Kindergarten here we come!

Carson and Owen are officially Kindergartners. This is not only a big step in a kid's life, but their mom's life too. So bittersweet for me to see them begin this next phase in life.

The boys are loving Kindergarten, but there was a time when I wasn't sure if I'd hear both boys say that. Owen can be a very nervous child. We didn't know if we were going to even tell him when the first day of school was or not. I know this may sound harsh, but the reason for this was so the child could get a good night's sleep before his big day. I mean the night of open house he puked in bed because he was so nervous about Kindergarten, and he did great at open house.

My husband and I did end up telling the boys that they got to go to Kindergarten the night before they started. Owen handled it well. We just didn't dwell on the subject.

The whole family got to take Carson and Owen to school. We walked them down to their classroom, took a few pictures and mommy fought off a few tears. The boys walked into the classroom like they owned the joint and really never looked back.

I am feeling better about things now. I'm sure the boys will do fine in Kindergarten. They love it and love telling me about their days when I pick them up.

School has been an adjustment for the Littles. After having the boys gone for only 20 minutes on the first day of school Isaac was ready to pick them up. It was a long day for him without his brothers. He has since adjusted to having his brothers gone for the afternoon. We are all learning what our new normal is. It's coming slowly, but surly will be here before we know it.

Going to open house.

First day of school.

Carson and Owen

A bittersweet moment for this mama.

Owen getting his pencil box.

Owen sits next to Parker.

Carson sits by Grace and Mrs. Gift.

See ya! Have a great day.


PS In my mind this is how my boys still look to me - Bittersweet, I tell ya.

Six

The big boys are six. To celebrate their birthday my husband and I thought it would be fun to surprise the boys with a little birthday get-away.

On Sunday afternoon we sat the four kids down and told them they needed to go get their pillows then load up in the van because we were going on a surprise birthday trip. All were very confused. This is very unlike "us." We plan everything out and they knew nothing about this. The van was already packed up and we were ready to go in no time. We told the kids we were going to Kansas City to the Great Wolf Lodge then would spend a day at Worlds of Fun. Lots of excitement and curiosity followed.

The kids were not real sure what the Great Wolf Lodge was, but they had seen every commercial about Worlds of Fun that was on television. (Kudos to their advertising team on a job well done.) They were extremely excited about Worlds of Fun.

Once they saw the Great Wolf Lodge they realized that it was pretty cool, too. We spent Sunday afternoon swimming and going down watersides. Dinner and beds were calling our name by early evening. It was a great day. We could have gone home the next day and the kids would have been thrilled.

The kids' sleep quarters the first night.

Monday we were planning to go to Worlds of Fun, but mother nature had other plans. It rained. Instead of going to Worlds of Fun we got to spend the entire day at the Lodge. My parents made a surprise visit to Kansas City to celebrate with us. The kids were so happy and excited to see Papa and Mimi. The looks on the kids' faces when Papa and Mimi walked into the Great Wolf Lodge were priceless. We did squeeze in a break for lunch then hit the water park full force. What fun and a great way to completely wear everyone out. Later that evening we thought it would be fun to have a birthday dinner at the T-Rex Cafe. The kids (and adults) loved it. It's pretty amazing to see it all through children's eyes.

Light up cups

The Happy Birthday song and a dessert for the birthday boys.

Owen is about to be eaten by a dinosaur.

Our little Paleontologists.

Tuesday was the boys' birthdays. They woke to a happy birthday banner, birthday cake and presents galore. We had a little birthday party in our hotel room. Who knew how good birthday cake could taste at 8:30 am? After our little party it was time to hit Worlds of Fun. Poor Owen got car sick on the way to the amusement park and puked his little guts out. He made a great recovery, though.

Happy sixth birthday Carson and Owen!

A morning birthday party.

When no one was looking they helped themselves to the frosting.

Frosting face.

It was a wonderfully hot day at Worlds of Fun. The birthday boys loved everything about it. They especially loved riding on the adult, big, scary roller coasters. My parents were so nice and spent the entire day with us at Worlds of Fun. It was so nice that they were there to make the day extra special not to mention that they were a ton of help to Carson and I when it came to watching all four kids and keeping the little ones happy when their older brothers were riding on rides that they couldn't.

First ride of the day. The Octopus.

Owen with arms raised. What a thrill!

Carson and Stella.

Flying the planes.

Isaac and Mommy on a ride at Planet Snoopy.

The super scary roller coaster that Carson and Owen rode. The car spun while going on the track.

It was a fantastic couple of days. We are so glad we got to do this little trip. Great memories were definitely made.

Don't tell me what to do!

We've been watching our cousins. Yesterday we decided to have a change of scenery and swim at the public pool. The kids had a ball!

We did have one little run-in, though. A few of the self proclaimed cool male teenage patrons tried telling my children and their cousins that they weren't allowed to go off a certain diving board.

In a very authoritative newly changed voice, "You can't go off this board. You need to go off the other one because we're were doing cool tricks off this one. You need to move!"

Some five and a half year olds may have been intimated by the bully, but not mine. My child spouted right back.

"We can go off this board if we want to. We don't have to go off that one! We're staying here." Arms crossed. Stern look.

Dirty looks were exchanged. And off the "cool" board went my kids and their cousins. The big kids were shamed into spending the rest of their day going off the "other" board.

The bully is on the board shooting my child one last dirty look and I'm sure saying something inappropriate. This was his last jump off the "cool" board. My brave "you can't intimidate me" five year old is in the navy blue and white swim trunks (the little kid) telling him off. The not so cool buddy was shamed out of line to go to the "other" board.

Well done Carson.

We are family

A few weeks ago we had Christmas in July a.k.a. a family reunion. It was with my dad's side of the family. Now that most of us cousins are grown, some married with children it seems so difficult to gather together at Christmas time. Last year the decision was made to have Christmas in July. It was a good decision.

For us the drive was very long, almost 18 hours round trip in the Swagger Wagon. We had a lot of "together time" including all six of us sleeping in the same small bedroom for two nights. Even with all that, it was a great trip. I loved seeing all my aunts, uncles and cousins. I especially loved seeing our kids play together.

My children have only met a couple of these "new" cousins but you would have thought they've know each other forever. They played so well and had a great time with each other. They genuinely love one another. It's like they instantly knew they were family. I love that.

Stella and Seanie…besties.

Jumping off the floating platform.

Swimming with Papa and Great Uncle Bob.

Carson and Papa.

Paddle boat with Daddy.

My four with Papa and Mimi and their first cousins.

The Patterson clan.