The end of an era

I have decided it is time to converge the blogs. Another child is on the way and trying to figure out what posts to put on which blog is enough to drive any mother mad, especially a working one with 3 kids and bad organizational skills. I can't describe how much I have enjoyed watching Ethan grow and mature, learn new things and be amazed at the little person he is becoming. Let's just say farewell since this is really not the end and please head over to the overall family blog.

Family Vacation

Jean and Russ came East this summer and we decided to do a summer beach trip and celebrate all the summer birthdays together. Jean was turning 40 so we really wanted to do it up big. Ethan celebrated his 5th birthday and his first lost tooth. Always a great experience. The house was amazing and we really had a great time for the most part.

Unfortunately, Russ got very sick for most of his stay and our oldest was a brooding nightmare. Luckily. I can remember not being too easy myself and we tried to hold it together.

Birthdays and baking, presents and family. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, the nightly poker games rocked too and so did having catered dinners delivered or going out to eat. I say it all the time...if I have to cook dinner every night it isn't a vacation for me. I do brekafast and lunch and then it is my turn to be waited on.










For Jason, the best parts were putt putt (he is an addict) and the pool where he finally learned how to let go and kick on his own a bit. We will take a moment to thank his flotation device and the patience of all family members involved. The pool was on the upper deck so you could sit it in and watch the people and the waves. Amazing.

We took a great day trip to Myrtle Beach and ate hotdogs on the boardwalk and played games in the many arcades. We rode some of the rides at Broadway on the Beach and did the Ripley's aquarium which was amazing although very crowded.

It is so hard to pick just a few pics to post given all the fun we had but here we go.












Beach fun. We were wary of the ocean but loved the sand and snacks on the beach. We lived for the Italian ice cart to come up the beach each morning. The boys got cream-sickle and I had mango.

We would go back to the sand in the evenings when the wind picked up to fly our kites, chat and relax, and look for shells. It was great fun and tired the boys out.










We could walk to the ice cream store and the miniature golf from the house so we took advantage of that a lot to keep the kids occupied.

Ethan's graduation from pre-school

Yes, you read that topic correctly. They had a graduation tonight where they got little diplomas, did some skits and sang songs and got all dressed up. At first I was like, I can NOT believe they are doing cap and gown pictures and going through all this. Yet as I sat there tonight and watched, my eyes were filled and my throat was closed and I couldn't figure out where 5 years went. I even videotaped it with my antiquated camera. My parents came as well and we all went out to Squid's for dinner after the ceremony. I loved how proud he was and how excited he has been for weeks. I have caught him practicing his songs in front of the mirror although he wouldn't tell me which songs they were performing since it was all going to be a surprise. I know he is nervous too and my heart breaks for him. Leaving his friends, going to a new school, not having Jason with him. So many changes for one person. But tonight, I won't worry about it. I will just bask in the pride that is motherhood and think about how much more I will cry at his high school walk.











We love this center and have met some really special families along the way. I don't know how it will go keeping in touch but Ethan is so worried about being away from Cooper, Adam, Nick, Taylor and the sense of community and support we have found here. I'm so with him on that.

Getting our Christmas tree

We usually go get our tree the first Sunday after Thanksgiving and we hit the same tree farm every year. This year we got to do it in t-shirts instead of cold rain although we sure missed Jean and Russ. The boys were so funny as they ran from tree to tree and we got some cider and fresh spice cake as we shopped. Once we got home, the boys donned their gloves and helped Jeff put up the tree. Ethan wants so badly to be helpful and involved in everything and Jeff was so great at having him help. Jason brought his own stool to the party so he could help reach. We so love this season and are pulling out the Christmas books and advent calendar while also reading our bible stories and preparing bags of food for various drives. I am so cautious of them becoming too commercial. There is such a fine line between enjoying the holidays as a child and forgetting the true meaning of giving and honoring the birth.

So what is on the Christmas list this year? Ethan wants a skateboard and I am getitng him a termite complete with hat and pads. Love the board! Jason wants a dump truck and back hoe. No shock there. Santa is going to look for a cool race track and cars for them.