Today

Creative title...I know.

Today we went to the homecoming parade. The kids just like it because lots of candy is thrown off of the floats. Here they are not enjoying the siren of the police truck.

Grayson got his hands on a piece of parade candy...

About 2 seconds after I took this picture, Brayden snatched it out of his hands (mouth, really). Being the typical third child, he just went with it.

Today all three kiddos took a bath together! Kennan and Brayden normally bathe together and since Grayson is beginning to master sitting by himself, we thought it would be fun to put him in with them.

And this is what happens when I try to get all 3 to take a picture together. One isn't looking, one has a crazy face and the other looks great! (This picture isn't the norm though. Usually Brayden is the one not looking!)

Sweet Kids!

It's homecoming week in our quaint little town so Kennan's school is having themed dress-up days that coordinate with what the high school is doing. Kenny helped Kennan get dressed this morning and this is what they came up with for mismatch day. The dress sock with tennis shoes/athletic sock with dress shoes was Kennan's idea.

Brayden missed her second day of school last week because she was sick, so Tuesday was really her second day. She could hardly stand waiting for Kenny to take her (he dropped Kennan off then came back for her). She had her backpack on her back for about 40 minutes...she would have probably walked there if she could.

Brayden saying goodbye to Grayson before she left. Grayson hardly knows what to do with himself when they are both gone on Tuesday/Thursdays.

Photo Shoot!

Grayson Benjamin, 6 months old

Brayden Lynn, 3 years old

Kennan Joshua, 5 1/2 years old

6 months!

6 months ago today, our sweet Grayson Benjamin made us a family of 5.

Sine then, he has been a constant source of amusement,

laughter,

smiles,

curiosity,

wonder,

silliness,

and joy!

Grayson is such a blessing to our family.
He goes to bed smiling and wakes up even happier. He goes with the flow and adapts to change easily. He hates solid food but loves nursing. He has great belly laughs and hates to be on his tummy. He is working on sitting up and loves to be in the middle of the chaos that his big brother and sister create.

We love our baby boy and are thankful for the joy he has brought to our family for the last 6 months. If the next 6 months fly by as fast as the first, he will be one before we know it!

Preschool!

Brayden started Preschool today!!!!

I hope her school year is full of learning,

laughing,

counting,

playing,

coloring,

singing,

and growing!

Afterschool Special

On any given weekday at about 3:15pm, this is what you might see if you were to walk into our home...

Please allow me to make a few observations.

Kennan is, in fact, sucking on a tootsie roll pop while enjoying some popcorn. At the same time.

Grayson is staring at his sister, eying her popcorn with much curiosity. In fact, you could probably say he is coveting it. We will work on that 10 Commandment at another time.

And sweet, sassy Brayden is committing a HUGE fashion faux pas. I'm not going to tell her.

And no, it is not cold enough for tights.

Somedays...

Somedays I feel tired and want to crawl back in bed...

and then I see this face.

Somedays I am tired of being chauffeur and just want to stay home...

and then I turn around and see this.

Somedays I want to stay inside while the kids play outside...

and then I see this look of concentration and want to watch to see what he'll do next.

Somedays I am sick and tired of snotty noses and poopy diapers...

and then I see this and just have to laugh (and take a picture).

Somedays I feel like I can't wash one more dirty dish or cook one more dinner...

and then I see this man who loves me and will go to the ends of the earth for our family.

Somedays I don't want to answer one more question or hear one more whine...

and then she does this (posing behind her picture of a spider).

Somedays I am counting down the minutes (seconds) until bedtime...

and then I look out the window and see this.

Life really is good. And I am very blessed. Somedays I just have to remind myself of this.

Kindergarten Report

An interview with a kindergartener (is that a word?):

What was the best part of your day? Coloring a lion and drawing a picture of me. Then when we go to the 6 year old class we will draw another one to see how much we've changed.

Did you go to P.E.? Yes and we did two exercises. One daddy knows and the other is called a pancake. I'm going to show daddy when he gets home.

Did you go to music? Yes. It was boring. We sat on a line and then walked back and forth.

How was lunch? It was AWESOME! The beans were the brown ones.
Did you eat them? Well, no. But the pizza was good!

Tell me one word to describe your teacher: Nice.

Are you going to go back tomorrow? YES!

Before he left this morning he told us he would give 2 thumbs up if he had a great day, 2 thumbs down if it was bad, or 1 up and 1 down if it was just okay.

This was his rating:

Kindergarten!!!

Today our sweet, precious boy started kindergarten!
We had to wake him up this morning!

He walked in the door and never looked back!

Preschool: Here she comes!!!

Brayden has been ready to go to preschool since the day she realized that Kennan got to go and was having a little too much fun without her. For the last year, she has been talking about being snack friend and cross carrier, going to chapel and using the potties that are just her size. Last night was Discovery Night (like Meet the Teacher night) and she could hardly contain herself. She doesn't start school until the day after Labor Day...but this girl is ready!

"See mom? The potty and sink are just my size!"
I've never seen this girl so excited to wash her hands!

Listening to a story with her teacher and new friends.

This 5-year-old-big brother-almost-kindergartner went with us and enjoyed showing his sister her classroom. I think he really just wanted to go because he heard there would be cookies and lemonade.

And this little-brother-talking-up-a-storm-while-the-"principal"-was-talking is just thrilled that in just a few short weeks he is going to have mommy to all to himself! (For a 6 hours a week, but who's counting?)