Christmas Eve!

It's here! All of the anticipation and stress of the season comes to a close tonight - your either ready or your not.  I am hovering between the two right now!!

It's been a busy few months (both at home and at work) and I am looking forward to a little break after we get through the next few exciting days.

I love this time of year with the boys... their sense of excitement and anticipation is really what keeps me going.  I have been up late consecutive nights for what seems like most of December. With H's birthday now behind us, it doesn't leave much time to get ready for the arrival of St. Nick - or anytime to catch up on lost sleep.

Who needs sleep... right?!

Sleep or no sleep, it really is worth it to see their faces and to listen to them recount events surrounding the season.

I hope each of you have a special Christmas Eve, whether it be with family or friends, or just time to yourself for quiet reflection.  We are blessed to have been given this life... and its special occasions like these that really remind me what's important. It's not money, or things, or status... but truly to be surrounded by good people and to be loved.


I am off to spend some time with my boys... enjoy Christmas!

Photos by Sara McConnell Photography

E's First Day of School

And he's off... to school - junior kindergarten, just like that!

What a sweet morning it was for our big boy. He grabbed his lunch, saddled up his over-sized backpack and boarded the bus like he's been doing it for years.  He didn't waiver at all... saw the bus, gave a kiss goodbye, and marched up the steps like it was his job!

PC and I arrived at the school to greet the bus and to get E to the proper room to get settled and meet his teacher.  He really didn't look back from the moment he jumped out of bed, proudly announcing, 'I'm going to school today'.  I am sure the excitement and the day's activities will exhaust him by supper time, but I can't wait to see what he has to say about his day.

I really could not be prouder of this little man. He did it, he really did it (and we did it too)! I got a little teary eyed driving to the school but I held it together on outside, even though I was sobbing on the inside.

What an exciting morning... our big boy is now a school boy!

Yay!

 

Poolside!

What an amazing summer we seem to be having here weather wise. And by amazing, I mean the heat is off the charts, which, if you love the sunshine like me, you have been in heaven every time you step foot out the door these days (however, if you're a farmer, I feel for you - where is the rain?!).

This is the summer to totally have a backyard pool. I think many can agree that the last few summers we've had, maintaining a pool has hardly seemed worth it with all of the rain and crappy weather we've had to contend with. The pool season seems short to begin with, and for all of the effort it takes to keep a pool running, the past few summers has probably been more work than pleasure. But for the pool peeps who have been there through thick and thin, this is the summer it all pays off! People who have had their pools up and running on May 2-4 are definitely going to get their money's worth this year - and then some. I am betting at this rate, we'll still be poolside in late-September, which is awesome!

We are lucky to have Grandma & Grandpa C close by, along with their refreshing salt-water pool. My boys have enjoyed swimming in their pool a lot this summer, and its only just begun! They are becoming little fishes... and they love all of the splashing and fun that goes along with it, not to mention the extra spoiling that Grandma & Grandpa add in with each visit.

E has become quite the little swimmer, and has really gained a lot of bravery when it comes to jumping in, and going under.  H has taken his fearless approach to life right into the pool too... he loves when Daddy tosses him in the air for his own demonstration of the baby CANNON-BALL! We had both boys in swimming lessons in the spring, and now with the awesome summer we're having, they are able to continue building their water confidence in Grandma & Grandpa's pool.

Lots of fun summer memories are being made poolside this year... so glad I've remember my camera for a few of these pool trips.

 

Trick-or-Treat!

Just a few pictures to share of my trick-or-treaters!  I hope each of you are having a spook-tacular Halloween! Don't eat too much candy corn!

Thanks to Dolcetto Designs for the FREE Halloween digital designs!

Love to my Mom!

I've heard others say that you can't truly appreciate your Mother until you have children of your own... and I have to say, I couldn't agree more.

I've always had respect for my mother... (okay... maybe not grades 9 through and 12, but other than that small hiatus, I think I can still use the word always!), she is patient, caring, realistic, generous, and supportive. Since having my own children, my respect for her has been catapulted to a whole new level.

When I was younger, my Mom made sure I had everything I needed... good meals, proper clothing, friends, toys, and even things I didn't need like rollerblades, Doc Martins, and that purple bike! But, she didn't just hand these things over, she discussed the necessary decisions with my father, and whether I had to earn it, or save up enough of my own money, I can see that what she was doing was teaching me the value of a dollar, and the cost of hard work.

Now... with my boys, I want to instill the same values she taught to me, to them... and I think that if I can do half of what my Mom has done for me, I will consider myself lucky - and my boys too!

Thanks Mom for always being there for me... you know when to push and when give me my own space, and I am so glad to have a great friend in you.  You are wonderful role model to have in my life... and my boys are so lucky to have you in their lives.  I love you!

Happy Mother's Day... to my Mom (and all of the great Mom's out there)!

Video Friday

I have a few blog topics rolling around in my head today, but just not the brain power to flush them out the way I would like... so instead, I thought I would share with you a few videos of E that I have taken in the last week or so!

Another Espresso Please!


Click here if you can't see it.

Time to lower my crib!


Click here if you can't see it.

Watching Dad cut the grass!


Click here if you can't see it.