Field Trip!!!

I know, I know. Braden is in the 5th grade and this is the very first time I have ever chaperoned.  I am pretty proud of myself for ding this one too because it was an all day outing to the AZ Science Center. On the bus ride over one of the three busses had brake trouble and we had to stop to make sure they all didn't die.  Just kidding, but really.  Funnily enough, I knew a bunch of other moms on other busses and the ones on the bus with out breaks were only told they needed to see if a light had gone out.  Kinda funny!  Needless to say we made it there.  We had from 9-1 at the center and the kids had a packet we had to fill out so we wandered from exhibit to exhibit.  I had Braden and two other boys and two girls.  They were good kids.

Braden and his buddy Stratton 

The ride home was louder than the way there and I was very, very ready for a nap when I got home. 

Back to Preschool!!!

9.2.13

Brenner had his first day of his second year of preschool with Miss Christine and Miss Larissa today. He wasn't very excited last night when I told him tomorrow was school. He was carrying on and pleading not to go. Rusty gave him his back to school blessing and he settled down for bed. 

This morning when I asked him to get his shoes on he quickly put it together where we were going. And he freaked. Luckily, Rusty was still home, waiting to see if he had to report for jury duty (he did not) so he came with us. 

He walked right in the door, said hello to miss Christine and went straight to pick a work and found a place to sit. I was so happy it was so easy! He told us goodbye and we were on our way!

When I went back to pick him up he was super excited to show me something. He led me to the snack table. He was very excited that they had had NutriGrain bars as part of their snack. It was so funny because I can remember Berk going through a phase where he loved those too. Brenner will be going three days a week this year and come spring we will have to decide if he will go to kindergarten in fall or do another year of preschool. I'm excited for my time with just Boston each week! 

Misc November...

As I am frantically trying to catch up the blog I came across a series of pictures and realized I need to make sure I put them in. So here is a random collection of our November.

Berkley finished his first season playing with Arsenal, he and Max Robison were both on team Swansea. He learned a lot this season, can't wait to see how his talent for soccer develops.

Of course, getting a medal at the end of the season made all the hard work payoff.

We also tried to warm Boston up to baths by giving him an impromptu sink bath.  It worked, he loved it and he finally warmed up to the idea of taking baths with his brothers!

Loving the head massage from his Dad!

Each month Berkley gets a project from school, this month it was to disguise a turkey. I looked on trusty Pinterest and saw a grainy idea for a peacock. This is what Berk and I came up with.  We liked it so much we did Braden's the same way a week later.

Rusty ran in a Half Marathon for Shun the Sun. He did a great job, and it is just the beginning of race season for him.

 Ami and I were faithful Baseball Mom's this season, From scorching heat to freezing cold, fall in AZ can be curious!  The late games were a challenge since they started at 7:45 so Rusty and I had to alternate who went to which game, since the other kids were in bed.

Braden finished his Fall Ball season with some nail biting games. I wasn't sure my heart could take many more games like the last 3 of the season! They made it into playoffs and were one game from winning, but lost in a tight game.  

Stratton and Braden have been playing baseball together since age 7, they have come a LONG way.

Gilbert American Little League

Fall Ball 2012

White Sox

The coach we had was great. Very positive. At the end of the season he gave each player a "game ball" and told a little about how they had improved. Braden has become an avid base runner, he can steal a base before I can even blink! He is much more comfortable in the outfield, but held his own at 3rd for a lot of the season.

Brenner Starts Preschool!!!

Well, the day finally has come! Brenner finally got to start school at the Montessori Learning Center in Mesa with Miss Christine Vaughling.  Like his brothers before him, and his aunt Kelcie and uncle Ryan too, he is going to the best preschool around- hands down.

So excited he could barely stand it!

 He had to show me our cards on the fridge.

 And wander around looking at all the 'work' he could do.

 He was very happy to start this work before they headed outside.

And we left him driving around on the first day at Montessori Learning Center.

First Day of School!!!

This summer went by quickly.  It seemed like I was in a constant state of packing and unpacking. Or playing referee. The boys grew restless and I could tell they were ready for some time away from each other, and me too. Berkley and Braden are both going to Highland Park this year.  It is so fun and different to have two boys in school.  Twice the supply list, twice the back to school clothes and twice the anticipation! We saw the teacher list the Saturday before school started and we were excited to see that Braden had friends in his class. Berkley didn't have the same luxury, but I don't worry about that kid making friends.  He and his cousin Jaci are next door to each other and that is a comfort for them.  Monday night we went to Meet the Teacher. It was crazy and busy.

The night before school we did Father's blessings and then headed to Cold Stone for a treat.  

 Our big 4th Grader going to Mrs. Matthew's class

 Our late bell rings before 8am, thus the tired eyes...

 And our Kindergartner! (Doing the sign for K). Excited about his teacher Mrs. Hickey

He was ready to go at 7:15 and could not wait to get out the door!

They both got new backpacks.  The backpack Braden got in Kindergarten finally broke the week school got out.  He insisted on having a larger size than that one so it would hold all his 'stuff.' I had to take this picture because it's fun to see them grow into them!

 And even tho it was only 7:30am it was blazing hot.  We are in the middle of a heat wave here. The kids can't even play outside for recess, yes, it's THAT HOT! 

Jill and Jaci drove over to go all together, so we loaded everyone up and headed to the school.  We dropped Braden off first. He is basically on the complete opposite side of the school of Berk.  I tried to take a picture after he put his backpack in line but he was off playing with friends before I could get the lens cap off!

 Walking to the Kinder gate.  Parents aren't allowed, so it was sorta nice to watch from the fence as they learned this new routine.

 Off they went, brave kids!

 And after they put their backpacks in line they went to explore for a minute.

 Jaci got a little teary, but hug from her mom fixed her up.

After the bell rang, the kids lined up and went in.  Jaci could' find her backpack and got flustered but her teacher found her and they were off!

After school we waited, melting to pick the kids up. Berk had their 'Welcome to Kindergarten' sticker and when I asked him to show it to me he did this... I love this blue eyed, freckled nosed boy.

 It's pretty fun having these two rascals at home all day, but Brenner starts preschool in September so then I'll just get to love on Boston! Aside from being super hot, the boys had a great first day! Here's to a successful 2012-13 school year!

End of the School Year...

After one of the busiest May's I can remember, it was finally time for the end of school.  This would be the end of Berkley's time at Montessori Learning Center in Mesa with Miss Christine, and the end of the 3rd Grade for Braden! Since both Braden's end of day and Berk's were at the same time Rusty and I split up duties. He got to go watch Berkley graduate and I got to pop into Braden's class and see them playing and getting ready for the end of the year.

 Braden and Mrs. Riddell.  She really got Braden, he excelled in her class and I really think he will be great in 4th grade because of her.

 Braden and his buddy Ethan, and more buddies playing games on the last day.

 Braden and Stratton (eyes closed dang it) had a blast being in the same class!

 I love the end of the year gifts that they made, tie-dye pillows that each kid thumb printed

 Miss Christine and Miss Nona and the graduating students including Berk and cousin Jaci.

Brenner had to have his picture taken with Christine too.  He is so excited for his own school! And Mr. Boston is always a hit with the kids when he comes in. I can hardly believe that in the Fall, Brenner will be with Miss Christine, Berk in Kinder and Braden will be a big 4th grader!