Happy 3rd Birthday Caleb!

Today, Caleb turned 3 years old. Once again, it's hard to believe he's already this old! Something about turning 3 seems to make it official, official that he's not a baby or toddler anymore. He's such a big boy! Although, until his birthday, he was always saying he was 5 years old like big brother. Now, he's decided that he's still 2 and doesn't want to be a big boy. I guess each day holds something new for him!

Caleb continues to be our very strong willed child, although with the increased skills he's gained this past year in his speech, it has made many things much, much easier with him! He is a little chatter box now. He is also a comedian and keeps us laughing and on our toes! We love you Caleb!





We celebrated last weekend with a backyard pool/water party and had a great time. Here are some more pictures from the party.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=149661&id=753870539&l=8e5c02c1a8

Ethan's First Day of Kindergarten

I can't believe Ethan officially started kindergarten today at all day regular school. The bell rings at 7:30 AM, which means we have to be up no later than 6:15 to leave the house no later than 7:10 AM. Oh, what an adjustment we're trying to make to an earlier schedule! Last night went surprisingly well . . . second night is proving to be a little more challenging at getting everyone to bed early. Hopefully it will get easier . . . Anyway, the first day went great for Ethan. Or at least I think! He was extremely tired and overwhelmed. Which makes sense, since he was gone from 7:00 - 3:00! That's a long day for a 5 year old! The bell rings at 2:15, but by the time carpool line is over, and we get home, it's almost 3! Hopefully that will smooth out too as people get in more regular routines of dropping off and picking up. I walked Ethan in for his first day today, but tomorrow will try dropping him off in the carpool line. Please pray it goes well! It is such a big school - I think there are at least 8 kindergarten classes, and I heard today it is the biggest elementary school in the state (not sure if that is true), but I just pray he doesn't get lost walking in to his room. I know there will be teachers and adults there to help guide him, but it is still scary for me to let him walk in on his own in such a large place. I got a few details out of him today about his day, but he was mostly pretty tired. Maybe by the end of the week I'll know more. At least his teacher has her own website, so I can keep up with what they're doing during the day, etc. That helped ease my mind to know where he was during the day. You can check out his teacher's site at: http://teacherweb.com/SC/BoilingSpringsElementary/MrsHolden/





After sitting with him in his classroom for a few minutes until some more kids came and sat at his table, I told him I had to go onto work and asked him if he needed anything else before I went. He told me he just needed a hug and a kiss, so I gave him that, and went on my way! I had to fight back the tears as I drove away. But all in all, I think we BOTH did pretty well on his first day! :-)

I WON, I WON!

. . . 2 So You Think You Can Dance Workout DVDs!!!!! I'm so excited! I found this great new site, www.puresytycd.com
, that has all the music from the "So You Think You Can Dance" show, as well as other information about the contestants and shows, etc. I entered a contest to win two of the workout dvds, and I was 1 out of 5 winners! I can't wait to get them. I can't tell you the last time I won anything like this! Woo Hoo!!! (See the link below announcing me as one of the winners!) :-)

http://www.puresytycd.com/2009/08/06/so-you-think-you-can-dance-get-fit-dvd-giveaway-winners/

After Running Snack

 

So, I've been running almost 40 miles a month for the past two months, however, I'm not losing any weight! It's hard to admit, but I am probably 15 lbs heavier than before I had children. I would really like to lose that weight! I think the key for me is going to have to be watching what I eat more . . . calories in versus calories out. I was able to lose some weight last summer keeping track of things on www.sparkpeople.com (which I highly recommend for anyone trying to lead a healthy lifestyle - it's free too!). But once I get out of tracking things, I just eat too much, and therefore don't lose anything. So, I have decided I'm going to watch my food intake again starting today! So, tonight after running I chose the snack above instead of unhealthier/higher calorie foods I normally do. Ten baby carrots and reduced fat ranch dressing plus a serving of chocolate mint jello pudding made into a mousse by adding some cool whip (a great new find recently to satisfy my chocolate cravings!). The total snack totaled 225 calories . . . not bad for a decent sized snack!

Big Boy Bed for Caleb

 

 

 

 

We took down the toddler bed and put up the matching twin bed for Caleb. The beds are a part of a bunk bed set that Scott had when he was growing up, and we will eventually stack them up into bunk beds. But for now, Caleb is in his new bed. He looks so tiny on this bed, especially without the mounds of stuffed animals that Ethan keeps with him on his bed! Just goes to show how different kids can be . . . Caleb likes only a few select things in bed with him, whereas Ethan just keeps adding things to his bed. Pretty soon there won't be room for Ethan! :-)

Backyard Pool Fun

 

 

 

The boys have been enjoying playing a lot in our "family sized" pool this summer. The funny thing is that Scott and I bought this pool when we were dating in college because there was no pool to go to and relax. Two adults can fit in the pool and chill! :-) But I'm happy it's lasted this long, because for kids it's almost big enough for each of them to swim around in a little bit!

August Family Visit

We enjoyed a visit with all of my family this weekend. Megan and Mike came, as well as Stacy, Zach, and Wendy, and my Dad was home in SC too. It was nice to have all eleven of us here together. Although a bit crazy and hectic too with so many people, but we enjoy it! The weekend consisted of several trips to the pool, Megan, Mike, and Dad going on a bike ride, playing Wii games at the house, going to church, going out to eat Mexican, and just hanging out! It was a relaxing and a busy weekend all in one! I am thankful I took Monday off work to recover and try to get back into a normal routine.

Speaking of normal routines, there are only a few more weeks left until official kindergarten starts for Ethan. I got the postcard in the mail stating who Ethan's teacher would be, and the date for orientation is August 12th. School starts on August 18th. I am a little overwhelmed at what our new schedule will hold for us. We will have to get to bed much earlier and wake up much earlier than we do now. I think Ethan has to be at school at 7:30 am, which means us probably getting up around 6:15 am each morning. I plan to arrange my work schedule so I can take Ethan to school each morning, then go to work, and get off at 2 pm to pick him up at least on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. My mom will pick him up on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as I will work later on those days. Then Ethan is also starting Upward Soccer again in a few weeks. I'm sure we'll get into our new routine, but it will take some adjusting on everyone's parts. We've been trying to get into a routine of earlier bedtimes for the past week, but it is hard as we want to fit every bit of summer in that we can!

As for me, I have started back into running more regularly again. A couple neighborhood moms and I have been going 3 - 4 times a week in the evenings for about a 30 minute run. I think I'm going to enter a couple 5Ks in the Fall to work towards. Although it is so hot right now, we normally have to wait until at least 8:30 for it to cool enough to run. Hopefully I can keep up the running when the new schedule starts too.

Well, I think that's all of the update for now!