First Day of School

I have been so conflicted about E starting school full time. On the one hand she is super ready! I know she will do great and I'm not worried about her at all. It will be nice having her out of the house for the full day as well, especially now that Leif is a bit more demanding. And then there is the other hand that just wants me to keep her small forever. I am no longer her best buddy, her world no longer revolves around me and I'm not longer the first person that she wants to play with. Her friends and teachers now have her more through the year then I do and that really breaks my heart. She's no longer just mine, and it really is hard to share her.

She hopped on the bus with a huge smile on her face. She was so excited, no tears, slightly apprehensive, after all it is a big deal to ride the bus. She sat in the front seat and looked back at me and the doors shut and she was gone and even typing this  sit here with a tear in my eye. I cried as she pulled away and a new chapter in our lives officially began.

I was pretty excited to pick her up and hear all about her day. She hopped off the bus and I asked how her day was "It was AWESOME!" She told me all about recess and the rules on the bus and that she had made some new friends. She told me abut lunch and how I "packed too much, lunch is only 20 minutes Mom!" She had gotten a new book as a gift from her teacher and we sat and read it together and it felt so good to have her back home! I am so proud of this sweet girl! She is going to thrive!

Since Duke has already done Pre-School before it felt like slipping back on a comfy pair of shoes. We fell right into step and I am over the moon excited to see what this year holds in store for him!! I also love that it's only half a day so I don't completely lose him! 

Duke was super excited when he saw the bus! He jumped right up posed for pictures and I asked the bus driver a few questions. Then we hit a bump. He didn't want to sit and do up his buckles. So Mama had to climb up on the bus and get him all strapped in screaming his lungs out. Once the bus started they said he was fine but he was not thrilled about the thought of me leaving him.

He came home from school and hopped off the bus with a huge smile shouted "MAMA!!" and jumped up in my arms. He said he had a good day and he was pretty excited! He was ready for school to start again but just like E it felt good to have them home!! 

And here we go! Another school year! Sweet mercy, summer flew by way too fast!

4 Months

• Height: 25 inches 
• Weight: 16lbs 4oz
• Nicknames: Sprout, Sproutatticus, Leifer, E calls him Goo Goo

• Leif is a social creature. He loves to chat and coo and I swear he knows what's going on! He will let anyone hold him and he just flirts and smiles.
• Sprout went on his first flight and he slept the entire time. Just as happy as could be. He was amazing. Not a peep!!
• He is such a happy baby. He hardly cries, he is super relaxed and just goes with the flow. He likes to be close and at times wants to be held all evening but who doesn't love extra snuggles? He is such a dream!

• He no longer falls asleep on my chest, which breaks my heart. He is still a pretty good sleeper but traveling messed him up a bit. He is waking up a few times a night just to eat and then back to sleep. He is so ready for a routine which we will be attempting to put in place once the kiddos are in school!

• This boy loves to eat!! He's a great eater and I think that he'll be ready for solid foods soon.
• Leif has moved up to size 6 months clothes, some 9 month. He's pretty big and I adore it!!
• He has the clammiest little feet. They are always sweaty, it's a bit strange to say the least.

• He has become a very slobbery baby! Drool for days. He's gnawing on everything but there are no teeth.
• His hands are starting to work better! He's becoming more into toys now that he can grab them. He still loves his peacock, turtle, and his bunny rattle.  
• Doesn't matter who is holding him, this boy is looking for me. People always comment on how he watches me while we shop, or while I putter around the house. He's my boy through and through. It's amazing how much you can love someone you just met and how that love doesn't atke away any love for his siblings. Love doesn't divide it multiplies!

• Sprout is a hand sucker. It's usually two or three fingers that he's got a hold of. He'll take his sue.....sometimes, but he'd much rather have his hand. 
• The flat spot isn't going away. We'll see what the doctor says at his appointment, but I have a feeling he'll be rocking a helmet.
• He's losing hair. We'll not so much losing as his head is growing quicker than his hair is and so he's thinned out a lot. It's also starting to look lighter at the roots, similar to Duke in coloring. I hope he keeps his dark hair. I'm so in love with it!

• Leif knows what my phone is and he looks for it. He loves to see himself on the screen. (I know I hear Mom's say this about thier kids and I think ya, sure but he TOTALLY does!)

• This boy is sooooo ticklish. I get better laughs out of him when I tickle him with my nose and not my fingers. He most ticklish in his ribs but he giggle pretty good if I stretch out his arm and kiss up to his arm pit. It's my favorite!
• He rolled over several times on July 26th. He's never on the floor long enough to practice rolling. Big brother a big sister are a bit too wild to leave him to fend for himself.
• Sprout doesn't just want to be propped up in a sitting position leaning back on your body, he wants to be full on SITTING up.   

 

• He's a bit more pukey than before.
• Sprout loves his siblings. He thinks E is hilarious and she can get him laughing pretty good! She can also calm him down really well if he's fussing. I'm so grateful for her and the great big sister that she is! She helps us out a lot!

Love this sweet sweet boy!

Lat Day of Summer

It was our last day of summer so we wanted to do something pretty big! We called up some friends and we headed over to the farm! Joanna had left over tickets from the Tortoise company event (that we missed while we were in Canada) so we got to do a lot of fun things! I think E's favorite event was mining!

They give you a bag full of dirt and rocks and you are suppose to dip it in the water and rinse away the sand. 

Bear struck a gold mine! His bag was FULL of big rocks. E only had three or four. 

Quite the haul!

Feeding the goats is always fun. They were a bit more aggressive this time around eating E's dress and chasing the kids. E kept running around and they would chase her. I told her to hold still and just give them the bottle and she said "I can't!!! I'm having a heart attack!!!" I about died laughing. 

Bear thought it was fun to chase them!

Then we finished off the day with riding horses. 

I was super proud of Bear! Last time he rode he screamed the whole time, he was very brave and really enjoyed it! And that it a wrap on our summer!!! First day of school begins tomorrow!!!

Getting Ready for School!

We got home from Canada just in time to get ready for school! It feels so surreal having E in full time Kindergarten! How did 5 years go by so fast? I was constantly pinching myself while we were picking up her school supplies!

Bear is starting school too and he's so excited! I completely lost a year with Bear but his is only half day so that is easier to take! The house will be so quiet!

Thee were LOTS of school activities before the school year began. Ice Cream Socials, Meet and Greets, Pot Lucks. It was a nice way to go to the school with E, Figure out her new routine and meet her teacher.

I feel like she got rid of a lot of her pre-school gitters. After going to the school 3 times, we were pros!

We found her classroom, and her chair! She is so ready for Kindergarten!

We also did a meet and greet with Bears teachers. It felt like coming home, he knew the drill and he is so excited to be riding the bus again!!! Only a few more days of summer!! Ready or not here we come!!

Duke's Birthday

 Happy Birthday Eve Sweet Duke!

 I can't believe this boy is FOUR!!!

 His birthday was more of a recoup day than anything. When Daddy got home he took him to the store to pick out any treat that he wanted from the bakery. He picked this emoji cookie. 

 He was pretty excited about it!

After his cookie he opened a couple of presents and that was it. Simple and low key. Happy birthday sweet boy! We sure do love you!!!

Duke is Four!

• Weight: 40 lbs 
• Height: 3' 5" 
• Nicknames: Little Man, Bear, Manny, "Duke Manfred" or just Manfred.

• Duke is still all about eating. I have actually put locks on all of the cupboards to " close the kitchen" between meals. His favorites are egg (some days he eats 6!), cereal, waffles, applesauce and pizza!
• Duke is 100% boy. He loves anything that has wheels. He is a huge fan of fire trucks, ambulances, trains and helicopters. He really enjoys playing with this Disney Cars and is now starting to give them voices and talking when he plays with them. He also really like building cars with his Duplo's. 
• He loves to wrestle and rough house! It's his favorite!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
•  Duke has become very particular about his clothes. If he doesn't like it, he's not wearing it!! I hates dress shirts and will only wear polo's to church. I'm not sure if it's a tactile thing or if he's just determined to have an opinion.
• Duke is a wonderful big brother and likes to help with Leif. He calls him Ee-F, and he loves him dearly. If Sprout starts to cry Duke is racing up to me very concerned letting me know. 
• Bear's language has {exploded} this year! He can now ask for things, and knows the word for just about everything. It can be difficult to understand him but he doesn't get frustrated and will repeat himself until you understand. He still speaks Ewok when he's telling a story but you can usually pick out a word or two. I am sooooo proud of him!
• He will be starting his second year of pre-school in the special ed program and I am so excited to see how much more improvement there will be throughout the course of the year. 
• He now can tell you all of his colors, numbers and he sings a lot of songs. He calls family members by their names and likes to point out each person when looking at pictures. He quotes movies while they are playing and he's a total parrot repeating what you say. for example I will say "Hey Duke!" and he'll repeat "Hey Duke!"

• Duke's favorite toys include; his Monkey, cars, fire trucks and anything else with wheels, legos, play doh, and trains.
• Duke loves shows. He's a big fan of Nemo and Dory. He like to watch YouTube but eventually gets board and wanders off to go play. 
• He is super always saying "Ank you Mommy!" and "Err Elcome."
• Duke and I like to sing our song (1,000 Years pt. 2 by Christina Perri) before bed. He always requests it and it makes my heart so happy!

• Duke is potty trained!!!!!! It was a bit tricky but he's got it down now!
• He is super independent. He like to go and do his own thing. If he wants something he will figure out how to get it and open it. We often joke that we have a Raccoon. 
• He plays really well on his own but loves it when friends come over. He really likes playing with E (when they can get along) but he has a hard time sharing.
• Duke is still 100% Mama's boy. He loves his Daddy but, he and I understand each other better and he's much more cooperative with Mama. He is super sweet and loves to randomly run up and gives to hugs and lots of kisses. He'll also say "Uh-ve u Mama!" (Love You) out of the blue. He makes my heart melt!

• He is no longer taking any naps. He phased out his nap over the summer because of school, but at times he will still toddle to his room or climb on the couch with his blanket and drift off. He loves to sleep!

I just cannot believe that my boy is FOUR!!!

8 Years

8 Years

6 Moves

3 Babies

2 Degrees

1 House

All adds up to a wonderful adventure!

I am so fiercely in love with this man. He's my happy place, my calm, my rock, and my joy. We have fun laughing and teasing. He gets me in a way no one else does and it is just perfect, simple. We challenge each other, push each other and at times we disagree and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knows me and that he sent Jakob to rescue me. Happy Anniversary my love. You will forever be my favorite!

(I thought this picture was fitting since the way we celebrated was by traveling home from Canada with our little family.)