More Milestones

... and the special days just keep coming!


Yesterday, was Bridger Dean's special day.

It was his Preschool Open House! And I think he felt very big and important, indeed. 

 (which I was so hoping he would!)

He got to meet his teacher - again.. he already knew her since she was Holden's teacher last year... but now she is HIS teacher...Very important stuff. - and look all around his room.

He played in all of the different areas, made a small craft, practiced using the bathroom (boy oh boy are my kids crazy about urinals... weirdos.) and even have a little snack!

And he.did.so.great.

Honestly, I think he's been sort of going through a bit of a phase lately... and I have been very very worried about how preschool was going to go.

But yesterday was awesome. You could just tell... he felt so special and grown up. (And you can bet I'll be praying hard that he still feels just as big next week when the first day comes and it's time to do it alone.♥)

 A quick photo to mark the day!

 Holden said the sun was too bright (party pooper)... 

But look how excited Bridger is!! He was so ready. 

 

 Playing with the brothers... Getting comfortable with everything.....

 

 :)

 Checking out another play area.

 And practicing using the bathroom! 

Look at that face in the mirror.... Definitely feeling like a Mr. Big Stuff. :)

 And sitting with his new teacher and making a craft, all by himself! 

(I can not even tell you how happy that made me.)

 So, it was time to celebrate. 

To mark all these milestones, and big boys, and school starting,

 and summer's end, etc... 

after Open House,  my handsome boys and I had our very first ever 

just Mommy and Son Date. 

I've been a stay-at-home mom for over 5 years now.. and I have never one time taken my boys out on a date, just them and I.

But yesterday I felt ready. 

And it felt right.. like we just needed to do something special to mark all these milestones!

They were ready, too.♥

They stayed right with me, sat nicely, ate almost all their food, and truly did behave very well. 

A little wiggly.. but the waitress complimented their good behavior, so hey, I'll take it. ♥

And they made pretty handsome little dates, too... hehe :)

 

♥            ♥           ♥

So this month has been huge for us. (For me.) 

Filled with so many changes and so much growth: Moving On, Next Steps, Growing Up, Getting Bigger, Starting New Things, etc etc. 

And I've been thinking... 

Ya know... You only get one life.

... just so many short trips around that ol' sun. 

(And sometimes I think every day somehow feels shorter than the last...at least lately anyway... man.) 

And you can only pack just so much stuff into each one.

So every day, you make a choice. 

It's hard. It's complicated. It's exhausting. 

And sometimes... I choose poorly.

But yesterday? .....♥   Yesterday, I used my day well.

Filled it right up with all the most important things in my life. 

The most important little things that - by default... as a stay-at-home mom -  I always spend every single day with.

And the most important little things that - when I stop for a few seconds and really think about it - I realize I almost always take for granted.

You only get one life. 

And each one of us has to choose what to fill our with... devote ours to.

 

These 

{awesome, crazy, rowdy, beautiful, ornery, funny, whiny, wonderful}  

boys were my gift.

And now they're just about my whole life.

For now and for always... no matter how many milestones we  go through together.

And I'm pretty certain I'll never ever know what in the world I did to be so blessed. 

 ♥            ♥           ♥

First Steps.

 Time is a tricky, tricky business.


One day you're awake every half hour, tending to your new baby... exhausted and overwhelmed and praying for the day they will just sleep.through.the.night....

... and then you blink.



And time flashed forward.

And it's hard to understand how it's even possible that it could have passed so quickly... when you don't feel any different... but your baby is barely even a baby even more.

And sitting on the floor, you hold his/her hand... then stretch out your arms... back up... 

..... and let go.

When all of a sudden, slowly, wobbly, uncertain... and indescribably excited.... 

those amazing first steps come eagerly toward you.

And it's impossible not to be proud.

It's a  milestone!

Independence.

First Steps. ♥

But it's hard.

Time doesn't care.


And it doesn't slow down or pause.. or wait for whether you're ready or not.


It marches forward. Step by step.


And it takes your baby with it.

 ♥     ♥     ♥     ♥     ♥     ♥     ♥ 

So today, we had more first steps.

And I had to let go... again.


And although it was not nearly as exciting or happy for me - in fact, I'd say it's right up there with some of the toughest things I've done as a parent... - one thing is definitely the same. 


I absolutely could not feel any more proud of this little boy than I do right now. 


Holden Tyler...  Our "official" Kindergartener.

 Totally ready.

 

 Silly boy.

 I'm sorry. But HOW. 

HOW did this happen? 

When did he turn into such an awesome, handsome, little young man?? ♥

 Getting his book bag.

 Super Cheese.

Now time for kisses♥

 

 My Buddy.

 Playing Legos with Daddy before it was time to go out for the bus.

And then it was time!!

I think maybe Mom and Dad both needed a hug outside.

Waiting....

 Yep.... Totally. Ready.

... I was a different story...

 But  Ready or Not .... it doesn't matter. 

It was time to let go.. again.

 And time for more First Steps.♥

 

3,4,5!

The boys are now officially 3, 4, and 5 years old!

Because last week, our baby Graham turned 3!

And to celebrate we had a little photo shoot, a little birthday party at Mimi's, and a little cake to top it all off :)

 First morning snuggle pile. Cheesin' with the Birthday Boy!

Everyone helping sort M&Ms for the big (Pinterest inspired) #3 cake....

 Holden  helped me....

And... ta-da!

Graham was excited. :)

And then it was time for the annual - and everyone's favorite, ha : "It's your birthday so you have to let Mommy take your picture" time :)

 Cutie.

 Ornery.

 So BIG.

 Belly. Goober.

 Beautiful Boy.

♥ ♥ ♥

And then it was time for a few presents!

 Bryce and Uncle Tyler (being goofy because he knew I was taking his picture)

 It was very exciting. :)

 

 Daddy's on "Get it out and put it together" Duty... as usual.

 Checkin' out the new horsey

 

 Everyone celebrating the birthday boy

 

 Mommy and her cake

Cheese!

 And just so you all know - he really IS a hotdog kid most of the time :)

 Lightin'em up!

And..... BLOW!!!!!

 Family... fun... chocolate cake... and new toys.

Birthday #3 was surely a success ♥



AND this Birthday Boy got another party at Grandma and Grandpa Himes' house yesterday!
With even MORE family, MORE cake, and MORE presents.

Spoiled. ;)

(Now, stop growing up. I mean it.)