Baby is Two!!

Yesterday my littlest turned two. To say I am amazed is an understatement. Where did two years go?? My youngest, littlest boy is now two years old. Just can't believe it!! I am so proud of the little man he is. We adore our,"baby," as he is known in the house. Although, lately he has started to say, " No I not baby." 

Kevin, you are my sweet surprise baby boy. Here's a wee bit about you at two years old.

-You came into the world peacefully and then entered a busy house with two big brothers. 

-You have remained a peaceful, quiet, sweet boy but have become quite a busy little boy too!  

-Lately, you are talking up a storm and have a lot to say. Everyday you amaze me with the words you know.

-You absolutely adore your brothers and playing cars. 

-Daddy is your favorite by far... Breaks a mama's heart. 

- we also call you a bully sometimes because you certainly can stand up for yourself!

- you have the best walk and run. Everyone loves watching you run. You have a mission every time you walk.

- you love love love puppy's and you just might win your Daddy over in buying you one some day.

- you sleep with a bunch of stuffed animals and blankets and want to bring them all downstairs with you.

- You still love your pacifier very much.

- every day when we drop off Jake to school. The minute we get in the car, I always hear your sweet voice say," Mommy? Jake's school?" Meaning jakes in school now right? You always miss Jake when he is in school.

-You and will are like twins right now and you fight and play all day together.

- You think it is hysterical to run from me outside and have numerous times has me chasing you through the court.

- you are an eater! You eat more sometimes then your brothers combined.

- you love to laugh and be tickled and chased.

-You are very very fast!!

Tonight, we had a family birthday party for you. It was a car theme of course! You got to share some of the lime light with your great, great grandfather whom you are named after. You turned two and he turned eighty nine. How lucky you are to have a great,great grandfather! You really had a ball and loved saying, " it's my birthday!" I couldn't believe how excited you were that it was your birthday. Happy Birthday sweet sweet Kevin. We love you to pieces and can't get enough of you at two. Muah!!

New fence day

I have always dreamed of having a,"white picket fence." So cheesy, I know. I bought into the whole american apple pie dream early on... the fence just goes with it! When we bought our home, one of the first things I noticed was the rotting, decaying wood fence. It functioned and served its purpose, but man was it ugly!! I couldn't wait to replace it. Being pretty low on our priority list, it took us a few years to get to it. However, today was the day!! The boys loved watching the guys put the fence up too. kevin could not get enough of the trucks! Its not a picket fence, but its white! Love it. It looks so updated, clean and bright. Yet another sign that I am a grown up, whether I like it or not... Excited by a fence... 

And it's here...

We have been preparing all week and into the weekend for the start of school. Jake was doing a daily countdown to school and asking a ton of questions in excitement! I love how he just jumps right into everything. He is a lover of life and so easy going when it comes to new things. I hope he never changes! Over the weekend, I was busy prepping his uniforms and making some homemade waffles as healthy alternatives to our favorite frozen waffles. We intentionally planned a weekend of nothing, knowing this week would be tiring for him. His new school has full day kindergarten. I know he is ready, but I'm sure he will be pooped at the end of the day! 

When we dropped him off this morning, I felt anxious pulling into the parking lot. I just couldn't believe it was here. Then, he ran right into his class line...put his lunch away...and started playing with new friends in line. Just like that. It melted my heart and me so proud of him. Jon said," alright, so I guess we go?" And I said," no way... Lets stay as long as we can!" Mommy stalking... All the other parents lingered as well thankfully. We all just stood around the back of the gym watching our babies in their uniforms all grown up. I think I may have been more emotional in that moment had he not been so excited. It also helped that the little guys were all over the place, a little distraction. We got to watch the whole school pray, stand up in line and then watch jakes class walk in line to their classroom. As he walked by he blew me kisses and said,"see ya dad." Perfect. That's my boy, he knows his mama needs kisses!! We walked out. Strapped little guys in...and then came the tears!!! Ugh. I can't pick him up until 2:45??? Will he be alright? Already??? What will the boys and I do all day without our Jakers??? Reality quickly hit me...  But man I felt it for a few minutes. Thankfully Jon was there to hold my hand and tell me I was funny. That made me feel better. 

The boys and I met a friend and her daughter at the park afterwards. Her son, jakes buddy, also started kindergarten at a different school today. So sharing notes and feelings helped me too. Plus, keeping up with the little guys is enough to fill my mind that's for sure!! 

Can't wait until he's home this afternoon to hear all about his first day. Hoping he gives me lots of details!!! Psych.. He is a boy right? Hoping I get one detail at least! 

Movin' Up to Kindergarten

Jake's kindergarten orientation was today. He woke up super early because he was so excited.  I didn't really think I would be emotional today but, I was. We pulled up to school for the kindergarten tea. It was going to be about an hour and a half long. Jake thought it was his first day of school apparently? He jumped out of the car right away began walking across the parking lot (as If he knows where he is going) and says, "bye mom!" I of course had to explain that I would be with him for most of today and that his first day was not for another week. He was bummed because he wanted to stay longer. After I brought him to his class table and he met his teacher, who was fab, I went at sat with the parents. We knew a few families which was nice so he has some friends in his class already! As I listened to the adorable vice principal talk about kindergarten and the emotional adjustment, I well up with tears... Jake meanwhile is chatting with a friend already and being shushed by his teacher (greattttttt). I had a harder time than he did. He is ready. He is excited. I am so proud of the outgoing, spontaneous and funny little boy he is. We will definitely miss him around the house, but I know in my heart he is ready! Mama needs some prayer and tissues, but I'll get there too. I was anxious about sending him into the world and thought a lot about where to send him. Jon and I both prayed for a year or so about it. We feel completely excited about the school we chose for him. Then as I'm leaving a teacher handed me an adorable little pouch with this poem and my heart swelled once again. Love this school already!

Cousin Camp 2013

Growing up, my family lived thousands of miles from me in Ireland. I did not have aunts or uncles or even cousins whom I knew well. I had a blessed childhood don't get me wrong, but I knew that when I grew up, I wanted a big family and extended family connections were important to me. My children are beyond blessed by the family they have who love them. My boys now have eight cousins all under six years old! Tons of playmates and friends who call them family. 

Cousin camp is an idea I have wanted to do for a few years now. I saw it on a women's blog and knew we had to start this tradition, but they would need to be older. So, finally the opportunity came and the kids loved it! We played toys together, made tie dye t-shirts, attempted to make our own bouncy balls (flop), tried learning rainbow loom together, created stunt airplanes (boys adored), prayed and had lunch and we were at nap time! It went by so fast and the kids were sad it was over. I told them to look forward to next year!  Eventually, I want it to be an overnight afire with tents and s'mores!! Love cuzzy camp!

What a week!!!

This week has been crazy! On Saturday, the kids and I were heading down to visit with Pop Pop and Gigi at Lewes Beach. Jon stayed home for his fantasy football draft with his high school guys. On the way, Jon called to say that his dad (Popple) got into a serious motorcycle accident while vacationing in Massachusetts. All he knew was that it was serious and he had been helicoptered to a Boston hospital. So, I continued driving feeling incredibly helpless and scared for Popple and upset for the whole family. Jon, Jill and Mommel traveled up to Boston that morning to see him. He has several serious injuries and a long road ahead of him, but is stable and on the road to recovery. 

The following day, while they were traveling to Boston... Abby went into labor!! Later that day she delivered my third niece, Edith June. Edith is named after Mammy and couldn't be cuter. 

So it was a weekend of mixed emotions that's for sure. The boys and I were spenidng much neded time with Pop Pop and Gigi. Being spoiled with beach fun, ride after ride at Funland and Jake even got new school shoes at the outlets! Here we are in Lewes having fun while Popple suffers and Abby is in labor now?? Ahh... The feeling of not being able to be there for Popple and now, not being there with Abby was tough. 

Then, come Monday... To make our week, even more eventful... Nikki delivered my newest nephew, Derin Jon, Monday morning in Istnbul, Turkey!!! The babies are twelve hours apart. Just wild. Yet once again, I can't be there for her. It is not easy to be far from the ones you love while they are going throgh good or bad times. I am thrilled for Thomas and Abby as well as Eko, Nikki and Sean! What blessings. I am thrilled for my boys for gaining two more cousins to love. And I am in prayer and constant thought for Popple in Boston. I pray for him to come home soon and for Sally who is caring for him. The bosy and I got to FaceTime with Jon, Popple and Sallly in Boston today.. It was hard to see him clearly in pain, but we are lucky to still have him here with us! Thank you Lord for the events of this past weekend and for once again protecting our precious family. 

Edith June

Derin Jon 

Silly Fun