Happy

We are very happy.

Boys are doing well in school.  They both just seem to love it.  They both love their teachers and are filled with excitement.  Austin has homework just about every night and now that there is a good routine he doesn't seem to mind.  He has spelling words every night, lightening words (where you have to quickly read the words and are timed, reading and one math sheet.  Austin has taken off with the reading!  I'm just so proud of him that I can't even begin to tell you.  It's like something clicked.

John David has popcorn words at school, so they work on 2-4 words each week, that are constantly showing up that week during the lessons.  Well, while we are reading John David is pointing out his popcorn words.  It's great.  I just know soon we are going to have 2 awesome readers on our hands.

We just love our neighborhood.  The boys are always outside playing with the kids in the neighborhood.  They ask to look outside to see if they are outside playing and quickly run outside.  What amazes me, is that our neighbors are a little bit older than our boys, but that doesn't seem to matter.  John David can hold is own when playing football and they both have really gotten into playing hockey which is great because they all seem to like it.  Kevin and I have loved having the basketball hoop because it gives us something to do when they are outside playing with their friends.  Kevin and I have enjoyed playing HORSE and PIG, although I don't think I've won a game yet, but I do give Kevin some competition.  Boys are loving playing basketball too.  It truly has been great.  We have also noticed that our neighborhood likes to decorate for Halloween. It's crazy, we have put up a sign and some pumpkins and that's about it, but I'm sure next year, it will be different and I can't even imagine the decorations when it comes to Christmas time!  I can't wait.  Although, we will need to go buy some outside decorations.

We had a great time at the Red Raiders game a few weeks back.  It would have been better if it wasn't cold though, the boys weren't too happy.  Next time we go when it's a little chilly out we will be more prepared with blankets, we were bundled with hats, gloves and coats, but were still cold.  John David even saw his teacher, which made him so excited!  I think Kevin really enjoyed going to the game, although it might be another year or two before they can handle a Michigan game!  It was just great being out with all of the excitement.

Buster is happy too.  When we are outside in the front, he needs to be with us.  If he's not, you can hear him barking by the garage door and jumping on the door.  We have to be careful, because he has been known to lock us out.  Good thing, the back door was open or we would have been in trouble.  So we just let him out front with us, on his leash and he just loves the attention he gets from all of the kids. 

We have been enjoying the fall weather.  We went to Goeberts and the boys had a blast with their friends, we got pumpkins that we are looking to carve tonight, Kevin is enjoying his Pumpkin Spiced Latte and we are all enjoying Apple Cider Donuts!

Football is now over for John David.  It was more of a basic type class which was too basic for Johnny. It seems as though he got more out of playing with the neighbors than the class.  Next year, it'll be different though, maybe flag, we'll see.  He has a great spiral, can catch the ball and can even punt it.  It's just crazy that you give him a ball and he knows what to do with it.  We were at the park and a high schooler was there with a friend with their lacrosse sticks.  Next thing I know, John David picked up a stick and was catching and throwing.  Just crazy at how natural he is with balls.

Austin started Karate and he is loving it.  He got is gi 2 weeks ago and looking more official.  And he is starting basketball next month, hoping he likes that as he loves shooting hoops outside.


 Our little munchkins sure do keep us busy and we are enjoying it.

Back to School

It's hard to believe that summer is over and that school has started.  With all of the anticipation of school coming, it's hard to believe it's finally here.

Friday was the boys last day of Day Care.  It was definitely surreal.  I really LOVED this daycare.  Austin and John David went in there after running the old daycare and this place quickly whipped them into shape.  No not literally, but they definitely were strict!  After nearly 2 years here, it was so bittersweet to say goodbye.  The boys absolutely loved their teacher and were in tears as we drove away.  I felt horrible.  Before we left, they each gave the kids a hug and hugged their teachers and it made me smile knowing how much they were loved. Thank you Learning Tree for teaching my kids, guiding them and most importantly loving them.

I took Monday and Tuesday off before school started.  We went on a Chicago adventure with grandma on Monday.  We went to Maggie Daley park and visited the Bean.  The boys love Chicago. They love looking at the tall buildings, pointing out the taxi's and buses and watching the hustle and bustle.   On Tuesday, we went out with friends and enjoyed the day and had John David's last t-ball practice!

Austin had a great first day.  He got on the bus, and had THE BIGGEST GRIN on his face as he drove away.  The excitement in his wave made the drop off easy.  As we walked away, John David started crying.  Just like last year when we dropped him off.  And just like last year, I didn't anticipate it.  I knew I would be sad, but not Johnny.  We got home and played and he was much better.  That kid wore me out.  We played with his stuffed animals, played catch, got my new license, picked up some stuff at Aldi, went to breakfast, mini golfing, made Austin cookies, played more catch and went to the park!  I'm exhausted just writing it.  I just wanted to make his last day special with mommy.  And was it!

Austin came home loving first grade.  His teacher gave him a Popsicle.  The way to a kids heart--Popsicles!  He said he loved it.  He ate most of his lunch, and ate the rest when he got home.  After the cookies of course. He talked about his day and was looking forward to going back.  He was a bit crabby before dinner as to be expected and was in bed by 7:30.  

John David has a great first day too.  We took him to the bus and when the bus got there, he didn't even look back.  He got on the bus, just like he was suppose to.  I waited for the bus to leave and saw Austin in the window seat. Again, big smile and a big wave, and I saw him tell John David to look out the window and I saw a big smile from him and a big wave.  I just know my Austin was looking out for his brother.  We met John David at school.  He knew we were so I'm hoping that's why he didn't even think to give me a hug goodbye.  We waited outside his room for him.  He looked so small in the hallway as he was walking down it.  It was important for him to do the bus the first day so he would be use to it.  All of the parents were in the hallway waiting for the kids to make sure they got in the room.  We walked him in.  Right away, "good morning, Ms. ____  Just hearing him say her name is so sweet.  We went to his seat, made sure he was good and gave him a great big hug.  He said, "Mommy, daddy wait", Oh no I thought to myself, he came up and said "one more hug", gave us a hug, and sat back down and say "bye mommy and daddy"  No tears, what a big boy he was is.  I got home from school, and went to work.  Wow, was it quiet.  I could hear myself think and Buster snore.  The day dragged on.  I was working like a bee but as expected kept thinking what is Johnny and Austin doing now.  The bus was late dropping, as to be expected, making sure everyone gets on the right bus, and that was the hardest wait.  Just wanted to see how their day was!  We got them and drove to get ice cream and talk about John David's first day.  He loved it of course and couldn't wait to go back.

Now, I officially have 2 kids in school.  The fun has begun, making lunches, checking the backpack daily, emails from teachers, spelling words start this week and homework soon, I'm sure.

They are ready to learn and fly. 

John David goes to Kindergarten

Dear John David,

Can you believe it?!?!  It's time to go to Kindergarten, and you are so ready for it.  We picked out all of your school supplies, bought new shoes, laid out your outfit, went to your classroom and met your teacher.  It's time, and boy are you excited, and yesterday for the first time before bed, you said you were a little nervous.  Let me fill you in on a little secret, I'm nervous too.  I have this pit in my stomach, will you get on the bus, will you cry, or will you just go and not look back?  I will be strong for you, I promise, but as daddy and I walk away from the bus stop, I will have tears.  You see, you are my baby, my last born and this is the last first day of Kindergarten I will have and it makes me a tiny bit sad.  You are just growing way too fast.  Stop it.  Okay? 

I really enjoyed our date yesterday.  It was important for me to spoil you as much as I could.  Thank you for not suggesting we go to the toy store ;-)  I enjoyed going out to breakfast with you and going mini golfing.  Great job on the hole in one!  Playing catch will you is one of my all time favorites!  I remember playing catch with my dad and enjoying it too.   And you rocked making cookies (I'll take credit now, for your future wife, yes I'm teaching him to cook, you're welcome, ladies).  Austin was so surprised and excited to sit at the table and talk about his first day with you, me and daddy while eating cookies.  We will talk about your day too, but we are going out for ice cream :-)

You loved getting a call from your teacher yesterday.  How sweet was that?!?!  Too bad we missed her, but she called us three times.  When we tried to call her back, how you said her name was so sweet in the voicemail.  I just love your sweet voice.  I just love you!

So, as you go to Kindergarten today and I want to give you some advice.  Much I like I did Austin on his first day.

• Make sure you sit and are quiet on the bus.  I want you to get to school safely.
• Listen to your teacher, she has a lot to say, she may be teaching you something important, or may be telling you something funny
• If you need to go to the bathroom, please lift the toilet seat up.  No one wants to see any pee pee on the seat.
• Wash those hands, count to 20 or sing a song in your head, not out loud.
• I know how much you love to sing the songs you hear in the car, please please please do not sing Shut up and dance with me.  While it's super cute to hear you sing that, it's not appropriate at school and you may get in trouble for saying shut up.
• Meet new friends.  
• I know you like to be funny, there is a time and place for it, so look at your surroundings.  If your teacher is giving you the look, you know "the look"  stop and wait for recess.
• Oooh this one is important, listen up.  Eat quick!  You only have 20 minutes to eat.  So as Miss Diana says, "talk a little, eat a little, talk a little, eat a little"  
• Have fun!
• And learn!

Kindergarten is so much fun and you are going to have a blast.  We can't wait to hear about your first day.

I love you to the moon and back.  You are my number one favorite surprise! 

Have a great first day buddy.  Enjoy the bus ride, enjoy learning, meet new friends and fly!

Love,
Mommy

Summer is ending

I'm sitting here, feeling a little bit emotional, thinking about how my boys are gearing up for Kindergarten and 1st grade.  I'm thinking back to when I first found out I was pregnant, to their birth day, all of their firsts, and it is just a bit overwhelming.  I just can't believe how fast they are growing.  And it's great.  I really do love the stage we are at,  I'm still "cool", they don't need me every second of the day, but I admit, I miss miss miss, holding them and rocking them.  I'm lucky that they love to give me hugs and kisses and we do have our little bedtime routine which is pretty amazing.  But, I look down the road, and I'm definitely NOT ready for what I see.  So, can we just please hit the pause button for a little bit.  Please.

Climbing to the top with Daddy

The boys are adapting very well to our new house.  They absolutely love it here.  They have a pretty cool play room, where we are trying to keep the toys.  And they have pretty awesome rooms.  One thing that Austin said when we were driving there on moving day still makes my heart melt.  John David said something like, "we are own our way to the new house" and Austin said, "No, John David, we are on our way home." So sweet. 

One thing we did not anticipate was the difference in temperatures upstairs vs downstairs.  It's pretty cool downstairs but pretty hot upstairs, we have been sleeping with the ceiling fans and even slept with the window open when it was cool outside. I do look forward to sleeping with the windows open when it's fall outside.  All nice and cozy in my bed with the cool air coming in. 


John David has been loving t-ball and he is a star.  He has quite the arm and is always asking Kevin and me to play catch outside.  He's even starting to catch.  He has his own bat and brings his bag to t-ball.  I think he loves it.  He does awesome with the ground balls too.  We are definitely proud of him.

Austin has mastered the monkey bars.  He has successfully gone across.  He has quite the serious look on his face as he is doing it, but the big smile on his face afterwards are great.  We joke that he will be on American Ninja Warriors because he loves creating these obstacles at the park.  And now he can add monkey bars to it.  He also loves the show!

Austin has a huge heart.  Lately at daycare, he has been making bracelets with one of his friends, we even got him his own kit.  Toy day is on Tuesday and every Tuesday he would come home with 3-4 bracelets on his wrist.  His friend Dana made them for him.  Dana this, Dana that.  So one day, he tells me, he is going to Dana's house on Saturday.  Ok buddy, how are you going to get there, maybe I should talk to Dana's mom, maybe we can set something up, you know the drill.  So I give Austin my number on a piece of paper, so he can give it to Dana, so she can give it to her mom, so we can talk.  The chances of my number ending up in Dana's moms hand is SLIM, I know.  I told the teacher, so she knew why I was giving my number.  Austin's teacher said, "Austin, didn't tell you?"  So apparently, Dana was moving to Texas in 9 days.  I pick up Austin from school, and say, "Hey buddy, how come you didn't tell me that Dana was moving to Texas?"  "Oh yea, no problem mom, we'll just drive there".  Poor guy doesn't know its not a quick drive.   Fast forward to this morning, Dana's last day was on Tuesday.  We are driving to daycare.  "Mommy, are we going to get on a plane to go to Texas? ..... On Saturday?"  He was legitimately upset, when I told that we were not going to Texas.  Poor guy and his little sad heart.  I feel for him.

Almost at the top with Daddy

John David is a comedian, he's always coming up with the funniest things.  I woke up with a stiff neck.  I asked Austin to get me an ice pack, thinking he would bring me, my blue or green one.  Nope, he comes back with a frog one.  I ask Austin, "what do you think the people at my work will say when I show up with this frog ice pack.  Austin thought this was funny and had a huge smile on his face.  John David was a few feet away putting on his shoes and says "Ribit"  -----Where does he come up with this stuff!?!?!



All is good with us!  We are very happy in our new house, we are getting ready for school to start in 2 weeks (seems really late this year) so stay tuned to see how the boys first days of Kindergarten and First grade go.  I truly can't believe we are here....they say it flies by, and when you are in it you don't think so, but when elementary school rolls around, you really start to see it! 

Happy 5th birthday, John David

Happy birthday to my little man, John David.  Today you are 5 and such a cute 5 year old you are!  Mommy and Daddy are so lucky to have you in our lives.  You are so much fun and you teach us so much.  Your smile lights up the room, your laugh is contagious and your generosity is so natural.

You have all of us cracking up.  You are such a funny kid.  Grandpa thinks you're going to be the class clown.  You're always making these funny faces and sounds and you love a good knock knock joke!

I was looking at my birthday post from last year and a lot of it is the same.  I was looking at your favorite foods and while I have some to add, you still enjoy all of the food you ate last year.  You still like your blankets a certain way on your bed at bedtime and you still change your nightly routine.  You love balls, throwing, catching, rolling, kicking, shooting, all things balls.  And you still love to make pancakes with grandma and make daddy and me our morning coffee.

You love tacos!  Last year it was cheese roll ups, and now it's tacos, with meat, cheese and sour cream!  And you can eat!  You like the rice that goes with the tacos.  Let's talk about your sandwiches!  You like and I still think this is gross, Mayo, mustard and cheese sandwiches!  EWWWW.  Put that turkey back on ;-)  Sometimes, you'll eat the turkey, sometimes you don't, I guess it all depends on the mood you're in.  You love love love daddy's cheeseburgers (I agree, they are the best in the world), spaghetti, sausage, brats.  I make crunchy pork and chicken and you stick your nose up at it, but once you eat one piece, you say you like it.  You just gotta try it and if you don't want it, that's fine, but just try it!  You never know, you just may love it.

This year, t-ball is going to be awesome.  Last year was awesome!  But I swear, you just have a way with the balls.  We can play catch and that is so much fun!  And the best part is daddy is going to be a coach!  Woot woot!  And I can't wait for you to open up Austin's present to you.  Spoiler alert, it's a big boy bat.  One you can bring to t-ball.  And we got you sports bedding.  After all when we move next month, your room is all ready a sports room, so it's perfect for you!  I can write this because, one you won't be seeing this before you open your present after school and 2 you can't read quite yet.

But you know all of your letters and numbers and are starting to read words here and there.  You have been having fun playing sight word bingo and the new game grandma got for you and Austin, Zingo!

You love playing games on the computer at school, and my phone and i pad.  You have been playing daddy at Mini Golf on the phone.  That game is quite addicting!  I've been playing it too.  You like playing I spy, and Morgan taught us a new car game too.  Alphabet, where you look out the car and look for things that start with the letters in the alphabet. I rocked it ;-)  and you will too!  Grandma got you Don't break the ice so that will be fun.  And let's not forget about Infinity with all of your guys.  You and Austin love playing together and I think  know daddy loves watching you!

You are going to have a bunch of nicknames.  We call you John David, or John, then you have JD, Johnny, Johnny boy blue, Johnny Longsleeves (why, because you always want to wear longsleeves, even now that it's hot outside), the names keep coming.   I really miss when Austin called you on babid.  And then of course, I miss when you called Austin, utin.  You boys are really growing before our eyes.

You love making things and coloring.  You like putting your letters in envelopes and giving them to us.  You like taping your pictures to the wall.  I think instead of bedding for your room, we should have gotten you tape and paper!  You are very creative with all the things you make.

At the park, you love the swing!  You love when I push you, I think you could swing for hours.  You also love the spinning thing at the park and the slides.  When we go to the park, you have a blast.

 You and Austin have such a cool relationship.  I'm so thankful you have each other.  You both look out for each other and love to play together.  I hope that you are always close and truly cherish each other.


You love Buster!  You are constantly giving him hugs and kisses.  Before we leave in the morning and before bed you need to give him some love.   You're constantly petting him and loving him.  He's lucky to have you too!

 We love you so much!  You are such a joy to be around.  We look forward to celebrating with you today and look forward to enjoying your 5th year.

Happy 6th birthday, Austin!

 Happy 6th birthday Austin!  Can you believe it, you are 6 years old!  You just finished kindergarten and are now ready for first grade.  We look forward to celebrating with you on your very special day.  Austin, we love you so very much and want only the best for you.  You are such a sweet boy and we are lucky you are our child.  We've had a blast for the first 6 years and can't wait to see where life takes you. 

Austin, you have a new nickname, all of your friends are going to start calling you "chips,"  because every day after school, you come home and ask us, "Can I have chips?"  Your favorite chips are Cool Ranch Doritos and Nacho Cheese Doritos. Regular chips, Cheetos, Fritos, will do but your first choice are the Doritos.  You're going to turn into one.

You love Red Lobster and we're not really sure why, you said it was because of the mac and cheese and biscuits, well the mac and cheese is Kraft (I can make that) and the biscuits can be made too, so why pay Red Lobster prices?  Maybe it's the scenery?  You also love their shrimp, so often times, we want you to get the shrimp because why go to a seafood place and get mac and cheese ;-)  You love Shrimp!  Whenever I get shrimp, you are always taking mine!  I should start just getting you your own because I know you'll eat it.  This is where we will be tonight celebrating you at your favorite restaurant!

Lately, you have been playing with Legos and checkers and you are awesome!  You play checkers at school, home and on daddy's phone.  You are getting very good!  And you have been a master at legos, look at you following the directions and building.  And when you don't follow the directions, you are so creative with what you build. Even when it's not legos, anything from paper to blocks, you are so creative and just love to make things.

You love riding your bike and going to the park.  You make friends all the time and love to climb.  It's so fun watching you interact with other kids.  You're constantly laughing and giggling that it's contagious.

If you are tired, or hungry, you can go from fun and loving to crabby!  So we must feed you every 2 hours and make sure you get enough sleep.  You are constantly eating, " mommy, I'm hungry" you'll say and if I don't respond quickly, it turns to "MOMMY, I'm HUUUUNNNNNGGGGRRRRRYYYY" (insert whiny sound).  So we must have snacks on hand at all times, just in case, because you can EAT.

And you'll eat just about anything I put in front of you, crunchy pork, regular pork, chicken, steak, sausage and some of your favorite foods are: Shrimp, burgers, CHIPS, CHIPS, CHIPS, yogurt, cottage cheese, pickles, spaghetti.  You always have been a good eater! 

You have been doing a great job reading to us!  We just love hearing you read.  To think, this time last year you knew your letters and some of the sounds and now you're putting it all together to come up with the word.  We can see your brain working and it's amazing!  You love it when we read to you too.

What is up with the Pokemon cards?  One day you came home from Daycare, with Pokemon cards that you made out of paper because a friend brought real cards to school (again with the creativity).  You asked us if we could get some real cards at the store, we decided you could use money in your piggy bank to buy the cards. You've been having a blast playing with them.  I'm not sure if you are playing right but you have it all set in your head.  Although sometimes, I think you change the rules a bit.

You have been tying your shoes a bit, you've been doing a lot of practicing!  Soon you'll get it completely and won't need help.  We found an easier way to help you do it, but you like to do it mommy's way. 

And let's not forget about soccer.  You have been doing so great at soccer!  Last year, you weren't quite as into it as you are this year.  You tell us that you like soccer games but not practice. You are so so close to scoring a goal!  We have one more game and I hope you do it!  We will be there cheering you on because we are your biggest fans!

You have been having a blast with daddy.  You guys still like to wrestle and I know one day soon you will lock him down.  Daddy got you Infinity for play station and has really enjoyed watching and playing the video games with you and your brother.   He likes playing basketball with you but isn't a big fan of you knocking over the hoop when he shoots.  Daddy is so proud of you and he loves watching you play soccer!

Your brother loves you and you love your brother.  You guys are always looking out for each other and I hope that you two will be the best of friends.  He had me write you the sweetest letter last night and I can't wait to read it to you today.  I'm so glad you have each other.  


You have such a sense of humor that we are all cracking up.  You can say the sweetest things and give really good foot rubs.  It's hard to believe you are 6 as it went by so fast and I'm sure the next 6 will be even faster.

Just know that with whatever you do, we will love you and support you.  Enjoy your day, buddy!  And we can't wait to celebrate you!

Spring time happenings

I have been just so busy that I haven't had time to update.

We are definitely enjoying this warmer weather.   Boys love going to the park and riding their bikes.  I'm curious when the right time to take training wheels off is.  Last summer, I told Kevin, I thought we might want to try this year.  So we will see.....

Soccer just started and Austin is rocking it!  He just ran out there at practice and really gave it his all.  We are so proud of him!  We have had 2 games and won both!  Go Sharks.  

So the other day, we were at the library and the boys wanted to pick out a CD to listen to.  When we got in the car, we listened to both, but when we got home, we didn't have a cd player.  I told the boys we'd have to grab a lap top to listen.  Well, grandma had a cd player with headphones, so the boys took turns to listen to their cds. We went to Savers and Good Will and found each of them a cd player for a great deal, I think we spent $8 total.  The boys are happily listening to their music in their rooms.  We do have to teach them to leave them in the rooms and to quit opening and closing the top, but I'm happy to say, they are happy.  It was very cute, listening to John David sing his songs and use his hands to wave during a song.

We are moving along on the reading.  I have seen so much improvement with Austin on reading, but we do have a long way to go.  Practice, practice, practice, they say.  It's so awesome hearing your child read to you.  I just love it.  We started reading a chapter book over the weekend.  Mainly, I read it to them, and ask questions throughout, and yesterday we left at a good part, so I can't wait to get back to it tonight.  I hope this helps the boys enjoy reading more!  We also have been practicing our site words, I must say it definitely helps when we play games with the site words.


John David rocked it as his spring sing.  He was singing all the words and doing the hand gestures.  He brought daddy up when it was time to bring up a parent.  It was so cute seeing my guys up there.  Melted my heart!

The boys have been very helpful lately with "chores."  They both help me fold the clothes, which I HATE doing.  But socks, towels and their clothes are their job and they do a pretty good job.  I won't complain at all, if it's not folded, how I would, I don't care as long as they do it!  Nice work boys.  They have helped me empty the dishwasher, cleaned up their rooms and even helped wash walls.  They rock.

That's it for now.  I'm sure I'll be posting more in the next couple of months because we have a lot coming up!  Boys are turning 5 and 6 :-( :-) :-( :-)  I'm both happy and sad because they are growing WAY TOO FAST!  John David is getting ready for kindergarten, I still can't believe it!  And the warm summer months!  Can't wait.

Christmas and general update

I can't believe I haven't posted since November, where is my post Christmas post?!?!



Christmas was amazing.  We had so much fun and the boys loved every minute of it.  They were your typical crazy, loving every minute of it, spoiled boys!  We did a lot of activities this year, which included, my annual Christmas at the Zoo party, Seeing Shrek and Santa, Seeing the house that lit up to music, using our hand prints to make a tree, making cookies for Santa, and of course Christmas at Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunt Karen and Uncle Marty's and Christmas morning.  It was amazing, exciting, and overwhelming.  I'm glad we have 365 days until our next Christmas season as we definitely need to recover ;-)

Austin's favorite toy was the Batman Robot.  He asked everyone for this today.  Lucky for him, Santa came through!

John David's favorite toy was his Superman Robot.  He loves the noises it makes.

Kevin celebrated his birthday this week.  I surprised him with tickets to Michigan Wolverines basketball game in Ann Arbor.  The smile on his face when he saw that we were going was awesome!  He was so excited. We even got him a program and a souvenir cup! We made it to the jumbotron after tweeting a picture of us at the stadium.  Lucky for him, he's going to another game soon, but this time at Northwestern!  My guy and his Michigan sports! 

We have John David's first school conference in next week. I'm excited to hear how he is doing.  He's writing on the board at school, and it's so fun seeing his writing and his art work.  He has a creative mind. I know he's ready for Kindergarten and he will enjoy it.  I'm looking forward to no naps for him during the week.  He stays up til 830 ish because he's not tired.  Austin goes straight to bed and for the most part doesn't come out, I guess that's what a long day does to you!  Every night JD comes out 3-4 times, to give us another hug and kiss.  I try not to complain because I sure do enjoy the extra hugs and kisses.  John David has been so cuddly with Buster.  The kid won't leave him alone, always hugging him, getting his pillow, so Buster can rest his head on it, it's so cute!

Austin has been a rock start.  I'm so impressed with everything he is learning.  The other day, he said, "Acutally, no".  What?!?!  Where did you learn actually?  Crazy, the things that come out of his mouth.  We were reading together the other day, and he is remembering words.  So cool to see my little man read!  Homework is another story!  I think we do better to do the 4 sheets on the weekend, because he is just too tired to do it when he gets home.  He can be so crabby, and then having him do homework on top of that, well, it never ends well.  Austin is so creative with his pictures too.  You should see all of the stuff that comes out of his backpack, fortune tellers, paper airplanes, pictures of the family or whoever he's making that day, it was batman the other day, so much paper!  But it's cute seeing his artwork. He has been so creative at building, whether it's legos, blocks, or these new locktagons.  He built this cool car!


I'm excited to announce that I won an award at work, "The President's Choice" award.  Our President gives this award out to one person each year.   It goes to a person who shows outstanding contributions towards the success of Edlong.  I just celebrated 10 years in December and I know I had a tremendous year this year, but for the President to see that as well, just makes me feel so accomplished and happy.

Stay tuned for more.