1st Day of School

Today was back to school, my least favorite day of the year. My babies are growing up way to fast, and I hate to let them go.  We started the day with our traditional pancakes and candles.

 

 

 

 Our little Chesney is in 2nd grade this year.  And she's missing lots of teeth now.

 Brecken is starting pre-K this year.  He wasn't nearly as excited as Chesney to go to school.

 

 They look so cute in their uniforms.

 

 Mac wants to be like his brother and sister so he had to jump in on the picture.

It's so great that Chesney and Brecken get to go to school together this year.  They will get to see each other at recess and school programs.  Chesney was so excited to be at school and to see her friends.  She was all smiles.  Drop off for Brecken was the opposite.  He cried the instant he had to go into his classroom.  He didn't want to leave my side and begged to go home with me.  Leaving him at school was beyond difficult.  His teacher picked him up so that I could leave the room but at that point we were both in tears. I know that little boy is going to learn so much and grow to be more independent this school year but it breaks my heart to just leave him there crying.  But we did it and I'm sure we both were done crying within the first half an hour. Brecken is in school from 8 to 11am daily.  By 9am Mackston was asking if we could go pick up Brecken,

 At pick up Brecken came running out of his room with a smile on his face.  He ran right into my arms with tears running down his face because he was so happy to see me.  My mama heart was about to explode. These are the moments I live for. We walked out of the school holding hands while Mac walked behind Brecken punching him in the back.  I guess Mac just missed having his brother to pick on. Chesney was done a short time later and was still excited about being back. 

I had a surprise waiting in the car for each of the kids.  Brecken got a speedy boat for the water and Chesney got a locker organizer and locker mirror.

 We always have a back to school cake and this year was no different.  The kids always get excited to see the cake waiting for them when they get out of school.

Happy back to school my little loves.  I'm going to miss you so very much during the day! I'm hoping by week 3 I can leave school without tears in my eyes but I promise I will miss you all year long.

Back to School Eve

Tomorrow is back to school.  I despise back to school. It's the end of summer fun, the finale of endless days and the halt to late bedtimes.  But worst of all, it's my kids slipping away.  The years pass way too quickly when they enter school and the few hours at night and weekends are just not nearly enough time to enjoy them.  I miss their giggles during the day, their endless questions and their calls for help.

When all 4 of these little monkeys are in school, I'm going to volunteer every second I can at their school just to sneak glimpses of their sweet little faces.

So tonight we read their special bedtime stories.

 

And tucked them in with a kiss and a tight hug.  And a kiss on their palm so they could put their had to their cheek and remember I love them always.

Crew {20 Weeks Old}

Oh baby Crew, how you are becoming such a big boy already.  You are about to lose your big brother and sister to school  They love you so much and are such a help with you. I'm guessing you will have all kinds of smiles for them when they get home.

Happy 20 weeks baby boy!

Chesney {5th and 6th Lost Tooth}

Chesney had two teeth pulled today, making them her 5th and 6th teeth she has lost.  She needed to make some room on the bottom for her big teeth to come in so the orthodontist advised that the right lower lateral incisor and her left canine be pulled.  She did great with the procedure. I guess the tooth fairy thought she needed a little extra for all she had to go through to get those two teeth out.

 

Summer Days

We have been soaking up the last bits of summer with lots of fun outside.

 Oh these 3 boys!

 Morning smiles.

 We watched the water-ski show one evening.

 

 

 Someone played too hard.

 Daddy stayed home with the kids a couple days this month.  This is the picture he sent the first day he was home with a text that said "I have everything under control." Just a typical day at our house.

 School haircuts are done and someone decided to go big.

 

 She's back to short hair.

Love seeing these two together.

And last weekend we had a visit from my sister, niece and nephew. We had so much fun playing and catching up with them.

12th Anniversary

12 years ago today I married my best friend, my rock. 4 beautiful babies and lots of love, laughter and tears have filled those years.  Here's to a future that's just as amazing as the past 12 years.

Chesney {4th Lost Tooth}

Chesney lost her 4th tooth, her right upper central incisor today.  She looks like a totally different girl without that big front tooth.  And I'm afraid the other front tooth isn't far behind.

Crew {4 Months Old}

Our little guy is 4 months old.  It doesn't seem possible that he has been a part of our lives for this long.

Here is what you have been up to over the past month:

 Visiting the zoo and then out to lunch.

 Hanging out with your brothers.

 Laughing out loud!

 Water-ski show with the family.

Playing so hard you fall asleep.

Your 4 month stats:

• Weight:  13lb 12oz (13th percentile)
• Length: 25.25 inches (47th percentile)
• Clothes: You are wearing 3-6 month clothes and sleepers.
• Shoes: We have not put shoes on you yet.
• Diapers: You wear cloth diapers day and night. 
• Food: Just mommy milk.
• Development: You love to grab the toys on our sitting seat or when you lay under your gym. You have the biggest smile I have ever seen.
• Sleep:  You wake up once at night, usually around 3 or 4 am and then sleep until 6:30 or 7 am.  You nap on and off throughout the day but you are getting better at taking a morning nap and a couple afternoon cat naps. You sleep best on your tummy or in your sleep sack.
• What I love about you: You love to smile and giggle. You still love to be held and when you are not in someone's arms, you love to be sitting up so you can look around.  You are a happy little guy Crew!

Happy 4 months Crew!  We love you so much!!

Crew {18 Weeks Old}

The weeks are starting to get away on me because August has gone by so quickly. Crew still prefers to be held but he will sit up to watch the other kids play or to look out the window.

Little Monkeys

Last Saturday we had a full day of family fun.

 We started with a trip to the zoo which is also how I would classify our house most days.

 

 

 

 

 

 The kids loved seeing all the animals and playing at the zoo playground.

 After the zoo we went to lunch at Chili's.

 

 We went home to rest and play outside for a bit and then spent the evening at the golf course.

 I just love soaking up all of the fun during these summer days.