Happy Birthday to You!

Today is Daddy's birthday! We wish you the happiest day ever and love you very much!! Happy 37!

Official Roadrunner

I love this picture! It is his happiest, cheesiest smile! Thank you to all our family and friends for checking in. Carter is really enjoying school so far. He loves the bus and music class and has even made some new friends. All is great and we have adjusted just fine, especially Elijah, who is not missing Carter in the least! Continue to check back for school updates.

1st Day of Preschool

To infinity and beyond! A new journey begins....

Today Elijah began a new preschool year as a junior. We got Carter on the bus at 7:42am and by 7:45am, Elijah had strapped on his back pack and was ready to go! We held him off until about 8:30 (class begins and 9:15) and he then settled for a little ride before going to the school. He was so happy to his old friends from last year, but was a little confused that he was no longer in the Tots room. Not to worry, once Mrs. McAtee opened the door he was the first one in and was playing when Brian and I left him. I thinks it's going to be a GREAT year!

1st Day of Kindergarten

He did it! Today Carter went to kindergarten and everything went great. He was so excited to ride the bus. He told us very little except that his teacher seemed nice and he had fun exploring his room. Today was a modified day, so I am very curious to see how tomorrow goes. It will be his first full day and he will leave at 7:42am and not be dropped off until 2:35pm....Holy Cow! Something tells me he will be exhausted when he finally arrives home!

Our big boy waiting for the bus.

Carter and Joey...bus riding buddies.
I love this picture! Carter (and Elijah) is so lucky to have Nini, Mimi & Poppy and Nanny & Pappy.

Brian and I with all the boys.

Carter and the Torrisi family.

For those of you wondering...I did pretty well. I was able to hold myself together and cried only a few tears as the bus pulled away.

So long...see you later!

BIG EXCITING Changes on the Horizon

It seems hard to imagine but somehow Summer has flown by in the blink of an eye and the Autumn season is on our doorstep. We had a fantastic summer and enjoyed every minute, but now we are preparing for the change of season and some new and exciting changes.

Tomorrow morning Carter will officially become a student at Shafer Elementary (the same school that mom and Uncle Jeven attended) as a kindergartner. I knew this day was coming....but this quickly??

By all accounts, he seems ready. There are still some areas that we need to focus on but Carter is eager to please and to learn, so I have no concerns at all. The focus and enthusiasm remain on the school bus ride, making new friends and meeting his teacher. He seems to understand all the big changes and responsibilities that are coming his way. This is a full time program, so we have been working hard on memorizing his account number for purchasing lunch, reviewing all of the new things he will be learning, and exploring the school building so he is familiar with the library, art room, cafeteria, gym and his classroom.

Carter's attendance of the Jumpstart program has seemed to help make for a comfortable transition as well.

I fully expect many tears but knowing that our boy is so excited and always rises to any and all challenges in his path makes the tug my heart feels just a bit easier! Stay tuned for pictures!!

Onto our Elijah.....

First, let's talk potty training! All summer I worked on potty training and all summer he resisted. No amount of bribery or promises could convince this kid to use the potty! I had given up all hope and accepted that he would begin pre-school in pull ups, and then two weeks ago he decided it was time! One morning, out of the blue, Eli asked for underwear and the rest is history.

Elijah has also had a huge leap in his speech and seems to be saying more and more daily and is much more willing to try new sounds and words. I look forward to him beginning regular speech sessions again along with pre-school.

Now onto pre-school....this year Elijah will be a junior. He is very excited to go back and can't wait to see Mrs. McAtee and his old friends from last year's class. I am so excited to see how he is going to do this year. Last year he took more of a backseat to the others and was very quiet but he has since developed a more confident personality and can communicate much better, so I think that he will really flourish this year.

It is truly amazing to me how much Carter and Elijah have grown. Brian and I continue to be so very proud of our boys and look forward watching them grow this year and every year after. Continue to check back on us for pictures and updates! Happy Fall everyone!

Sunny Days... Chasing the Clouds Away.....

We recently enjoyed a trip to Sesame Place. We didn't tell the boys were we where heading off to, just said that we needed to "run errands". I loved seeing their faces when they realized our destination. Carter proclaimed that "he knew along we were coming to Sesame Place"!, but he and Elijah both were so surprised and we had a great time! Enjoy our pictures with our new friends and the fun stuff we did!

Driving the firetruck at the station on Sesame Street.

Riding the carousel.

C is for cookie....Cookie Monster!

Relaxing on Sesame Street.

Just hanging around the street.

Who doesn't want to hang with Bert and Ernie. This is my fav from the day.

My boys with Big Bird.

Elmo's world!!

Face time with Oscar.

Carter, Elijah and The Count pose for Poppy. I loved that Elijah told The Count that he was Poppy's favorite!

Exploring the stores on Sesame Street.

SCRAM! One last pose with Oscar before leaving.

Who Knew?.....

...certainly not me. I came up from the basement the other day to find Elijah doing THIS across the room.