School Daze

Just a few candids of dropping and picking up these two intellectuals from school.  They both love school and are learning new things every day.I am so thankful for great teachers and good schools.  

This is a sleeping bag

Brooklyn in her "sleeping bag" - her idea. 

Don't know the words? No problem.

Jace singing the song "Let Me Love You" by Neyo.  

Still a preschooler..Pre-K

Jace is in Pre-K, same classroom, same teacher, same sweet kid!  

There she goes....first day of Kindergarten

Well, it is official I have a Kindergartener!  And, a sassy one at that.  

First in first out...

Brooklyn lost her first tooth on October 6th.  This was her first tooth that came in when she was a baby and now it is in a plastic baggy in a secret pocket in my purse.  I still remember the first tooth that she cut, I remember her being a late teether and now that little chomper is gone, reminding me again that this sweet angel is getting older.  

 Back when....she only had two teeth. 



Cousin Sleepover

Brooklyn and Jace had their first cousin sleepover this summer. Well, technically this was Brooklyn's sleepover but Jace made sure to make an appearance and hang with the girls.

Cousins

 Get creative

Color a picture

 Find a spot

 Give a boost

 Bust a move

We made it through our first sleepover.  The kids were so funny and so simple.  Snacks, crayons, music and a movie = success! 

Are you tired?

"No, no bed" - I love moments like this, I can totally appreciate the drive to stay awake for a good bowl of popcorn and movie. 

Last day of preschool for now - Jace

Second year of preschool complete!  This is Jace on his last day of preschool for this 2011-2012 school year.  This year has been one of definite growth for Jace.  He can spell his name, he knows all of his colors, he can count to 25.  But most importantly he is starting to use his words!! Seeing his growth thru school has been a relief for me and for him as well.  He likes school and is doing well.  Although he does like the classroom, I am sure he would play outside all day if the teachers let him :)  He loves to sing and dance to all of the preschool songs (cutest thing ever).  He is so sweet and happy, the teachers love him...of course.  

Good job, Jace for finishing your 2nd year of preschool.  You are such a sweet and gentle kid but you are learning to stand your ground and we are happy to see that.  You have good manners and it makes us so proud that you always use your "please" and "thank yous" - this will get you far and that fact you are such a cutie will also be a great attribute.  We love you little guy!  xoxo.

Ready for Kindergarten

Finish preschool - check and check.  Brooklyn was so lucky to attend two preschools and she equally loved both. Seeing her growth while attending school has been so rewarding.  Sitting through her parent/teacher conferences at the end of the year and hearing how ready for Kindergarten she is makes me proud and a little bit teary.  I can't believe she will be starting Kindergarten in a few short months.  It has gone too fast but it has been so bittersweet being along for the ride.  

Congrats Brooklyn for completing pre-K and graduating from the ROCKET program.  We are so proud of you, not only for the little intellectual you are proving to be but also and (most importantly) for what a sweet and happy kid you are. Oh, how we love you sweet girl! xoxo.

Happy 5th Birthday, Brooklyn

Brooklyn turned 5, this birthday was a big deal this year. She was very excited about her birthday and counted the days leading up to it with excitement.

Birthday crown at Grace Preschool - Thanks Mrs. Rasso :)

At dinner with some of her favorite peeps :)

Cousin Bailey hung out with us for the day, here the girls are playing in the fountain.

Ferris wheel ride

Water park

Carousel ride

Me with the girls - Bailey cracks me upCousins waiting for dinner

Cute girls

Happy Birthday, Brooklyn! The big 5, you are moving up to the big playground now. You are such a funny, sweet, smart girl and you make me laugh every day. I am so proud of what a great kid you are. You are such a treasure to me. I love you sweet girl! XOXO.

"Hand"writing

The kids do so many funny things every single day but this one I felt definitely was blog-worthy. A few weeks ago I was at Brooklyn's school and noticed that all of the kids had written a bible verse and they were hanging on the wall. Naturally, I looked for my honor student's paper. I could not believe Brooklyn's penmanship when I saw hers. I know her very well and I could tell she just wanted to get it over with, probably so she could move onto something that interested her a little more. Nonetheless, her bible verse left much to be desired.

The next day when we got home from school/work I told her "Mommy is going to run upstairs and change and then we are going to work on your handwriting so go sit at your little table" -- she went and sat down. I came back downstairs a few minutes later and she said "Mommy, I finished my handwriting" and she gave me this sheet of paper. She cracks me up!

Brooklyn's Hand - March 2012.

Happy 4th Birthday, Jace Love!

Oh Jace, your 4th birthday was a lot of fun. Papa and Nana came for a visit, McDonalds for breakfast, friends over for Spiderman cake and presents and a new Toy Story scooter. Sounds about right for a 4 year old boy.

Jace taking his girl for a ride.

Cupcakes are good.
Happy Birthday to Jace :)

Spiderman cake

Jace with Papa, Nana and Emma

Could he be any cuter? This is pure happiness :)

Happy Birthday sweet Jace! Some days I can't believe you are 4 already but other days I barely remember you not being here. You are such a sweet blessing to me. Thank you for being such a kind and happy little man. You have my heart little one!

OH NO She didn't!

Oh yea she did. Cut her own hair. Only one side right below the chin. Enough said.

It's raining boys!

January was a busy month welcoming two new sweet boys to the fam!

Welcome Dylan Rylan

Welcome Mason William
Jace saying hi to his new cousin...finally more BOYS! YES!

The girls with Mason

Sweet little Mason

Welcome sweet boys...we look forward to watching you little guys grow up. There will be many special memories to be made! Love you two so much already!

Got Stitches?

Brooklyn got her 2nd set of stitches last month. To many this may seem like a lot, but those of us that really know this free spirit you can agree that 2 sets of stitches and zero broken bones (knock on wood) is actually not bad. Brooklyn is a girl with lots of faith, she takes risks and has faith things are going to end well. However, this new "accident" has no real exciting story, she just fumbled off the chair and landed chin first on the tile...SPLIT!.

A trip to urgent car and 5 stitches later and she was all set. The first time she got stitches it was a tough trip, she was still young and it was hard to explain to her what was happening. This time, she answered all of the questions about what happened when the Dr asked. She is so well spoken and matter of fact sometimes, it is so strange to me seeing my baby girl so grown up.

She negotiated with the Dr that she would prefer to be sitting up rather than lying down when the stitches were sewn in, she promised "she w0uld sit very still" but the Dr explained she had to be lying down in order for the stitches to be sewn in perfectly. Brooklyn relented and laid back. Two seconds before the Dr started the procedure Brooklyn popped up and asked the most logical question "you are not going to cut my neck off, are you?" - the Dr explained her neck would still be intact and not touched...and then Brooklyn said "And, please don't cut my hair I just got a haircut" -- after we covered this..she laid back and went through the procedure like a champ. She is a tough kid!

First night after stitches

At the Dr to get them removed...

Happy Birthday Uncle Eric!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Eric! This is actually for Eric's birthday...not sure if Jace got the memo. But seriously, how cute is Jace :)

Happy Birthday, Uncle Eric. Hope you enjoyed your spaghetti dinner...next time please follow the rules of shirtless spaghetti night. Spaghetti stains. Haha :)

They have to grow up sometime

Birthdays never made me anxious or sad....until I had my babies. Every year when their birthday month rolls around I start getting sad. I know they have to grow up and to be honest watching them grow up is one of the biggest joys of my life. Seeing them learn new things, change and develop into their own little people is such an amazing experience...my head knows this but my heart hurts for the moments when I just held them and looked in their big innocent eyes with their gummy smiles. I look at this sweet little face and I cannot believe in less than 1 week this little baby boy will be 4 YEARS OLD. Slow down little buddy, let's just take it a little slower!

Merry Christmas 2011

What a fun holiday season this year. Christmas programs, parties, presents, friends, family...it was a good one. Brooklyn & Jace were very excited about Santa coming this year, and they enjoyed presents (of course).

Little brother giving Sis a hug before school Christmas recital

Baby Emma came to Brooklyn's recital

My little superstar

My babies and I

Mr. Hollywood on his new bike from Santa

Brooklyn on Christmas morning, such a happy girl

Princess vanity with keyboard from Santa

Jace and I - he cracks me up

I had Christmas Eve dinner with Eric's fam...the cook left a special message. The food was definitely better than his spelling :)

The Martinez cousins came over to celebrate with us.

Martinez kiddos

Brooklyn & Bailey

Jace with Uncle Steven

Kids eating dinner - Oh Jace and his barbie

We went with Addysin & Bailey to see Santa

Brooklyn and I went to Newport for the Christmas boat parade

Brooklyn prepping her smile before seeing Santa.

I didn't get many Christmas presents this year but I still felt like I was spoiled. Just having these two little blessings to share the holidays with makes everything so special and so fulfilled. As we all find our way trying to work through lifes changes, creating Christmas memories with them is very important to me. Somewhat challenging "sharing" them during such a special time of year has proved to be slightly emotional for me but I think we are all getting along pretty well. These two little sweethearts are very happy and loving kids...and that is what matters most.