Ethan turns 11

How can my baby boy be 11??? Ethan brings so much laughter and joy to our family. He is a clown, he makes us laugh every day with the crazy things that he says. He is compassionate and cares about others. He is social and wants to be with his friends all the time. He is active and adventurous, does things his way not always the "proper" way.

He has broken his arm twice and had stitches twice, so you may think this is a crazy idea for a birthday present, but it is something he has wanted for a long time. You can't wrap them up in cotton balls and protect them from everything - you've got to let them live and then say an extra prayer (or close your eyes and not look).

We will be getting a net

There are already plans to add water next summer (eyes closed tight - ER on speed dial)

My men

He finished the burger and got his picture on the wall

Wow - and grew a mustache???

 

We love you Ethan and thank God for you everyday, we are so proud of you and can't wait to see all that you are going to do with your life.

Back to school (Mia starts kindergarten)

Backpacks ready the night before

Benjamin leaves first - he is in 7th grade and although I did still go with him to the bus stop (something that is only permitted on the first day of school or in yucky weather when he wants a ride in the car - like today) there were no pictures and hugs allowed.

Next it was Ethan and Mia's turn

and of coarse today was a BIG day for Mia - Kindergarten

it always seems to rain on the first day of school

she has been so excited about today, and has never mentioned once not wanting to go

it all happened so fast - no time for tears (for momma)

and off we go

of coarse there is always time for a quick photo op

her sweet brother, who is in 5th grade and now gets to sit at the back of the bus - rode to and from school at the front with the kindergartners so that Mia could sit with him.




Lastly it was back to the house to get Lily ready and off to her preschool class, where she will now be going four mornings a week.  She will get all her therapies there, today I stayed with her, but she did great.  There are only 3 students in the class and 2 teachers so lots of one on one attention for miss Lily.



I tried to get a few pictures to remember the day - but this girl is on the move

forget posing

off I go

When they all came home - the reports were good.

Benjamin - "it was good", "yes, they were fine" - man can't the boy give his momma more than that.

Ethan was full of information and couldn't stop telling me about his day - how can 2 boys be SO different??

Mia said she loved school, that some of the children had to go to time out for talking but she did everything the teacher said :).
She did tell me when I was putting her to bed that she felt a little bit nervous today. When I asked her when, she said, "when I was getting dressed this morning, and when I was trying to make friends" ahhh man my heart could break, those tender moments when your children are clearly sharing something important with you are priceless. She had shown no outward sign of being nervous, but clearly there was more going on inside - I am so glade she shared with me. Praying that she makes friends quickly and easily and that her speech is not a hindrance, I know it is something that she is conscious about especially when other children have a hard time understanding her.
This girl has come so far and I am so proud of her - there are not words to express how much I love her


how much I love all my children - and how proud I am to be thier momma.

Momma, I'm going to love Kindergarten

Today Mia had Kindergarten orientation

Yes - they still have to bring a mat (Mia hasn't napped for 2 years)

She has been waiting for this day for a year - she wanted to go "so badly" last year

Her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Miles, is the same teacher Ethan had - she's great.

When we left, Mia said, "Momma, I'm going to like Kindergarten"

I am going to miss this girl like crazy.