Thankful

I found this idea on another blog.

I don't always follow the rules, and this is no exception!

I am a week late.

I didn't write them a letter.

But, I am posting it on my blog..and I know they will read it!

So here is my first "thankful on paper" post.

Mom and Dad,

I am so thankful to have you in my life. And not just as a small part of my life, but in a huge part of my life. Even though I am the big 3-0 now, I still call you daily (ok, more than daily mom..like 3 or 4 times some days).

You have led by a pretty good example too. You have shown what a truly loving marriage looks like. After 33 years of marriage you still enjoy each other. Love each other. Have fun with each other. And want to be together. I can only hope that Seth and I have as strong of a marriage that you've shown me.

You have also taught me how to be a good mommy to my 2 little ones. You have listened when I have called you hundreds (possibly thousands) of times so you could hear them laugh, say momma, ball, or to just listen to a funny story. You have given advice when I was at my wits end. You have complimented my parenting skills, and told me how proud you are of me and how I am raising my kids. And you have driven in the middle of the night to be by my side during the scariest moment of my life.

You have taught me how to be silly, make people laugh, and not take things to seriously (thanks dad).

You have taught me to shop like no other, be a good friend, and clean my house...well I am still working on that last one (right mom??).

I am thankful to have you as my parents.

eye heart u

xoxo

Big Brother's Toys

Over the weekend I was doing some organizing and decided I might as well bring out some of Dylan's toys we saved for Saylor. I will be honest, this girl is not getting a lot of hand me downs. We didn't save too many things...but we did save some big toys! One was this chair Dylan loved. He was 18 months when he got it. Here he is playing on it. Probably between 18-19 months old! And Miss Saylor playing on it at 8 months! She loves it! The music isn't working and she still plays with it. She can't quite get up there herself, but she sure does try!

And this car...Dylan got it for his 1st birthday. It was great for walks with Dylan. He is 1 in this picture, and without pants it looks like! Today my mom got it out of the garage and Saylor loved it just as much as Dylan always did! They went on many walks up and down the street!

I am so happy we are getting more use out of some of Dylan's toys! He also loves seeing his sister play with his old toys!

Our Halloween in Pictures

We had such a fun Halloween! I wish it was on a weekend every year!

We started with some orange pumpkin shaped pancakes.

Saylor enjoyed her first taste of pancake. Next we went to lunch with my parents and Ashley and Brad with these two characters!

Next, we played a new game!
My dad and I pushed Dylan back and forth in this bucket.
Uncle Brad would throw him the football at the same time! Dylan had a blast!!

Next we went to visit Aunt Sheryl, Uncle Mike, Courtney, Whitney, and Brady! It is such a treat when they are ALL home!! Dylan and Brady had way too much fun on the trampoline!

After that we went to Grandma and Grandpa Packard's house.

Saylor got a ride in the baby stroller by Darth Vader (just around the house..it's one of their favorite things to do)!

And finally, we came home and got in our Halloween jammies and went to bed!!

Such a fun day!!

New Student

Let me just start by saying, I work at an awesome school.

With awesome coworkers that are willing to take your class for a while so you don't have to miss things with your own children!

This morning Dylan's preschool had a sing-along.

It started at 9:15.

So I rearranged a few things at work, had someone cover for me and went.

I am so happy I went.

It was so much fun watching him perform some songs I have been hearing over and over again.

And he was the cutest Darth Vader ever!

But we had a few problems when I did return to work...

I realized I had a new student.

One that needed a lot of attention.

One that had to have a desk right next to the teacher's desk.

Luckily he needed to be by the teacher's desk because he's so STINKIN` cute!
Yep, Dylan spent the rest of the day with me at school.
I had NO clue they were dismissed from school after the sing along.
I had no way of getting him to his grandma's and back to school in time.
So, he joined me.
He did 3rd grade work.
He rocked at it!
We started with a spider...



He had so much fun making it (so did his 22 classmates).
He didn't even need my help.
Just sat there and made it (it's peanut butter in the middle of 2 crackers)

Then we made another spider craft.
Again..this was right up his alley!
He was very excited to borrow one of his new classmate's glue stick!

We also did our weekly estimation jar (he was only 7 off),

played some kickball (he got a home run) and duck-duck-goose,

ate lunch with the teachers,

and had a Halloween Parade!

He like the older ladies!

He was holding their hands the entire time.

He did such a great job.

He loves my students, and they love him.

He stood in line with them.

Would randomly turn around and give the person behind him a hug.

Talked to them.

Played with them.

My class was even nice enough to let him get a home run in kickball.

I didn't even have to tell them to be gentle...they ran with him so he went to the right bases,

ran slow so they wouldn't get him out, and cheered him on so loud.

I am truly blessed to spend my days with 22 sweet kiddos.
My new student was awesome...I know we're not supposed to have favorites as teachers..but he is my favorite student ever!!!

Sad he won't be joining us Monday..

but I do have a job to do...

and having a 4 year old around and try teaching 3rd grade would be quite difficult!

Jack-O-Lanterns

Tuesday night we did our annual pumpkin carving night! We always spread a blanket out on the living room floor and get busy! Here we are 2 years ago..looks similar..blanket on the floor and Dylan shirtless!! Maybe next week we will plan it during the day so we don't get a blanket so gross with pumpkin guts!

Dylan and Seth posing with all of our pumpkins before we cut them open. So happy together! He wasn't too sure about getting in there to get the insides out, but he did. He liked using a scoop better though!

He really wanted some of the designs from the book. We compromised!! He wanted the spider and spider web...he got the spider without the web!

Showing Saylor her pumpkin. She sat in her highchair and just watched us. She would have loved to get down, but there was no way that was going to happen! Too much for her to get in to!

Our final 4! I love that Dylan thinks he needs to hold Saylor still! Such a good big brother!

Another first for the last time

Seth and I always knew we wanted 2 children.

We have our 2 wonderful kiddos.

We are happy.

We are blessed.

We are done.

At times it is sad to think we won't go through certain things again.

We won't have the first smile,

first mama and dada (or brubru),

first laugh,

first time to roll over,

first time to sit up...

the list goes on and on.

Every time Saylor has a first I cherish the moment.

She is my last baby.

The last one to do all of the baby firsts.

I never want to forget what it feels like to be in that moment..

even if it is something like eating her first real veggie!

Tonight I made vegetable soup and decided Saylor could try some

green beans, peas, and corn from the soup.

She loved it! And thankfully she also wanted her baby food.

I am not sure I am ready to do all real food yet!

Grabbing her first pea!

I've almost got it!

Now to get it in my mouth!

Thanks, that was good!

I know I have so many more firsts with my kids.

I can't wait to see what's next.

I love this part of my life...being a momma to 2 little ones..nothing beats it!

It's Pumpkin Time!

I love this time of year.

Cooler weather. Football. Soups for dinner. Pumpkin Patch.

Each year we go to a pumpkin patch in Lawrence with my parents.

We all look forward to it each year.

There are so many things for kids to do other than just finding that perfect pumpkin.

We started at the playground. Dylan went up and down this slide many times.

He would have stayed there all day if we let him! Next we got on the hay rack ride.

Saylor wasn't sure what she was getting in to, but Dylan was excited!

Out in the fields sitting in her stroller!
She wasn't to fond of this after about 10 minutes.
I guess she wanted to be out their with her brother picking out her own pumpkin.
At least she looked cute in her sweater and hat!

Dylan and daddy finding the perfect pumpkins!

I love that you get to pick them out of a field and not just from a stack someone else picked.


Dylan found one that he thought would be just right for Saylor. He was so proud of it and had to show it off to everyone.

Next was his. Just his size!

This picture makes me smile, it looks like they are just hanging out having a conversation!

We couldn't get them to both look at the camera at the same time,

too many things going on around them I guess!

And now the picking is done and it is time for pictures!!

At least the grown-ups are looking at the camera!
And now the outside of the house is ready for fall too!
It was such a great day!

I love spending the day with my family!