Visit from Uncle Jon

 

We hadn’t seen my brother in years so when he said he was town for work, we had him over one evening.  The boys loved him!! He brought some cool goodies for them and a sourdough bread in the shape of a crocodile : )  He helped Nicholas get ready for his jog-a-thon the next day by spray-painting his hair blue and doing his face painting.  Thanks for the great visit Uncle Jon…hope it’s not a few more years before we see you again!

First Day of Preschool

 

Ryan was excited to start preschool this fall!!  He loved getting his own backpack and loves taking his lunchbox to school.  So for three mornings a week he gets to make friends, learn colors and letters, and have fun.  Good thing we potty trained this summer…he was all ready to go.  I was wondering if he was a little young to start school (he turns 3 in January, but he already thinks he’s five and talks really well for his age so off we went).  So far he’s done great and his teachers say he’s doing fantastic!  Way to go Ryan, you’re such a big boy now.

First Day of First Grade

 

I can’t believe Nicholas is a big first grader!  Ryan and I missed him at home today and when we picked him up he said he loved it.  Here’s to a fun school year!!!

Little Update

Just a quick update since I haven't been good at the blog lately (sorry no picture this time...I will post the first day of school pictures later this week : )
Nicholas is starting 1st grade on Wednesday....yippee!  He's excited and I can't believe my little boy is getting older.  He's now into Star Wars and can't wait to watch the movies with Dad.  Still taking great care of his parakeet.
Ryan is completely potty trained...yippee!  He's been pooping in the potty for the past week by himself.  He is in a big boy twin bed (he's so cute to check in on and see him passed out on his pillow with the covers pulled up).  He starts preschool in a week and absolutely needs it...he gets so bored around here that his curiosity leads him to make messes everywhere and drive mom and dad crazy.
Mike is traveling lots this work assignment so we're happy when he's home.  Or at least when he's home and not running off to another church meeting or assignment (he is the Stake Young Men's President and on the High Council).  We love him to pieces!!
I'm trying to keep up with the boys as well as trying to keep myself motivated to do a marathon in October.  Don't know if I'll make it, but I'm going to try.  Tennis is so much more fun than running my legs to pain (although I still love running, I think I might just stick to doing half marathons from now on : ) 
So next update will be first day of school pictures from the boys...I might even get teary-eyed.

Potty Training and Mad Scientist

We had a great Fourth of July!  We started potty training Ryan so we were at home all day.  I always try to potty train in the summer months because I let the kids run around naked for the first few days and then move on to wearing underwear.  Luckily, Ryan loves to run around naked : )  And what doesn’t make a boy want to pee more than filling him up with juice and root beer and then letting him play in the water : )

Nicholas has recently gotten interested into science so Mike got him a science kit while we were in Africa and broke it out the other day.  I can see a future scientist in the making, can’t you?

Last Day of Kindergarten

 

Nicholas finished kindergarten with flying colors.  He loved his year with Ms. Lombardo and made some great friends in class.  He learned to read, write, and all his letters and numbers.  He got excellent report cards, went on some awesome field trips, made some great art, and grew up a little bit faster.  It’s said that everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten…if that’s true, we’re off to a great start!  Can’t wait for first grade adventures!

Nicholas’ 6th Birthday–Birds : )

 

I know I’m a little behind but better late than never right?  Nicholas turned 6 on May 21 and even though I had said it wasn’t a party year, I caved.  We had his friends from school and church over and even though it was a little chilly outside they loved the water balloons and “pool” we had set up for them.  We also had bird stuff to do and I even found a toucan shaped pinata that the kids loved.

Nicholas wanted a bird cake (I was thinking, how in the world am I going to make a cake in the shape of a toucan?).  I eventually decided to just make flowers and trees and then put tropical birds on the cake.  Nicholas loved it and it was really yummy…strawberry cake with cream cheese filling.

We can’t believe Nicholas is 6…time flies!!  We’re so glad Grammie and Grandpa helped us celebrate and that the party was a success.  We love you Nicholas!!!