Life After the Car Seat... Big A turned 8

Big A is now officially a 8 year old. He is officially out of the booster seat in the car... a big step. As I look over the pictures from this years birthday shoot I can't believe how much he has grown-up over the last year. At the photo shoot he had his own ideas for poses (some pretty awesome). He was kind of shy around the photographer (a first) and the warmed up as we went. Listening to him talk to the photographer about his life and likes again I was so struck by how very grown-up he has gotten.... How did this happen? It makes me tear up a bit (I know weepy mom mode!) whatching the "baby boy, little guy times fade into the past. He is such a bright, funny, kind, playful, thoughtful little guy. I am so blessed to be his Mom, watching him grow!

A thank you to FotoFly photography for once again giving me outstanding birthday shots of A!

"Little" a turns 4

 

 

Our little A is 4 today! The time has gone by so quickly! I still think of her as my “Baby.” She is not a baby anymore at all. Little a is growing up so fast! She is a precocious, intelligent, curious, spunky, fun loving, little ball of energy. She is such a sweet little beauty who is such a fun, athletic little tomboy.

…. And no matter how big she gets… She will still be my “Baby”.

 

Here's some shots from her "4 year-old" photo shoot at the always amazing FOTOFLY studios

 

 

Kindergarten...A Mothers Lament

I don’t get it. I consider myself a pretty tough Mother. I kill spiders, I let my kids climb trees without wincing, I’m no sissy. However the mere mention of Big A entering kindergarten has had me in tears for the last few weeks. My sweet co-worker asked me about Big A starting school and I was reduced to tears right in the middle of the office.

Last year when he entered Pre-School I was fine; tough as nails, excited for his new adventures. The first day as I smiled and waved him on his way Jeff was wiping away tears. I have come to realize that I was tough there because of a couple of factors. First off he was only gone half a day, twice a week, no biggie. Secondly and I think more importantly It was my choice. Like signing him up for little league or soccer, I was choosing to send him on this adventure. Now kindergarten is upon us. It is still half day here in Utah (thankfully!) but every day. I really don’t even think that is the issue it’s that whether or not I like it my little boy will be in school most every day for the next 13 YEARS…until he is not a little boy any more.

I guess I have always thought of this early stage with the kids as “my” time. Ever since he was a cooing babe in my arms it was just me and him. We are best buddies, greatest pals, going on grand (and silly not so grand) adventures. I am the coolest person to him, hanging out with me is the BEST. It is the perfect time because to me hanging out with him is the BEST. I can’t think of a better day than playing Legos or “zombie hunter” or hiding “treasure “ in the yard, picnics in the tree house or endless snowball fights or watching “Scooby Doo” for the zillionth time. Sheer bliss to this mom.

Now with actually full time school starting I know that will never be the same again. He will meet the “cool” kids and not want to be seen hugging his mom. Hanging with his buddies will be way more fun than hanging with Mom. He will learn so much so fast and he won’t be coming to me for all the answers anymore. My importance will drop.

I know that we will still have great adventures and probably watch Scooby Doo another zillion times together. I know (for now at least) he wants to come snuggling in with me in the wee hours of the morning. I know that we are still best buddies. But I also know that it will never be quite the same as it was. When he was my baby this day seemed eons away. I always thought that this time, this “us” time would seem to last forever. Now it is but a moment from then and it’s over.

As I watched him line up and walk into his new class biting his inner lip like he does when he is slightly nervous all I could think was “ Buddy, this is going to be AWESOME, you are going to LOVE all your new knowledge and adventures, don’t be worried.”  I helped him settle into the classroom with all the other parents, click, clicking away until he started doing his fakey “quit taking my picture” smile. I saw him settle in on the rug with his nice new teacher and get at ease with the other weary kids surrounding him. I saw him smile a real smile as he and the other kids waved good-bye to their families as we left to let them start their day. I quickly grabbed my sunglasses to cover the tears as they ran down my cheeks as I left my “Buddy” and walked to the car.

Pardon my rant here. I have turned into one of those blubbering Moms I swore I would never be.

Tomorrow I'll post all Big A's First Day of School photos

 

Open Wide Little a

Our little cutie had her first trip to the dentist. "Bruder" got her all excited about going, telling her about the slide in the waiting room, the TV's on the ceiling and the prize basket "If you're a really good girl." The way he talked it up you'd have thought we were going to Disneyland. This was perfect though because she was totally stoked to be going.

She was the perfect little patient and Dr. Stewart (of  little People's Dental) was amazing with her. He was kind and patient and put her totally at ease. Big A had his yearly exam too.

These kids obviously do NOT take after their mother. No signs of a cavity, perfect check-up!


 

Little A is the Big 3!!

I still occasionally refer to little a as my baby. I guess the time has come to officially stop doing that. Our little sweetheart is now 3 (however when you ask her she says she is now 5, she wants to be the same as her brother). She is such a small fry but she is so smart and so feisty.  I always think of the Shakespeare quote with her “Though she be but little, she is fierce.”  

She talks so intelligently about things and asks questions (never ending, 100’s a day questions) about everything. She wants to know about everything, why it is, what happens next. Her brother asks some questions but takes lots of things at face value. Not little a, she wants the “who, what, when, where, why, how” of everything.

She is completely brave and fearless. She will climb the highest tree, speed down the street on her bike, dive headfirst in the pool, nothing stands in her way. We never have to coax her into trying things, it’s quite the opposite, we have to try and keep her safe from going too fast, too high.

This has been such an amazing year watching our little girl grow into being a “big girl”. Can’t wait to see what amazing adventures this year will bring…

 

Here are some pic's from her 3 year old photo shoot at FotoFly, AMAZING pictures as aways!!!

 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game....

Spring is here and Summer is fast approaching. That can mean only one thing... Little League Season!!! Our time has been spent at practices and cheering on Big A.

He moved up in the League this year, no more Tee-Ball for our little slugger. he is officially in Single-A (Coach Pitch) this year. He plays for the Lugnuts. He is youngest kid on the team and the tallest.

His game has vastly improved and we are only half way through the season. I think is has something to do with his Handsome coach this year. I can say that because Jeff is his coach. He has been trying to drill the basics into the team. We have seen major improvements already.

On a side note I have made use of my newly acquired jewelry making skills and created "baseball" themed earrings for me and my Mom to wear while cheering on our little slugger. I was super pleased with how they turned out!

 

First Day of Pre-School

 

 

 How is this possible??? Big A started Pre-School yesterday! He was so excited! We got up early and got him all dressed in his new uniform and headed out the door with plenty of time to spare (Daddy took the day off to take the little guy on his first day too!). We got to school plenty early and got to take him to his class to meet his new teachers and get started on the day before the other kids arrived.  The Teachers were super nice and put him right at ease. He was a little nervous showing them how he writes his name but he did a great job. When the other kids started to file in we gave him a quick hug and kiss good-bye and he happily waved us away, all ready for his new adventure. I think me, Daddy, and Addison were the more upset ones. We went to Kneaders for breakfast and lamented on missing the little guy. Even Addison chirped in with "I really miss Brudder!!" However it was so fun when we picked him up, hearing him relate his day to us, talking about all the things he did and people he met. Our little guy is growing up ... whether Mom and Dad are ready for it or not.