Two firsts!!

Back in July, Aidan started kindergarten. He has his days, but overall he has done great. He likes it for the most part, but it has been an adjustment to be going to school all day, every day. He is going to a year round school, so he has gone for 6 weeks, and has been tracked out for almost three. I have not decided if this year round thing is good or not. We'll see how it works when he has to go back next week! I am very proud of my big boy, and still cannot believe he is in KINDERGARTEN already!




The second part of the firsts this year is that Peyton started preschool. I never thought i would see the day! We had been talking to her about it for a while, but she insisted that she was not going because she didn't know the teachers and was scared of them. We got to the point that it would be ok if I stayed there until she knew the teachers. The preschool we chose allowed that so that was not a problem. So I thought, OK we are going to do this. Right before we handed in the application, she insisted again she was not going to go. So with a lot of thought we decided with Aidan at school I could sort of do the home school preschool thing until next year. (normally i would have just tried it with her, but over the summer we "tried" a dance class and it was HORRIBLE!!) Well, Peyton had other plans! She decided three days before school started that she knows the teachers are nice and "when am I going to get to go to school mommy?" I could not believe it. I guess she just needed to come to that conclusion herself. So needless to say, we signed her up! And don't you know, I walked her in, she put her backpack away and started playing. She asked me to stay for a couple of minutes, but when I said it was time for me to leave she said "OK" and let me leave. I was expecting her to be clinging to me and screaming and crying, but luckily she surprised me and that was not the case. When I picked her up the teacher said she had a great day and was the teachers little helper all day. Peyton loved it and had a great time and cannot wait to go back Friday. Just like Aidan I am so proud of my "not so little anymore" girl. You both did such a great job!
As you can see, she was very excited that morning!

Aidan's 5th Birthday party

Aidan's birthday is next week, but we decided to celebrate a little early. If you know him, you know he loves superheroes. So, it was no surprise when he picked out an iron-man theme!



Actually, he couldn't quite decide, so he decided on iron-man decorations and a Thor cake!
Happy Birthday to my big 5 year old!
Being silly with friends.

Peyton and Stella patiently waiting for cake.
Very happy boy!
Everyone helping with presents.
He has been wanting this lego set for a while. He was very happy to get it!
Aidan had a great time! He loved playing with all his friends, and seeing family.

Peyton's 3rd birthday party!

March 21st was Peyton's 3rd birthday, so on Sunday, the day before, we had her party. An Ariel, Little Mermaid party, that is. Peyton had been talking for months about this day. What decorations she wanted, what kind of cake/cupcakes, and of course what toys. I don't think there was a day between Christmas and her birthday that she didn't ask "how many more days till my birthday Mommy?"


Well,the day was finally here, and this is what she looked like most of the morning. The party wasn't until three so I think it was hard for her to contain her excitement and wait.





Once she relaxed a bit, she was fine.


Little Mermaid decorations that Peyton hand picked.
She was very excited about this cash register from Aunt Sara and Uncle Kevin. We play grocery store almost every day.
Aidan was very good at helping her open her gifts.
Happy girl!
Sara came early so Peyton had plenty of time to be a cashier. And she finally decided to put on her party dress.
We had lots of good snacks,
and pasta and pizza for dinner.
It was a beautiful day so the kids had a great time playing outside. The favorite was playing Star Wars with our neighbor Eric.

Sweet August watching the big kids play!
Aidan loves babies. Here he is hanging out with Merin.
Even Peyton had a blast playing Star Wars with the boys!
Enjoying a big bite of pizza. The girl can eat up to three slices in one sitting!
We were also celebrating Nick's 13th birthday. Hanging out with one of his friends, Josh. We didn't see much of them. Teenagers apparently like to be alone!
My attempt at a little mermaid cake. Most of it turned out, but the face is kinda scary. Oh well, it still tasted good , and Peyton didn't mind.
The kids waiting for cake.
We sang to Nick first,
then it was Peyton's turn.
Aidan showing off his blue tongue from the frosting.
Big smile from the happy birthday girl!
Blake and Aidan enjoying cake.
Peyton and Jack about to dig in!
Stella and Henry eating their cake outside.
Looks like Elliot likes the cake too!
Messy cake face!
Very messy cake face!
The kids are patiently waiting for the gifts, although Aidan doesn't look very happy about it.
Peyton excited about her fairies!
Peyton loves this bear. She named her lovey bear and takes her everywhere, including to bed every night.
All the kids closely watching her open!
Peyton posing by her huge princess picture. Now all we need is a new house to hang it in!
Thanks to everyone that helped us celebrate. You all helped to make her birthday a special one!