colorado part two.

bubba's first day!

oh how this little boy has grown. last year was painful for all of us. he cried for awhile as he adjusted. this year that same boy walked in confidence and excited! he stood proud with his lunchbox while i took his pictures! he went through the carpool line and got out of the car like a champ.

saying cheese and looking like such a big boy. he was so excited to talk to his teacher. just look at that smile on his face. his teacher is a blessing to us and our family. i can't begin to explain how great it feels to drop your kid off and know they will be loved on probably better than they would be at home. he comes home talking about his friends and his teachers. she has the set the bar a little too high for all other teachers beyond this point! thankful for another year in the puppy class. 

of course big sister was there to help him find his cubby and get settled. they kissed on their own without prompting. i quickly snapped a pic because, oh my gosh could they be any sweeter??? it's hard having so many little kids at once but i love knowing that they have each other at school and get to see each other from time to time during the day. although, i've heard bubba is a little oblivious and doesn't always notice her. :) clearly a sign he is having too much fun! 

the most awesome teacher even sends me pics!

last first day of preschool

hard to believe this girl has one year of preschool left. she is a kid. a full blown kid. i was reminiscing last night as i laid in bed. i remember her first day. barely speaking sentences. i thought she was so big. her lunchbox half her size. she was ready though. she never cried. then the next year she was old enough for carpool. i remember the first time i dropped her off. i watched her carry her nap mat which was bigger than she was. i cried a little as i drove off. the next year her brother joined her. she was the big kid and helped us drop him off first but still walked with her daddy to her classroom. which brings us to today. her last first day of preschool. she woke up excited. painted her nails at who knows what time. was all ready. wanted her hair straightened. got her dress on. we went outside to take pictures and i was standing in the street. she warned me to be careful of cars so i wouldn't get run over. she followed it up with, if you got run over who would take me to school. we got in the car and i asked a couple of times if she wanted me to walk her in or if she wanted to do carpool. she went back and forth a few times but ultimately decided on the carpool line. she said she was listening so well today because she has school. she walked into her first day of school by herself. she didn't need me anymore to be by her side. she is ready and excited. it's a mix of emotions to realize your kid doesn't need you for everything. today we celebrate her last first day. we celebrate her confidence. i'm thankful for what this school has taught her and me. here's to a great school year filled with fun and learning! 

colorado part one.

such a great time in the mountains. so much beauty and so many pictures!

airplane ride, hiking around avalanche ranch, fishing, maroon bells, camp fire, swimming in the hot springs, the alpine slide and the denver botanical gardens.

we have a 3 year old!

“Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you would have. It's about understanding that he is exactly the person he is supposed to be. And that, if you're lucky, he just might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be.” 
― Joan Ryan, The Water Giver: The Story of a Mother, a Son, and Their Second Chance

this boy stole my heart the minute he was born. the middle child always gets a bad wrap. then the day after his birthday last year he got a brother! setting him up to share his birthday weekend or week for the rest of his life. so naturally, as him mom i will probably always feel the need to make his day special and separate. this is his day and will always be his! 

he doesn't like cake but loves donuts so this was right up his alley! i thought it would be fun to go to rainforest for dinner. he loved it until the animals started moving. so, we ate our food quickly and picked up some cupcakes. which of course he didn't eat but he loves candles and singing so i got him a super fun sparkler! :)

for his stats

28 lbs (11%) + 36.5 inches (24%)

to my bubba - 

i love you more than you will ever know. your personality is infectious. you are the comedian of the family. you make me laugh everyday. i hope you know how awesome your personality is and i hope it never changes. your blue eyes make me swoon. they get me every single time i look into them. being your mom is one of the greatest joys i have ever experienced. i still think back to when we confirmed you were a boy and i was scared. i didn't know what to do with boys. you love to play with your sister and up until recently played with her things. i promise this will help you out later in life when you have a better understanding of girls. you love cars though. my favorite is when you lay on the floor and drive them around. i especially love it when you drive them up my arm and pretend like i'm the road. you love pointing out your "b" when you see the letter. you have such a sweet soul and i can tell you are going to be compassionate. you are quick to help will out when he is crying and make him laugh. you are very particular. you like things a certain way and if they aren't just that way you let us know. at times this is frustrating to some, myself included. but, please always remember you are exactly the person you are suppose to be. you have taught me more about patience and love in these three short years than i thought possible. i thought i had things somewhat figured out. atleast the basics like separation anxiety, potty training, transitioning to a toddler bed, starting preschool, etc. you have reminded me that everyone is different and unique and you are no exception. we love you so much! your sweet and silly nature makes me smile all the time. you tell me you are a baby and you are my baby. i love you bubba!

xoxo- mommy