the birthday boy

This morning my little guy leaped out of bed and said "Let's get this party started"!! Needless to say he was pretty excited about his big day! I decorated his bedroom door with the sports themed banners I bought for his party. I had his card and a couple of small gifts wrapped and ready for him to open. He also got to choose a gift from the Lego store on Saturday. He ate his french toast sticks on our special Celebrate plate. He was excited to eat his funfetti cupcakes with his friends in class today too. We had a pretty quiet afternoon since we celebrated this weekend and we'll be celebrating again in a few weeks with our family and friends. His request for dinner....McDonald's happy meals. That worked for us especially since they are $1.99 on Tuesdays! He has loved getting phone calls this morning and afternoon from our family singing to him. I still can't believe my baby boy is five years old. The last five years have gone by in the blink of an eye!

almost five

Yesterday we headed to the T-Rex Cafe in Downtown Disney to celebrate Max's 5th birthday with lunch and a visit to the Lego store. His actual birthday is on Tuesday.We are planning on having a family and friends all-star sports party in a couple of weeks and I'll make some cupcakes to take to his class on Tuesday. It's a pretty hectic time because of the start of school and our new niece/cousin will be born this Wednesday(we can hardly wait to meet her). There is also a hurricane brewing and lots of storm warnings today, so hopefully we're not hunkering down on his actual birthday.

 

 I still can't believe my boy will be five years old!!

 

 See Mom...I'm five fingers old!!

 We had a nice(way overpriced) lunch and then headed to the Lego store so he could pick out his gift.

 It took him awhile but he finally chose a Superhero Lego set. He couldn't wait to go home and build it. He had it finished in about 15 minutes without any help from Damian and I. He's taken it apart and built many new creations. I'd say it's a hit, he's said thank you many times!!! After the Lego store, we went to Menchies for some froyo dessert--Yummy!!

It was a fun day celebrating my favorite little guy! Today has been pretty low key, church, a trip to Target, and relaxing before the start of another school week. We made a big pot of white chicken chili that's simmering on the stove now. It will be perfect for this rainy day. 

first day

We all had a terrific first day!

  We were pretty exhausted but the kids couldn't wait to come home and play, play, play! I made tacos for dinner...easy peasy and even made some brownies for dessert to celebrate!

Tomorrow we are going to an information meeting for Cub Scouts for Max. On Wednesday, the kids start religious education classes and Damian has his golf league. I also need to sign Emma up for dance/gymnastics sometime this week. I am loving my new work commute and cannot believe all of the extra time I have...not to mention the energy! That hour drive was so draining and I don't miss it one little bit. I'm hoping the rest of this week goes as smoothly as today!

Here are pics of my cute kiddos from this morning:

ready for kindergarten

Well, I held it together and didn't shed a tear today. It was hard watching my baby boy walk the halls of our school(and watching my girl head to the new building for 2nd and 3rd graders). He is still four years old...just a baby. He will be five next Tuesday but he's still so little. He was so ready for school though! I told his teachers to take good care of my baby! I know he is in excellent hands, he has the same teachers Emma had...we are so blessed!

 Here's a look back at my sweet boy...

Max first went to "school" when he was 2 1/2. His teacher was Ms. Kayla and he had about five other kids in his class for a few months. Then he was home with Mommy and Emma for the summer. He stayed with Aunt Brooke and his cousins before he started at Little Friends Schoolhouse.

He went to Little Friends for Pre-k 3 too. There were 10 boys and 2 girls in his class. His poor teacher, Ms. Lynda had a busy year. I'm pretty sure she's still worn out from that group. He first met his buddies Brody, Jacob, and Ethan in that class. He still talks about all of his friends and misses them.

 Last year, he loved Prek 4/VPK at Little Friends. His teachers were Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Danielle. He learned many new things and loved playing with his best buds. 

 Here we are today on the first day of kindergarten!

He was cracking me up when I went to wake him this morning. He said "are you kidding me mommy, I feel like I just fell asleep!" I loved seeing his sweet face at school in the cafeteria and walking in the halls. It made my day! Damian and I really enjoyed hearing his recap of his day. According to him,  he learned about raccoons. (Listened to and did activities with The Kissing Hand) and made new friends. Like the boy in the white shirt and the girl in the red shirt. These were their names. I told him we need to work on learning our new friend's names this week! They are doing a staggered start so tomorrow he is spending the day with my grandma. He's pretty bummed he isn't going to school, but it gives the kindergarten teachers a chance to teach rules/procedures with half the class. Emma asked him if he was excited he didn't have to wear his uniform and he could play legos all day. He said he's rather go to school and he likes wearing his uniform. (Let's hope this is the case all year!)

second grader

My sweet Emma is starting second grade tomorrow.

 I feel like her newborn, infant, toddler, and preschool days have flashed before my eyes. I am so happy that she loves school and does so well.

For kindergarten and first grade she had the same enrichment teachers. So this year she moves to the new, big kid building and has her very own desk. She was talking about her desk today and can hardly wait. She is in the same class with all of her friends from last year.(well actually from kindergarten) It is such a great group of kids with wonderful families. I am looking forward to seeing all that she learns this year. I know it will be full of fun and adventure. 

I thought it would be fun to take a look back.

 We were beyond blessed that for almost 3 years while mommy and daddy worked, Emma was cared for by my sister in-law, her aunt and godmother Christine. She spent every day with her cousins learning and playing. They all have such a special relationship because of her early years. Of course I had the summers and holidays off so there was plenty of time for fun and learning with mommy too.

Here's my little artist at 2 years old! She still loves to color and draw.

 When Aunt Christine had baby #4, Emma started school at Ridge Christian Academy. She was almost 3. It was a bit hard to adjust but we loved the school and her teachers. I still say that is the cleanest and friendliest place around.

 The following school year, Emma went to Pre-K 3 two days a week with her cousins at Holy Redeemer. We all loved her teacher Mrs. Vega. She was cared for by her Aunt Brooke on the days she wasn't in school.

 I couldn't find the pics from her first day of VPK. They must be stuck on my old laptop still. At four years old, she was pretty excited to be at the big kid school every day and was picked up at lunchtime by her great grandma, Mamaw Jennie. They had the best time every afternoon!

Kindergarten brought all kinds of new experiences for all of us. I was amazed at all that she learned and the amount of academic growth from the beginning to the end.

 In First grade she was a super student. Her report cards were outstanding, she was a leader in her classroom, and loved her teachers and her class.

Now, we embark on a new journey. Second grade is sure to be full of new experiences and tons of fun! Her adult teeth are growing in, her features are that of a big kid and I just bought her a size 2.5 shoe! Not to mention her clothes...she is outgrowing everything. My goodness this girl is growing!

I look forward to all that is to come this school year. She is going to be in dance and gymnastics, religious ed, making her first holy communion, and turning 8 years old.

Tomorrow we'll take a look back at my kindergartener Max and I'll share some first day pics too! (If I'm not too exhausted from my first day back with first graders!)

beach trip

Our final trip of the summer has come and gone. We love Tradewinds at St. Pete Beach. It is the perfect place for our family. It's hard to believe this was our third summer visiting there. Our stay was short and oh so sweet. We had a blast with our friends who are really family.

My brother is married to Cindy's sister so we consider ourselves in-laws too!

 My kids love their Aunt Cindy, Uncle Anthony, and cousin Benjamin. We spent the majority of the time in the pool and some time at the beach. Emma and Max loved the water slide on the beach and the bungee trampoline. They also played ping pong, tetherball, pool, and putt-putt.  They swam their little hearts out. Emma got a braid and beads in her hair and Max a ton more freckles from the sun!

Here are some of our favorite moments:

I am excited to say goodbye to summer(and the heat and humidity) and begin a brand new adventure with a new class and both of my kids at my school!! I have my tissues ready for my baby boy's first day of kindergarten. I have just a few things to pick up off the supply list and they'll be ready to go. Well, after I get finished organizing my classroom. I woke up before 5 am this morning thinking about all I need to get accomplished. Yikes! The furniture is arranged now comes the fun part. This is my last weekend before we're back in our routine and I am beyond thrilled to be getting together with one of my very best friends Jennifer and her little guy Ethan tomorrow.

35

Today I am 35!

That really is just crazy to me! So far it's been a great birthday!

 We slept in, Damian ran out and got me my favorite caramel iced coffee, he and the kids sang to me, gave me cards and my gift and made chocolate chip pancakes. Emma even wrote out Mom in chocolate chips. My favorite thing so far today is Emma's card. She drew and cute picture of the two of us and this is her message "Happy Birthday Mommy. You are the best mom ever. You have good children. love, Emma and Max" Seriously, that girl cracks me up. Why yes, I do believe I have the best children ever!!

We are just hanging out at home and getting ready to head to my twin brother's house for a birthday celebration with the family. I'm hoping the rain stays so I can enjoy the pool.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Michael and I. This was for our 4th birthday.

Here we are at 29! I'm still 29 and holding...ha ha!

I'm so excited for our beach vacation to begin tomorrow! Bring on the sunshine, sand, and fun!

Cousin Fun

It's so nice to live only 15 minutes away from my family. I haven't lived in the same town since before I went away to college. It's awesome to not drive an hour for a visit and make plans in advance. Now we can just stop by on a whim. I love that!  The best part is our kids get to grow up together. My sis came over the other day and the kids asked from the minute they jumped out of bed when their cousins were coming over. They came over after lunch so it was a long morning!

Playing in Max's new covered wagon bed.

Max and Noah

Love these boys!

 Allie and Emma

Brothers

Noah and Lucas

This little guy is almost crawling! Watch out!