The Little Things...

With Braedon back in school, I have found myself missing him so much.  Maybe it's because I just think he is the coolest, most amazing little boy and I can never get enough of his little voice and the stories he tells.  Maybe it's because of the fact that he is already 6 years old and I feel like time is going way too fast and I'm afraid that the next time I blink he will be in high school.  I just want to soak up every little bit of him and I'm so afraid that I'm going to forget the way his little voice sounds right now or the way he smiles when he thinks he has played a "trick" on me.  I'm afraid I'm going to forget the way his hugs feel when he completely wraps his whole body around mine and squeezes with all his might.  I can't help but think that one of these days will be the last time he goes to grab my hand when we are walking home from the bus stop.

I feel like my bond with Braedon is a bit different than the bond I have with Adi.  Don't get me wrong, I obviously have just as much love for her as I do for Braedon.  She is my girl and I couldn't imagine my life without her.  Braedon was our little surprise.  We had him when I was younger and not quite mentally prepared for.  Because of that, when I look back at these last six years with him, I feel like we have grown and learned together.

There is a point to this little post here, I promise;-)

When we lived in Ithaca, NY the first two years of his life, I had no family or friends close by.  Derek was in grad school and most of my days were just Braedon and myself.  That first year I had many times where I felt totally overwhelmed, but Braedon and I had one thing we did that totally soothed my soul.  Every morning, we would bundle up and just walk through almost the whole town of Ithaca.  He loved it, and I loved.  I would spend the walk just talking to him about everything, people probably thought I was a little crazy.  After those walks, I felt totally reenergized, even though he couldn't talk back.

On Saturday, Derek took Adi to the dog park and Braedon and I walked the trails and neighborhood around our house for about an hour.  This was the first time in a long time that the two of us have spent quality alone time together.  While on our walk, I couldn't help but think about all those walks we took, just the two of us, while we lived in Ithaca.  Braedon talked non stop about school, Mine Craft, Legos, soccer, and anything else that probably came to his mind.  I remembered how I use to talk to him on our walks 6 years ago and now he was the one doing all the talking.  It made me a little sad thinking about how grown up he seemed, just walking and talking.  It also made me feel good too.  For being so overwhelmed the first year or so of his life, worried about doing things, 'right' and being in that moment of our trail walk while he was talking to me about everything going on in his world right now, I felt a sense of accomplishment.  I know I am far from perfect and that my kids are far from perfect, but there is just something that makes you feel so good when you have those little moments with your kids that make you feel like you've done something right.

It's those little things in life that I treasure the most and don't want to ever forget.  It's that little walk with my boy on a Saturday evening.  It's all those times he's reached for my hand to hold.  It's those big hugs and those cute smiles.  It's all those little things that happen on a daily basis that one day will start to happen less and less.  It's all those little moments that may not seem all that big at the time, but it's those moments that you want to remember forever.

First day of preschool - year 2

And now it's Miss Adilyn's turn.

Just like that she is 4 years old and headed off to her second year of preschool.

My princess lovin little girl has the left the house.  For two hours, three days a week, I won't be hearing her little voice singing on and singing on.  There will be no story telling, belly laughs, or dramatic screams. Nor will there be role playing of Anna and Elsa or hearing her feed her baby whom she has named Holland.

The dogs may be rejoicing, but this house will be a little too quiet for me.  We love you Adi!

First day of first grade!!

Happy first day of school!

My boy and his dog.  I can't believe Braedon started first grade today!

These two are the sweetest.  I can't even put into words how much I love my B man.

He is missed so much during the day, and not just by me.  That little brown pup standing right there next to him loves and misses him too:-)

A story about a boy

There once was a little boy who loved to run and climb anything he could get his little hands on.

His parents decided to sign him up for a mud run in hopes that he would have a blast.

He was little.

But he was mighty.

He was one of the smallest.

And the obstacles towered over him.

But he was fearless.

He wasn't the fastest.

But he was determined.

He was one of the youngest.

But the fun he had was enormous.

He moved those little legs.

He never gave up.

He did it all

with a smile on his face.

He made his momma and sister very proud.

Especially when he crossed the finish line

with an ear to ear grin

and mud up to his chest.

This boy rocks our world.

From Winter to Summer

Yikes!  This is the longest I have ever gone without updating our little blog.  So much has been going on too!  Right now we are enjoying a lovely start to our summer break with warm and sunny weather!  I last blogged when we were smack dab in the middle of my favorite time of year.  The Christmas season!!

We had a great Christmas, spending time with both sides of the family while enjoying Christmas Eve and morning at home.

Adi got decked out with a new stroller, baby carrier, and baby.  She is so motherly and loves taking care of her babies.  On Christmas Eve, we went to church and then came home and listened to Christmas music and just enjoyed each others company.  

The kids got these awesome bath drops in their stockings and they use them every time they take a bath.  They love mixing the colors to see what cool and new color they can come up with.

Unfortunately it didn't snow at all this year.  Like, at all.  The boys didn't get to go skiing once!  We are hoping for a lot more snow next year!  We want to get Adi out on the slopes, so skiing can become a fun family activity!  Instead we spent a lot of time at home, indoors....trying to keep ourselves busy and entertained...

Braedon was in school full time this year, so Adi and I got a lot of one on one time.  I really enjoyed this time with her, but also missed Braedon a ton.  He has always been my little side kick;-)  

That girl.  She is hilarious.  And pretty awesome.

I feel like we spent a lot of time at the pool this winter.  The kids were in lessons from January to April.  They loved them and I'm pretty confident in Braedon's swimming abilities.  Adi...well, she spent a lot of time flirting with her teacher.

Adi has been in dance class on and off throughout the year and absolutely loves it.  She is constantly twirling, dancing, and singing all through the house.

Braedon's thing right now is Legos and Star Wars.  So our house is usually filled with lightsaber fights and a singing and dancing princess.

Adi is pretty much done with official naps.  She will take the occasional floor nap, couch nap, or car nap.  This girl goes, goes, goes, and then will fall asleep in about 2.5 seconds.

Braedon enjoyed Kindergarten this year, but complained of being bored often.  He is definitely our super smart, observant, sensitive kid.  He LOVES to learn and is now reading everything, writing, spelling, and catches on to all things math super quick.  He ended up testing nation wide in the top 1%, so he will be in the gifted program from here on out.  Starting in second grade, he will be in a special class full time.  I'm hoping his joy for being in school will come back.  As of now, he wants to be a doctor;-)  Another milestone for Baeo...he lost his first tooth!  The same tooth that came in first as a baby.

Braedon got his first broken bone this baseball season.  The poor kid only got to participate in one practice before he broke it.  He was a good sport about it and learned how to manage with his left hand.  

He was in his cast for about four weeks and was so excited to get it off!!!

Another big change that happened recently is Derek decided to leave Microsoft and is now loving his new job as program manager over mortgages at Zillow.  He is very excited for the future!

We also added to our family this year as we welcomed little Miss Bailey, a chocolate lab.

 She has brought so many laughs and such joy to our family.

 We were a little worried at first because Peyton seemed to hate her, but after about a week, she started playing with the pup!  Now I will confidently say they are best friends and both seem very happy!

Little Adi in her ballet clothes.  She took her first real ballet class about a month ago.

Derek and I went on our first big vacation post kids!  One week in Costa Rica with a little adventure and lots of relaxation was just what we needed!  

My mom and aunt came up to watch the kids and dogs for us!

So I think that sums up the last 6 months or so!  We are now in summer vacation mode and are loving it!  I'm not saying it's perfect, because there are days where it seems like the kids are fighting all day long, but then there are moments like these that makes it all worth it!

I love my little posse.