"  He gets the most excited when we're driving in the car and he sees a big semi pass by.  He literally starts shaking with excitement and declares in his loudest and deepest voice, "BIIIIIIIG car!!!!!"

 He's talking more and more.  Sleeping less and less.  Into everything just as much.  And as much fun as he ever was.  He is thrilled when I let him outside to play in the dirt.  And if he could live off of grapes for lunch and noodles for dinner, he'd be one happy little guy.

I like the below picture because those baby cheeks are starting to thin out and go away and I'm glad that they still look a little chubby when he's looking down.  So kissable and cute.

My Birthday

Chocolate Cake!!!!!

 My birthday this year was fantastic.  Todd took the day off and took our family out to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe.  I was in heaven eating orange cream french toast.

 Then I went and got a pedicure.  I loved that.

 We went out to dinner with my parents and Todd's parents and home for presents and cake.  I enjoyed getting some fun makeup and a gift card to a jewelry store.  Clothes for your birthday when you're prego just isn't quite as fun, but makeup and jewelry always is!

And here I am.  You might think from the candles that I'm 3 or maybe 4 if you add them up-haha!, but really I'm 31.  Hmmm, not sure how I feel about that one.  But I guess good.

The day was nice.  Ethan and Madeline made me THE NICEST cards ever.  I'll eventually have to post them.  They are the kind I'll definitely keep forever!  And that is something I know exactly how I feel about.  Happy.  So very happy.  I have the best kids ever!  And the best hubby.  The best family indeed.  (and doesn't Madeline look so darling in this picture and OLDER.  ack!)

Cousins

We like to pack our summers with lots of cousin love. 

Cowabunga Bay

July 5th, we went to Cowabunga Bay with my brother's family.  The kids LOVED every second of it.  Such a fun place for kids!  I think Todd was the only one who got sunburned and that was totally my fault since I sprayed his sunscreen on.  Whoops.  I spent most of the time there taking pictures and floating around the lazy river.  Someday maybe I'll go when I'm not pregnant so I can actually go down some of the slides.  But I still had fun anyway!  Definitely a good way to spend a summer day.