Our First School Fieldtrip!

I don't know who was more excited about Brax's first school fieldtrip... me or him!
I got to go with him and I loved it! Here are some pics from their visit to the pet store up the road. We walked there, and the weather was fabulous!

Here is Brax "escorting" his girl classmate to their room in the morning!

They put their backpacks away...

Then potty and wash their hands...

Brax was calendar helper for the day. He loves using the pointer!

Off we went...
This is Brax's buddy Henry. His mom and I are friends too.

They got a pet Beta for the class!

2nd Day of School... With Camera!!

So I had it together on Day 2... and remembered to bring my good camera!

Giving sister a kiss good-bye.
Look how happy she is to get attention from him!

Humoring me with a couple poses.

Again, Brax didn't hesitate to venture into school with his teacher.


I love it when I pick him up and he runs out saying, "Momma!!!!"

Only 2 (or 3, depending on if we make him old for his grade) years until kindergarten...
This is going tooooooooo fast.

First Day of School

Believe it or not, but I forgot my camera on Brax's first day of school!
So these are w/ my iphone..

He didn't bat an eye as Miss Megan led him to the classroom!


Later that day...
We went for a walk.
Our neighbors gave us this scooter to try out!

Harper was as happy as a clam to be outside.

Weekend Review and Harper's First Swim

Playing outside after dinner...

Batting lessons from Dad.

Sword fight with Jace!

"I am LOVING this!"

Harper's first dip in the pool!

She was kicking her feet and moving her arms like crazy!

Isn't that a cute snuggy?

Getting brave... putting his face in (the lower half, anyway.)

Trying to "sink" Daddy


Brax was all over the big pool!
He told me to get out so he could do it by himself!
He just kept swimming in circles, going up to other kids and saying hi.

Watching Tom and Jerry with Dad

Pretty Baby

A First and a Photo Shoot

Yesterday was a big day for me...
Brax went on his first sleep over!
Mike took him to Aunt Laura's house around 10 am on his way to go golf out that way. He's golfing again today near Aunt Laura's, so he'll pick him up after nap.
That's over 24 hours away from me!!!! I could write a whole other post on the issues I have with "letting go." Let's just say that this was a huge step for me!

I teared up a bit after I went inside, but Brax could not have been more excited for his visit!

Got his snack for the car ride... He was good to go!

While the boys were gone, I had more time than I knew what to do with!
It was actually pretty nice to have some time where I wasn't feeling like I had to be entertaining and engaging with one kid or another.

I purged my closet and got rid of any clothes that remind me that my abs are not what they used to be. I painted Harper and I's toes purple (pics to come, if I remember to take one!), and we did a little photo shoot. Her hair looks SO red in some of these, but it's really not... I would love it if it were... I PAY to get my hair this color!

This one is my favorite... I love the surprised look on her face!

This isn't the greatest pic, but she was talking up a storm and it was so sweet!

We took a nap break...

Then we were back in action...

I love this one!! Look at those sparkly eyes.

Let Me Hold You Longer

I wrote a post once about how much I dislike "lasts." (Read it HERE)
Recently, I came across this book--"Let Me Hold You Longer" by Karen Kingsbury, and I am just in love with it. It totally describes (in heartwrenching poetic form) how I feel about lasts! I bet you can't read it without crying... (If you're a mom, anyway... I doubt my husband will be shedding any tears over this! HA!) I can't even really read it to Brax because I'll get all weepy, but I wanted to have it anyway!

Here are the words... You should also view the YouTube promo below to see the sweet illustrations... (Click anywhere on the video window after you have hit "play" to get it to open in a full screen.)

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips.
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you'd marry
me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past--
Would I have held on longer if
I'd known that they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last days of first grade.
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays gone passed.
So what about tomorrow--
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts.

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven't come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer--
want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I've watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you'll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you'll be missed.
I'll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.


***SNIFF SNIFF*** Do you need a tissue???

Buy it HERE


See it here:

HARPER ROLLS OVER!!!

On Tuesday (while I was at work *sniff*) I got a text from our nanny (Miss Noelle) telling me Harper rolled over! Well, since Brax took his sweet time and didn't roll over for what seemed like forever, I just assumed Harper would be the same. AGAIN, it is proven to me that they are SO different! At just under 3 months, Harper did, in fact, roll from her tummy to her back. I had to see it to believe it! I got the 4th roll on video when I got home from work on Wednesday nite.

Drum roll please.....
Here it is!!
P.S. After you hit play, click on the video box to make it full screen.
My blog layout cuts off half the small screen.

First Day Home...

Snuggling with Daddy.

Me looking hot multi-tasking with my two kids!

Harper helping Nana Star picking out some recipes to try!

Brax has been so sweet and gentle with his baby sister so far. He always says, "She's so TINY!"

Snug as a bug.