And Then There Were Six

We are welcoming our newest addition in April!

So far everything looks great, and I am actually feeling pretty well this pregnancy.  I prayed and fasted for a pregnancy that did not make me feel completely like death, and so far so good! I am so excited to find out what this little nugget is, and I am anticipating its arrival! I can't wait to love on a sweet newborn again!

Caleb is excelling at school, and is truly liking it.  He is learning and becoming so independent!

Mckinlee is loving Pre K as well!

Paxton is growing and changing every day! I need to write a post to remember all the cute things he is doing!

Caleb Takes on Kinder

The day I have dreaded in all my 6 years of motherhood has come and gone.  My first born started Kindergarten......  To say I wasn't emotional would be a lie.  However, in the week he has been attending school, I have loved watching him grow into his own person.  He is loving it, is always coming home with a good report, and is happy.  That is really all I could ask for. 

His first day we hurried and got ready, took pictures, said a prayer with him and then headed to school.  Once we arrived there was a huge mix up with his papers, and I had to deal with the office for about 20 minutes (not fun), but we got it all worked out, and he began his life as a Kindergartener.  As we walked down the halls after leaving him, I cried and cried.  It was hard.  It was once of those 50/50 emotions.  I was so excited for him, but it broke me to my core to know that a door was shut to the old chapter of our life.  Thankfully our city has AM/PM Kindergarten, so he only goes to school for 3 hours.  Nick and the babies and I had breakfast, and then it was time to pick him up!! He had a great first day!

 His height compared to me on his first day of Kindergarten. I want to take a picture like this each year and watch him grow.  Its crazy to think that one day I will be looking up at him. 

Another huge step came on day 2 of school.  I actually let him ride the bus! Anyone who knows me knows that I have a huge fear of buses.  No seatbelts/influences/NO SEATBELTS! He has begged and begged to ride, and I finally decided to not allow my fear to hold him back.  Fear is not from God after all.  He rides in the morning and I pick him up after school.  He has loved it!! I am waiting for the newness to wear off because right now he is so easy to wake up in the morning.  He knows if he oversleeps he will miss the bus!

Just another cute before school picture.  It was also the last picture of the beard.  Nick shaved it like 10 minutes later.

Twas the Day Before Kindergarten....

I knew that I wanted to make the last day of summer for Caleb special! When we woke up that morning I told him that he got to pick what he wanted to do.  Other than  pre planned well check, he planned the entire day. 

We went by his school and prayed for the upcoming school year.  Caleb's biggest prayer was that they finish laying the mulch on the playground. 

We went to the park beside our gym, and then headed to the pool once it opened.  Unfortunately it was a little chilly, so swimming  did not last very long.  We ate lunch poolside and then played on the playground a little longer.

We went for his well check and he was 45 lbs and 45 inches.  50% for both.  He was cracking me up when they were asking him questions about shapes/which line is bigger/colors. He just had this look of "are you really asking me this? this is so easy".  I couldn't help but laugh!

After his well check we went for dinner and ice cream at a local dairy bar.  The food was delicious and the company was even better!

We then ran by Wal Mart to finish school shopping, and he picked out some shirts that he wanted.  I love watching his style take flight. 

After baths we snuggled in bed and read some books about Kindergarten.  We prayed for the day ahead, and talked about making kind and wise choices.  I then kissed him goodnight, went to the deck, and drank alone while watching old baby videos and crying...for hours.  This growing up stuff is hard on mommy!!!

No better words could ever describe my feelings......

Caleb Turns SIX

My not so little man, tuned six last week!! SIX!!! It is so crazy to think that the little baby who was in my belly when I started this blog is now a six year old boy!!! Time is crazy fast!

To celebrate this year Caleb requested an all boy party at a bowling ally.  Super simple.  We invited 5 friends, they bowled, we ate bowling ally food, sang, opened presents and we were done. I didn't even bring decorations.  So simple, and non stressful.  Caleb was happy as could be.  I let him have one friend spend the night for the first time, and he loved that.  The next day we played outside with his friend.

 

 

We celebrated with my in laws one night.

The night before his actual birthday Caleb went to the fair with his friend Landon. While he was gone the littles and I bought décor and decorated the kitchen, and our car.  I laughed because I do not know how to blow up a balloon.  However, Mckinlee has figured it out! She blew up all the balloons for the car and the kitchen! haha.  We opened gifts with Caleb after he returned home from the fair, and after baths he snuggled up on me and fell asleep.  I had a momma moment of crying as I rubbed his hair, and wondered where the years had gone.  The next day we swam, and had dinner at mamas work. 

 

Caleb,

I can not believe you are already six!!! You have the sweetest heart, the wisest soul, and you love deeply.  You are going to do great things.  This year is a big step for you.  You start kindergarten.  It will be a year of independence.  You will walk halls on your own, make choices, reap consequences, and possibly ride the school bus. This year is the year where you will start to become you, on your own, without mama...... I want you to know that you have got this!! You can shape this year to be the best it can be.  Make wise and kind choices, be a friend to those who need one, be a good student.  I hate that your little boy days are passing so quickly, but I am excited to see the big boy and man you one day become. 

Remember your life verse in moments of trials, fear, and confusion

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.  The Lord your God is with you wherever you go"

I have prayed that verse over you for years.  You have got this little man.  Here is to being six, and all the new adventures it will bring.

Love,

Mama

VBS, Creeks, One on One Time

This past weekend/week has been great! My mother in law graciously kept the kids for 3 days last weekend, and allowed Nick and I to celebrate our anniversary with a Staycation.  We were able to eat some yummy meals, go out with friends, and go to a pool ALL BY OURSELVES!!!! I was also finally able to use my mothers day giftcard and head to the spa for a much needed massage.  To say that we are grateful is an understatement.  (Note to self, do this for your kids one day). 

This week the kids have been in VBS and they have loved it.  Mckinlee's last day is tomorrow and Caleb's last day is Friday.  I hate that they end on separate days because Mckinlee will be crushed, but it has been a great week.  During VBS I have taken advantage of having some one on one time with P.  After the gym on Monday I took him to the park, and then we went down to the creek to play and throw rocks.  He is just growing up so fast.  Everyday he is understanding more, and acting more and more like a toddler.  Time, you are so fleeting. 

 

I surprised the kids with a picnic at the park today after VBS, and then we all headed down to the creek to mark of a "must do" on our Summer Bucket List.  It has rained almost all summer, so I figured we needed to take advantage of the sunshine. 

We went swimming before gymnastics tonight and Mckinlee learned to swim!! It finally clicked with her, and she was swimming under water by the time we left!! I am so proud of her!

It has been a great week! Now here is to praying the rain stays away.

Virginia

We traveled to a family farm in Virginia this past week to visit my dad and step mom.  We all had a great time, and we are looking forward to going back soon. 

When we arrived Mckinlee was surprised to enter every little girls dream bedroom.  She LOVED it!

I don't remember the exact order of days, but we participated in lots of fun activities while there.  I do not have photos of the actual fourth of July, but we spent it in the pool at the farm.  We ate yummy food, swam, relaxed and just enjoyed the day.  

One night we visited the town dock.  The kids had fun rock climbing, eating ice cream, bouncing on the trampoline and visiting the arcade. Before we left I was able to get some decent pictures of all of us!

 

We were missing a certain little guy for the above picture.  He was busy elsewhere being spoiled rotten.

 

We finished this night at the drive in watching Inside Out.  Paxton slept the entire time in the car, but the bigs had a lot of fun!

 

The next day we went to the State Fair.  The beginning of the day was really rainy.  We watched a show indoors where people broke wood and blocks.  Caleb got to go up on stage and break a piece of wood and he loved that. 
We waited out the rain indoors eating junk food. Caleb cracked me up eating his snow cone.  At one point he was so cold that he was shaking. He put on his hoodie, pulled up the hood, and kept eating. #determination. 

 

That night we were able to score some free wristbands for the carnival, and we rode rides until they closed.  I must say that I am way to old for the rides #sick.

 

We spent one day just exploring the farm.  We drove around in the truck, my dad let the kids take turns driving, we hiked, we looked at cows, we climbed deer stands.....etc.  I love days like that.  It reminded me of childhood. 

 

Mckinlee really liked the car with "no toppin". 

We celebrated my dads birthday.  Mckinlee picked out all the decorations and decorated the cake.  I love the upside down Y's so very much. 

Our final day we had the best weather of our trip.  We spent it at the lake on the beach.  Unfortunately we only got to spend a half day on the beach before heading home, but it was a great time!