Anthony's birthday party...

was of course a pirate theme...

Last night for a couple hours I hung out with 10 mini pirates.
I think it would be fair to say they won. :)

checking out the treasure map...

and of course it simply wouldn't be a birthday without cake!

games....

canon ball fight, (we used marshmallows)

treasure hunt
sword fights (breadsticks in this case)

and the pinata (I wondered if they were ever going to burst it open)

a few more pics from the birthday party...

this was a packet that once placed in water fizzed and bubbled and turned colors inside the packet were two figures from the "Pirate" movies, thinking they certainly had fun with this one, wondering if it wasn't the bucket of water that provided most of that fun.

Rosie standing by to help if needed.

1st day of school

He is in kindergarten.
(the last time I had a child in Kindergarten was 14 years ago)
how crazy is that??
He was super excited, a bit anxious, and definitely ready to go.
I took him this morning, it's a mom thing and I simply wanted to be there for this milestone.
So many new things in store for him...a new room (he will be the first class to be in this room, a new addition completed this summer) a new teacher, new friends and countless new memories. I am so excited for this journey to begin for him...so curious to see what he does and how he changes and grows. The energy level in the school when we arrived was off the charts....so many big grins. Anthony headed right into his class simply ready to begin.
I never imagined I would once again experience all that encompasses the first day of Kindergarten, I'm certainly glad I've been given this opportunity... I am simply amazed at how life plays out.

getting ready...

Last night we had early entrance conferences....Anthony was able to meet his teacher and see his new classroom. So cool! He was definitely excited about this whole new experience (we will see how he feels in a month of so :) Good thing he as able to bring all his "stuff" in last night I honestly don't know how he would have managed his backpack on Thursday.

he is 6

Today it's official he is 6!

1st day of preschool

She has been excited since the letter arrived back in February. "I go to school!" she would tell any and everyone.
Soon she learned her teachers name and she added a new favorite sentence to her vocabulary "my teacher is Mrs. Burman"
I must confess that since the beginning of summer we have "used" the preschool thing as quite a bargaining item. For instance
"you won't be able to go to preschool if you still wear pull-ups" She is potty trained. :) or "Big girls who go to preschool sleep in their own beds" so that sorta works most of the time. Last week at open house she was so excited and curious. This morning it was nearly impossible to keep up with her. Judging by the big smiles as she walked out of preschool and the talking on the way home she had a fun and exciting first day of preschool. Can you believe she is old enough for preschool???

this would be ....

a picture of all the people in my house this weekend...just two were missing my nephew Brandon and Cassandra.
It was a bit busy, loud, and chaotic, but certainly a lot of fun. Good to have everyone home at the same time, good to have my niece and nephew staying with us for the weekend. I fear my little ones are going to be bored with me come tomorrow since I'm certain I'm not nearly as entertaining as those who were here for the weekend.

the best gift?

for Anthony it had to be the pirate costume...he was super excited about this...courtesy of Linette and Kevin. I wish the bottom picture had sound grace and Anthony giggled the whole time we took pics of them together...we said look fierce pirates don't smile...guess these two are the exception :)

Birthday parties....

there are 3 birthdays within a one week period in our family so we celebrated Kevin's (9/2) Beckie's (8/28) and Anthony's (9/4)
on Saturday evening. It was a perfect evening to be outdoors enjoying the company of family and friends and of course eating cake and opening gifts.

Beckie

opening her gifts...love that we could do this outside.

Anthony

opening gifts....it was all about pirates this year!

S'mores

our days of using the fire pit are beginning to get numbered. As the labor day weekend draws near and back to school soon follows we will have limited days to enjoy the fun of a fire before it simply becomes too cold to venture out.

A birthday wish

Happy Birthday Beckie!

Today is her birthday.
She is amazing.
She is strong.
She has a great sense of humor.
She is fair, and trusting.
She makes me laugh.
She is a gift.
Watching her grow and celebrate 22 birthdays has simply been the most amazing journey for me. I truly am blessed to be her mom.
Happy Birthday Beckie you are amazing!