Alex's 1st Day Of Kindergarten

A day I knew would come, but I kept thinking it wouldn't happen that soon.   Registering for elementary school is a lot of work....I had to show them a utility bill twice to prove that we really live here, ha.

Back to school night was on a Friday when Al was at school so I got a sitter for the other 2.  

Seriously can't believe he'll be in this room more than with me now, so sad.

Alex with his new teacher Ms Stevenson

The night before his first day of school I felt like it was mine all over again hoping he would like it, the kids would be nice, he would make friends and love his teacher.   Elementary school also starts really early here....745 so it's an early wake up call for all of us.  We all walked Alex to school the first day and even used the crosswalks, now we just jay walk, haha.

So excited to be in Kindergarten

Love this boy more than he will ever know and Al too :)

I clearly had time to shower and get ready for the day.

The first couple days they let the parents walk your child to their classroom.

 

I tried so hard to not cry so it wouldn't make him sad and thankfully I was able to hold the tears back. Even Al asked your not crying?  All day I thought about him, Cole was bored and I was lost without my helper.

Saying our goodbyes and wishing him good luck.

After school pickup is so great....they have each class in K and 1st wait with their teacher and walking takes a couple of minutes so it's super quick.  I've even learned to get through the carpool lane in about 5 minutes if I'm lazy and drive.

We are so happy that he loves school.  He has learned so much in 5 months, he loves math, learning to read, and of course Art:)

Coldplay

I've been wanting Alex to play the piano since he was 3 so I was so excited on his first lesson.  It was challenging at first when I had to sit there with him and get him to practice when I don't know a thing about music, but it worked out and he's still doing it 6 months later.  I hope I can get all of them to stick with it and thank me someday that they know how to play.

I broke out my old Tupperware stencils and Alex is obsessed.

Cutest blue eyed Brady at hot soccer practice.

Texas heat is really so crazy, it's so intense.

The obligatory first day picture I saw all the other kids doing the first day, but we did it a few days later.

Soaking up those last swim days

So much fun when Al is home to swim with the boys and help me take the net off the pool.

Coldplay, so exciting!!

 It wasn't as amazing when we saw them at the Hollywood Bowl, but we had good company and every song they sing is so good.

Cutest boys on their pizza float

I wish he could stay this squishy and little forever, I can't handle his cuteness, it's the best.

Cole and Mom day

Dad's Back

Al survived his first week of school and it was so great to have him home for a few days.

We went to the circus in Fort Worth and the boys loved it.  We let each of them pick a toy and also loaded them up on cotton candy.  It think all of that was more than our actual tickets, haha.

After church fun, when I look down and discover there is baby poop all over my brand new dress, crap.

When I take day to day pictures I never want to forget this moment, but as I'm looking back at this picture 6 months later I can't remember anything about that day.  It's sad how quickly it passes and I desperately with I could bottle up these moments that I love so much.

There was a period where I walked Alex to school every morning and then it starting getting cooler and I started getting lazier and discovered I could throw us all in the car barefoot in pajamas and now do that.

A last minute photo session with my friends handsome son leaving on a mission.

and last but not least a before and after picture of me right before I had Brady and 10 months later back to my pre pregnancy weight.  It was by far the hardest one to lose the weight with, but after lots of hard work and going to the gym consistently I did it and it feels so good to be skinny again.

Grandma Ranes Comes To Dallas

We bought our annual Costco costumes to add to our collection.....if we ever have a girl she'll have a wide variety to choose from.  Cole is really into American Ninja Warrior so he was very excited when he saw this one.

Alex debated between the Astronaut and Pilot and went with Pilot.

Our library opened this fun new childrens area that my kids love, but now I feel like they want to do that instead of get books whenever we go, haha.   

I knew this day would eventually come, but I didn't expect it to happen this fast.  

We filled our last weeks with Alex at home full of fun activities including this Obstacle course kids place 

I wish it was closer to our house because I would drop them off everyday to get their energy out.

My sweet and snuggly Cole always giving hugs to everyone.  My mom came out to visit for a few days before she had to go back to work.  Al was almost gone for 2 weeks with school and work so it was a much needed break.

Shopping at Ikea with Brady grabbing onto the shopping cart.

Back to school shopping for Alex

Back to school shopping for Cole

The Allen outlets with Grandma

They love to make carmel corn or just watch popcorn pop, it's the little things.

My mom flew standby and was super paranoid about getting back so she left us even though she could have easily stayed another week.  It's always sad to see our visitors leave.

Summer Friend Camp 2016

I remember saying last year I didn't want to do Summer Friend Camp again,but this year the groups were supposed to be smaller and 2 of my kids could do it. Turns out the groups ended up being bigger so I had to hire a babysitter to come help me.  We did an Ocean theme complete with lots of games, movies, swimming, and shark snacks.

Cole's group had a Paw Patrol theme, so cute.

 Eating pup food

Another fun day was at my friend Janelles house, her theme was Candyland.

Coles group went on a Bear Hunt

Art Day for Alex's group, so cute.

Alex doing what he loves most.  It was such a fun week but again I'm not sure if it's worth all the work and stress of hosting 1 day for 2 days of freedom, haha.