Kindergarten!

Today is a big day in our house.

Mr. E. started kindergarten. Along with it comes no more nap time.  I'm thinking he will be wiped out today.

This weekend he was really excited about starting and was the first one ready to leave the house this morning. Dressed. Shoes on. Teeth brushed. Lunch in hand.

We arrived about 10 minutes before school started and he was eager to get into his room.  The great thing about it was that he had already meet his teachers twice before today - Meet the Teacher last week and at an open house back in May.  He also knows several of the kids in his class, which makes it so much easier for me not to worry about him meeting kids or making friends.

He came in, was welcomed by his teachers, put away his lunch & water bottle, grabbed his name tag, found his cubby, and headed up to the book loft. G followed.

He then wanted to play in the kitchen. G followed.

And this was where we said goodbye.  He was fine with us leaving.  G was not.  He wanted to stay! We all left with dry eyes, which surprised me.  I thought I'd be a big mess.

So far today, I keep thinking about what he is doing. Like right now...12:31pm...he's just finished playing outside.

To take my mind off of his day (somewhat), I took G to the mall to play and buy some new items for the house.

I can't wait to hear about is day when I pick him up!

E Meets His Teachers!

Today what E's Meet the Teacher day. He's already excited about going on Monday and here are the reasons why:

1.) They get to go to the playground twice.
2.) There's moon sand.
3.) The teacher uses a train whistle.
4.) He found a book about snakes in the classroom.
5.) The dog(s) are nice and they don't bark.

E is 5!

My dear, inquisitive, sensitive baby turned 5 a few weeks ago. 

I truly must be enjoying my summer with the boys once I have yet to post anything about it.

We celebrated his actual birthday by going to Jason's Deli with my folks for lunch, then having dinner and ice cream cake at home. He opened up his presents from us , too.

The next day he had his well child visit, including his five year shots. That was the worst visit over experienced by far. He did so well, but was visibly nervous about getting shots. We had spoken to him on many occasions about the fact that he was going to get them. But the poor thing cried so hard when they were injected. (In fact, he hoped on his leg for days after saying it still hurt.) He is now 44" tall and weighs 42 pounds. (So much for that whopping 8lb. 10 oz. he once was!)

That following Saturday, he had a celebration at Peter Piper with some family, friends, and classmates. He had a blast! We had so many people come, even more than expected. E was also able to have a short signed by those that attended and made his own birthday pizza.

He received more toys than I could have expected and many of them were Transformers, which was the theme.

Each day E will say something that amazes me or makes me think in a way I don't usually think of things.

He is definitely a deep thinker and asks questions about heaven.
He always wants to know the "why" and loves to make predictions.
He has a sensitive heart and cares for his family.

He doesn't like to get in to trouble.

He is a rule follower.
He is a protector of his brother and me.
He loves to wrestle.
He says "ambliance" instead of ambulance.
He will give me hugs out of the blue and play with my hair.
He gives the best laugh and smile that warms your heart.
He's silly.
He tells the truth and will tell on others when they're not.
He still finds his way to our room every night.
He'll be a kindergartner in a couple of weeks.
He loves to play "baby".

He is the best big brother a little brother could ask for.

I adore him.

Happy birthday, my love!

A Week in Review #1

Well, we've done it.

We have officially survived our first week with me as a stay at home mom!

I've had my ups and downs with the kids, but overall, we've had a pretty tremendous time.

Monday we had dentist appointments for the boys. E did awesome and G started to warm up at the end. They were each able to pick something out of the treasure box, which was a hit. I'm the afternoon, I took E to a classmates birthday party at Pump It Up. He was pretty cautious, but I saw some brave moments from him (trying a giant slide - until he got burns on his elbows from it.) I also discovered his love of air hockey!

On Tuesday the carpet cleaner came. The boys and I hung out in the master bedroom and ate a "picnic" lunch in there too. I'm the afternoon, we headed to one of our favorite places, Bahama Bucks, for some shaved ice.

Wednesday was a light day. We headed to Hobby Lobby to pick IP some Father's Day items.

Yesterday, my parents came and joined us at the children's museum. Its by far one of our favorite places to go. They have a new outdoor area that's pretty fun. The downside to going during the summer are all the daycare places that seem to ALL go on the same day. Regardless, we had a blast.

After naps that day, the boys and I cuddled on the couch, watched a movie, and ate two bags of popcorn.

Today, my mom came by and I was able to run a few errands (grocery store, party supply store) and even get a brow wax.

We've gone swimming several nights this week. I'm so amazed at how much E has improved and become much more confident in the water. Considering he has only had about 12 actual swim classes in the past 5 years, Paul has been working at preparing him the best he can. Going underwater is still a challenge, but at least now he doesn't scream his head off.

G also didn't want much to do with the water, but he's now wanting to swim like his "brover" and loves to go in. He will hang like a monkey on the wall and can move around the pool that way. We play Humpty Dumpty on the wall, and hell jump in (sitting) with E.

I am so thankful that I now have the opportunity to be home with these boys. Each day has its moments that are challenging and I often pray for patience (on my end). But when I see the boys holding hands, reading together, hugging, heck...even wrestling while laughing, it just reminds me of why I made this choice.

I'm sure not every week will seem like this wonderful honeymoon period, but I'm sure going to do my best to make it this way. Monday we will also be starting "Mommy school" to work on some kinder readiness concepts for E and preschool concepts for G. (Particularly when it comes to hitting and throwing toys for G.)

Here's to week two!

Summer Hath Arrived!

It's finally happened.

Almost five years after E's birth, I'm finally going to live my dream of being a stay at home mom!

My last day of work was this past Tuesday and last Friday was the last day of school. It was a little emotional, but I am so very looking forward to being home with my babies.

Just today, E said "Mommy, I don't like when you have to go to work. I like when you are home with me." That just solidifies that I'm doing the right thing.

We have a vacation with the boys planned for the end of June. Paul and I are heading to my friend's wedding next weekend. Other than that, I'm just going to enjoy my time with the boys and figuring out this new job of mine!

Kinder Visit and Last Day of Preschool!

E is really excited to go to kindergarten next year!  We went to visit his class a few weeks ago and didn't want to leave!

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Yesterday was also E's last day of preschool! Poor guy ended up vomiting in the parking lot after he was picked up though.

When I came home from work, he told me all about his day and he was quite excited that he was able to keep his green name tag (the one that is used to tell him where he will be sitting for snack each day)!

His teachers sent home his portfolio at the beginning of the week.  It was full of cutting practice, pictures, a writing journal, progress report, and many other items that showed how he'd grown over the course of the year.  It was so great to see.  Below are two of my favorite pieces:

 The wonderful Mrs. Hatton (whom he had for the second year)...

and the AMAZING Mrs. Zellers!

E was so lucky to have these two women as his teachers.  They loved all the kids in the class and always had such wonderful things to say about him (which sometimes surprised us in a good way). I am so thankful that they were there for him and that I knew he was taken care of and loved everyday while in their hands.

We went out and celebrated at Zoyo that evening, too.  It sure did make him feel a little better!

Easter

So I'm a little behind in posting about our Easter this year.  (Surprise, surprise.)

We had a pretty relaxing Easter.  Saturday was spent dying eggs.

 

Paul really wanted a bunny cake this year, so we made him one.

They searched high...

 and low for their baskets on Easter morning.

 We had a little egg hunt in our backyard after mass with my family.

Couldn't have been better!