Fleeting

I'm trying so hard to capture these last few days of summer, they seem so fleeting!! We have truly had a fantastic summer, we spent hours at the pool, parks, movies, bike riding, popsicle eating, playing, playing and more playing. I've loved every second of it, even the sweltering temperatures in July were cause to turn on the hose and celebrate. We enjoyed a visit from my parents, outings to the big city for museums, trips to the farm to pick up vegetables, lazy dinners of grilled sandwiches and corn on the cob, late bedtimes and sleeping in- waking up to the fan blowing and and an empty calendar, to fill up as we wanted. Now that school's started, we have soccer practice, homework and the need for a more reasonable bedtime. For a birthday gift from his best buddy Juliana, Harrison received a butterfly kit, including a coupon to send away for caterpillars that turn into beautiful painted lady butterflies. He was thrilled, and spent the time talking to them in a cute baby voice, calling them his "little buddies".  Of course all things must come to an end, and it came time for us to release the butterflies...

This was the last of the 5 butterflies that we hatched from caterpillars.

Right after I snapped this picture, a warm gusty breeze lifted the butterfly off his hand and launched it to the sky...

And just like that the butterflies are gone and summer is coming to an end. I can't wait to see what's in store for fall!!

Kindergarten....

Harrison turned 6 this past July, which technically means he should be in 1st grade, but I made the (very difficult) decision to hold him back one year. I really felt this was the best thing for him, I'm glad I did, but boy was he ready to ride the bus this morning! He was awake and dressed (including his backpack) at 6:30 this morning. I made some delicious apple cinnamon muffins for his first day of kindergarten. After 2 hours of waiting, it was finally time to head to the bus stop!

 3 of the best kids around...

 Did I mention Harrison got glasses? I took him in for his kindergarten eye exam and turns out the kid can't see!! Oops... Sorry Harrison!!

 Headed to the bus stop on a misty morning.

Look at that grin!! He's been waiting years for this!

When he got home today I asked him what his favorite part of kindergarten was- "Riding the bus!!" he said, I should have guessed!

Grade 2

My darling second grader started school this morning. She was filled with nervous energy and woke me up at 7, she wanted to make sure she had enough time to get her hair done, nails painted and have a proper breakfast before the bus came at 8:30.  I love that she wanted everything pink this year! She really looks adorable in pink and the longer she can be my little girl, the better! They grow up way too fast...

 Her favorite "hairdo" - actually, it's the only kind of braid I know how to do! Auntie Candise is going to need to teach me some new braids when she comes!

 Pretty pink manicure, every girl needs some fresh polish to look her best!

 Pink pedicure and new sandals! Here in the midwest, we need to enjoy the warm weather while it lasts, the winters are way too long!

 I love this smile!

Daddy was able to go to work a few minutes late and see her off on her first day of 2nd grade. We love this little girl!!

Getting our feet wet

Our strict "not pets" policy was breached a few months ago when we got a pet beta fish, which the kids lovingly named Sushi. The kids were so excited about the fish for approximately 3 days, ever since then, it's been Tadd's job to feed Sushi and change the water. Well, lately the kids (mainly Harrison) have been begging for a dog, or a hamster or at the very least, a BIRD. With a baby on the way, I'm positively not going to budge on our "no pet" policy, but when my dear friend asked if we could bird sit for a week while they went on vacation, I thought it would be a good way for my kids to see that a pet bird really isn't that exciting. Well, she brought the bird over this morning, and the kids haven't moved more than 10 inches away from the cage for the past hour, so far my plan is failing miserably, but I'll report back in one week and we'll see if they even remember that we have a temporary pet!

Fishing derby

With Tadd taking a class all day Friday and all day Saturday, I had to get the kids out of the house for at least a few hours today. When they all woke up at 7am I knew it would be a long day and said "get in the car kids, we're going fishing!" A nearby town was hosting a free fishing derby for kids today, and while I had read about it, it's not the sort of thing I would attempt taking my 3 kids to without daddy, unless faced with an entire 15 hour day with no plans and 3 bored kids.  So I packed a few snacks and bottles of water and we were on our way. They provided bait and fishing poles at the derby, so all we had to do was set up our chairs in the 87 degree heat (plus humidity) and get fishing! This pregnant mama just wanted to find shade, but hooks don't bait themselves, so I had to brave it.

 Ok! So Henry caught a fish.... now what? You mean I have to dig that hook out of its mouth? What did I sign up for?

 "Mom, this worm is too big, I think we need to break it in pieces" .... uh, with my fingers? GROSS

 Luckily rent-a-grandpa was wandering around and noticed we looked like we needed a little help, he brought a tool and took the fish off Henry's hook, but I was on my own to break the worm into pieces.  Luckily Uncle Nate and Grandma showed up to lend a hand right about then and I had some reprieve from the hook baiting and worm breaking.

 After the trophies were awarded (sadly, we came home empty handed) they provided hamburgers from McDonalds for all the kids.

Then everyone got a ride in a speedboat!! The kids were thrilled! He really did go fast and I think was even kind enough NOT to smoke the cigarette hanging out of his mouth while sitting next to my kids.
After we'd been outside for the better part of 4 hours, we were nearly melting in the heat and grandma kindly offered to take us out for ice cream.

Which we readily accepted and thoroughly enjoyed. Despite the heat and blistering sun, we all had fun, it's a day we won't soon forget.... nobody told me being a mom would be so much fun!

Six!!

So my big boy turned six on Tuesday, you may remember in years past how we've celebrated his birthdays in grand style. This year, Harrison has been begging for a new bike from a BIKE SHOP, not Craigslist, or a hand me down, but a real (expensive) bike. So I decided I would give him a choice, either he could go to a bike shop and pick out his very own bike, or he could get a smaller present and have a big party with his friends. To my delight, he chose a new bike, without hesitation. So off to the bike shop we went and he picked out this...

He rides it down the street and yells "I feel so alive!" What a kid... Of course we still had to celebrate so we went to his favorite place in the entire world...

The pool! He loves to dive into the 12 foot end and swim back to the edge.

He also loves the climbing wall! He's meant to be a swimmer, he loves the water!

On his actual birthday, we met a few friends at the park and I brought cupcakes to share, of course he had to light the candle...

This child handles a lighter like a pro... don't worry I keep them all hidden.

Harrison and his two best girlfriends Juliana and Eleanor...

After the park we headed to Grandma's house for a hot dog roasted over the fire and some pop and chips.

He didn't get his eating habits from me...

We topped it off with an ice cream sandwich and 6 candles (and more pop) what a day! Harrison is such a delight- his strengths include, his love for his mother and family, his quick mind and his knowledge of right and wrong (even if he doesn't always make the best choices!) He loves to tease his brother and sister mercilessly and can't wait for his new baby sister. On his 6th birthday, Harrison is 45 1/2 inches tall and weighs 42 1/2 lbs. We love him to pieces!!

Growing....

I was talking to my mom the other day and she mentioned that my brother didn't know I was expecting, "What!! I said? How can anyone NOT know I'm expecting. My stomach is huge!!" Then I realized that of course he lives in El Paso, and hasn't seen me since last August, when all this was happening. In February when we found out we were expecting again, I didn't tell anyone, I thought maybe if I said it out loud, I would jinx myself or something, I didn't even tell my mom and sisters (and I tell them everything!) for about 3 months or so... in fact, I didn't ever make any big "announcement" I just let people guess and wonder.... well there is no mistaking it now, I am expecting in October.

We're so thrilled, the kids couldn't be more excited, we found out a few months ago that we're having a baby GIRL!! Harrison is over the moon excited and will be the best big brother any baby sister could wish for. The first three months I felt awful, really awful, but that passed and now I feel great, even though the kids remind me every day that my stomach is huge! Yesterday Harrison informed me that I had the biggest belly button he'd ever seen. We feel very blessed to add a new member to our family, so far all is well and everyone is healthy. More updates to come!