Labor Day

Labor Day...but no baby yet! I kept thinking all weekend that I should have Dan take one more picture of me and the babe in my belly before he is here. Finally on Monday afternoon, the weekend rain stopped, the grey clouds parted, and the sun came out. One more quick pic!

 

Little Boy, we can't wait to bring you home to our prairie home and hope that you don't grow up too quickly out here with your big sister and brother. The nursery is ready, there are meals in the freezer, and your mama is tired of wearing maternity clothes so come one out and met us!

 Little Boy, you can be anything you want to be, and have any interests you want to have, but my guess is that growing up out in the country, you will love playing and having outdoor adventures as much as your brother and sister!

 Dan has a collection of flies that his Grandpa Larry made, given to him by Grandma Marylou. He gave them to me and suggested incorporating them somehow into the our new little boy's room. I found some shadow boxes and put together a frame for both Mac and the baby's room. I love that they both have something from their Great Grandpa who loved the outdoors so much.



First Day

 

 When Lola was almost six months old, we were driving by our neighborhood school on the first day. I remember feeling so excited that I was lucky enough to be staying at home with my sweet babe instead of waiting for the arrival of a new kindergarten class- something I had always loved, but was also thrilled to not be doing that year! Every year since, I continue to tell Lola how lucky we are that we get to spend the school year together. The past five and a half years have been so blissful with my sweet girl.

I have been feeling very torn about Lola starting kindergarten. For the most part, Dan and I are so excited for her to be attending St. Aloysius. We both talk about her making friends that she will have through 8th grade, and probably even through high school. We are also looking forward to becoming friends with the parents of her friends that she makes, as well as being involved with the school community. Lola will wear a uniform to school, something she is excited about since she didn't wear one in preschool at St. Als last year. Last spring, we met her teacher so Lola is feeling really confident about moving classrooms and starting kindergarten. Her excitement puts my anxious heart at ease.

Lola, you are one of the sweetest, kindest girls I have ever known. I know this year of school will bring lots of smiles, new friends, even more confidence than you already have, and wonderful memories. Your dad and I are so thankful that you are in such a special place where you will learn and grow this year. I look forward to your hugs every day when I pick you up and the afternoons we will spend together still. Love you, little kindergartener!

 

 

 

 Mac got to have a special first day of school as well. I surprised him with a "Make your own superhero cape kit" that we designed and put together. He was thrilled ;) I'm thankful to have a bit of time with this special boy before his brother arrives, but am also looking forward to mornings with my BOYS while Lola is at school!

Summer of Play

I love that when we pull into our garage, before we get out of the car, the kids want to know if they have time to play with each other before we eat or sleep. They usually have their shoes off and are running to the playroom or their rooms to get back to their land of imaginative play before I even make it inside. Their time can be so consumed by their play, and I love hearing their conversations of who they will be, where they are going, and what they are doing. I just pray that Lola going to school won't change the way they play together. I also wonder if this next baby will eventually fit into the mix and have a buddy to imagine with.

 

Lola and Mac, please always remember what good friends you have been since the beginning.

 The kids hung this stocking over their little hideaway nook in the playroom, pretending that it was Christmas Eve.

 Packing their wagon up with everything they need for their camping trip in the garage.

 

 

Sully Time

I love these sweet pictures of my kids playing with their cousin, Sully. Joe & Molly moved back to town and we are SO excited to have them around. I love that our kids will grow up playing together. My kids love sweet little Sully!