Bible Sunday

At our church, it's tradition that in second grade all children are presented with their own bibles.  It's a big deal and we were so excited to experience this milestone with Carter.  The second grade class is very large, so it was extra special to be sharing in this meaningful day with many dear friends.

During the 9:00 service, the children were presented with their bibles and were blessed by one of the pastors.  Pastor Matt performed Carter's blessing.

Such a special group of boys

Four out of the five families in our small group have boys in second grade (we're missing Samuel in this picture) so it's been a lot of fun getting to share in these milestones together.

I feel so very blessed by our church family and look forward to watching these boys grow!

So very proud of our boy

Carter loved getting his own bible and has been eager to read it, both on his own and together with us.

Carter, I pray that you will find guidance, comfort, peace, love and many answers to your questions in your new bible.  I pray that you will turn to God's word in times of happiness and struggle.  May it be the compass that guides your every choice in life.  We love you very much, Carter man!

After our church service, we gathered for a celebration with the second graders and their families.  One of the activities of the hour was a fun game looking for biblical pairs in the group.  Once we found our partner, we were lead to a passage in the bible to read together.  It was a great way to meet and connect with other members of our church family.

Kyle and Ella were paired up ~ Mary and Joseph, I believe

Kyle really is so wonderful with kids...he just has a natural way of connecting and making them feel comfortable.  Just another quality that I admire in my sweet husband.

I was able to work with Avery, such a sweet girl

I absolutely loved this special day and feel so grateful for this environment that we are able to be a part of.  I feel so very blessed that our children get to be a part of this amazing faith family.

bye bye training wheels!

Our fearless little one wanted so badly to take off her training wheels and ride like the big kids.  (Being the youngest on our street can be hard sometimes!)  She started off with riding in the grass at  the park, which gave her a sense of safety, although I think it was much harder to pedal that way, and then quickly graduated to riding all over the place!  I had such a hard time watching her, because she'd just go so fast, without any fear to slow her down!  She had a few tumbles, but nothing too major...bloodied knees and skinned up hands, but the falls didn't slow her down much.

 

 

She's off and riding and having a ball! 

We are so proud of you, Kennedy!  Even if that fearless nature scares me to death, I love that you are willing to try and to pick yourself up after a fall.  I pray that you hold on to that determination and adventurous spirit, for it will serve you well.

First Day of School ~ 2012

The start of school is always a tad bittersweet.  While I love routine and consistency, I really loved the freedom and fun of summer, as well, especially now that the kids are older.  I was nervous for Carter to start first grade and to be away from home all day.  Seven hours really seems like a lot!  And it is, but he really seems to be loving school again and for that I am so thankful!

We have a first grader ~ how did that happen?

Carter was reserved in his excitement about starting school this year and I think he wouldn't have minded if we continued on with summer vacation, but thankfully he had a wonderful first day and the year is off to a great start!

Kennedy started her second year of preschool and was so anxious to get back.  She is excited about growing up and getting bigger and will often ask when will she be a grown up.  Frankly, the years are passing by too quickly for me, so I'm in no rush for her to grow up any faster!

"When I grow up, I want to be a nurse, a doctor, an animal worker..."  I am sure there were a few more professions thrown in there, but these were the three that I could remember.

I have a feeling this one will be whatever she wants to be!

Carter ~ 6 1/2

Kennedy ~ 4

September 4th, 2012

"When I grow up, I want to be a pilot"

After much deliberation (and a few complaints that he was just too young to make that kind of decision), Carter went back to the profession that he's shown interest in for years.  

I think he likes the idea of flying but also likes the idea that he could take his family on trips for free.  

I love these two pictures of Kennedy...they truly capture her little personality.

When I picked Carter up from school after his first day, he said "I didn't have a good day, I had a GREAT day."  Nothing could have made me happier.  He seems to really like his teacher, and although he doesn't have any good friends in his class, I think he's social enough and is certainly enjoying his classmates.  He still loves recess and PE but also really likes math and science.  Time in the computer lab is also a favorite.

My loves

For our traditional "1st day of school" dinner out celebration, Carter chose Tommy O's.  He wanted to go to sushi but figured that there would be more choices for everyone if we went to Tommy O's.  We had to order an extra roll of sushi, though, because he ate so much!  I am afraid to see how much he will eat when he's a teenager - I might need to get a second job just to keep up!

Kennedy's official 1st day wasn't until Thursday, so I took a few more pictures...

She was very excited about her new backpack.  She loves cherries!

A sweet little face, maybe a little nervous, getting ready to start her last year of preschool.

Flowers for Miss Tricia

Kennedy is in the gumball room and has a wonderful teacher, Miss Tricia.

We are thrilled and Kennedy is happy that Lyla is in her class again.

Kathy and I took the girls to lunch and shopping after their first day...

First pick-up of the new year

Kennedy and Kaitlin

Sweet friends

Picking flowers

2 wheel ridin'

My boy's a bike rider!

2012 is off to an exciting start for Carter.  He seems to be tackling new things with gusto...gone is any fear and in it's place is a sure footed confidence and adventurous streak. 

We have been encouraging a bike ride sans training wheels for quite some time.  Kyle had even taken them off a few times over the summer, but Carter would literally be paralyzed with fear and wouldn't even attempt to ride.  It made me sad.  It's hard to see such a real fear in your child's eyes.  But, just like everything else, when it was on his terms, he took off and conquered his fear.  This little one is full of surprises recently.

I am so proud of him!

Can you see the look of concentration on his face?  He was so excited to have me outside watching him and taking pictures, but he didn't want to loose focus.

Again...concentrating hard!

There's a little smile...

His pride is almost tangible through this picture.

So proud of my little man!

It's been two weeks since he mastered his bike and each day he's gone out on a quick ride or two down the street.  He's thrilled by the prospect of going on bike rides and can hardly wait for the weather to improve.  It's amazing how quickly he's become proficient, as well.  The first several days he could only go down the slight hill of our street, no turning, etc.  He's now riding up, down and all around.

Way to go, Carter!

First Tooth

Carter reached a big milestone on Sunday with the loss of his first tooth.  It was a big deal.  Before the tooth actually left his head, I wouldn't have thought it was such a momentous occasion.  But let me tell you, as the tooth came out, I felt giddy, sad and hopeful all at the same time.  It was nearly equal to those first toddling steps that he took four years ago. 

To be honest, this first tooth might have meant more to me than it did to him.  I was so excited and (weirdly) proud of my little man.  And he was proud, which was so darling to see.

He had an audience...we were at the Phelan's for a family birthday dinner, and Papa convinced him to tie a little thread to his wiggly tooth.  With the thread securely in place, Carter was free to pull and pry to his heart's content.  I wouldn't have dreamed that he'd go for it.  I figured that tooth was going to be, literally, dangling for days before it came out.  Boy, was I mistaken.  Not more than five minutes after the thread was tied, the tooth was out.  With a little help from Daddy and a big tug from Carter himself, the tooth was in hand and everyone was cheering.  It was a big deal.  I quickly set aside the dishes that I was washing and rushed to get the camera - as I said, I really didn't think it was going to happen.  I don't know that I'll ever forget the smile of pride that was beaming from my little guy's face. 

Look, Mom, no tooth!

It only bled the tiniest bit, so I guess it really was ready to come out.  See the permanent tooth already up behind it?  Hopefully it will move it's way forward now that there is room.

First lost tooth

Feeling around and celebrating

A cold wash cloth did the trick, stopped the bleeding quickly and made for a silly picture.The tooth fairy came in the night and left $5. I was awakened by Carter's feet running down the hall and then he nearly shouts, "The tooth fairy brought me 5 bucks. And it's paper money! 5 bucks!!!" Hope he doesn't come to expect that each time the tooth fairy makes a visit - this was a special first time rate!

We had a few interesting conversations regarding the tooth fairy the following day. I think he had a hunch that the tooth fairy wasn't real, but he did a good job of convincing himself otherwise. We talked about it for a bit and then he decided, "she must be real because I would have felt you put money under my pillow. She must be very, very tiny to be able to sneak under my pillow without me noticing." I like that, don't stop believing in magic quite yet, Carter, you're growing up too fast as it is.