Random Happenings

I just wanted to post of some pictures from the last few months. We have had a lot going on. Easton finished up Carpenter's Kids and is taking the summer off before starting Pre-K in the fall. He will only go 2 days a week but it will be big boy school. I can't believe he is that old. We are coming upon 4 years old and that just blows me away. I think at 3, they can still be a baby, but at 4 there is not much baby left anymore. My mom is keeping the boys this summer while I work a few days a week. That is helping us out so much. We will actually be able to pay for half the year of Easton's pre-k on what we are saving this summer is daycare costs. And of course....they are loving it! Lawson is now 18 months old and will go back to the sitter in the fall when Easton starts school. Lawson does well there and I am so thankful to have found a place that I feel comfortable leaving him. Those boys are my life.

Well here are a few pictures from the last few months. Enjoy!

Lawson's first haircut.
He did pretty good until the end. We tried to distract with juice, crackers, Mat's iphone, but he was getting restless and was ready to go. He doesn't like anyone touching his ears! I am sure that is from all those ear infections before the tubes.

How precious!

Sitting like a big boy in the chair.

Easton's HIPPY graduation. He loved doing the HIPPY program.

This is Easton kissing his metal. : ) He is learning early, folks!

There is nothing quite like Summertime and a Sonic slush!

The Four Ameigos!

"Eeeeeeze!" Lawson smiling for the camera in Momma's sunglasses.

My sweet baby sleeping away. A "pap pap" in his mouth and in his hand. Perfect!

Easton at his Carpenter's Kid's end of the year program. Easton was so precious with the large group but got embarrassed when it was his classes turn to sing. I was such a proud momma though. It was his first school program. I was one of "those" mom's with the camera, video camera, and tears in my eyes.

Easton and his daddy relaxing after the big event.

Me and my two handsome boys - this is one of the very few pictures that I have of me and the boys actually looking at the camera and smiling.

Playing with daddy. Mat has to be the best daddy in the whole world. The boys absolutely adore him and love to play with him...and on him. : )

Memorial Day at Nana and Papa's house. We had a cook out in the back yard.

Let me tell you...this boy knows how to hit a ball!

Easton stopped to pose for the camera before hitting one out of the park!

First Day of Carpenter's Kids

Well, we made it!! Today was Easton's first day of Carpenter's Kids. We woke up early this morning and started preparing for the day. He was supposed to bring something that started with the letter A, so he chose his yellow airplane and put it in his new backpack. We packed his lunch (PBJ, pretzels, baby carrots, and a Capri Sun) and I showed him how to get all the baggies open and made sure he could do it by himself. I was so nervous about him going away with people I don't know. Having been a teacher, I know how little things can get overlooked so I wanted to make sure he could at least eat his lunch without much or any help. 

While we were getting ready this morning, he wasn't too thrilled about the whole idea and he kept saying that he was going to school "tomorrow" and I had to disappoint him that it was in fact "today". He was not sure about it and was still insisting that he wanted me to stay with him. I think he likes the thought of going and playing with the other kids but he just wanted me there too. While I was putting on his cute little Nike shoes, I explained that it was just like at church when he goes to class and I leave him for a little while. He plays with the kids and then I come back and get him. I told him that I would be back in just a little while and pick him up from school, too. That seemed to click with something in his little mind and the morning started to turn around. 

I took his picture, of course with his new backpack. A while back I decided to get him something special to make going to school a little easier. This new backpack and lunch-box was the perfect thing. He has been carrying them around for days - talking about what to put in them, what food he wants in his lunch box and how everyone will be so happy when they see them. I let him help me pick them out on the internet and then we waited for them to be delivered. He has been thrilled ever since they came in. I think they are absolutely adorable!! Maybe a little pricey for a backpack and lunch-box, but not really for a special treat.

We got there and I walked him in and he showed off his backpack to his teachers and then I helped him find a chair. He started playing with some cars and I told him I would be back in a little while to pick him up. He agreed and I took a few more pictures and then left. I waited in the hall to see if I heard any crying and it seemed the coast was clear. I left and got teary myself as I was getting in the car. 12:30 seemed so far away. I know some of you think I am nuts. I mean, it was only 4 hours, but to me this morning, it seemed like forever! My baby boy is growing up and it is all part of learning to let him grow. 

I was nervous all morning until I went to get him. He was playing happily when I walked in and was happy to see me. His teachers said he did really good - no crying, kinda quiet, but did everything they asked. I was proud and relieved they didn't have to deal with any breakdowns. 

He was very glad to be home. He immediately got down in the floor and started playing with Lawson. I couldn't help but smile to see how much they had missed each other and were glad to be back together. They were both smiling and laughing right away. 

I praise the Lord for taking care of my baby during his first day at "school". I know this was just a very small step, but it seemed big to us. God cares about every aspect of our lives and I was comforted to know that He had Easton in His hands. Easton seemed to have a good time, I didn't have a major breakdown of tears and all three of us took an afternoon nap. What a great day!

Carpenter's Kids Orientation

Today we went to Easton's Orientation at Carpenter's Kids. This is his first year to do anything like this. We met his teachers and saw his little classroom. He will just be going 2 days a week for a half a day but it will be quite an adjustment for both of us. He was so excited about seeing his "new school" (actually it is at a local church but he doesn't realize that yet).  When we first got there, we were walking down the hallway of classrooms and he was saying, "Look momma, look at my new school!!" He was so excited. The excitement left though after we met his teachers and saw his room. He thought I was going to leave him today for school. He started to cry telling me, "I don't want you to leave me." I am afraid we are gonna have quite the ordeal next Tuesday when we go back. I am sure that there will be tears for both of us (for him when I leave and for me when I get to the car). Going to Carpenter's Kids will be a great thing for him and for me but he has just never stayed with anyone that wasn't family or that he didn't know really well. I think after a few weeks, he will love it. He absolutely loves going to children's church and class at church so I am sure he will get in the groove of this as well. I can't believe he is already 3 and growing up so much. I was holding his hand when we walked into the gym for the "Family Meeting" this morning and he looked up at me and said, "You don't have to hold my hand momma" What! Yes, I do. Your 3! It's for me as much as for him. : ) Oh me!

I tried to take a picture of him this morning before we left, but he kept closing his eyes. I thought he looked so cute and grown up.