Christmas

Cookies

Today we made Ninjabread cookies and Olaf cookies/marshmallow pops. Thanks to Katie, Hector, and family for the fun gifts! The kids had so much fun! 

Easton-ism

Last night at mass, Easton was sitting in my lap and he whispered "rock me mama, like a wagon wheel." It made me smile so big! We started whispering the song to each other as I rocked him (quietly of course!) He has always loved Texas Country music! 

Here's my little turkey at his class lunch for Thanksgiving. He was so happy and had so much fun!

Fall Colors

We were on a walk yesterday and Blake pointed out the fall colors in some trees. These two actually had me take their picture in poses of their choosing! 

Fall semester things

Easton is a busy preschooler! Here he is right before going to TOT (teams of tomorrow - it's a basketball program centered on movement and music) at preschool on a Thursday. He loves it! He also found a basketball in our garage, and has been dribbling around the house nonstop. 

On Tuesdays at preschool, Easton does gymnastics (both programs come to his school) He is very strong and seems to be pretty naturally athletic. He also loves climbing ropes, swinging on rings and playing at our CrossFit gym. 

Then on Mondays and Wednesdays, Easton has speech class at our neighborhood elementary school. We've been riding bikes there and back enjoying our beautiful weather lately - it feels more like fall!

Last Friday was Grand Day at Blake's school. My parents came into town and enjoyed mass and a program from the kids and a visit to her classroom. She was very proud to show them around her school! The previous day was her turn to read during morning prayer. Tim and I were pleasantly surprised to see that she wasn't nervous at all! She did great! 

Then Friday afternoon we went to San Angelo for Blake's soccer tournament. Her coach wanted to see how the girls could do in a different environment, because they win every game here in Lubbock! 

They were awesome! Even with one girl backing out at the last minute, Blake's team played three games on Saturday and won undefeated! Blake especially played great! We are so very proud of her hard work! She can't get enough soccer! 

It's Fall

Easton found some safety gear from work and wanted to try it on! 

I'm enjoying this little boy and our time together. I'm very aware that this time next year both of my kids will be at school everyday. He is growing up so fast! Easton likes to play with this mosaic game a lot lately that has all little trapezoid shaped pieces that you put together however you like... He's very good at it! 

Blake was proud to announce that her artwork was chosen to represent her school's first grade at the South Plains Fair. We definitely had to go see it out there! We were all very proud of her bird picture! Blake is very into drawing, coloring, and making cards and books! (I love picking up this happy first grader everyday!)

We had fun that lovely fall night at the fair. The weather was great! 

I've been sick lately and one day when I was in bed all day, the kids made me cards! 

Easton had me tell him the letters for his message, but he wrote it all himself! And Blake made me a heart shaped card, with several sweet messages in it - both of them making me feel loved! 

4 Year Old Preschool

Easton is back at Holy Spirit for one more year of preschool. He goes two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and I can't believe this is my last year with him at home before he starts Kinder next year.

We had "Meet the Teacher" last Thursday and he was very excited! He was so happy with his teacher who he kept saying was so nice, and lots of his friends were in his class again. Fast forward to Monday night when I'm tucking him into bed... Easton was just crying and hugging me saying he was going to miss me so much. But then he woke up ready, and Tuesday morning went well! He gave me the biggest/longest hug he's ever given me, but no tears were shed (from him or me!)

He had a great first day, and another great day on Thursday. He will be doing gymnastics again through school and this year he's requested to do "T.O.T"s (Teams of Tomorrow, which is like a basketball readiness program). Easton is quite a character, saying the funniest things these days. His personality has really started to evolve and he's always cracking me up. He's the best 4 year old!

August rolls on...

Blake is loving first grade. She loves her teacher and always has lots of stories about how silly she is and the fun things they did at school that day! Blake made friends quickly and it has been a smooth transition. This is what she looks like on regular days:

Meanwhile, back at home (Easton doesn't start until after Labor Day) we are staying busy. I am cherishing my moments with Easton because I know my last year with him will go so fast! He goes to work with us, to our workouts, and is the sweetest boy. Today he wanted to scrub the sinks when he saw me starting to 

He used to think it was embarrassing to take his shirt off, but look at him now. He's perfectly happy to stay in his undies whenever he can! 

Easton also has become pretty interested in baseball. He's always asking to practice. Look at his concentration! 

First Grade

Today was Blake's first day of First Grade! She was nervous and would cry when we talked about it in the days leading up to today. I think a mixture of being away from me again (she loves being with me, my little sidekick!), while Easton hasn't started back yet, and a new school, plus just her nature -  was creating a little anxiety about school.

Thankfully, her first two days are half-days and we got to pick her up at noon! She came out with a big smile on her face and hugs for us all, saying she had a great day! I was thinking about her all morning, hoping for the best...

Blake already knew two girls from her soccer team, that are in the class next door, and she was happy to report that she was given a buddy for mass! (she was hoping for this, like she had in pre-k). They started the school year off with an all-school mass to welcome everyone back, and Blake had a 6th grade buddy, which is why they wore their mass uniform! So cute!
I am so proud of my big first grader!

Happy

I am so happy in our new home!

I love this view of the backyard. The kids are actually happy to play outside now (because they have shade) and we've been spending way more time outside, both in the front and back yards. 

Changes

I'm laying on the carpet of our almost completely empty living room, thinking about all the exciting changes coming up for our family. The first being that tomorrow morning we move into our new house. This wasn't planned by any means, but fell into place for us along with the other big change. Blake is enrolled at Christ the King Cathedral School for first grade (I can't even believe she's that big!) which allowed us to think about the possibility of new neighborhoods... Then a house became available in our dream neighborhood. We didn't think we'd be able to live here until maybe retirement age... I'm so very excited! So we made an offer and put our house on the market, and now it's time to move!

We were worried about reactions from the kids, especially Blake because of moving away from her current neighborhood school... But she's been nothing but excited and both kids love their new backyard and new rooms! Pictures to come soon! 

First tooth

Blake lost her first tooth this morning. She decided she wanted me to pull it so the tooth fairy would come! It was barely hanging on, so I just us to lean it over and it came right out. Blake started jumping up and down in excitement! Now she's all ready for the tooth fairy! 

Blake's Teeth

Blake has been desperate to lose a tooth! Most of her friends have lost several each and she doesn't understand why she hasn't. She even asked the dentist to check specifically for loose teeth at her last checkup! Here she is trying to show the bottom row...

Today I looked in her mouth and saw a permanent tooth already growing in on the bottom row behind a bottom front tooth. And the bottom two front teeth are loose. She is so very excited! 

End of year

Kindergarten and preschool are over for this year. The year once again flew by and left me with kids that are much bigger and more grown up looking and acting! 

It has been unusually cool lately and extremely rainy! (With areas of the state in a flood situation) Blake says "it's summer, but it doesn't feel like summer!"

Memorial Day Weekend

We went to Frisco over Memorial Day this year. We had a great time, and found fun things to do despite the rain- got to catch up with friends and their kids/babies and see family! 

Saturday morning, we went to the Dallas Aquarium. The kids had a great time (we did too). We had been before, but it was around 3 years ago, so it was pretty much like the first time for them. 

Sunday, there was also a Lego exhibit at the mall that had landmarks, like the White House, Capitol building, Liberty Bell, and other monuments, all made out of Legos. And then they had a play area for kids to build and race Lego creations. 

Valentine's Day

Both kids had a blast on Valentine's Day. They both received cards and goodies from all their classmates, and Easton got to join in Blake's class party, too! A lot of Blake's classmates had even brought him Valentine cards! Chick Fil A, balloons, brownies, jello jigglers, crafts, games... fun!

January

Easton decided to eat his peanut buttered bananas as Raphael.

Blake was invited to a Disney princess themed birthday for a classmate. Each girl picked the princess costume she wanted to wear, and received a matching purse and nail polish as her party favor!

Blake picked to dress up as Princess Jasmine.

Princess Cinderella even stopped by! Blake was so excited, and in awe of her. She got to try on her crown...

 and Princess Cinderella retold her story to the girls.

The moms put makeup on the girls at the beginning of the party. A friend snapped these of us, and I'm so glad. It was such a sweet moment!

In January, we also brought home our new nugget, Charlie! (The breeders called him Nugget, and I loved it) He's a morkie and he's adorable!

Charlie came home at 2 pounds and definitely needed his sweaters to stay warm in the snowy winter we had.

We attempted to make a snowman, but the snow wouldn't pack very well. Blake was still really pleased with the outcome. Easton decided he was too cold and only stayed out with us for a bit.

Grandma and Poppa came to town to visit, too. Poppa helped install a new 220 volt outlet so we could have a better heater at work! Grandma, Easton, and I surprised Blake at school for lunch. We brought her Chick Fil A and after we finished eating, we had time to read the book that came with the meal.