School

We have a lot of new and big boyish things going on at our house. ;) Look who has joined the rest of us at the big table? And is so proud of himself.

The kid doesn't miss a beat. He watches and observes so closely then does it himself. This could be good and bad I'm thinking.

My favorite....praying.

Monday evening we had our "Back to School" dinner with the main course of choice being steak of course. ;) I tell ya, these boys are going to be expensive. We couldn't go without the "boy wine", as Jacob calls it. Here's to a great first week of school.

Tuesday was the first day of school. Jacob and Nolan had an interesting schedule this week only going two days and one of the days only having half their class with them. So Tuesday only Connor and Nolan had school. Connor was up the night before worrying his little heart away. He was in tears and so nervous (or as he put it 51% nervous and 49% excited!) about the unknowns of the day. I feel so blessed that I now get to take them to school the first day(more on that later). Nolan was so pumped.

Connor felt a little better in the morning. Here is his new smile with one less tooth that he lost last week.

I couldn't have asked for better smiles. This picture turned out perfect (OK...I'm a little biased!)

Wednesday was then Jacob's first day. He was so excited also. He has come so far.....there was absolutely no bit of anxiety. It was wonderful and we were so proud of him. I touched base with his teacher after school and she said he did great...was very happy, expressive, and polite. Gotta love hearing that. I was happy to hear the bus ride to daycare went fine also. He is growing into such a little man. So fun.

It is crazy having 3 of the boys in school. Feels strange.

I miss my old school and the wonderful people I worked with because I had it good and loved it there. However, I truly feel like I am now where I am supposed to be right now. I get to do two things I love very much....be a mom more and teach. It is unbelievable being able to take the boys to school and see them during the day. There is nothing better. I work with wonderful people as well, who have been so helpful with the transition. I also love that I get to have the faith piece in my day. Working with great people at a great place, being able to share my faith, and being where my boys are.......life is good.

Just had to end with some cute pictures of Lucas, since he is the only one not in school. ;) He seems to grow and change daily. I wish I could slow life down.

Back to School Shopping

Yesterday (Sunday) we did our school shopping expedition. ;) Nolan got to come with us this year. He wasn't too sure he wanted to go to school while we were shopping though...until we convinced him that he doesn't have to get up in front of people and dance (he said he was too shy to do that....he thought that Vacation Bible School was what his school was going to be like).

We went through our dressers and closets this weekend so I had a list of what they all needed. Surprisingly and thankfully it wasn't too much. They also all get to pick out their first day shirt or outfit every year.

We ate at Chuck E. Cheese, which was also on the summer list, so we got to check that off too! We actually had a very pleasant time there. It was clean and not too busy. CHEERS to a new school year!

After eating and playing we went to get school supplies. Connor had to have his own list and check it off himself. He's so funny like that, I love it. Thanks to mom and dad for watching Lucas while we could spend some time with our "school" boys. ;)

Yesterday Connor took the old camera to the Vikings game and I was downloading the pictures from it to the computer and came across this picture. They look so young.......

It's hard to keep up these days

JACOB

Jacob went to the Apple orchard for preschool and was curious as to how he was going to get there. He didn't quite understand. He told Matt that he bet they walked there since they walk to the park every day. Matt told him it's a little too far to walk , so he thinks they will drive. They decided to bet a "3 minute back tickle". When we got in the car after daycare, Jacob told me all about it and told me that daddy won their bet, but to not tell daddy.... ;)
I don't think Jacob has paid up that bet yet.


It is fun seeing Jacob grow up and change. It's like pulling teeth with him though to get him to talk about school. I really have to probe him. Once I get him going he'll talk for awhile, it just takes a bit to get him started.
Here he is balancing an apple on his head at school.

NOLAN

Matt gets to take Jacob to school every day, so he has to go to daycare to pick him up. He said that Nolan is cute as can be waiting with Jacob for him to get there. He gives Matt a big hug, and gives Jacob a big hug telling him to have a good time at school.

Nolan had a little accident at daycare and was telling me about it. He told me how Mary got a little upset with him, however he didn't know why because, "I didn't get wet like a 100, only like a 3 or 4. That's not very wet." (Not quite sure what being wet like a 3 or 4 is, but makes sense that it's not as wet as 100! ) Kids perspectives are hilarious.

I love hearing about his day also. We are so lucky that Mary at daycare does a preschool program in the mornings and Nolan gets to participate full time this year. Last year he could and would and only sit for a little while. This year however he is loving it and does it the whole time. It's fun seeing his excitement about what he did and brings home. He still loves his backpack.

Nolan LOVES. LOVES. LOVES to get his back tickled before he goes to bed. It's adorable and hard to say no to his little, "Will you tickle my back please?".
I swear every night he is sleeping with something new in his hands or on his body.

Helping Grandma pick the last of the carrots. He loves to help.

CONNOR

Connor's school is having a fundraiser right now called their Marathon. They get pledges and then the whole school spends an afternoon walking around the town. Connor was telling me all about it and said to me, "Mommy, I think it's rude to just ask for money, so I'm thinking I will ask people if they have some chores or jobs for me to do to earn the money and then I'll give it to the school." We've put him to work at home already, and he's keeping track. He has plans made with a few other people to go over to their houses and work for the donations. Here he's matching socks....in a house full of boys, pretty close in size....this is not an easy or fun task.

This kid could be many things....but I have a feeling he's going to be an engineer of some type. Who knows....

LUCAS

This little man is 8 1/2 months old. Time flies.

He is motoring all over. He is SO fast.

He also loves that he can walk along furniture. He'll be walking before we know it.

He doesn't have any teeth yet, but everything goes to his mouth.

He is a great snuggler. I love that he has to have his hand on my face, or in my hair when he's going to sleep and snuggling.

He eats more than his brothers sometimes I think. If we could afford it, he could probably go through 3 jars of food a sitting, however he is eating many table foods thank goodness.

He lights up when he sees people.

He knows what "come here" with your hands out stretched for him means and he squeals with delight while he crawls over to you.

Back at it

Today was the first day back at it. It was our first workshop day. I am exhausted and stressed just thinking about everything that needs to be done yet. I thought I was ready coming into today, but I had a big reality check. The icky butterflies and headaches are back. I know, I know....all of you out there that have an 8-5 job all year are telling me to toughen up. I'm trying.
I was excited to pick up the boys from daycare though..... (Mary rented a blowup castle for the kids to jump in. She always tries to do fun projects and things this last week of summer vacation).

I forgot how crazy the evenings are though. Picking up the boys, getting supper ready (plus throw in nursing in there), trying to give four boys attention, taking baths, watching a show or playing a game, reading books, and then bedtime. Then it's finally our adult time. Breathe, talk, and work. Matt and I definitely have to work as a team in order to make things work.;) Not enough time in the day. I didn't want them to go to bed, but obviously they needed to with us getting up so early now.
Here we go again......

Oh yeah..... and we are SO excited about THIS. Woo hoo!

Back to School Dinner

We had our Back to School dinner tonight. Connor decided on corn on the cob - we all love it. We had some non -alcoholic wine (or Kid wine like Connor calls it). Big day tomorrow - for everyone! Even Jacob gets to do some school at daycare with Mary.