Back To School & Birthday Fun!

I can't believe it's September already!  This essentially means it's fall in my books, though the 90 degree temps would suggest otherwise.  Not only is today Auntie Anna's birthday, but it was also the first day of school for BOTH boys.  I have to blame my lack of Auntie Anna birthday party pictures on my pure exhaustion.  Sorry, Auntie!  We will love you!

Last week, the boys had "meet your teachers" at school.  It took Ben about 15 minutes before the sunglasses came off, but after that it was smooth sailing.

Ben cautiously explored his new room, while Josh was ready to play the second he walked through the door.  

Today was their actual first day at school.  They were so good in humoring me for some pictures this morning.  

I just looked back at this post from last year and I realized that I did a much better job documenting things last year.  Again, I blame it on fatigue!  

Ben was so, so, so excited to leave for school this morning.  He was up by 6:15 and school didn't start until 9:30, so that left plenty of time for him to ask, "can we go to school now?" over and over and over.  He got new school shoes over the weekend and was even requesting to wear a tie.  He is really in to ties these days, but we ultimately decided that it was too hot for a tie today. :)  It was, however, perfect weather for the boys to wear matching shirts! ;)

Josh fell asleep in the car, so he wasn't even awake when we left him!  I was SO sad.  SO SAD.  It was the closest I came to crying but I was able to hold it together.  I felt like we were just abandoning him with strangers!  I didn't want him to wake up to people he didn't even know.  Thankfully, his teachers said he did wonderfully!  He is just starting to have some stranger anxiety, so I was relieved that he had such a great day. 

We all dropped Josh off and then went back to Ben's room.  Ben did a great job choosing the perfect spot to nap.  There are 2 rooms of 2 year olds, and there is a separate room where they all nap.  The penguins on the red mats and the monkeys on the blue!

He hung up his school bag on the dog hook.  He's the dog 2 years in a row, lucky dog!

He smiled at his old friends.

And he even smiled for a picture with momma.

It wasn't until Andy and I were walking out the door that the tears started to flow!  According to Ben, he only cried for a little bit, so that's good.  I know he loves school, so I'm sure it will just take a week or 2 for him to get used to it.  

I would write more but remember, I'm TIRED!  Goodnight!

Soaking Up SUMMER!

It feels like fall outside today and I'll admit that Ben, Josh, and I bought some fall candles and soap this weekend, but we are still trying to make the most of our last few weeks of summer!  Andy had "immersion week" where he had to stay at school for the whole week (starting on my birthday), so needless to say we are really excited to have him back!  Ben woke up asking for Andy every morning and he would ask for daddy every night before bed.  He wanted to "drive in our mini van to go get him."

I had Ben and Josh's back to school night last week, and it got me in the "back to school" mode.  I've always loved back to school shopping!  Ben was actually really in to shopping when it came to buying things for him.  "Do these fit me, momma?"  "Is this my size?"  "I like these shoes momma, should I try them on?"

He was supposed to be picking out a book for Maddie, but he got a little distracted.

Joshy was such a good little shopping buddy too!  Well, as long as he had his golf ball in hand.

Yesterday, we celebrated Maddie's 3rd birthday!  Ben has been in birthday party heaven lately, and I can't wait for his party in a few weeks!

Speaking of birthdays, I also had an awesome birthday this year!  We decided to check out a new mini bowling place for my birthday and it was a blast.  Ben sort of took over the whole thing, but no one seemed to mind.  

Feeling so blessed to have had another wonderful year with my sweet family!  

Andy and I were even able to sneak out for a birthday dinner and drinks.  I love this guy!  We are such creatures of habit.  We went to dinner at the same place we went like 4 nights earlier and then went to our favorite little wine bar.  I'm obsessed with the parmesan truffle popcorn.  The evening was perfection!

On my actual birthday, we went to visit my grandma.  Ben wasn't on his greatest behavior for the occasion, but I think (great) grandma enjoyed the company!  She sure loves my boys and they definitely love her too!

We also did a little swimming last weekend and it was heavenly as well.  

This summer has been great and I'm not trying to chase it away, but I am really excited for fall.  I think Ben is too.  Andy suggested that Ben wear a long-sleeved shirt this morning because it was on the cooler side, and Ben said, "is it fall now? Are the leaves changing colors?  Is it going to snow?  Can I wear my boots and mittens and snow pants and hat and…what else should I wear?"  I look forward to fall every year, but I know I will miss eating outdoors, going to the farmer's market, regular zoo trips, and not having to wear all of the above mentioned winter accessories.  

The back to "school" countdown is ON!  Both of the boys are going 2 days a week this year.  I hope that Ben loves his new teachers as much as he loved his old teachers.  I hope that Joshy does well too.  He's been in such a good routine lately; I hope that continues!  He is such a happy, mellow baby, so I'm guessing that he will just go with the flow.  And let's hope that Ben doesn't regress in his potty training skills when he goes back to school!  We do enough laundry as it is! ;)