september happenings - week one

School has been in session for exactly 2 days and we aren't quite in the swing of things yet.  Sometimes Mom tells you that we're having tacos for dinner and it's pretty much the worst news you can imagine.  Did I mention we're also transitioning out of naps?  Eek.  Sorry Hads.

Then there's this guy.  He kept reminding me of someone and I just recently realized who it is.  Turns out Professor Honeydew is his spirit animal.  ha!

Last year with Asher in Kindergarten and Hadley in Preschool I had 2 different calendars to keep straight and found myself constantly double checking which kid had special dress up day or the trip to the Fire Station on which date.  Well, NO MORE.  I invested in this awesome calendar whiteboard and so far it's great.  I'm using a different color for each person and I'm putting every event, birthday, party, church function, doctor appointment, gymnastics class - EVERYTHING - on here so it's all in one place.  Here's hoping it saves the day and keeps me sane.

We decided to light up the fire pit for some s'mores action this weekend as a back-to-school celebration.  The last time we had one the wood we got wasn't so great and didn't really burn well.  Drew fixed that problem - obviously.  Watch your eyebrows kids!  

These brothers, though.  Love them!

Noel is such a fun baby.  "Getting me" is one of his new favorites.  :-)

We were in the store the other day when Hadley saw these slippers and fell in love.  She has outgrown her pair from last winter so I decided that our family could use some unicorn slippers.  They make every morning a little more magical.

This lady started gymnastics this week!  Ever since Asher's gymnastics party last December she has been wanting to go for classes, so when they started up the fall session it was time.  So far she loves it!

Every week we FaceTime with my parents.  When I saw this I couldn't stop laughing because it's completely TRUE.  ha!!

Ah Noel.  You're a keeper.  

the last hurrah

School's around here start kind of late - after Labor Day - so we were excited to have a final week of FUN before school began!  The last hurrah!

On Monday we started strong with a trip to the park/splash pad to meet up with Asher's friend Kate and Hadley's friend Carolyn.  They all went to school together last year and hadn't seen each other all summer so all 4 of them were thrilled!  It was the hottest day of the week, so splashing was a great plan.  Noel rode in the Lillebaby carrier all morning and was happy to be there - although we did get pretty sweaty.  ha!

On Tuesday we decided to have a jammie day.  Lots of movies, playing inside, and playing in the backyard on the swingset.  

By the time afternoon rolled around we needed a little distraction, so a trip to Target with an Icee treat was just the ticket.  Hadley has been transitioning out of naps in preparation for PM preschool this year so I tried to keep her up and busy all day this week.

I had refused to take the kids to the pool by myself so far this summer.  It just seemed like too much with a 6 year old, a 3 year old, and a new baby.  On Wednesday I knew this was our last chance so I decided to go for it!  I packed us a lunch, pool toys, changes of clothes, and some food/toys for Noel. We got there around 11:30 and stayed until 4!

This guy did SO well and was happy to play on the chaise lounge with me and his toys.  I thought about taking him swimming, but he never really demanded it and keeping him dry was easier for me. This ended up being a mostly cloudy day so it was great.

Miracle of miracles, Noel even took an arm nap for about an hour!  I couldn't believe it but was so grateful.  

Three sleeping kiddos when we pulled into our garage = a successful day!

Thursday was Sky Zone!  Asher and Hadley love to jump and I love it when they work off some energy, so this was a win-win.  We met more friends here and the kiddos were thrilled!  Everything is more fun when your friends are there.  :-)

Our plan was to finish off the WEEK OF FUN with a zoo trip on Friday, but that didn't quite work out.  It got put off for a few days and we were able to catch it on Tuesday.  The weather was beautiful - breezy but not too hot and the animals were so active.  Asher and Hadley were excited to be there!  We saw everything!  Gus rode in the stroller the whole morning and did amazing.  I expected him to ride a bit then get angry and want to be carried but he didn't.  I was surprised but really happy with the whole outing.  MVP of the last hurrah goes to Noel for sure.  It wouldn't have been possible if he hadn't been a patient, amazing baby all week!  

While we're looking forward to school I will miss these 2 during the week!  I'm so glad we were able to make lots of fun memories together during this last week of summer!

august happenings: week four

Asher was a camp one day so I made a grocery run with "just" 2 kids.  Except that I can't seem to get our head count below 3, no matter who I drop off where.  Hmm...

These nuggets were up and at 'em early one morning!  

While the little kids took a nap Asher and I made some banana bread.  He loved reading the recipe himself.  We talked about how if we have a 1/3C measure, but the recipe needs 2/3C of sugar that means we need TWO 1/3C.  Fractions in action friends!

This lady requested a "ballerina bun" so I did my best with what we had on hand.  #winning

Noel has been rocking, rolling, and spinning all over the place these days.  He got caught under and bumped his head on the coffee table one too many times so it got banished to the other room for now. I miss it, but this is better for baby.  :-)

I saw this idea on Pinterest a few years ago and finally had enough leftover corn on the cob to justify trying it out.  Worked.  Like.  A.  Charm!!  Highly recommend.

Oh man, this stud in his ball cap.  looooove.

Noel is quickly outgrowing this little mat.  Yesterday I saw him putting both feet on the side rail and pushing the back up off the floor.  Boys.  ha!

I've been averaging about 1 project a week in the craft room.  Hoping to increase that soon!  A couple of cute big/little brother shirts heading out to a friend.

Monday is Labor Day and we are really, really looking forward to having an extra day with Daddy.  He's been working so hard lately so it's pretty much been a one-woman show on the home front.  We miss him!

august happenings: week three

After the kids and I spent a few days with my parents we had to get back home.  That's a 10 hour trip, folks.  Me and these three monkeys in the car for 10 hours together.  Oy vey.  They did great though! The big kids are happy to watch movies and Noel did really well with our couple stops to eat and stretch.  It's not something I'll ever look forward to, but I am so very grateful that they were all good riders for mom!

In April we planted carrot seeds.  Carrots, if you didn't know, are a long con.  4 months later we have a carrot!  Or 2!  Pretty soon we'll have enough for everyone in our family to have a bite.  Gardening is so rewarding.

I saw this posted on FB and laughed out loud.  #nerdalert

Noel has this new funny face that he does.  I.  LOVE.  IT.  Noel mean muggin' is my new favorite thing!

 We are lucky and have good friends with a pool!  They invited us over to swim on Friday, so we gathered up alllll the things and took a chance on going.  Liza caught this photo of Noel and I and I'm so grateful!

After a fun afternoon of swimming this girl could NOT hang until dinner was ready.  Bless her heart.

I've been doing just a few things in the craft room here and there.  I gussied up a couple outfits for my mother in law to give as gifts.  It's good to keep the machine humming once in awhile.

We made a Costco run while Asher was at his last week of summer camp and I kept feeling like someone was watching me.  I looked down to this face - ha!  Um, hello there.

Noel went for his 6 month doctor's check up on Thursday and came away with a clean bill of health!  He's reaching all of his milestones and doing great!  Unfortunately he also came away with 3 shots, so this was dinner.  No shame.

Next week is our last one before school starts and we plan to maximize the fun!!

noel's six month photos

I snapped some pics of my baby bear the other day to capture him at 6 months old.  This is such a special time in babyhood!  They are big enough to smile and interact, but still babies.  We love you Noel!