We have a kindergartener!

With zero sleep and lots of apprehension (on my part)... we took Aidan to his first day of school today. Wow. We are very impressed with the organization of it all, and while I know I will carry my anxious mom tendency with me... I am feeling somewhat relieved after today. I think David was very glad that I wasn't the only camera toting mama. There were lots of pictures being snapped and kiddos obliging to their parents need to capture this moment. I made it all the way to the car before I burst into tears. David and I went to breakfast and then got coffee, had a relaxing morning while we waited for Aidan's first (shortened) day to be done.

Here is some proof of the day...

Aidan and daddy walking to the school.

With mom in front of the school sign.

We couldn't ask for a more perfect kindergarten teacher. She is definitely in the right job. She is part of the reason we are feeling so at ease.

I think this is the reason I cried as we left. He did have a moment when he looked at us like, "really? You are going to leave me here?" But that quickly passed (for him... not for me).

And getting off of the bus... he forgot his backpack until we reminded him... then his lunch box... he will get the hang of it though!

And, we made it! Even little brother did well with his brother's absence at day care. Day care lady said Owen seemed to enjoy the attention focused on him with the other kiddos there, rather then having to share attention with brother. Aidan got in the car with us and said, "Owen, I missed you today!" Owen said (very nonchalantly), "yeah, I was at Karen's!" Here begins a new chapter- that started out very well!

Baby Gertie

Owen has a baby. He has had a baby since he was quite young, and recently took interest in his baby again. Baby Sunset- as Owen named him, has always been a boy to him, until recently. See, daddy made Owen laugh when he had chocolate milk in his mouth, and Owen spit chocolate milk out on Baby Sunset's clothes. Baby Sunset's clothes needed washing and Owen discovered that Baby Sunset doesn't have a (insert boy part name here). So Owen said, "Oh, I didn't know my baby is a GIRL!" He decided, then, since Baby Sunset is clearly a boy's name, that just wouldn't do! Now, Owen has re-named his baby to Baby Gertie. My little nurturer! Well, most of the time. Poor Gertie was overlooked at bedtime, and matchbox cars join Owen in bed tonight.

Owen has also decided that for Halloween this year, he would like to be "Princess Pea" from the show called Super Why. Aidan wants to be Super Why, so Owen has decided, that, naturally, he will be Princess Pea (another Super Why character). I asked if he knows Princess Pea is a girl. He said, "Yes mommy, I will pretend that I am a girl!" I love this boys comfort in his skin... at the same time, really? Do I buy him a princess gown for Halloween??

August's company...

David's brother and his family came in town for Grandpa's funeral and stayed for a few days. It has been about three years since we have been able to be all together and it was really good to have them here. Now, that they live only a few states away, we hope that we will be visiting much more regularly!

Here- some of the pictures of our times together:

Piling on grandpa-
Uncle Weswee
Uncle David (Toward the end of the visit, Owen got confused and started calling daddy, Uncle David)
A little family!
Summer is winding down... Aidan will be headed to school TOMORROW... the air has a fall taste in it... we are preparing for the new season and next chapter, whatever that may bring!

F-I-V-E!!!

Not too long ago... this was my Aidan...
Now- here is what I see:
So big, so silly, and sometimes so serious. He has orchestrated such a mind boggling and wonderful personality. I am in awe of this aware and focused little guy. One moment he can be licking the birthday cake... (for you folks that ate said birthday cake... he really wasn't licking the cake- just waggling his tongue above it- that's better, right?)
And the next, moment, holding his daddy's chin so sensitively... Oh, I'm sorry. I meant "dad". He has graduated to dropping the "dy". Sigh... they grow up so fast!
Such an outstanding big brother too. Little one is so in awe of him. Aidan, most of the time, takes it well, and in stride. He allows his little brother to tag along and is patient with him in helping him to understand something or to explain something to him. I worry for both of them (it's in my nature- thanks mom!) as Aidan heads off to Kindergarten. They are so much a part of each other's lives, and now- and for the rest of their childhood lives, there will be many hours each day week day apart. Here, he is letting his little brother sleep on his shoulder.
So, he's five. He amazes me daily. His mind never quits. Even as he dreams. He talks and moves about in his sleep. As I watch him navigate this world, I find myself holding my breath and wishing so many easy paths for him. At the same time, I know that because he has had the challenges he has (the multiple surgeries and body cast confinements- that, of course, we count our blessings was not a worse condition) is a large part of who he is and what I find myself in awe of. The contradiction of life. And he encompasses it so well. Rolling with it always- what an incredible little guy! Happy birthday big boy!

Is it a stay at home day?

I took my first vacation since I started my job a little over four years ago. This, of course is not counting a day or two off here and there... but I haven't had the time to take off because when I started I was pregnant and had to save my time up (and use all of my time off) for maternity leave, then it was the kids being sick and sick and sick their first year of germ exposure at daycare, then it was Aidan's surgery. We get 26 days off a year, which, in American terms is pretty good, it is also easy to eat away at it with appointments here and there. So, anyway, I had some time saved up, so I took the week of the 4th off! Sigh... I'm still basking in the loveliness of it!

David, of course, had it off too. He still worked from home a lot... the man never stops (and it is his busy time of year due to year end and audit stuff), but at least his job is flexible enough a lot of the so that if he has his phone and laptop he can get stuff done away from the job.

So, where did I go, you ask? Here's the wonderful part... we stayed home and people came to us! We had Grandma Melodie/Grandpa Martin from Florida here, Grandma S from downstate, and my cousin Nikki and her family from Colorado throughout the week. It was fun, fun, fun. And around here is the place to be during the fourth, the parade, fireworks over the lake, the lake itself, cookouts, playgrounds, walks in the park etc. Fun times. I think I'm going to do more of this "vacationing" thing!

first day back to day care in two weeks and...

Just couldn't make it through dinner... soooo worn out! (Notice the food choice he missed... got the applesauce and chicken nuggets in!)

Missing Grandpa...

David's family has experienced a great deal of loss this year. Last week, David's grandpa Bill passed away. Grandpa left for out of state to stay with Uncle Jim/Aunt Kathy (whom he and grandma have always visited annually) the day after grandma Louise's funeral in October. He has not been healthy enough to return home.
Louise and Bill were such a faithful/loving couple. I remember the first time I met grandma and grandpa. I was so nervous... it was the first... maybe second time we met and David had spoken highly of his grandparents and I knew already they meant a lot to him. That was the night he announced our engagement to them! I was secretly hoping he would wait to tell them. David popped the question three short months after we started dating. I worried they would be critical and tell us we should take things more slowly. Instead, they advised us (I can't remember the exact words) to keep things fun and be nice and keep the love alive. I remember as we were leaving that night, grandpa said "come here Weegie" and pulled grandma down on his lap as she giggled. They were grandparents, and still really in love. :) I like to think of them re-joined now, healthy and happy.
I remember games with grandma and grandpa and David (pre-kids)... skip-bo/Rumikub. They were so funny- listening to their finely tuned and gentle banter between them. They are really a fine example of keeping love alive between them as well as sharing that love with their church and their family.
Here are a couple of pictures of grandpa Bill.