Project 365 - Day 274

Celebrating Brady (7) and Cameron's (5) Birthdays today!

Project 365 - Day 273

Evan checks out the map at the Deerfield Fair today!

Project 365 - Day 272

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with cream cheese filling.  Need I say more?

 

Project 365 - Day 271

Shaun had his first Take 3 music class today.  This is the same class that David did last year.  After I got David and Evan set up with some Netflix streaming (thanks to the free WiFi at the music school!), I  headed around the corner over to the percussion room, with my camera, to take a peek at Shaun through the small window on the door.  I watched for about 5 minutes and that smile never left his face!

Project 365 - Day 270

With the help of our neighbors son, David built this fort. I had to get this one last picture before Papa comes tomorrow and grabs another load to take back to his house!

Project 365 - Day 269

Shaun & Evan having some fun with bubbles.  It's been really nice to watch these two bond now that big brother David is in school all day.  Seems like yesterday Shaun was refusing to come sit near me in the hospital while I held his new baby brother, and it took almost 3 months before I could get a picture of all 3 boys together!  Ha!

Project 365 - Day 268

I wonder how long before the begging for a dog of his own begins.  I remember asking Santa for a cocker spaniel (just like Lady!) in first grade and probably a few years after, since my parents wouldn't get one for me!  My parents held strong, Santa never delivered as he was probably paid off by my parents, and now years later, with kids of my own, I'm confident I'll be able to do the same!

Project 365 - Day 267

A perfect day to pick some apples!

Project 365 - Day 266

Last Sunday was Auntie Kristin's birthday so we invited her up tonight for dinner to celebrate!  Happy Birthday Auntie Kristin!

Project 365 - Day 265

Learning some new swimming techniques today!

Project 365 - Day 264

David at his piano lesson today!  This is his second lesson and so far he is doing really well, the teacher called me in to listen to the song they had been practicing, and after the lesson she told me that he's picking it up really well!

Project 365 - Day 263

Fall is almost here and I am loving the cooler air and the leaves here are starting to change!

Project 365 - Day 262

Love this face!

Project 365 - Day 261

Shenanigans!

Project 365 - Day 260

Big boy bike!

Project 365 - Day 259

David tries out a trumpet at the instrument petting zoo at the music school. He didn't get any sound out of it, but he was able to make a sound out of the clarinet and the oboe. He's not really interested in playing a wind instrument (he's still insistent on the cello!) but he had fun checking them out.

Project 365 - Day 258

Evan made a new friend at David's soccer practice tonight!

Project 365 - Day 257

School Picture Day!

Project 365 - Day 256

We have been doing workbook pages most nights for a while, but Evan was usually in bed. Now that he has been staying up with his big brothers he has been asking to do "homework" as well. I have started to give him tracing pages so he could get a feel for holding the pencil! Usually he just grabs it in his fist and scribbles but last few nights he has been trying to trace the lines correctly. Also check out how nice his pencil grip is! Not bad for two!

Back to School 2012

The back to school season started back at the end of July when our local Target put out their Back to School section at the back of the store!  Nothing makes me happier than the smell of a new box of crayons so of course I had to buy a bunch!

Checking out the marker selections at Target back in July

Mid-August we did the back pack shopping at Toys R Us.  Shaun chose a batman backpack and David chose a skulls backpack.  I think next year we're going to have to upgrade David to something a little sturdier, like an LLBean or Jansport, with his lunchbox and schoolwork I doubt this backpack lasts the year.  I also did some back to school clothes shopping while the boys took a trip to Cape Cod and I only had Evan with me.  I had to get all of this done before we headed to Maine for our vacation because when we returned home I would only have one day before David headed off to first grade!

Shaun surprised me with the Batman choice, I thought for sure he was going to go with the Avengers or Agent P.  

After we got back from Maine, I had one day to get the boys their haircuts and new sneakers.  It made for a much more hectic day than I had anticipated, but we got it all done and the boys love their new sneakers!

David getting his first pair of Vans

Shaun stuck with his traditional Sketchers

Ready for first grade with a new haircut!

August 28, 2012, David officially starts first grade!  We are also at the new school this year!  We missed the open house since we were on vacation, so I actually didn't get a chance to see the inside of the school until Shaun's open house which was at the end of the week.  David is most excited about being able to ride the bus to school.  He gets picked up at the end of our street and Daddy drives him down on his way to work each day.  It's heartwarming to see David follow in his Daddy's footsteps as he kisses his brothers goodbye and then me and follows Charlie out the door!  The first day we all walked down (in the rain!) to watch him get on the big yellow bus for the very first time!

As the bus approached and came to a stop David ran, lightning fast, right onto the bus, I missed getting his picture!  Thankfully the bus driver saw me with my camera and had him come back and stand on the stairs!  Thank you Mr. Bus Driver for letting me capture this big milestone in my baby's life!

At the bus stop on the first day!

So excited to get on the bus for the first time!

First Day of First Grade 2012

On Thursday August 30, 2010 Shaun had his open house!  It was like I said, the first time I had the chance to go inside the new school.  I can't even begin to describe how amazing it is!  I love all the bright colors and how open and welcoming it feels when you walk inside.  This year he has a new teacher and a new preschool curriculum, since they changed it all when the old school closed.  It was nice to be able to meet his new teacher and get a feel for how the classroom was going to be run.  This being his second year of preschool, he seemed very comfortable and enjoyed seeing some of the kids that were with him last year.

At one of the activity tables

Evan making himself right at home in Shaun's classroom!

Shaun's first day was Wednesday September 5, 2012.  He is in school 3 days a week again on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  He was so excited for it to be his turn!

First Day of Preschool 2012

Big shot on the preschool campus!

Who wants to tell Evan that he goes NEXT year?!

Evan feeling a little left out, and even had a level 4 meltdown after dropping off big brother, so we too his picture with the chalkboard too!  NEXT YEAR, Evan!!

Evan looking handsome just like his big brothers for first day of school!

Since we were away for David's meet and greet, I never got a change to meet David's teacher so I emailed her and asked to set up a time to meet.  She set up a time for the afternoon and I instructed David to NOT get on the bus!  I left him a note on his home folder and on his lunch box!  Shaun, Evan and I headed over to the school and got to see David's classroom and meet his new teacher.  She is new to the school this year having come from one of the other schools that was closed with the school merges.  I loved seeing his classroom and meeting his teacher, we talked a little about what I could expect in the next few weeks and got a sense of where he spends a good chunk of his day now!  I am looking forward to what this year brings for my enthusiastic first grader!

David's Desk

All 3 boys outside the Mill Brook School

Project 365 - Day 255

This year for swimming I have decided to split up David and Shaun. It works out better for a couple of reasons and honestly the two of them together resulted in more goofing off and less paying attention. Today was David's second class with the new schedule, but the first class with his new instructor.

After his class she had asked if 4:15 was too late for class because she thought he would be a good fit for the next level offered, beginning strokes! Here is David getting a lesson on breathing to the side.

Project 365 - Day 254

Evan, honorary PTA member, by default, helping Mommy make copies of our welcome back letter! He already walks around the new school like he owns the place, they are in trouble next year!

Project 365 - Day 253

Patriots Sunday! Anyone notice anything different?

Vacationland 2012

Right before school started we took a last minute trip and headed north to Maine. We try to go at least a few times a year but it's always the most fun in the summer when we can go to the ocean and swim at the lake! Each year it gets easier and easier and I know that is because the kids are all getting older and play so nicely together that it gives the grown-ups a real chance to hang out and chat! Also because the kids are all getting older we were able to do more fun things! This year we took them over roam around an old fort and we thought for sure we'd stay and walk around for 45 minutes, but TWO hours later and the kids were still having a blast checking out all the tunnels and climbing all the stairs. And no trip to Maine is complete without a trip to the lake and it was made even more fun with a trip on the boat where the boys got to jump into the lake right off the boat and swim around.

DAY 1 -  At the Union Fair: 

Shaun's prize from the 4H booth

David and Evan petting the cows

After lunch getting ready to do the Fair scavenger hunt!

David took a nice picture of Mom & Dad

DAY 2 - 4Points BBQ and Fort Knox and Sparklers at night:

Lunch at the yummy Maine BBQ place before heading to the Fort

The boys at Fort Knox

DAY 3: The Lake: 

The kids are ready for a boat ride!

Shaun swimming off the side of the boat!

DAY 4: Last day walking around the beach and fun at the park: