Leaf Jumping

The huge oak tree in our backyard has been dropping leaves like crazy the past two weeks, making for some awesome jumping fun. My only hope is that this pile of leaves the boys crawled over, under and through didn't contain more than they bargained for (i.e. Lily poop).

First Day of School

Just look at those smiles. These two were ready for first grade and pre-kindergarten (being bribed with a quarter to take pictures helped too)! And what a difference a year can make (although funny how some things stay the same). I worked from home so I could get Lucas on the bus but promised I would meet him at Eden Lake and walk him into the school, at his request. How many more years will he want me to do that?! He walked into the school gymnasium, asked where Mrs. Iversen's class was, and walked away without a backward glance…or goodbye. Clearly, he felt good about things.

He opted to go to the YMCA after-school program. It's another stop at night (ugh!), but I get it. He wants to stay and play with his friends. I picked him up pretty early the first day and his response was, "Are you going to pick me up this early every day?" It wasn't said in a 'I want you to pick me up this early every day' way but more like 'that wasn't much time to play with my friends way!' Last year, he was so emotionally spent after day one (he barely made it off the bus). I remember getting home, going into the bedroom and rocking him until he had calmed down. Also, he was exhausted. First grade…not so much! He knows the school, knows the routine, gets the lunchroom chaos, and has established friendships. He may not enjoy the reading and star words practice, but he's got this thing!

William was excited for his first day of pre-kindergarten for a few reasons. He was reunited with his favorite friend, Wyatt. Those two are attached at the hip! Also, he was excited to get a new Primrose backpack. He has the same teachers Lucas had two years ago, and we really enjoy both of them! It's going to be a fun year for our William.

Lucas Goes to First Grade

As I helped Lucas get ready for bed tonight, I couldn't help but think of Lucas at age one and how the school years felt so far away…like too far to comprehend, like they would never happen to us. But now here we are, the night before first grade, and it seems like the years are going faster and faster. Last night I said to Leo, "Lucas will graduate from high school in 12 years, and it makes me sick to my stomach." And it really does…the fact that this boy who first made me a Mom and whom I love more than words can describe is going to grow up and leave me (in 12 short years), really does make me feel a little bit ill. Leo's response was to roll his eyes, of course. But I know that as fun, exciting and challenging as the next 12 years are going to be, they are going to go just as fast as the last 6 years did.

Lucas rocked kindergarten, and he is going to rock the first grade. The boy works hard, plays hard and is a loyal friend. I am his biggest fan.

Halloween 2013

My superheroes

The boys loved dressing up as superheroes this year, and I loved finding each of them a superhero costume. I wonder how many years I will be able to keep up a theme for my three boys?!? We all ventured out for a little trick-or-treating, but Eli and I were ready to head home long before the other two. When they finally called it quits, their treat bags were bulging with candy, and they were eager to dive in. 

Anything for a Quarter

Lucas didn't have school on Friday, so I decided to pack the boys up and head home for the weekend. It didn't take Grampa long to put Lucas and William to work picking up sticks in the yard. These two were more than eager to dive into some manual labor when they knew they would each get a quarter as a reward!

My Boys

All Aboard The Apple Express

Spending the afternoon at Minnetonka Orchards has become one of my favorite fall traditions. The boys must enjoy the day too since Lucas asked several times over the summer if we could go pick apples again this year. Even though we bypassed apple picking (hail destroyed most of the crop this summer), we still had a great time at the orchard.

The Monkey Bars

Working so hard to master the monkey bars at his new school.

Kindergarten

Lucas...kindergarten...it is so hard to believe my oldest boy is in school. The more I reflect on everything Lucas accomplished last week, the more proud of him I become. From getting on the bus the first day of school to memorizing his lunch pin, he handled the start of kindergarten as well as could be expected.

He looked tiny getting on that big, yellow school bus with his Batman backpack weighing him down, not knowing another person, not knowing where he was going, and not knowing what he should do when he got there. But he did it without complaint. He hopped on the bus so fast Tuesday morning I didn't even have time to cry (I did that over the weekend). I met the bus at the school the first morning. Lucas spotted me as soon as the bus pulled into the lot, and he jumped off with a big smile on his face. We made our way to the gym hand-in-hand to meet his teacher. As he sat down with the other kids, he was quiet and looked overwhelmed by the noise and unfamiliar faces. That look intensified over the course of the day, and when he got off the bus Tuesday afternoon, I could see he was mentally and emotionally exhausted.

Each day has gotten a bit easier, though, for both of us. We are settling into this new routine, and I am so proud of my boy.

Bald Eagle Lake

We kicked off the month of September with the Carpenter family on Bald Eagle Lake for some end-of-summer pontooning / fishing / swimming fun. Lucas was ecstatic when he caught his first fish, and Calvin enthusiastically yelled, "ta-da!" each time he got a fish in the boat. Lucky for the boys, the fish were hungry for worms and continued to bite most of the morning. William and Kadence didn't get nearly as excited about the fish as they did about the snacks on board. We now know that cheese sticks can provide three-year-olds much entertainment and fun.

Change

Lucas starting kindergarten hit me hard when I picked him up after his last day at Primrose. He has loved this school, adored his teachers and made many friends. I'm guessing I wasn't the only Mom with tears in my eyes this week, watching my child say his last goodbyes. He gave and got so many hugs on his last day, and I had to smile when he told some of his favorite teachers that he would come back to give them hugs once in a while. I am so thankful they took such good care of my boy during the hours that I couldn't be with him.

Wasp Encounters

The boys were enjoying some Friday night fun at Lone Lake Park when I spied something strange attached to the bottom of the slide. When I ventured closer to check it out, I discovered a wasp's nest. Three or four of the mean little buggers flew straight at me. I thought I was a goner for sure but managed to escape without any wasp stings. Needless to say, we left that area of the park as soon as I could round the boys up.

School Haircuts

The big boys got back to school haircuts this week. They will do anything for a sucker!

My Boys

They adore their baby brother (for now). It looks like the feeling may be mutual.

The Last Day of Year Four

Today was your last day of being four. You couldn't have been more excited. I'm not sure how many times you told me you love having a birthday. You can't wait to open presents, eat lunch at Chuck E. Cheese, feed the ducks at Centennial Lakes, and blow out the candles on your birthday brownie tomorrow. It is sure to be an amazing day!

What I want to remember about you at age four is what an awesome big brother you are. You and William have your battles (plenty of them), but I also see a side of you that loves to teach him how things are supposed to be done. When the two of you play nicely together, it is so fun to watch (until it inevitably ends in a fight). While you and William are rough and tough, you are so very gentle with baby Eli. You love that baby boy to pieces.

I want to remember how you are so into super heroes. Your favorite changes on just about a weekly basis. This Mom has become more familiar than she ever thought she would with the likes of Spiderman, Batman, Ironman, He-Man, and The Incredible Hulk.

I want to remember how you love to play games of Candyland. You have even become okay with Mom and Dad winning a game every now and then.

I want to remember how you learned to love riding your bicycle this past spring and now enjoy zipping countless circles around the tennis court.

I want to remember how you love to give hugs and kisses and either sit in a lap or next to a lap. I know that all too soon you are going to be 'too big' for such behavior.

I want to remember how you love to randomly yell for your Dad and me and then respond with an, "I love you."

I want to remember how you love big numbers, especially infinity.

I want to remember how you love to draw, paint and complete art projects. You are so proud of the masterpieces you create.

I want to remember how you love to play games of Monster and Hide-n-Seek.

I want to remember how you love to wear your goggles and blow bubbles in the bathtub.

I want to remember how you repeatedly ask if we can go on vacation next year...to India, where so many of your school friends have gone to visit family.

I want to remember how you request cinnamon rolls or caramel rolls for breakfast EVERY weekend.

I want to remember how you count down to anticipated events by number of sleeps.

I want to remember how you love to show us your growing independence on a daily basis, whether it be getting the mail or mastering a new climber at the park.

I want to remember how you repeatedly tell and show us how big and strong and fast you are getting.

I want to remember how you love to act silly and make us laugh.

Welcome to five, Lucas Bambucas. I just know you are going to rock this year and all it has planned for you.

Loving on Eli

Boy Mom...Enough Said

Baby Brother's Fan Club

Crosslake Camping

It was a lot of work this year with a newborn and a crazy Westie but worth it to see the big smiles on your faces.

We're Going on a Bug Hunt

Happy Birthday, Calvin! We had such a fun time hunting for bugs and other creepy crawlies with you.