Kissing Caleb's Hands...

My little Cubba-Bub has LOVED going to Kindergarden. About 4 days in when he got in the car after I picked him up he showed me a great prize. He proudly lifted his little fist to show me a slightly melted, very much cherished Hershey's kiss. He was one of only TWO kids who got one because they were the only two kids in the whole class that she hadn't had to correct, ask to pay attention, to sit down or be quiet in the four days they had been in school. He was SO PROUD. "Way to GO Caleb," I am thinking!
That was why it was such a surprise when the next morning at drop-off when he started sobbing hysterically and didn't want to go. I pulled over, started to get out of the car and walk him to the playground until I realized that Kellie hadn't put shoes on that morning and so I couldn't go with him after all. I did the only thing I could. I hugged him and sent him on his way, watching him sob and feeling like such a horrible mother. I came home, worried about him for a few hours...called the school... (yes I am THAT mother...) and left a message for his teacher.
He seemed fine when I picked him up that afternoon and his teacher did call me back that night. She assured us that Caleb was doing very well. He is bright, attentive, and helpful but when things get slow he starts to think about me and gets a little teary. Something that is perfectly normal, and should ease up in a few weeks once he's acclimated.
That's when we got out the Kissing Hand book again. (For those of you who have read this book, I am sure you see where I am going with this...) The book is about a young raccoon who is worried about going to school because he is afraid that he might miss his mother. The mommy raccoon kisses the palm of his hand and tells him that if he gets sad and worried while he is away to put his hand up to his cheek, remember her kiss and that she always loves him, even when he is away from her. The little raccoon even kisses the mommy's hand, so the mommy will know that he loves her while he is away, too. The book is the stuff Kindergarden literary legends are made of and is a blessing for all mothers with anxious 5 year olds.
So now every morning when I drop my little guy off he offers me the palms of both hands, which I quickly kiss before he hops out of the car.
"It really works, Mom," he assures me. "I start to miss you, but when I put my hand on my face the love just comes pouring right on out of it...like MAGIC!"
I am so glad he's doing better, and yet I can't help but wonder how long I'll be kissing his precious little hands every time he leaves me. I have a feeling that he'll stop wanting me to kiss his hands long before I'm ready for him to stop kissing mine.  We Love You, Caleb!

Preschool "Practice"

Kellie was so excited to go to Preschool today! She doesn't officially start until next week but each child has one early "practice" day this week where they get to go, get used to the classroom, teachers and helpers. Only 4 kids get to go each day, so it really is a lot of one on one time, which helps. It also gives her teacher time to do some basic assessments, too. Kellie was SO excited to go, and she didn't even cry when I left.  I don't think she even noticed me leave, even though I gave her a hug and said goodbye. She was too busy looking around the classroom, wide-eyed at all the fun stuff to do. I'm sure she'll just love it!

Levi's "Leisurely" Lunch

This picture makes me wish that I was relaxed enough to fall asleep anywhere! What a skill to have, my Sweet Little Levi Bear...

Caleb's First Day

Today was Caleb's first day of Kindergarten! He was so excited. He was, up dressed and fed by 7 AM and then spent the next hour begging for me to take him to school! He gets to go full day and was VERY excited to finally get a lunch box of his very own!  I am so happy to see him excited to be there. He has Mrs. Alcazar, who was Aaron's Kinder teacher also.

When we got there we found his desk, hung up his backpack and then he settled into his chair and desk. (He was very impressed by the "top secret hiding compartment" where you can keep all your papers and crayons!) He then forgot I was even there and probably wouldn't have given me another thought if I hadn't asked for a hug before I left. Some kids were crying and clinging to their Mother's legs when it was time to go- but not Caleb! He didn't even watch me leave and I doubt he even missed me!

So glad he had a GREAT 1st day of KINDERGARTEN! Way to Go Caleb!

BOYS BACK TO SCHOOL!

 

Today was Aaron's first day of 3RD GRADE! I am amazed at how the time seemed to fly by...

It is kind of funny, as other mom's are crying, hugging and waving goodbye, Aaron and I have got to the point where he looks at me and says, "So... see you after school? Ok. Bye Mom."

I love it!

(Caleb actually doesn't start until Thursday, but he was so excited to go, drop his supplies off and meet the teachers for his Kinder screening. I was SO lucky to get the very 1st appointment on the very 1st day of school- saved me a trip back to the school later!)

Good Luck to my BIG 3rd Grader AARON!

Matt's Fan Club...

I remember the first time I met Matt. I was at a Ice Cream Social at our church. ( I remember the activity because I remember thinking it was weird to be having an Ice Cream Social in January, when it's freezing!)  Anyway, Matt was barely home from his mission and was back at UNC to finish his degree and I was a Freshman. I remember thinking he was rather good-looking, but far too quiet for my taste. We even ended up at the same table playing Jenga. (By the way, I WON! Go me!)

It didn't take too long before Matt was a fixture in my life. He would show up at all the same activities I went to, and always "just happened" to find a seat next to me. Even though he was rather quiet and didn't talk a whole lot- he frequently brought his guitar and would sing to us. As I got to know him better, I admit I was probably one of his bigger fans. Matt would bring his guitar and sing, and I would sit close by, listening and throwing out requests.  In retrospect, I realize that we were probably rather nauseating to be around.  Watching someone else get "serenaded" is a bit mushy. We apologize to all who had to witness our "romance" unfolding... but I digress... :)

Eventually he looked up my number and called me. The rest, as they say, is history. I decided that maybe he was more "my type" than I'd realized and he decided that he couldn't live without me! :)
(For those of you that are thinking that I am rather full of myself right about now , all I can say is that this is my version of what happened- I can call it like I see it!  If Matt want's to dispute anything here he can add his own post later!)

Yesterday was our 11th Wedding Anniversary. I am so glad that I married my best friend.  I was and still am a big FAN of MATT! I am so blessed to be your wife and to be mother to our 4 beautiful children. My life would be empty without you. I love you, Matt!

Tonight, Matt pulled out his guitar again, as he does from time to time, and I realized he has a brand NEW fan. I couldn't help taking a picture of these two.

Trip to Grand Junction

Levi in his own personal pool at Grandma's!

The "BIG KID" pool...

Aaron and Kellie

I think he likes it!

It got a bit crowded in the baby pool... :)

Boys at the Dinosaur Museum

Kellie excavating hidden bones!

Kellie and Aunt Kathy were roommates! Love the snuggles!

Aunt Kathy, Kellie, and Aaron

 The Christiansens...

San Antonio and Dallas, TX

(Before I start this post I have to dedicate it to my friend Andrea Dell... a few months ago you blogged about your love of bridges and how much you're obsessed with them- After visiting San Antonio- I get it! The bridge pictures are for you!)

This is on the San Antonio Riverwalk- right outside our hotel doors...

another bridge...

and another...

Levi enjoying our walk...

A family of ducks on the river. 

They are so acclimated to people they don't even move when you walk by...

 The Alamo

The Alamo again...

Matt and Levi outside the gates to the grounds at the Alamo...

The Dallas, Texas Temple

The Dallas Temple is beautiful. It is not as big and showy as some temples, but it was very, very pretty. I loved the pinkinsh trees in front. It almost looks more like an over sized Stake Center than a temple. So beautiful, calm and peaceful though. 

We saw trees like the ones in front of the temple all over Texas and I really loved them. Back home all our trees have finished blooming. I was surprised to see them in full bloom this late into July.

Great trip... beautiful towns.

Levi's First Plane Trip

As most of you know, the company Matt works for recently merged with another company based in Northern Dallas. From time to time he has to travel back and forth and it has become more and more frequent since January. At this point in time they have ot said anything about moving there, but the thought lingers in the back of our minds and we wonder if someday they will decide to move us... or not. (Living in limbo isn't much fun- I don't recommend it!)

Anyway, when they called last week and said they were sending him to San Antonio for a few days, Levi and I decided to join him so that I could see Texas myself, since I've never been there. We spent 2 days in San Antonio and then drove to Dallas for another 2 days.

Levi got to go by default since he is too young to leave with Grandma.  

This is a picture of Levi and the plane we flew on. 

He was pretty excited and all things considered, he was a good little passenger.

This is a picture of him crashed after spending an entire day traveling. Wiped out little boy!

Goodbye, Saturn...

Well we finally did it. We traded in the first car we ever bought together as a married couple. It seems crazy to think that Aaron was about a year old when we bought it. Time sure flies. It was starting to need a lot of upkeep and repair and with Matt commuting as much as he does we needed a better car. 

I didn't think I'd care about it to much, but when the time came to hand over the keys I was a little nostalgic. First car... first car we paid off ENTIRELY and owned outright... first babies of ours transported in it... sigh

...

Goodbye green Saturn. You've been a good car. Thanks for all the miles!

We will post pictures of the shiny new car soon! (It needs a bath first- It rained last night!)

Spencer's Blessing/4th of July BBQ

What a great weekend for family! My sweet little nephew Spencer was blessed in church and we had a great celebration afterward! Many, many years ago, my brother Jordan was also blessed on the 4th of July when he was a baby. (Yes, Jordan, I am teasing you about being so old!) It was so nice to be able to be there for this special day!

Spencer

In his blessing outfit...

Proud Daddy...

 

With Grandma J

Jordan and Melanie

 Jason and his littlest cousin Spencer

Dad, Matt and Levi

 Kellie's 4th of July bows

Jeff, Jennifer and Jerri Lynn

Levi and Matt

Aaron being silly

Julie and Kellie

Melanie and her sister Ann Marie

Ann Marie's cute daughter, Natalie

Jessica reading to Kellie and Natalie

Natalie got a bit sleepy...

The Corless Family...

being silly...

really silly!

 The Christiansens... (US!)