Pose #1 or #2???

Drew’s Kindergarten school picture proofs were sent home Friday. Quick turnaround as picture day was on Wednesday….impressive! As soon as I pulled them from his backpack and saw them…I DIED. Pose #1 = Funniest Picture Ever!  

Please excuse the poor quality...it's a picture of a picture taken on a camera phone...terrible!

POSE #1

Pose #2

My first thought was that we would order Pose #2. It’s the more reserved, not really a smile, not really a normal face he typically makes…but your kid does not look like a class clown picture. It’s a nice picture. But Pose #1 is so freaking funny. I have never seen him make that face before and that might be a huge reason why it cracks us up so much. It just doesn’t look like him. He looks embarrassed, uncomfortable, apprehensive and awkward…but at the same time SO DAMN CUTE! I can just image all the ways that this picture will come back to haunt him as the years go by, senior slideshow and yearbooks, and probably even a wedding slideshow. Good times ahead!

Drew, I hope you understand that this picture is not intended to embarrass you (well, maybe a little) but rather to provide many years of laughter every time we look at it. And yes, it will be permanently framed and mounted on a prominent wall in our house…for ever. WE LOVE IT and no question have to go with Pose #1!!!

He May Grow-Up to be an Environmentalist…or a Garbage Man!

I bought a new jogging stroller to help eliminate excuses to train for the ½ marathon. Last night, I took the kids out for a test run. Drew was on his bike and Brooke was riding in style.

Fantastic night to be outside! On our way back, Drew jumps off his bike and yells for me to STOP. He threw down his bike and ran to pick up a squashed Gatorade bottle on the side of the road. The conversation then proceeded something like this…

Me: Ummm, Drew, what are you doing?

Drew: Mom! This bottle is trash and is making our Earth dirty.

Me: Yes, Drew, it looks like someone was a litter bug and did not properly throw away their trash.

Drew: Well…I’m going to help make our Earth clean and pick it up and recycle it when we get home.

Needless to say, he stopped five more times to collect his trash and we made it home with a Gatorade and water bottle, random paper and a Copenhagen can. GROSS!!! I will now be packing rubber gloves and or hand sanitizer for all our outside activities!

1st Day of Kindergarten!

I found this little poem and it sums up all the feelings about sending our little guy off to Kindergarten perfectly.

I wonder what you’re doing right now,
And if everyone is treating you kind.
I hope there is a special person, A nice friend that you can find.

I wonder if the teacher knows
Just how special you are to me.
And if the brightness of your heart
Is something she can see.

I wonder if you are thinking about me,
And if you need a hug.
I already miss the sound of your voice
And how you give my leg a tug.

I wonder if you could possibly understand
How hard it is for me to let you grow.
On this day know that my heart breaks.
For this is the first step in letting my baby go.

-Unknown Author

Time to wipe away the tears and get ready for picture overload…I wanted to capture every moment of this BIG day!

He acutally slept in his bed all night!

      Rise and Shine Sleepyhead!

Getting Dressed...and Tying his OWN Shoes!!

We tried...Brooke is NOT a morning person!

Little Nervous...Way More Excited

Arrived at School!

Take 2 with Brooke...Not Much Better.

Backpack Time!

Checking out the BIG, New School!

Brooke, Someday this will be you...so you better get over your morning crabbies!"
Look at her left shoe in this picture...hot mess!

Waiting for Colin to pull into the parking lot!

Colin's Here!

The 1st Day Jitters are Nothing When You've Got Your BFF!

Let's Do This!

Here I Go...

He Looks So Small!

Following Colin to Class!

Stairway to Success...I mean Kindergarten!

Welcome to Mrs. Dickey's Kindergarten Classroom!

No Hesitation or Worries...See ya later Mom & Dad!

Waiting for the Kindergarteners to be brought out after their 1st (1/2) day.

Here He Comes!

Last One Out the Door!

Wearing a Hat He Made!

Of Course, More Excited to See Colin than Me!

The day was a SUCCESS and the best part...he was SO excited to go back the next day.

Last Day of Summer…

We have been in total KINDERGARTEN preparation mode lately and we’re ready…I think. I know Drew is ready, Dad is ready, Brooke could care less and well, I’m going to say it…I’m ready. That’s a hard one to admit but I know my little guy is super prepared for this new adventure.

Starting Kindergarten comes with a HUGE bag of mixed emotions. On one hand, I’m extremely happy, excited for him, and CAN’T wait to be a part of this next chapter of his life. I feel so great about the school we choose. I am confident we are giving him a fantastic environment to learn, opportunity to grow spiritually and develop into an incredible young man. On the other hand, it’s hard to let go…man it’s hard. But, I’m not at all going to let myself focus on that part. We are going to embrace this new chapter of his life and support him in EVERY way. Let this new journey begin…WE are ready!

Love you little (big) Drew Bug!

Life’s Not Always What You Think It Ought To Be…

So True. So True.

I was reminded AGAIN today that life is short and we aren’t always the ones in control. Sometimes it takes a subtle reminder to put things in perspective…and that’s what happened to me today.

Never take what you have or your health for granted. Sure, things could always be better. You could be richer, prettier, thinner, happier…or so you think. Look around and focus on what you have instead of what you don’t. Take inventory of all the blessings in your life and embrace them. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

The most beautiful people we have know are those who have know defeat, know suffering, know struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

- Elizabeth Kubler Ros

I want my kids to grow up and be beautiful people... and so, I must be that person.

Girly Girl!

Loves shoes...check! Must carry purse...check! Happy Mommy...check!

On her way to lunch with the fam...

Yummy lunch, now it's time to go home and play with Drew and Clay!

Summer Bucket List and Six Flags…Check!

No summer is complete without a trip to Six Flags and the Zoo. While we have yet to make it to the Zoo, it’s on the calendar for September (not really summer but we’ll gladly hold out for cooler weather and it’s for my companies family picnic…Perfect!) We did manage a Six Flags trip with Grandma A and Clay. Brooke stayed back home with a sitter…not really sure she is ready for a full day of Six Flags in the 100 degree heat.

The day before our Six Flags adventure, we went on-line to see what rides Drew would be tall enough to ride. He has wanted to go on the roller coasters since he was two and this year was his big opportunity! We also measured him to make sure we had the latest and greatest height update…44 inches.

Our plan was to get to the park as it opened, hit a few popular rides early, eat lunch, cool off at the water park until it closes (6pm) and then back to the park for more rides until close (9pm). Wow! It was a long, hot day.

The boys did great. Drew loved the Screaming Eagle and Ninja roller coasters. He was not tall enough for the other three but has high hopes for next year. Drew definitely has no fear and did not even flinch at the opportunity to ride in the first seat of the Screaming Eagle.

He was even brave enough to put both hands up in the air during the ride…CRAAZZY kid!! Fun. Exhausting. Hot. Day!! With this heat wave, I think I need to re-do my summer bucket list with some inside adventures.