A Big Week!

School started in our neck of the woods last week - a big deal at our house!!  While some mothers are anxious to see their children head back to school, I am definitely not one of them.  I like all my little birdies at home in our nest!  That being said, it is such an exciting time and the excitement is a bit contagous! 

Matt and I have always gone out of our way to make Eva feel how special the start of the school year is....and this year Jaden got to join in on the school day fun too!!  Can't believe I have TWO in school!!  On top of that there were a few first for the littlest member of our family too!  Here's an update....

This cutie-patootie started SECOND grade this year!  She was very excited about her zebra print backpack and very particular about her school supplies.  She knew exactly what she wanted - by 2nd grade I guess you become a bit of a pro.  She was also certain of one aspect of her first day of school attire....

 

 

Yep, she was most CERTAIN she needed her new bright pink tennis shoes for her first day (she could have cared less about the rest of her outfit)!  Ha!  Love that little girl.

 

Then there is this little guy...

 

 

Jaden started Pre-K this year and he was PUMPED....as in up-at-5:30-in-the-morning-and-asking-how-much-longer-until-he-goes-to-school type of pumped!  It was adorable!

 

 

Jaden was alllll about his lunchbox AND the lunch that he wanted packed inside.  His request?  Homemade chicken noodle soup!  Gotta love that little guy...and you better believe I made his his special soup!  Another funny Jaden story....a few days before school I said to him, "We need to get your hair cut before school starts buddy!"  He looked at me and said, "Is that on my supply list Mommy?" 

 

Lastly, there is this little munchkin...

 

 

Yep, I'm pretty sure his cheeks are starting to consume his face!  He is one little bitty pork chop and I looooove it!  This picture isn't really that great because baby boy is ALWAYS smiling!  Greyson had a few firsts this past week too...

 

He got to try baby cereal for the first time!

 

 

He looooooves it!!  It took Eva and Jaden a week or two to adjust to eating baby cereal.  Not Greyson!  He gobbles it right up!

 

He also FINALLY got to wear an outfit that matches his big brother (Jaden has been asking for this FOREVER)...

 

 

I found a few websites that sell clothing tiny enough for Greyson and large enough for Jaden!  Love it!

 

I think it's safe to say it's been a BIG and FUN week for us!!!  These little ones keep us hopping...but they also keep us smiling, laughing, and loving every day.  We are so very blessed.

 

"Children make your life important"

--Erma Bombeck



Where Did Summer Go?

School starts this week.

Whhaaaaaaaat??!?!??!???!!!

I feel like summer just started and now 2 of my 3 are heading to school.  Yep, Jaden starts school this year too and he is PUMPED!  I can't believe it.

That being said, this summer has been extremely busy, but also extremely fun.  So fun that blogging has obviously taken a back burner.  It just doesn't seem to be a priority when my days are so full....yet I have this overwhelming urge to document everything.  I don't want to forget these days.  This afternoon I took a leisurely nap on the back porch.  When I awoke my mind was swirling....swirling with all that this summer has held and all that I didn't want to forget.  Ever.

So I am vowing to catch myself back up.  Once the kiddies are in school it will be a bit easier.

Here are a few things that are on my mind right now about this summer....

*  I love having 3 kiddos.  Yes, my hands are full - very full at times - but I seriously wouldn't have it any other way.  The interaction between the 3 of them gets more and more precious.  Eva and Jaden wanting to help their baby brother, and Greyson rewarding them for their help with smiles and coos.  I love that at one point this summer I was showering and Greyson was sitting in the bathroom with me.  He started fussing and without me even saying a word Jaden came in, calmed him down, and gave him his binki.  I smiled.  A few minutes later Greyson started fussing again.  Next thing I knew Eva walked in and did the same thing.  She calmed him down and gave him his binki - and I never asked her to.  I love that they feel a sense of responsibility for him.

*  Greyson is already 3 months.  He is SUCH a good baby.  He has been sleeping through the night since he was 2 and a half months old and wakes each and every morning with the biggest smile on his face.  He's also a chunky little monkey.  He loves his bottle and freaks out a little if he doesn't get it on time!  Today we are starting him on cereal - kind of a big deal in our house.  I didn't start the other kiddos until they were 4 months old, but Greyson is about 2 weeks away from that and he is READY.  Kiddo loves to eat!  Ha!

*One of my favorite things to do with Greyson is sit on the back porch.  He loves being outside.  Around 7:00 at night he always gets a little fussy.  I love to just snuggle him up on the back porch at that time and he nearly always calms down.  Not sure what we are going to do when it's cold outside because baby boy loves the heat!

* Eva and Jaden made a summer bucket list and one of the items was to go to a local water park.  Obviously Greyson would not have been able to participate while we were there unless I sat with him and watched the kiddos.  I often do that - I love for all of us to be together - however, this time I wanted to be TRULY present for them.  I got a sitter for Greyson and the 3 of us headed to the Flea Market in the morning (another bucket list item for them), out to lunch with Daddy, and then on to the water park.  I can't even describe how much fun I had with them.  I may have been the only adult acting like a 5 year old but I had a BLAST.  We went down all the watersides, we stood under the huge bucket of water and let it dump on our heads, we floated down the lazy river, and we jumped our way across the lily pads.  We played HARD and we laughed HARD.  I even offered a snack break and the kiddos had no interest...we were simply having too much fun.  It was honestly one of the best days I've ever had with Eva and Jaden and I will always remember it.

*Eva and Matt did their first triathlon this month.  Can't even tell you how proud I am of both of them.  Pics to come.

*  Funny story....during lunch this week Jaden said something to his sister in a tone that I didn't like.  I reprimanded him for it.  He started crying.  When I questioned why he was crying he said, "You embarrassed me when you got angry at me" (side note:  Jaden embarrasses easily and considering it was just the 3 of us sitting there I don't think it was too bad).  Anway, I told him that it upsets me when I hear him talking to people the way he was talking to his sister.  Eva chimed in and said, "It's simple Jaden, if Mommy makes her angry face then you know you did something wrong!"   Hilarious.  You better bet I asked her to demonstrate that "angry face" to me.  The whole conversation ended with the 3 of us laughing hysterically!!  Ha!

Well, that's just a little peek into some of our summer....much more to come!!

XOXO...
Jamie

*

It's RACE TIME folks!

This summer Eva participated in her very first race!!  She ran a 5k and she was sooo excited!  This was a special race because it ended by running INTO Notre Dame stadium and ONTO the field!  As you can guess, this girl was PUMPED!

Our little runner!!!

Matt ran the 10k and Eva ran the 5k

Eva's running buddies!!  Since I was still not allowed to exercise due to my c-section, my mom and step-dad ran the 5k with her!  They said she did a great job!



Little League Season

Eva and Jaden BOTH played ball this year and they both had an amazing season!  This was Jaden's first year playing and he loved that his Daddy was his coach!  Eva had an UNDEFEATED season this year!!  We were all pretty excited!  Enjoy a few pictures of our baseball season...

Love the determination on this little guys face!

Jaden and his favorite coach!

When Jaden was taught to "step and throw" he practiced it and practiced it!!!  Love him!

This little girl looooooooves to play catcher! 

Still smiles at her Mama....shhhhh...don't tell her coach!