all about Simon.

They say the third child is a wildcard and I think I'd have to agree. While Simon is such a good mix of both Matt and I he is so uniquely him. And so different from the other kids. He has this huge personality that is really coming out now and it's hilarious and fun and amazing to watch. 

Take sports. He's obsessed. He talks about sports, wears sport clothes, reads books about sports, only watches sports on tv (seriously, you couldn't pay him to watch an episode of Sesame Street) and asks to play sports all.day.long. And, he's actually good at them! He's got quite the throw and is incredibly accurate in his aim.

So, when I had to run to the store for a few things the other day and saw this bat/ball set on a 90% off clearance sale I gave in, spent the $2 and put a big smile on his face. Yes, he already has 4 other bats, but....I'm a sucker.

And, then he proceeded to hold the bat nonstop all day. We compromised for nap time and I even let him sleep with it. Ha!

 He woke up, still clutching that silly bat in one hand and ball in the other and then fell asleep in my arms for a little longer.

 Later in the day it was time to walk to school to get the big kids. I wasn't about to let him swing a bat wildly around a huge group of elementary aged kids so luckily he was content with the ball.

 And then....he started preschool! We are trying a once a week preschool this year so I can run to work for a few hours (thanks to my incredibly supportive and flexible boss!) while he plays and learns a thing or two. It's the same school Carter and Lucy attended so Simon knows the teachers, the rooms and even a few of the kids. I was a little worried how he'd do at drop off since he doesn't always love being dropped off at church but this big kid jumped right out of the van, grabbed his backpack and took off running. I heard a "bye bye mama!" before he pushed the door right open and greeted his teachers. Easiest drop off ever. I was so stunned I just stood there for a minute before realizing I was free to leave and let him play. It's a long day for him but his teachers said he did great and played well with others. Yay Simon!

 I asked him if he was tired when I picked him up and he said yes but really wanted a snack. So I gave him some crackers in the car and about 10 seconds later I heard snoring. He was out cold. Preschool is exhausting when you are two!

Needless to say, this little one has captured the hearts of so many in his short life and I can't wait to see how this year unfolds. He's a wildcard, for sure.

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one week down.

We survived our first official full week of school and while everyone was exhausted, I think it was a pretty great week. Lucy is adjusting to her new teacher, friends, schedule, routine and classroom. Carter is enjoying his time back with school friends and Simon and I are having so much fun spending our days together. 

The bus has been running a little SO late in the afternoons. I've decided parent pick up is a much better option but on those sunny days it's sort of nice to let Simon play in the neighbors yards while we wait for the bus. He gets so excited to see it pull into the neighborhood and watch all the kids run on out.

 With a change in start times this year we have so much more time in the morning too. We are morning people and rise early every day so I'm determined to not have the kids just sit around until school starts. We've built forts, rode bikes in the cul-de-sac and walked to school to help get the wiggles out.

 With the big kids gone all day somehow I feel the need to tackle more projects. I wanted to rake some leaves in the backyard one morning while Simon played but I saw a giant weed on the side of the house. So naturally I thought, why don't I just weed THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE HOUSE?!? It was a bit crazy and I really wish I would have taken some before pictures of this crazy mess but I'm happy it's done now. Now I want to get new beauty bark and pea gravel and finally finish this part of the yard.

 Simon and I have loved going for walks and bike rides all week. Not sure what he's gonna think when all the rain returns this week and we can't spend our entire day outside.

 This weekend we celebrated the first week of school with the annual Ice Cream Social. This is one of the kids' favorite events at school and such a fun time to reconnect with old friends while finding new friends on the playground. It's a bit crazy with 20559485 small children all playing on the play structure and getting a sugar high from ice cream sundaes but we managed to keep an eye on all 3 kids and had a fun night. Lucy had another soccer game Saturday morning too!

 So....needless to say, after a full week of school, ice cream and soccer this girl was wiped out. We came home to eat some lunch before heading out for an evening with friends and I found her tucked into bed sound asleep. Poor girl. She is doing so well but I can't imagine how much change and learning her little body is having to do right now. A Saturday afternoon nap was the best choice!

 To round out the end of summer we met up with some of our closest friends for a farm to table dinner at a local, organic farm. It was complete with live music, dancing, a kids scavenger hunt, games, wine and beer garden, tractor rides and a full buffet dinner using locally grown food. The kids ran around, ate grapes straight from the vine, gobbled down blueberry cobbler and corn on the cob and watched all the farm animals wander around. We loved catching up with old friends and really embraced the last warm day of summer before the rain returned.

 And yesterday...it was all about fall! The wind and rain began, Seahawks played and I baked away. We got out the fall decorations, had chicken noodle soup for dinner and a homemade apple crisp for dessert. A pretty wonderful Sunday all around!

We have a busy week ahead. Simon gets to start preschool (thankfully only 1 day a week but...eek!), 2 curriculum nights at school, ninja classes, soccer, soccer pictures, my new work schedule, work trainings for Matt and more Seahawks. Whew...here we go!

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back to school we go!

The past 3 months might have been the most fun I've spent with my kids ever. Really. Truly. Yes there was screaming and shouting (from kids and adults alike), sand everywhere, long days, late bedtimes and uneaten snacks in every little corner. But there were fun beach days, memories as a family, weekend adventures and lazy days at home. I feel so lucky to get to spend so much time with my kids. I really do love them and love spending time with them. 

And now school has begun! It sort of snuck up on us with the weather still in the 70s and 80s not reminding us that fall is approaching. But these kids were ready, even when I kept secretly wishing they'd stay little just one more summer.

Carter is in 2nd grade and couldn't be more confident. His teacher is one of our neighbors and I'm so happy he's in her class. She has such creative curriculum and loves parent involvement so it'll be fun to be a part of a few projects in class.

We kept our back to school traditions. A special back to school book the night before, he got to choose any breakfast he wanted and we sang "Happy 1st Day of School" complete with candles (okay, so it's actually pretty ridiculous but they don't think so and if it keeps it magical then I'm all for it). Plus, Simon has been singing Happy Birthday constantly ever since, which is adorable.

Breakfast burrito and a green smoothie were the perfect start to the day!

I love his excitement for learning, his kindness and loyalty to friends and his confidence at school. He is going to do some great things this year and I can't wait to watch it all unfold.

Can we just stop and notice how much taller this giant child has grown in the past 2 years? Sheesh!

And then there is Lucy. My sweet Lucy Lu.  A little more than 5 years ago, just a few months after Lucy was born, I pleaded with Matt to make a change for our family. I had been working full time ever since Carter was born and now with 2 small babies at home I just wanted to spend more time with them. Matt agreed and wanted to move up in his career so the only natural choice was to move. We moved our family from the only community we had ever known to a new city and new house. I pushed myself to find a new community of friends and am often blown away at how much we've been blessed with during these past 5 years. 

With that move came the chance for me to reduce my work hours and be home with this sweet girl (and of course her brothers too!). I have absolutely loved spending my days with her. Lucy is my helper, my rule follower, my mini me. She loves to bake, clean, cuddle, read, play games, go for walks and shop. It's a match made in heaven. This past weekend I really wanted to celebrate her and her next adventure in kindergarten. We went swimming, went out for ice cream and cheered her on during her first soccer game of the season. Then, later she helped me get ready for a date night with Matt...completed by choosing my shoes and jewelry and holding the mirror just right so I could be sure my hair was looking perfect. Love this girl!

 Last night we packed lunches and read her special Night Before Kindergarten book. She's been a mix of nervous excitement the past few weeks but after this book she suddenly got so excited and ready for school.

 This morning she woke up so happy and eager to leave. Pumpkin pancakes and turkey bacon were her breakfast of choice before choosing a comfy dress for school.

 And of course, by complete accident, we matched with black and white stripes today. It was meant to be!

 We walked to school so I could wave goodbye as she followed her classmates to her classroom. She has an amazing teacher this year and knows a few kids in her class and many more in neighboring classrooms so recess will be a ton of fun! I could tell she was getting nervous just standing around waiting but put a brave smile on her face and off she went. I wanted to tear up and probably would have except Simon chose the perfect moment to have a meltdown because of hunger/tiredness/sadness and everything in between. I think watching Lucy leave was just as hard for him as it was for me! They may fight with each other but she truly is such a great big sister and playmate for him.

 He cried big tears as we walked away. Poor guy. I can't wait to hear all about her first day and would love to sneak by her room to see how she's doing. But I know she'll love it and grow and learn so much this year.
Happy back to school 2017!

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