Christmas 2007

Here are just a few of the MANY pictures I took at Christmas. We had a great holiday and the playroom is now even more overflowing with toys! The boys had both spoken to Santa and then left him a note with their toy requests so he would be sure what they wanted! The thing Connor wanted more than anything was an electric Razor scooter. Evan really wanted a Mio Pup and a Squawkers Macaw, both of which he got, of course! They both got a lot of stuff for their Nintendo DSes and a TON of Pokemon stuff--cards, action figures, games, pillows...pretty much anything and everything Pokemon!!

Four eyes are better than two, right?

We've known that it was coming for a while but this past fall Connor had to get glasses. Though most kids would have dreaded this, Connor was so excited he could barely stand it! He had been wanting them for a while. He's been going to the eye doctor since he was 6 months old as he has unequal pupil dilation so the doc has been following the changes with his eyes. He had been there in January of 2007 for an exam and the doc didn't think that the benefit of putting him in glasses would outweigh the hassle at that point. However, once Connor went back to school in the fall he started complaining that he was having trouble seeing the board. When we took him back to the doc in October he said that it was time now for him to get glasses. He doesn't have to wear them all the time, mostly just for school and if he's watching tv or stuff at a distance. And although his initial excitement of having glasses has dwindled, he's still good about wearing them and *usually* remembers to grab them when he's heading off to school!

I think they make him look more grown up! Sniff!!

Kindergarten Plays

One of my favorite things about kindergarten is the adorable plays that the kids do for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Evan's class did such a great job! And my little Evan who was famous in preschool for not participating in any of the plays did a FANTASTIC job!! I'm not sure if I posted about this or not but last year during the preschool Christmas play he refused to cooperate, wouldn't even come out of his classroom until he was practically dragged, and then stood with his back to the audience the whole time only occasionally looking over his shoulder to cast a mean look at everyone! I was horrified!!

But this year he did great! He had fun and participated with the rest of the class. I would even go so far as to say he enjoyed himself!!

Nana and Grandma were able to come and watch the Thanksgiving play which Evan was really happy about. And he LOVED that Daddy was able to be there for the Christmas one since he usually can't because they're during the day when he's working.

After both plays we were invited back to his classroom. After the Thankgiving one we went to his room for a "feast" that the kids had prepared. Following the Christmas play we went back and had snacks and did a bunch of craft projects. It was a lot of fun! We are very thankful that the kids go to such a great school with teachers who take the time to do all of these extra activities.

Limo Lunch

Each year at school our PTO (JHSA) does a fundraiser in the fall that all of the kids participate in. This year we decided that our prize for the kids who were the top sellers in each grade level was going to be a limo lunch! After the fundraising was complete we decided that since so many kids did a great job we wanted to include more of them in the prize. So, in addition to the top sellers in each grade, we took all of the kids who sold at least $400. There were about 17 kids included. The principal, myself, and a few other JHSA moms went along to supervise (oh the sacrifices I must make!) and we had a really good time. We had the limo for a couple of hours and the kids thought it was so much fun just to drive around in the limo drinking their sparkling grape juice! We stopped for pizza for lunch but most of them just wanted to get back into the limo. Unfortunately neither of my kids sold $400--it would have been more fun for me if at least one of them had been along. :( Maybe next year!!

HALLOWEEN!!

Again this year we had our halloween party for the kids. About 25 of the boys' friends were here and all of the kids had a lot of fun!

Keith was out of town for Halloween so one evening we took our pumpkins over to Grandma & Grandpa's house and Grandpa helped the boys carve them. I must admit I was thrilled that I didn't have to do them and the boys enjoyed the time with Grandpa.

Evan decided to dress up as Spiderman this year and Connor was the creepy guy from the movie "Scream." I took them trick-or-treating for a while and then they went to a party that one of Connor's friends was having.

Next year I would like to have a Halloween party for the ADULTS!! :)

Pumpkin' picking day!!

One of our favorite days each fall is going to the pumpkin patch to find the boys Halloween pumpkins. Ok, so it's not actually a patch...it's a bunch of pre-picked pumpkins...but you get the idea. The place we go has a big corn maze and a tepee made out of corn that the boys think is really cool! I always get some of my favorite pictures at the pumpkin patch too! It was especially fun this year because it was in the 70s the day we went. Gotta love that in October!

The Magical Pumpkin Patch

At Halloween the kindergarteners heard a story about a magical pumpkin patch. Then we all went on a walk to "find" the pumpkin patch which was down the street from the school. The kids all thought it was a lot of fun to find this patch which was in the backyard of a house down the road. They all got to pick their own pumpkin before returning to the school. Here are a few pics of the kids that day.

Evan and his pumpkin.

Evan and his teacher, Mrs. Wolff.

Mrs. Wolff's Class.

Connor & Evan's birthday party!

I'm only a few months behind on this. This year the boys both wanted to have Pokemon birthday parties. Rather than having 2 parties less than a month apart we opted to do a joint party for the first time. Why haven't I done this before?? It made my life a lot easier!! I guess I was hung up on the fact that they should both have their own party...but if they don't care then why should I?

So anyway, they had a Pokemon party with lots of their friends and family. It was at the end of September and the weather was great so we had it outside. We even rented a bounce house which all of the kids enjoyed! They both got spoiled rotten!

On their actual birthdays we still tried to give them a special day with cake and presents from us. Both boys got a Nintendo DS this year from us which they LOVED!! They are both little video game junkies!

In this pic you can see Connor giving his little bro instructions on riding his new big bike! LOL Evan got a new bike for his birthday from Papa (my dad). He had always had Connor's hand-me-down bikes in the past and was so proud to have his own NEW bike!! I love this pic of the two of them.

The First Day of School

Well, the first day of school went better than I could have imagined! Both boys jumped out of bed and couldn't wait to get outside to watch for the bus. Evan didn't seem nervous AT ALL and when the bus pulled up he ran up the steps without even as much as a look back at mom. :( I did call to him as he boarded the bus so he could at least turn around for a pic. There is NO WAY that a photo obsessed person like myself is going to let the first day of kindergarten pass without a picture of him getting on the bus!

I had to go to the school that morning anyway as I was helping with the "BooHoo breakfast" for kindergarten parents. I ended up going down to where the kids were arriving on the buses to take pictures for the yearbook so I couldn't resist snapping a few more of my monkeys arriving for their first day. Again, Evan saw me but couldn't have cared less!! He just wanted to get down to his classroom! Ok, ok....I *know* that this is a great thing that he's excited but it's still a little sad for mommy. After all I've done for that boy for the last 6 years....can't he even *pretend* to be having a little trouble leaving mom behind? Sniff, sniff!

They were still in a good mood when they got home and both said they had a great day! I sure hope it continues!

Keith and I went into Connor's class on Friday for his birthday. We took in cupcakes and juice for him to share with his class. We stayed till the end of the day so they didn't have to take the bus home and we got an opportunity to talk with Evan's teacher about how he's doing. She said that he's had a couple little issues but is adjusting well. She said he was really excited one day because he had done something good and got to put a marble in the class jar. I think the class gets a reward when the jar gets full. He hasn't cried at all and has only had a couple minor little mood swings when he didn't want to do something or he was frustrated. She said she was very happy with how it is going so far. I must admit I'm relieved but I'm trying not to get too confident that the worst has passed!

Hey Brittney!

A few weeks ago we had a visit from my cousin, Lucy, and her daughter, Brittney. We had a nice visit (we don't see them nearly enough!) and while we were out for lunch one day we took some pics on my camera phone. I know Brittney checks out the blog so I had to post this one for her... :)

September already??

I can't believe the summer has already come and gone. Tomorrow is the labor day holiday but it doesn't feel like it should already be September! It's been a good summer but it has gone by too fast!

This next week is going to be a BIG week in our house. On Wednesday school starts and my *baby* will be a kindergartener! Sniff, sniff. How is that even possible? Yeah, I know that he could have gone last year and that he's nearly 6 but still....he's my BABY! He seems excited but I am a nervous wreck... When that school bus pulls away I am gonna be crying my eyes out! On Tuesday I go with him to the school for an hour for him to meet his teacher and take his supplies in. His teacher's name is Mrs. Wolff. He went in a couple weeks ago for a 2 day program for kids who might have trouble with the transition. He had a good time at that so I am hoping that it means that I am overreacting about how bad I think this might go...

And then next Saturday Connor turns EIGHT! Yes, eight. It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant. It amazes me how grown up he has become and I love the conversations I have with him now. Don't get me wrong, when he and Evan are screwing around he still acts like he's 4, but when it's just the two of us we have some really good chats. He's going into third grade and is excited to go back and see his friends. A couple of his really good friends are going to be in his class again this year so he was happy to hear that.

So tomorrow is our last day to relax a little before our life goes back to that daily routine. Hope you all are having a fun long weekend!! :)

Cub Scout Camp

Again this summer I was able to spend a week with Connor at Cub Scout Day Camp. I was a Den Leader and had a great group of 9 boys. The theme this year was "Super Heroes" and it was a huge hit with the boys.

In the first couple pictures you can see the boys with the "Spirit Stick" which is a big deal at camp. The camp directors decide which den gets it based on who shows the most spirit by being the loudest and most enthusiastic while doing their den cheers and participating in activities. Our den got it twice during the week and the boys loved having it!

The boys did a lot of activities: woodworking, crafts, nature, games, archery and sports. Archery was definitely the favorite although playing dodge ball with the sports directors was a close second!! The last day of camp each den had to do a skit in front of the whole camp and parents and the boys did great! I have to say, in my unbiased opinion, that my boys absolutely did the best!

One day during siesta after lunch a fireman was there to talk to the boys about what he does. He also had the truck there and he let the full tank of water on the truck spray out from the top like they do when they are fighting a fire. The boys thought it was GREAT and all ran out to play in the water! It was a great day for it as the temperatures were in the high 80s and 90s all week. And no shade...

It was a great week and I look forward to doing it again next year! Connor had to buy a camp t-shirt for his little brother too so they posed for me with them on for the last pic...