PRESCHOOL, PRESCHOOL!!!

Big changes for our family this year.  Good changes, but changes that makes me realize more and more my kids are getting bigger-and I can't make it stop.  Abram is going to preschool this year.  He LOVES it!  I am not going to lie, it was really hard to drop him off.  I guess it's because I stay home with my boys, and the thought of letting them into the big, wide world sorta thing.  It wore off after the first day-because he loves it so much.  He told me he misses me when he's there, but it's awesome. in fact, when we went to the "Meet the Teacher" day-he was playing and asked me, "Do you get to leave now?"

Nana bought him an apprpriate backpack. He goes two days a week, and then on Tuesdays, a few of us Moms from church are doing a co-op preschool where we switch each week, and do a lesson, etc. I don't think Abram has realized that doesn't mean "playdate" yet. But he adores being with his buddies from church too.

Reese, is not a fan of preschool-because: 1. He doesn't get to go. and 2. I think he gets bored without Abram around.  I mean, don't get me wrong-I am super fun and all....but not as fun as his brother I guess.  I forget that Reese doesn't know what it means to be an only child.....I think it freaks him out a little.

Tender Moments

......I have been slacking again.  But seriously, we have had a lot going on-mostly just trying to enjoy the last days of Summer before all of the changes start.  What changes you ask? Kris starting school (tomorrow) in addition to working full time, Abram starting preschool (tomorrow), being part of a co-op preschool in addition to other preschool (8, 3 &4 year olds in my tiny condo-we'll see how that turns out), Abram starting soccer, responsibilities at church, etc etc.  I do need to catch up, but I need to put moments of cuteness so that I don't forget.

Abram had soccer practice this past Saturday (could cry my eyes out that he is big enough to play, that he looks SO cute, and that he loves it). Anyways, we are on our way to soccer and the conversation goes:
Abram: "Mom...it's kind of different without Reese in the car...."
Me: "It is different, I miss Reese, but we'll see him when we get home."
Abram: "Mom, I miss him because I love him." (said as if he realized it for the first time)
Me: "I know you do honey, we'll see him when we get back and you can tell him all about it."

Soccer practice ends, we get back home-met by a very enthusiastic Reese who hugs me then moves to Abram.  Reese's chubby arms are wrapped around Abram..
Reese: "AAABRRRIIIN!!!"
Abram: "Hey Reese! I missed you, I was playing soccer!"
Reese: "SOOOCCCER????"
Abram: "Yes, soccer, Reese-you are squishing me, I can't breathe."
Reese let's go, follows him 5 steps grabs onto him for dear life again, "SOOOCCER!!"

Sweet boys.

Tonight Kris went to go and visit a couple of families from church.  Abram and Reese were playing together and dragging around their lego wagon, having a great time.  They were laughing and talking. I came out of the kitchen and looked at them. Abram said, "Mom, look-we're taking our kids...I mean pets, on a walk!" Giraffe and Elephant were in the wagon-the best part is when we go on family walks, the kids are in the wagon.

In a Few Years....

This will look a little different....

These pictures make me laugh. It's one of their favorite past times.  It usually involves a much bigger boy. In fact, the other day I had a church activity to go to after dinner.  We were cleaning up dinner and Abram was in a big rush saying, "It's almost time! It's alllllllmost time!" and I asked, "Almost time for what?" and he looked at me eyes wide and shining, "WRESTLING TIME! Right, Daddy?" Kris apparently unaware of what "time" it was gave a big grin and got on the floor. Within seconds 2 boys were running, wildly screaming and diving on him.  Gotta love those boys.





My Baby (Who's 4), and a Story

Soooo, I sent the check for preschool last week and signed Abram up for Fall soccer on Friday.  This is going to be a big year for him. I'm not going to lie, when I think about it I start to cry like a big baby get a wee bit emotional. I tried to convince him that when his birthday rolls around in October he should just be 4 again.  He told me he was done being 4, even when I tried to convince him otherwise.

And on another random note-Kris and I both spoke in Church today.  We tag teamed sitting with the kiddos. I spoke first and the kids did great. When I sat down they decided they needed to go to the bathroom. Upon coming back into the chapel and walking to our seat, Abram continues to walk up toward the stand/pulpit where Kris is speaking.
I whisper loudly: "Abram, our seat is here."
Thinking he just passed it by accident-to which he replies (with the "hold on a sec" finger in the air) loudly not whispering, "Just a second! I have to check on Daddy!! (who is mid-talk, speaking)"
Me: "Daddy is fine, come sit down."
Abram (waving both arms) "Hi Daddy!! Daddy!! I'm over here!!"
Kris nods as if a 4 year old could pick up on that aknowledgement.
Abram (still waving): "No, Daddy! Right here! Hi Daddy!"
Reese not whispering either: "I go potty! Pee in da potty! Mommy, PEE in da potty!!" (no, he is not potty trained-but he does like to play on the stool in the bathroom)

And just as a side note did I forget to mention that at that exact moment it seemed as if everything got very, very quiet. I don't know if it was just me thinking that, or if it really happened. But oh how it made my kids voices seemingly amplified...

Me (sweating): "C'mon guys, let's go back to the potty." (Hanging my head and walking out of the chapel, but totally grinning because seriously-my kid just waved at his Dad and tried to have a conversation while he was mid-talk. If it was someone else I would have been cracking up.) Oh, the joys of motherhood.

OH-IO (Part 2)

Oh yes, we did.

It started 20 years ago.  We all had the dream that we would be able to go to this concert together, and it never happened-until last weekend.  A lot changes in 20 years.  I did a lot of laughing at this concert.  Mostly at how much I have changed. You see, when I was 13, I really believed I would marry Jordan Knight, I mean I really thought it. And while I was at the concert, I could help but make fun of him and all of his v neck shirts.  But then he stared dancing and it all came back to me.  The concert was good, and it brought back a lot of memories. But I must say all of the crotch grabbing and thrusting made me embarrassed for them, though the crowd filled with people ages 13-45+ seemed to love it. 

Sorry Jordan, it just wasn't meant to be.  We are from two different worlds, and we both are happy now.  Even with all the serenading you did for me at the concert-that was great and it was good while it lasted, but I'm married now with 2 amazing kids-it's time for you to move on.

Lunch on Thursdays

....and Mom only thought she wanted grand-daughters.

OH-IO (Part 1)

We went to Ohio last weekend to see our family and for Layla's 2nd birthday party.  As usual, we had so much fun, and it's always hard to leave. It was funny because when we got there Abram wanted to go home (we got there around 1am-he just wanted his own bed, and didn't realize where he was) and the FOUR OF US ended up sharing a bed.  It went like so, 2 people slept peacefully, 1 person snored like a bear (saying later that it must have been why the others slept so soundly-it soothed them) while 1 person slept off and on hanging off the edge of the bed and debated if the floor would be more comfortable.  The next night Abram thought we should try that again........I laughed.  When we left, Abram was crying and freaking out saying he wanted to stay FOREVER. And he was crying as he kept saying "Bye Kate! Bye Kate! I'll miss you!" When we pulled out of the drive way the crying stopped immediately and in his matter-of-fact voice said, "Well, that was fun wasn't it?" He is so funny.

The kids had their first water gun experience. It was SO HOT while we were there and the party was outside, so the kids and the "kids" had a blast with them....especially Sam.

The Birthday Girl



Love that lil' stinker

Can't tell he looks just like his Mommy, can you?

Best Buddies/Cousins

Who is this kid that looks HUGE climbing up the side of the playhouse?

He'd get to the top and yell, "I did it! High Five!"

One of my favorite parts of the party. Layla opened this outfit and screamed, "Oh my goodness!"

Buddies

This was another favorite part.  As you can see, the guest are gone, everything is cleaned up, and what is Isaac doing over there by himself?  Finishing off Layla's cake! No joke, he sat there for a good 15-20 minutes by himself just eating away.