Back to School

This weekend marked the end of the first two weeks back to school and overall we have had a pretty smooth transition into the new school year. The kids have been happy to be back to school and all love their new teachers this year. The most difficult part of being back to school is not really school itself but all of the after school activities that has us running from one place to another. The first two weeks felt a little "clumsy" in figuring out the logistics of eating, homework, activities, showers, reading, bedtime, etc. but we're slowly getting back into a comfortable groove. The kids seem really happy with the predictable routines and are really showing how much they are growing and maturing with handling the transition really well. 

I can remember in years past writing blog posts about how Colin has had difficulty with the transition and other than some little minor things that only we probably notice as parents, he's handling it all with ease. He really does love school and his team of people who work with him. Homework started this past week and other than a few groans here and there, he really has been very compliant with getting it done. 

Colin and Kailey are playing soccer this fall and are enjoying it so far. Kailey is playing on a team this year that is playing other towns in the county. She's really been enjoying the girls she's playing with and just had her first game this weekend. Colin is also on a new team this year and just like everything else, there will be a little bit of a learning curve as he transitions to playing with a coach and new teammates. He loves playing and we know that as the season goes on, all of the little nuances we've noticed so far will get better. 

Cody has been a great little sibling and supporting his brother and sister at all of their activities. The excitement for him this week was in celebrating his birthday. He has been so happy at school with his new teacher and we can't wait to see all of the ways he is going to grow this year! 

We are thankful for the smooth transition so far and hope it stays that way! 

Happy 4th Birthday Cody!

Today our baby boy turns 4 and we are so happy to celebrate this guy and all of the joy that he brings to our lives. As the song in his montage video states "it's a better place since you came along" and that couldn't be more true. What makes this birthday a little bit more emotional for me is the fact that not only is he another year older in age and further from the little baby he once was but all of a sudden it seems as if he has taken a big leap and looks and acts so much older! I know that doesn't sound so grammatically correct BUT he has been maturing and changing so much in the past few months. Cody has not always been our easiest child to raise in that he is a fiercely independent and headstrong little boy but for all of the things that have been challenging, there is so much more that we just love about him. He's got such a funny personality, he loves to learn and has always been trying his hardest to keep up with Colin and Kailey. He loves Paw Patrol, building towers with blocks, "doggies", and horses. He just started his last year of pre-K and loves going to school. We can't wait to see all of the things this next year is going to bring! Happy Birthday Cody! We all love you so much! 

Summer 2018

This summer honestly goes down in our family's books as one of the best! It was the first summer that our kids were more able to be "on the go", stay up later to be out and about doing things, and generally have really great behavior. Things did get a little hairy the last week and a half of summer, but that's always to be expected (and the great thing is that it happened MUCH later this summer!). We had some really fun adventures this summer with family and friends and greatly enjoyed our time together! When I look back through all of the pictures we've taken, it's amazing to see all of the things we fit in over the past few months. I'm really sad to see it go, but I think we're all happy here to be back in a "comfortable" routine again. 

It was fun looking back at all of the pictures and I'm disappointed I couldn't fit ALL of the pictures in! So long summer 2018, it sure was great!