First Day of School 2012!

 We have had a busy and hectic morning. Both of our boys hit milestones today. Lucas started kindergarten and Blake started middle school.

 I cannot believe that this sweet, sweet boy that has been by my side every day for the last five years is in kindergarten now.

 I plan on doing this picture every year, just to see how it changes!

 I really believe that he would have walked in all on his own. He is such a brave kid. He has been so excited.

 How handsome!

 Finding his hook and hanging his things...

 Finding his cubby for all of his papers.

 How did he get so big so fast? I have been a mess all morning. This tore me to pieces, but it is beautiful and I had to share it:

He started school this morning, And he seemed so very small. As I walked there beside him In the Kindergarten hall. And as he took his place beside the others in the class, I realized how all too soon Those first few years can pass. Remembering, I saw him as He first learned how to walk. The words that we alone made out When he began to talk. This little boy so much absorbed In learning how to write. It seems as though he must have grown To boyhood overnight. My eyes were blurred by hastily I brushed the tears away Lest by some word or sign of mine I mar his first big day. Oh how I longed to stay with him And keep him by the hand To lead him through the places That he couldn't understand. And something closely kin to fear Was mingled with my pride. I knew he would no longer be A baby by my side. But he must have his chance to live, To work his problems out, The privilege to grow and learn What life is all about. And I must share my little boy With friends and work and play; He's not a baby anymore -- He's in Kindergarten today...

 I remember walking him to his first day of kindergarten like it was yesterday. Time flies. The best advice anyone has ever given me was to cherish the "small" years.

 I didn't follow him into the school for a photo shoot. We walked him to the lobby and he told us we could go now :( I did snap a few outside...

I love these two more than anything! I guess now it is time for mommy and Paisley to have some girl time!

Paisley is Eleven Months Old!

 I cannot believe I am planning your first birthday party. This is crazy. You were just born. You were just a sweet, tiny thing that slept 22 hours per day. Now you are taking off. You don't have time for rest. It's breaking my heart and making me happy at the same time. Watching you grow and become your own little person is amazing. I love you so much. I am so blessed that I get to be with you so much and cherish this time we have...

 This month you saw your first fireworks. You loved them.

 You weigh 18.3 pounds now. That is according to my scale here at home, which probably isn't the MOST accurate but close enough. A few weeks ago you were right over 17... growing so much.

 This guy right here... loves you to pieces. Best brother award! You will realize this in time. Oh, you are pretty fond of him as well.

 Water baby!

 You may have been blessed with your mother's hair. That is both good and bad. From what we can tell, you have some curls coming in!

 Your tongue is contantly out of your mouth. Especially when you are concentrating...

 You play HARD! You never stop. It's no wonder you eat 24/7. You definitely build up an appetite. :)

You love to "answer" the phone...

 I am thinking we need to start play dates with your cousins on a weekly basis. You three are so precious!

 This just in: You are WALKING! Full time walking. You just took off two days ago right after your nap. I don't know what it was. I put you down and you went straight across the room. Boy am I in trouble now! You will be running by your first birthday!

You continue to grow so fast. Your brothers start school in a few days. While I will be terribly sad and miss them while they are gone, I look forward to some mommy/daughter time. I love bonding with you every day. You are the sweetest and most precious thing and I thank God for you every day.

I love you sweet girl,

Mommy

Pool Fun!

 Let's start by stating the obvious: If she keeps handling small things this way, we are in for it in a few years...

 We saw this pretty Ariel bathing suit on clearance and had to have it.

 Sitting with bubba...

This is what they did the entire day. I know hubs has to be worn out.

We have not been very busy this summer. I mean, we have had the usual with the kids but I am trying very hard to lay low and not spend a ton of cash. You know, since we are saving for Disney!! WAHOO!

Paisley is 11 months today as well. That will have to be posted tomorrow. I have to get her monthly photo. Off to do some laundry!

Lucas' First Scar

 The picture you see above is my sweet boy in the waiting room of the hospital as we waited to have his eyebrow sewn up last week. The poor thing has always had a love/hate relationship with the bench at our dining room table. He just can't seem to sit on it without falling off at least once a week. Well, this time the bench won. He hit his eyebrow on the corner and let me tell y'all..... I think I almost died. The amount of blood that comes from a head wound SO quickly will make you think it was so much worse than it was. Thank God it wasn't. We can deal with two stitches. It could have been so much worse. Blake had stitches in his forehead this exact time last year. Weird.

 It WAS however, his first time getting stitches. AND he is five. So not really a great combo for a shot of lidocaine and a needle. I had to lay on top of him while they did it. Doesn't it just suck when you have to do things that crush you inside, but you know that it's best for your kid? I am pretty sure those days are just beginning. He was fine up until the shot and fine again about two minutes after they were done sewing him up. That's my trooper. We should be able to get them out tomorrow. It has healed very nicely.

We started a little kindergarten shopping just to make him feel better. These made his day.

Even though the "kindergarten" deal may be affecting me more than the stitches...

4th of July 2012

 Our Fourth of July was amazing this year. It was baby girl's very first Independence Day. We spent the day at my parents swimming and cooking out and moved on to some local fireworks.

 This is a much more accurate view of what I get when I try to get a photo of all three kids.

 Paisley had three outfits. Yes, three. I didn't go crazy. In fact I did not purchase one of them. She was born last August and last year, the week after the fourth, all of the Americana clothes went on clearance. Just about every woman I know bought her a clearance outfit. She even wore one of them on Memorial Day. But she sure looked precious!

 Three sweet cousins at the fireworks show. I love to see them get together!

 Lucas had a ball. He does everywhere he goes. He got stitches the night before this all took place. More to come on that later.

 Blake still isn't too cool for sparklers...

Brayden was so funny. He would not get near his sparkler, but he was amazed just the same!

Our next major event is school starting. We only have three more weeks of summer vacation. How is that??! I have one baby going to kindergarten. If that wasn't bad enough I have one going to middle school. Lord help us!

Now we are off to make the best of the rest of the summer vacation!