Driving home.

August 18, 2013

This was my first trip to Mimi and Papa's house by myself, with all three kids!  I was nervous but it was fine!  The way there couldn't have been more perfect...Asher slept the entire way and E&E slept most of the way and then were unusually quiet for the rest of the ride.

On the way home, we like to stop by Wingate to play for a bit before heading home.  This knocks off about 20 minutes from the trip and gets the kids good and tired before jumping in the car.   The way home was great too until about Kerrville when Easton got sick in the car.  :(  Luckily, I know he gets carsick and it's happened enough times that it didn't throw me off too bad. We cleaned him up, nursed Asher and was back on our way.   

Some pictures from Sunday when we left.

I couldn't pass up a photo in these huge sunflowers, but I wish we would have been there in the morning when the lighting was better!

And the kids loved fishing off the back of the school bus!

Carlotta's bridal shower

August 17, 2013

While Dad and Easton stayed home to play, the girls (+ Asher) drove to town and had the pleasure of hosting a bridal shower for my very best friend from high school, Carlotta Peugh.  She is getting married in October and we could not be more happy for her and excited to celebrate her BIG day!  Ella did not leave her side throughout the shower!  It was such a fun afternoon!

Mimi & Papa's house: the boys!

August 17, 2013

Mini photo session

August 15, 2013

We did some quick "back to school" photos with Brandi Sutherland! 

Dear Ella

August 22, 2013

Dear Ella,

I feel giddy with excitement for you!  Monday is your first day of Kindergarten....Wow!!  I always loved school as a kid, everything about it!  I pray that you do to.  I pray that you love your teachers and that you make some amazing friendships.  I pray that you feel encouraged and supported each and every day.  I pray that you always always always know that I'm here for you no matter what and that you always talk to me, whether its something life changing or just about what so and so said at lunch today.  I am already looking forward to our after school conversations.  

You sometimes hide behind your shyness and you say that you are scared and nervous.  I know that you are nervous Ella, just like every other kindergartener, but I also know how excited you are!  I know that you are a confident and strong little girl who deep down really isn't shy at all you just like to warm up and get to know people before you show your full colors.  I get it Ella, I'm the same way!  You are an exceptional student who is mature and listens to your teacher, who loves school work, who loves your friends.  You are sensitive and honest.  I could go on and on. I already knew these things about you, but I heard it over and over from your teachers at the Montessori school where you have been for the past 18 months. 

Since you were 12 weeks old, you have been enrolled in some form of child care or school program, so it was such a BLESSING for me to get to spend the past 3 weeks with you at home.  I have loved every minute with you and getting to know the beautiful person that you are even more.  I sit back in awe of you sometimes and who you have become.  Just very recently, you are changing...acting and looking older.  You are constantly learning the best way to express your thoughts and feelings and I enjoy seeing the progression in all that you do.  I know Kindergarten will be a big change for all of us and I embrace it and am excited for it, but closing a previous chapter always brings a bit of sadness too.

Not true sadness, largely tears of joy and memories of all the amazing times we've had with you as a baby and little girl and then now to see you as such a big girl is a bit overwhelming sometimes.  The funny thing is that I know one day we will look back and think how little you were as a kindergartener.  I know that you are still little and I cherish those qualities about you as well.  But as a big sister and a student in public schools, you are certainly growing up!  There is also a bit of sadness for me just knowing that I can't protect you from everything.  But I can give you the tools to protect yourself and that's what I will do to the best of my ability!

These are fun times Ella.  Fun memories and I just want to soak it all in.  I have loved celebrating all of your milestones since the day you were born and this is a big one. I can't wait to "meet your teacher" and take "first day of school photos" and all of those fun things!

Your new backpack that you picked out is hanging by the door, your new lunchbox is on the kitchen cabinet, your school supplies are purchased and labeled, your clothes are picked out for the first 7 days of school and you are ready!  

Ella Pearl I love you with all my heart!!!  It is a blessing to be your mommy and to be able to love you the way I do and to feel the love back from you every single day!  You are YOU and that's all I ever want you to be.   Always stay true to yourself and what you know in your heart and oh the places you'll go!  

Easton's first day

August 12, 2013

On Monday August 12, Easton had his first day in the older "Primary" class (ages 3-6) at his montessori school.  Man...he already looked so much older as I got him dressed in Ella's old uniform shirts.  He chose to wear white on the first day (as opposed to Red or Blue) which I thought was interesting because that is the one color that Ella never wanted to wear! :)  He has certainly mastered his cheesy 3-year old smile, but it's so him right now and I love it!  He's precious to me and such a sweet little boy.  I'm really excited about this class for Easton and I think he is going to get so much out of it.  And now that I'm home, his days will end at 2:45 rather than 5:00 and I look forward to that afternoon time with him!

4 amazing months

August 24, 2013

Asher is 4 months!  And boy do I love this age!  He is full of smiles and giggles, the sweetest ever.  

Asher I love the way your toes are always curled tight and together just like in the first picture!  You are showing the first signs of teething as you are drooling like crazy and chewing chewing chewing on those hands!  You have found your thumb a few times, but you are by no means a thumb sucker, however you are pretty addicted to your paci.  You almost always need it to fall asleep, but we are working on breaking that habit a bit.  ;)  If I'm not holding you, your favorite place to be is probably the bouncy seat.  You sit there and just talk and talk and talk.  I love it so much to hear your sweet voice and sounds.  You have started rolling from your back to your tummy and now you almost always sleep on your tummy, unswaddled of course.  You nurse 5 times a day, sometimes 6.  You laugh out loud all the time and its the sweetest ever, especially when I'm not even trying to make you laugh and you just crack up at anything I do.  The past month has been a bit of a transition for you as we worked to get your unswaddled, in your crib full time (no more bassinet), and falling asleep on your own even after you would knock out the paci.  Right before you hit 4 months, you seemed to get it down!  The swaddle blankets are done, the bassinet is packed away, and I have bought more and more paci's because you love them so! :)  We just recently switched to a new kind because you can't pull it out as easily and as you learn to pop it back in yourself, this kind is easier for you to do on  your own.  Since you are home with me, you are sleeping great during the day, getting long, regular naps.  You are sleeping great at night too, but have started waking up a little needing the pacifier.  This just started since you've been unswaddled. 

Ella and Easton could not be more in love with you Asher.  All of your eyes light up when you guys see each other and they have the sweetest little baby talk voices and things to say to you.  They are amazing with you.