Last Day of School Party

For the last day of school we invited our neighbors over for a pool party in the backyard. Logan was fired up! Here he is racing off the bus!

Claire and Maya had an early start!

Pretty soon the boys joined in!

Logan is "Stayin' Alive!" (and probably won't get the reference when he's old enough to read this blog - Logan, do yourself a favor and rent the movie.)

Good times!

Last Day of School!

Logan,

I can't believe we're already at the end of your very first year of school! You have done so well this year and we're very proud of you! Part of the reason this year has been fantastic is because you have good friends on our street that ended up in the same classroom with you. What luck!

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This is pretty much how our mornings go: After breakfast, we head outside if the weather is nice. You, the little boy I babysit and some of the other kids on the block run around like a bunch of hooligans until the bus comes!

Amy and I were able to round you kids up for a quickie snapshot. What a crew! (Note that I fuzzed out the little boy I babysit not because he is not a "regular" but because I never asked his parents if it was okay to post pictures of him! He has been part of our home for over a year now and is definitely part of the gang!)

I'm not sure what Nathan did before this picture, but it makes me laugh because Jacob is so obviously annoyed with him and I think Nathan knows it! Look at that grin!

Oh, Logan. Just typical. You were dying to be first on the bus on the last day of school, but the grownups made you guys let the girl go first! I wish I could say you were upset about school being over, or that you didn't want to leave me, but no - you were just pouting that you couldn't be first! I actually had to carry you to the bus and plant your feet on the steps! Yeesh, Logan. One of these days I suppose you'll outgrow these little tantrums of yours. How about tomorrow, okay?

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Love,

Mama

Pigtails and Pancakes

Claire,

One of the best things about staying home with you is our morning time together. Once the school bus leaves and I put the baby I watch down for a nap, it's just you and me.

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We chat....

and tell jokes...

....until the lure of Sesame Street becomes too much to ignore...

..but it's always good while it lasts.

Love you bunches.

Mama

Gotcha!

Kids,

Somehow a table has turned this month. This is the second time that I have caught you guys actually hanging out together. It really warms my heart to see you two being so sweet to each other. As an only child, I can only imagine what it would be like to have that kind of a bond.

Of course, as soon as I sneaked in with the camera Claire decided it was time to bust a move outta there, and totally ruined the moment. Oh well. I guess I should start wearing the camera around my neck 24/7!

I love you guys. Be good to one another.

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Love,

Mama

May Flashback: The First Time....Ever I Saw Your Face

Dear Logan,

Man, that is a cheesy title but I can't help but think of that song when I look at these sonogram pictures! That, little dude, is our very first glimpse of YOU! At the time we couldn't be exactly sure what KIND of you you were going to be, but deep down I always had a hunch you were going to be a boy. (Your father kept saying girl, but I knew...) If you look at the date on the pictures, these were taken exactly 6 months before you were born! Wow, I can hardly remember what life was like without you!

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I thought you looked like a little teddy bear in this picture.

And in these two you were my little jelly bean!

A teeny hand waving at the camera...

And here you are, just chillin' and waiting for your big day!

We couldn't wait to meet you and get to know you! You changed our lives forever the day you were born and made us parents. We love you so much. You are a miracle to us!

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Love,

Mama

The Grad

Logan,

Well, your big day finally arrived. The biggest day of your life so far. This....was the day you graduated from KINDERGARTEN!

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I won't even go into the whole "my baby, how does the time go so fast, when did you get so big, didn't I just have you like yesterday" thing. I didn't even think it.

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Okay, that was a lie. I was totally thinking it all day long. BUT - at least I didn't cry. After all, you can't even tie your shoes yet. You're not THAT big. Right?

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Anyway, here you are on your big morning, eating that breakfast of champions, Reeses Puffs. I never thought I'd be a "sugar cereal" kind of mom, but you know, things happen. You pick your battles, sigh about the ones you lose, and move on. It sure looks like you're enjoying them to me. So be it.

Here is Claire getting ready to go! Cheerios and milk, delicious.

The program. This was how I learned that you wanted to be a teacher when you grow up. A noble profession, I must say.

At least you weren't the kid who wanted to be the babysitter, or the artist.

Claire and I anxiously await the beginning of the ceremony!

Ooo! Slide show! I tried to get all the pictures they showed of you. They only have like 150 kindergarteners!

The procession!! I have to admit, when they started playing the traditional processional march that sounded like a little music box playing, I almost cried. But then I saw how excited you were and that cheered me right up!

"My Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades..."

Your class song - here you guys are "playing harmonica" - adorable!

Hee, you tried to hand the principal your diploma!

(I think he already has one.)

Done! Great job, Grad!

Back in the classroom....here is Claire, dismantling the centerpiece right behind you. Look at that "busted" expression on her face...

Geez, Dad - you could at least smile for your graduate!

Although I do sort of understand the tense face in this picture.

We take an awesome family photo, no question.

Claire enjoyed the reception. The M&M cookies were a big hit.

Well, the M&Ms, anyway. The cookie, notsomuch.

You had the awesome luck to be in the same class as the two other boys on our street!

What a fun first year!

Your teacher, Mrs. Downes. She really liked you.

Or maybe she just says that to all the parents.

Of course Grammy came.

Hilariously, you loved dressing up so much that you insisted on wearing your dressy clothes for the rest of the day. It was "to impress girls" you told me. Even when we got home, you and the other boys on the street ran around and played - you were the only one still in slacks and a button up. Sometimes you crack me up - but I'm sure all the chicks on the block were digging it.

Congratulations on your big day, baby.

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I love you,

Mama