Sunday, September 27, 2009

Little Leopards

We enjoyed the Lafayette game with Mimi and Poppy last night. Carter had fun bouncing and got some face time with the leopard. Eli, also, enjoyed the moon bounce but his real passion is the game, the band and cheering on the home team. Thanks for the tickets, Poppy and Go 'Pards!!

Apple Picking

Brian and I took the kids apple picking on Friday. They had a blast and were so well behaved. I loved all the pictures that I took and couldn't pick.....so.....I put them all up. Enjoy!

Who knew that the incentive to receive a pumpkin would produce good behavior? It was the best $1.60 we've spent!
Already picked his!
Now choosing for his brother.






24lbs. of delicious!
Doesn't get any fresher than right off of the tree.


Adorable!

We baked a pie. YUM!


















The Start of School Updates

It seems that mommy needs to get back into the school routine and quick. Two and a half weeks have past and I am just now updating. The good news is that we all seem to be back into the swing of the things. Both boys are doing great and like school. Eli is a bit weepy at drop off but does just fine as soon as I am out of sight. Carter is Carter and still loves school! He likes his teachers, loves seeing all of his friends and is doing well per his teachers. (everything is a 'secret' when we ask so we have stopped asking. I rely on the teachers and the daily activity sheet to keep me abreast of what he is learning.) I have posted a sampling of artwork, plus there is a lot of art decorating the hallway leading to the boy's classrooms.

Elijah's art is first.Eli's themes have been the color red and learning about circles. He brought home this adorable piggy and has an equally adorable cow at school.
The picture doesn't do this backpack justice. It is so cute and the kids then colored pieces of paper with different items that you might put in a backpack on them...i.e. crayons, pencil eraser.
Next is Carter's art. In the last two weeks his class has learned about the letters A and B and also about the number 1. Color themes have been red and blue.



The topics in both the boy's classes are similar, the first week the topic was 'friends at school' followed by 'crayons, shapes, colors, counting and markers'. The past week they finished the topic of 'the farm' and coming up this week it will be all about 'apples' and 'Johnny Appleseed'. Check back next week for a new update.





Monday, September 21, 2009

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today Brian celebrates his 36th Birthday! Happy Birthday to our very best Daddy and Husband! May you have a wonderful day....we love you! xoxo
Enjoying some yummy cake and silly faces!



Wednesday, September 9, 2009

First Day of School~ Carter is a 'Senior'~ Elijah is a 'Tot'

Today the boys started school and what a great day it was! Both boys woke up early and pleasant and both were excited to get to school and start the new year. Brian and I dropped them off with no problems and no tears. (an extra bonus!) Below are some pictures. I did try very hard to get a picture of the two of them together but Eli was not cooperative and I didn't want to push it.

Carter happily poses. He was also chanting, "I'm a senior! I'm a senior! WOO-HOO! Let's get to school!!" Enthusiasm, that's what we like.

I caught Eli as we headed into school.
For some reason the water fountain is a huge deal and they have to get a drink from it on the way to class.

Carter starts class first and gets right back into the routine and hangs up his book bag. (Transformers, of course)
Eli patiently waits to start class and holds on to the picture that now hangs on his cubby.
Right at home and heading for the toys. Time for some free play.
Eli wasn't so sure and look a little confused as Brian and I leave him.
Ah, happy now! Enjoying a lollipop at the end of class.

Carter did great. His teacher, Mrs. Kavsak, told us that he had a great day with no problems. He was so happy to get back and see all of his old friends. He also told Brian and I that he snuck a hug and kiss to his girlfriend, Shayna. He was pretty secretive but did tell us that in addition to playing with old buddies, he made some new friends too. He also went on and on about how great it was to play on the school's playground.
Elijah did fairly well also. He was a bit weepy when we picked him up but Mrs. McAtee felt the tears were more out of frustration and not being able to communicate a particular want that he had. She indicated that up until that point he had a great day and played well with his peers. He, too, enjoyed the playground.
It is hard to believe that both of my babies are attending pre-school but time marches on and I look forward to a great year and to watching them grow and flourish!








Labor Day Weekend 2009

Labor Day has come and gone and I am left wondering where the summer has gone? We enjoyed a more relaxed summer this year and spent time close to home exploring local parks and paths and also doing some day trips. The ample rain kept Brian consistently mowing, something for which we are very thankful. All in all we had a good summer and ended it with a great Labor Day weekend.

On Friday we spent the day exploring the tow path that runs along the Delaware. We started in Easton and drove as far as the Durham locks exploring the path along the way. The boys were intrigued with the locks and directed us where to stop as we headed down Route 611.

Carter poses. He waited for the longest time to see a train pass through...no luck. Hopefully next time.
The boys take off exploring, leaving Brian and I behind. A sign of our future, I'm sure....I do LOVE this picture though.
Mommy and Carter.
My best boys.
We looked for turtles, frogs or fish...nothing! We did see many bees, grasshoppers, butterflies and birds.
Ain't no stoppin' him now!
Eli is always with his daddy!
We spent Saturday at my Aunt and Uncle's seasonal campsite. The boys always love going there as there is so much to do and see. Very relaxed and quiet, we had a great time!
Mommy and her little Eli button.
Brian and Carter check out the river that runs at the bottom of the campground.
We saw some beautiful deer grazing in the late afternoon sun. Brian and the boys were able to get pretty close and watched them for the longest time.
It looks like Eli is almost looking to see what sort of trouble he and Carter can get into.
Loving the fire just like his dad!

We also were lucky enough to spend time with Mimi, Poppy, Nini, Uncle Jeven, Aunt Julie and Uncle Chris! Time with family is truly the most wonderful thing!











Thursday, September 3, 2009

The New School Year is Upon Us...

Yesterday Carter, Eli and I headed to school to meet with their teachers and to see their rooms. This is old hat for Carter as this year will be his third and final year at Faith Lutheran Pre-School. Eli was excited to collect his "welcome to school" goodie bag and to check out the tots room, which has been enlarged to accommodate the students and give them more room to play and learn.
Carter will be in Mrs. Kavsak's room this year and she was quick to compliment Carter on his stellar performance during the June summer session. Mrs. Kavsak was very reassuring to me as I always have concerns! (I have got learn to let them go!) Carter will also continue to have his IU support teacher come twice a month to the school. Carter has shown a growing maturity over the summer and we are confident that this along with his willingness to learn will carry over and make for a great school year!
Elijah will be in Mrs. McAtee's class and is very excited to go to school. Since Mrs. McAtee has taught Carter the last two years, we have every confidence that Eli will have a great year and enjoy himself immensely. I am looking forward to watching him grow and spread his wings as he spends some much needed time away from me! We continue to have speech therapy for Eli once a week. Although it has been a slow process, it is going well and we are making progress. We welcomed Eli's OT back this month as well. She comes twice a month and is just here to help with some minor sensory stuff and some of the frustrations that Eli has. We continue to work toward our goals that have been set for Eli and we are so proud of how well he is working to meet those goals.
Next Wednesday the 9th is the first day of school...be sure to check back for pictures!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Feeding the Ducks

Carter and Elijah have been collecting every piece of stale bread, rolls, chips, pretzels and popcorn in the house and then depositing it into the 'duck bag'. This past Sunday we made a visit to our feathered friends at the duck stop with an overflowing bag of goodies. It was a blast! All ducks and no pesky geese!