Fall So Far

I'm back.  Once again trying to play catch up.  Life has been super busy lately. Nick has been working long hours, and some weekends, Caleb has been in school, pregnancy etc etc....just busy.  Today has been a low key, pajama day at home, and sometimes you just need those days.  I have been preparing for a yard sale and that preparation has put me into nesting mode.  I have been filling my "free time" organizing our fall wardrobes, cleaning, going through old baby clothes, and washing baby gear.  I am well aware that I still have 5 more months before baby blue makes his appearance, but I have the itch, so I might as well run with that.

Let me see, what to catch up on......Caleb has been in a super affectionate phase lately.  He literally comes up to me and says "mom, I love you", and then kisses me 50 times a day.  He is doing the same with Mckinlee and Nick.  He always tells Kinlee "Sissy, I love you so much".  (I secretly love this phase, and hope that it never goes away).  I swear I could squeeze that sweet boy to death sometimes. He is also all about the baby.  He loves to put his hand on my belly, and he tells me how much he loves the baby all the time.  His new cute thing he talks about is "the Jesus in his heart".  The first time he brought it up we drove over a railroad track and he said "That bump made that Jesus in my heart tickle my belly".  This morning he was using the stethoscope on Kinlee  and said "Lets see if we can hear that Jesus in your heart Kinlee".  PRECIOUS!

Kinlee is busy being Kinlee.  We have been transitioning her out of her crib, and it has been going okay. Due to our tight living situation at the moment she is sharing Caleb's bed with him.  He has a full size bed, and they prefer to be close to each other, so it has worked out.  Some nights are better than others, but nap time today was a breeze, so that's good.  She has started gymnastics, and I swear the child is a natural.  She is able to do everything pretty darn well.  She really excels at the beams, and any type of upper body activity.  Moms and her teachers brag on her weekly.  I am just happy she enjoys it.  She and I have been bonding while brother is at school.  She is still prissy as ever, dances constantly and puts on a show for anyone who will watch.

A few weekends ago we were able to visit some of my college friends.  It was a great weekend, and the kids seemed to really enjoy each other's company.

They loved this baby girl! 

Birthday buddies.  

I think we have 100% decided on baby blues name......Paxton David.  We kept going back and forth between Paxton or Collins, but Paxton is the winner.

Pictures of the Little Guy

Oh Boy!

Caleb's First day of Pre K

Today was the first day of school, and it was actually a great day.  My little man was a completely different person than he was this time last year, and it was amazing to see how much he matured.

Caleb awoke happy this morning, which was a surprise considering he did not fall asleep until after 11 last night. Mommy fail on not enforcing back to school schedule.  When I woke him up I told him the back to school fairy had stopped by. (I saw the idea for the fairy via Pinterest, and thought it was a fun way to get them excited the first morning of school.).  He told me that he "needed to lay in his bed and stretch, and to go out, and he would be there in a minute".....acascuseme?  Where did my 4 year old go?  Any who when he came out he was thrilled to see what the fairy had brought him.  She brought a ninja turtle lunch box that he had been begging for.....my days of picking out cute stuff for him are out the door, and super heroes are in.  She also left his breakfast, and a small toy in the lunchbox.  The toy was actually an old transformer toy of his that had been put away for months. I didn't think he would remember it.  He did.  He asked "why did she bring me a toy I already had?".  Mommy fail......I quickly changed the subject and all was well in the world.  She also left a note telling him to have fun his first day of school, and to be kind to friends who may seem scared or sad.

After the fairy I fed him and Kinlee, rushed to get their stuff ready, and got them dressed.  After some negotiation last night Caleb finally agreed to wear a cute first day of school outfit.  His clothes from here on out, may be horrible, but at least he humored me today.

We took the mandatory back to school pics and headed on our way.

He was super calm when we entered school. As I was signing him in, he said "mom give me a kiss", I kissed him and then he said "okay, I'll see you later".  That was that and he was on his way, playing with his friends. No tears.  I was proud and sad at the same time. I kind of wanted him to miss me a little :).

After school we went and got a celebratory ice cream cone with 2 of his friends, and played at the park. It was a great first day!

Caleb 4 Years

Caleb-

I will begin this yearly post the same way that I always do, but the words have the same power as they always have, and always will.  I literally can not believe that you are 4.  FOUR.  That is so big.  It was an age that seemed moons away when I first brought you home from the hospital.  An age that seemed so big as I rocked you as a little man to sleep.  An age, that I can not believe we have already reached.  There is a saying "The days are long, but the years are fast".....that is so true.  You see I have had many a long day of watching you grow.  Many a day where time seemed to stand still, but in reality it is so fleeting.  You have transformed from a baby to a very intelligent, kind, wild young boy before my very eyes, and yet I long to hold onto any piece of baby that still remains in you.

There is still some baby there.  You remind me of yourself as a baby when you hurt yourself, and still need me to hold you, place my face against yours and tell you that you are fine.  When you wrap your arms around my neck at night, and tell me that you will miss me while you sleep.  When you need just one more snuggle.  When you still have your random tantrums. However, the truth is, there is way more little boy than baby left, and although that hurts, I love it all the same.

You are an amazing amazing boy.  You are so logical.  So incredibly logical.  You ask questions that no child of your age, should even semi understand.  I am praying God uses that logical mind one day for his glory.  You are wild, and carefree, and peaceful all in unison.  You can constantly be seen with a weapon in hand, and are often heading off to fight a bad guy to protect us.  You currently have me participate in a imaginary world of ninja turtles from the moment you wake up, until you lay your head down at night. You are a great friend.  You love your friends with all your heart.  You are equally an amazing big brother.  Kinlee is very lucky to have you in her life.  Your memory is insane.  You remember stuff from when you had just turned 2, and the strangest little things remain embedded in your memory.  You still to this day talk about a little girl you played with at the pool in FL for all of 5 minutes...MoMo was her name.  You often bring her up, and pray for her.  It cracks me up.  You are so excited to be a big brother again.  You are longing for a baby brother.  You always ask me to feel my tummy, love to look at pictures of how big the baby is at this point of pregnancy etc. I love that you are so involved, and really seem to get it this time around.  You will be great with him/her.  You are very opinionated about names for your baby, but that is a post in and of itself.

I could go on and on about who you are at four.  However, to sum it up, you are smart, kind, loving, hilarious, and perfect.  You are one of my greatest blessings.  You will always be the person who taught me what love really is.  You will always be my sweet boy.  As we enter this very last year of your toddler hood (tear), I look forward to experiencing life with you, and all that it may bring.

Happy Birthday Monk, You truly are my perfect angel.

Mom


4 Year Survey

favorite food: ceral

favorite sport: soccer

favorite show: Chugginton, and Ninja Turtles 

favorite thing at school: eat lunch

I you could go on an airplane anywhere, where would you go: "I would walk to the airport, and the plane would bring me back to my house"

favorite color: green, blue

when you grow up what are you going to be: a daddy

favorite song: Ring around the Rosie

favorite book: The Cat in the Hat

3 words that describe you: Caleb, I live in a house

When you were little, you used to: cry, play, didn't talk or walk when I was zero. 

Favorite time of year: Winter when it snows

Favorite snack: grahmn crackers

Yuckiest food: I'll think about it

My best friend at school: Jonah and Gabriel

Other friends at school: Reagan and Sophoe

Places I want to go: Green truck park, other parks 

People I miss: Gabriel, Reagan, Jonah, Hudson, Ethan, Presley, friends I met at the condo and at Disney World.  My family. 

Favorite pets: Kitty's and Bella

Teachers: Jennifer and Candice when I was three

Who do you want to marry: Presely

How many kids do you want: 10 girls 11 boys

Favorite thing about Kinlee: When she plays and talks silly

Favorite thing about Daddy: When he doesn't have to work

Favorite thing about Mommy: When she lets me sleep in bed with her 

Favorite thing about yourself: Playing t-ball