Thirty Four Weeks - Finally some portraits!

Jim found a frog for Brody on Friday and he has been keeping it in a tub.  We told him that he should probably let him go...wow did that lead to a lot of tears.  I was surprised at how attached he became to this little guy.  We finally convinced him that it would be a good decision to let the frog rejoin his family and to help ease the pain we took a picture with him!

We headed down to Rockford on Saturday morning to finally take some pictures!  It was a beautiful morning and the kids did pretty well with the idea.

The sun was really bright so some of the lighting didn't work with my photography skills - but at least we finally have some photos of the three kids together.

Addisen smile seems to get bigger and bigger with every shot!

 

They love to play in the waterfalls.

My big boy is finally sitting up consistently - that big head really makes it hard!

 

Ryder has mastered the army crawl and I'm not sure that he will ever crawl "normal".  He can get himself anywhere he wants to be and into all the kids toys!  His little friend at daycare is now standing...I really hope he doesn't learn that very soon.  I think that is the scariest phase!

I love his little cheeks!

 

 

Great picture of Ryder and Addisen (even though they were staring at Jim waving his arms!)

 

 

My pretty girl!

I was lucky enough to catch this picture of Jim kissing Addisen's hand after she fell down - this will be shown at her wedding for sure!

Silly sister posing!

My big boy Brody!  I cannot believe he is going to be 6 in a couple of weeks!  Where has the time gone!

I realized this week that I am going to have a rough time being a "school agers" mom.  Brody came home from school on Friday and told Jim that another boy had pushed him down and choked him.  It almost brought tears to my eyes!  Brody said he didn't tell anyone until he went to his classroom, so his teacher really couldn't do anything about it.  I guess he just laid there while the boy choked him and his friends watched - what should they have done?  I wouldn't expect 5 year olds to know much about choking....guess I am wrong!  Jim taught Brody how to get someone to stop choking him the next time and I said he needs to tell the recess aid.  It has bothered me thinking about the fear that he had in his eyes, thinking that I am the one sending him off to this school where he is being faced with things I never imagined.  But I guess this is growing up...I guess this is the way it is suppose to be...I just have to hope that Jim and I know how to teach him to protect himself and how to be a great boy -one that will stand up for himself and his friends....oh boy can I really go through 12 more years of this?!

Thrity Three Weeks - End of Football Season

The boys football season has come to an end.  Brody had a great time playing and Jim survived coaching 6-8 year old boys!

Brody is so proud of his medal!  He even took it to school to show off as the item he put in the rhyming bag.  During the last game they attempted to run plays with the kids...well at least have one kid throw the ball to another.  It was entertaining to watch and exciting to see them connect a few times.

Addisen wasn't so happy about posing for a picture - her mood brightened when Brody bought her a sucker at the concession stand on the way out.

This is probably one of the best pictures we have the boys together.

Jim and I celebrate our 8th Wedding Anniversary this week.  I can't believe how blessed we have been over the last 8 years.  I would have never imagined that we would have 3 beautiful children!

Focus on Ryder! - Thirty Two Weeks

He's finally sitting up...kind of!

Brody and Jim went to a Penn State watch party on Saturday and got a lot of little goodies - Ryder was excited to pay with the pompom!

He's always up on all fours now and starting to grab the carpet with his hands and just pull himself where he wants to go.  The crawling probably won't be too long now!

Ryder loves his big brother and sister!  They know just how to make him laugh!  He is eating 4 bottles a day (6oz) and eat cereal for breakfast, a fruit/veg for lunch and then cereal with a fruit/veg at dinner.  He still takes two naps a day (about a hour each) and goes to bed at 7pm and wakes up around 6:30am.  He is happy to just talk in his crib until you go and get him.

What a sweet little guy - we are so blessed to have him in our life. 

He is rarely upset - but this allows you to see his two little bottom teeth.  He still just has the 6 teeth that he has had from about 6 months.  There most be some more coming soon.

 

Grandma and Bobo left a few surprises for Brody and Addisen at the cottage.  They moved the sandbox from there house - and the kids love it!  We put a gate on the deck, so they are free to go out there and roam if we aren't out there yet.

Hard to see, but Grandma also left a butterfly garden ornament that lights up at night - they thought that was pretty cool!

Silly sister is always entertaining!

Labor Day and the Start of Kindergarten - Thirty One Weeks

We headed to Grandma and Bobo's to enjoy the pool one last time before the end of summer.  Brody really was brave jumping off the diving board!  Addisen loves to get in the tube and just float herself all around!

Jim towed Addisen around the pool!

Then Brody towed Addisen around the pool!

Then Grandma towed Brody!

They even had Bobo in the pool! 

After the fun weekend it was time to start School!  How can my baby be in Kindergarten!

He wasn't worried to go at all - he got right on the bus and headed off.  He was so excited to have 3 recesses this year and get to see his buddies from last year!

 

The eclectically dressed Addisen!  She really wanted to wear new shoes because Brody was - so pull out the high tops!

 

 

Addisen, Ryder and I ventured off to watch Brody's football game by ourselves that weekend.

 

 

They did so well!  They were entertained the whole time!

 

Brody was getting a little bit braver this time. 

He's got the ball!

One of my new favorite pictures of Addisen and Ryder!