Friday, September 30, 2011

Happy 34th Bday!

Happy birthday to my dear husband...34 today! He went golfing for the day with the squadron, so I asked Christy to make a cake and she made an awesome golf club cake! Fun! One of these days I'll learn to make the cakes myself...

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Two and Four

School pictures happily coincide with the boys' birthdays...Braden in August and Carter in September...so, here's a couple to share with you of their total cuteness! Probably the best picture I have to date with both boys in it!!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

We heart Keely

Hurray for our favorite babysitter!! The boys love her, and it's so nice for Scott and I to get out, have dinner, maybe a movie...such a nice break!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Green Mountain Montessori Community Day

Probably doesn't sound like fun, but on Saturday Braden and I joined the other parents and kids to beautify the school (paint the fence, wash the play equipment, and wheelbarrow tons of new sand into the sandbox), and we had a lot of fun...the work was easy and the potluck lunch was a great way to meet other parents!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Carter James is TWO!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! I'm so lucky that your mine! As with Braden, I remember the day you were born so vividly, I'm surprised it was two whole years ago today! You were one week late...due 9/9/09, which would have been so cool by the way! Braden was one week early, so I was waiting for you for days, weeks, really...all my life! Anyway, I went to my check up appointment one week after you were due, on Sept 16th, with Grandma Linda (who, by the way, spent a lot of money to change her return flight home to be able to witness your birth and take care of Braden), and at that morning appointment the midwife said we could go immediately to the hospital and be induced...I was shocked because they originally told me they didn't induce until two weeks late, but I was ready so off we went. Well, first to lunch (a girl's gotta eat!), then the hospital! They started the Pitocin around 1pm, the contractions started a little before 2pm, right after Daddy arrived. I did really good with no drugs until about 4:45m, when I requested (demanded!) an epidural, but 5pm was the anesthesiologist change-over time, so the new guy didn't come until about 5:45pm. It didn't' really take, but it didn't matter...you were born less than an hour later at 6:38pm, perfect and beautiful! 5 1/2 hrs of labor, you were ready for this world for sure!! We had a little Mickey themed birthday party at Christy's today with your new friends...fun! In the past two years you have been such a blessing to our family, I can't even imagine a world without you. You and Braden are such great friends and brothers, it warms my heart to seen you together and taking care of each other. I am constantly impressed with how smart you are...even counting out loud and saying ABCs---maybe because you have a big brother or maybe reading to you and educational TV, but, regardless, you are so so smart!! I hope you use your abilities to better the world and do something in the long run that you are proud of. I can't end this post without mentioning your sense of humor...If we laugh at something you do, you do it over and over...maybe you'll be a comedian when you grow up! Well, whatever you do, Mommy and Daddy will be proud of you! Again, Happy Birthday sweet boy! We love you!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Friday, September 9, 2011

Playdate at Christy's

After I picked up Braden from school today we went to get Carter from Christy's and decided to stay and play for a while on this beautiful day...




Thursday, September 8, 2011

Essex Junction Play Group

Last year I had Thursdays scheduled for the gym, but I've rearranged my schedule this year for Carter since Braden is at school and decided to join the Thursday playgroup in the Junction...fun!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Braden's first day of School

Braden began preschool today at the Green Mountain Montessori School and we are thrilled for this upcoming school year! We love the teachers, the environment and the group of kids Braden will be spending every day with! Took some pictures really quickly...didn't want to embarrass my son in front of his new friends!



His teachers did an in-home visit to really make him feel comfortable with them, I think it worked!
Dropping him off today was really easy, a quick hug goodbye, no big deal. Next to us a mother and daughter were having a really hard time--I think the mother more than the daughter---and at first I wasn't sure why...this program, the teachers, the group of kids are fantastic and I am really confident Braden is in an excellent environment where he will learn and grow.

But, back at home alone I started to get it. My baby is now being influenced by a whole new group of friends and mentors, and I'm not there to help or protect him. I started to think about how important this time is in his life, and I hope and pray this next year will inspire a lifetime love of learning and relationships.

I know I know, kids can be mean, feelings can be hurt, new tasks can be difficult, but I ask the kids and teachers:

--Please take care of my sweet boy
--Please be good influences on him
--Please be nice to him and treat him with respect
--Please be patient and forgiving with him
--Words can hurt and leave lifetime scars; please don't say anything that will hurt him
--He doesn't know anyone yet...please find out what a great person he is and maybe become his new best friends
--Please LOVE HIM LIKE I DO...how can you not love this face?!?


Saturday, September 3, 2011

Braden's New Bike

I thought I'd share some pictures of Braden trying out his new bike from Aunt Jackie yesterday! Scott finished putting it together while the boys had their bath (hence the pjs) but it was a huge treat for him to try it out for the first time!

Lucky boy for his bday...awesome bike, super great motorized truck (from Gramma and Papa Seigfried), golf clubs, T-ball set and lunch box (from Grammoo and Pappoo), great books and toys (from Grandma Linda and Grandpa Greg), and a great lunch bag from Aunt Amy and cousins!! Not to mention a week + of Disney celebrations!! Is this boy spoiled or what!?!