Big Kids

Tuesday morning we woke up and got Jacob off to preschool. It was the first day of carpool line, meaning the teachers come out and take the kids out of the car and walk them in and we stay in the car. I prepared Jacob, and he was great with it. He was happy, and we said good bye before we got up tot he teacher and he just got out and walked in, no big deal. So big.
I absolutely love trying to get as much information out of Jacob about his day as possible. The first day he told me that he sat next to Lucas and Maddox, had crackers and water for a snack, played outside on the playground, and that the teachers didn't make them clean up. He also talked a lot about Gavin, and brought home a picture of stickers. His name was written in purple because the teacher wanted to write his name in his favorite color. He told the teacher how to spell his name, and he said the teachers taught him how to jump and do a 180. Not sure what song that goes to, but I'm sure it went to something! And, he read a book about a dog (ended up being Biscuit).
Wednesday was another successful day at school, and he had animal crackers and water for snack, and apparently played with a camera that he shared with Lucas. They went to the library, and will check out their first book next week.
I bring him a juice box each day because he has been so thirsty after school. He is tired, but actually not as tired as I was expecting. I'm REALLY glad he only goes twice a week instead of three days a week. I also didn't realize that he is one of 4 of the youngest kids in the 3's preschool (32 kids between all the classes) but is easily one of the 2 or 3 tallest kids. He looks so much older than his late birthday gives away, and he knows so much that he sounds older, too. I'm so proud of my little guy.
He has been really into outer space lately, and now will tell my parents and Bob about how hot Mercury is, how cold Pluto is, we live on planet Earth, the planets go around the sun, Saturn has rings around it, and that you have to take a space shuttle to get to another planet. But, you can take a boat or a plane to get to China. He is a little sponge, and I love it.
Joshua is now waving socially (will wave hi and bye instead of just random) and called Jacob "bubba" today. He likes to make this fake laugh sound, and crawls super fast. He follows Jacob everywhere, and now tries to climb up Jacob every time he is on the ground. He started cruising along furniture a little bit today, but he tries to let go and turn around, which of course is crazy! Joshua is becoming just too funny!
I love these boys, and I love this stage we are in. I'm so proud of both boys in their transitions, and how well they are dealing with everything going on in our new phase of life right now.

Last Day of Freedom

Even though Jacob's first day of preschool was last week, tomorrow is the first full day and the start of his first regular schedule of school - every Tuesday and Wednesday for two and a half hours each day. Last week's first day was just an orientation type day for the kids where they were only there for an hour and fifteen minutes and the parents were all in the lobby getting to know each other.

I joke that today was our "last day of freedom" because it is the last day before we are officially a "scheduled" family. Making sure our kids get to bed at a certain time, having to take a bath that night and not in the morning if we didn't get to it, getting everything ready for the morning, etc.

What a wonderful day to end our "freedom"! It was amazing weather, the boys woke up early and we were able to get outside super early. We played with sidewalk chalk, drew a road for Jacob's cars, and camped out under the tree in the front yard for most of the morning. Around Joshua's morning nap time we ran real quick tot he bank and then to mail some things, and then we home within 15 minutes and headed to the backyard for some fun on the swing set. I love how Jacob and Joshua watch each other swing back and forth, we sing songs together, and both boys laugh so hard!

I pulled Joshua's high chair out on the deck and we had a picnic lunch. I love seeing the boys sitting together and just having a wonderful lunch together. I still can't believe I have both of my boys at this stage already where they interact together, and I can't wait to see how they play together when Joshua is actually walking! We just sat and laughed together, and I love hearing everything Jacob has to say and all of his questions about trying to figure out how the world works and how things are built and what animals do, etc.

After lunch and some more playing, we took naps. Jacob woke up a little early and came out and cuddled on the couch, asking me to rub his belly and his back and his head. I soaked it up, knowing he's not going to be at this stage forever!

We baked brownies and then headed outside to play in the sprinkler. Joshua usually really enjoys it, but wasn't really into it today. Jacob discovered a part in the grass that turned to mud and went to work splashing away in his little mud puddle, getting filthy! It was hilarious!

After the splashing, he played monster trucks while Joshua tried his hardest to climb up the trunk of the tree.

We headed inside for dinner, and then out to ride bikes and Joshua fell asleep in the stroller. Jacob just took his time on his bike tonight instead of pedaling so fast I can't keep up, so it was nice to listen to him singing songs while he rode along. Lately, he's been fascinated with the cactus around the corner, so he always rides down there to look and then we turn around and come back home.

My parents ended up coming down to help with bath time, which was so nice to be able to bathe both boys and not have to hurry. Bob is gone 4 nights a week, so bed time and bath time aren't quite as relaxing on those nights - I try my best, but sometimes we have to hurry the bath along a little more than other nights just because I'm the only one here.

I loved reading Jacob his books tonight, and then he read me one that he has memorized, and he went to sleep. I can't believe tomorrow morning we are really into full swing of preschool years and my little man is going to be Mr. Independent and making new friends and learning new things all on his own. I hope that he has such a wonderful time, and hope that I have prepared his as best as possible so he has a smooth transition and can really enjoy his time at preschool.

1st Day of Preschool

Today was the first day of preschool for Jacob! He is in a two day preschool for two and a half hours each day. It is officially the first time someone other than mom and dad or grandma and grandpa have been in charge! I cannot believe we are already into the school years with this guy!
We enjoyed an early wake-up call of 6 a.m. (just when Jacob normally wakes up - we didn't have to be to school until 9!). I made some blueberry pancakes and cut them into a fire truck and train. And, of course, some chocolate milk :)Posing with his cool school bag. Every kid in the school has to have the same tote bag, so they recommend you decorating the bag. We bought some iron on letters and patches to decorate, but only the "J" and the "B" stuck, so we had to sew all of the letters on. Bob did almost all of the sewing while I cleaned and got everything else ready. We were up until 2 a.m. the night before his first day!

Walking into school. I had to take a quick picture because he decided this is the best way to carry his bag. He stuck his hand on his head and walked this way because the bag wouldn't slide down his shoulder.

He walked in and found his name all by himself and hung up his bag. I was so proud of him!

He started playing right away, and had a really good time. We had no tears, and a really great transition. Only half of the class was there today - they have the other half coming tomorrow. The real schedule begins next week. Jacob was exhausted from his school adventure today. They read a book and traced his hand today. Jacob told me a little boy took his green car and he tried to take it back but the boy was very strong, so Isabella took it back and gave it to him. Jacob also told us he cooked at the play kitchen, and that he didn't help clean up, haha. I'm sure he did help since he has always helped when we were at Gymboree and he helps at home when we ask him.

I'm really looking forward to Jacob's experiences this year, him gaining some independence, learning to make new friends and be confident in himself. I hope he has a wonderful first year of school and develops an early love of learning. His teachers are so nice, and I am pleased with our decision to go with this preschool.

Perfect Saturday

I love these pictures from Saturday morning - Jacob cheering for his brother and both boys getting some time with Daddy.

Saturday was such a perfect day - we were outside by 9 in the morning. I got out Jacob's "big boy" bike. Just Monday he started riding his little bike that has you pedaling more by pushing out. We bought Jacob's big boy bike at the beginning of the summer, but he wasn't interested yet. We bought him the Cars 2 bike from Wal-Mart with the matching helmet. So weird to have a bike with training wheels. Anyway, I put him on the bike to see if he could pedal this bike, and he took off! Once he realized how much faster you could go on that bike, there was no turning back. He rode ALL morning, and wore us all out!

We had a picnic lunch in the shade again. And then we played out front. Jacob and Joshua rolled the ball back and forth, Joshua enjoyed pulling at the grass, Jacob ran around like a crazy man, and we all just relaxed outside. Joshua loves watching his brother run towards him and screams with happiness when he gets close.

My mom came down in the afternoon and we went to the grocery store for a little while. My dad came down after work, and we ate dinner and showed off Jacob's new biking skills.

Picnic Friday

The boys and I have been spending so much time outside, and we ate outside for lunch again on Friday under the tree out front. Jacob enjoys his picnics, and it's nice to just spend hours outside in the morning without having to sweat to death! I am already looking forward to fall now, remembering all of my great times with Jacob the past few years, and getting to enjoy two boys for the first time this fall.

After naps, we headed to the grocery for a few things, and then enjoyed dinner together as a family - since Bob works so much, he is only home for dinner 3 nights a week. I love and treasure the nights we can all eat together.

Afterwards, we went on a long walk around the neighborhood. Jacob wanted to ride in the double stroller, which hasn't happened in a while, and it was nice to talk for a while with him about everything he saw in the neighborhood. He has been really interested at the hitch concept and how trucks and cars can pull things, so he pointed out all of those. Joshua took a much needed nap in the fresh air.

After the walk, Jacob and Daddy rode their bikes around the neighborhood a little while, and then both boys got a much needed bath and bed time! Fresh air knocks us out!

Finger Painting Fun

Thursday was more beautiful weather, and we have been so happy this week to have mild weather after such a horrible stretch of the 90 degree humid days! We have been outside so much!

Jacob and Joshua have woken up at 6:45 or 7 every day this week, which has been nice (and tiring) because we can really take advantage of the weather. We've rode our bike, played in the sandbox, ran around the backyard, taken walks.

Thursday, after naps, I set up Jacob to finger paint in the front yard. Our front yard is the only place we have shade, and I just set us up there so Joshua stays nice and cool whenever we aren't running around.

Joshua got to roll around and play while Jacob painted.

Jacob enjoyed his "finger markers" as he called them. He instantly wanted purple finger paint, so we learned about mixing colors together to make the colors he wanted. It's so fun to see him understand older concepts. He created three works of art for Daddy to bring to work.


Daddy got home soon after the painting and reminded us that Rally's opened. They have been building a Rally's in front of Meijer for a long time, and Jacob has been watching it closely and wanting to go there and eat. I had never been to a Rally's, but we promised him as soon as it opened we would take him there.

Jacob was excited to eat at "that white building" and we ordered ice cream, fries and enjoyed eating outside. Jacob was thrilled that Rally's has chocolate ice cream. McDonald's only had a vanilla cone, and Jacob always tells me to find him a place that sells chocolate. The other day, he told me, "see mommy, you looked and looked and found me a place that sells chocolate." He is so sweet.

After our Rally's fun, we headed home and got ready for our very first ever parent meeting for Jacob's preschool. Jacob and Joshua played with my parents while we were gone. Joshua decided to take a few further moves towards crawling while we were gone, too!

We are thrilled with our preschool teachers. We bought Jacob's tote bag, and he was so excited when we brought it home.

That night, I explained to Jacob that some kids might cry when their parents leave them at school, and that he doesn't need to worry and the kids just might not know how fun school is and that their mommys are coming right back. So, now Jacob tells us that "those silly kids just don't know school is fun!" I'm hoping this attitude stays on the first day when we drop him off.

Preschool Meet and Greet

Jacob had his preschool meet and greet on Wednesday. My mom took the day off and we headed to the zoo in the morning. It was great weather and we had a blast having Grandma with us for the day.

The meet and greet was at 2 in the afternoon, which isn't ideal for a toddler, so we had to skip a nap. Jacob was exhausted that night, but he held up alright and had a great time. Here is my handsome man before we left for school.

We had to change his plaid shorts because they are way too big now that he has ditched his diaper. He had a great time and really enjoyed playing with all the kids. We realized that out of the 16 kids in his class, only 4 are girls. Looks like it's going to be a very active preschool class. The boys enjoyed playing cars, dinosaurs, and sticking monster trucks in the play washer and dryer. Jacob made some friends, and had a blast. He's been talking about school a lot now, and is very excited to get started.

I can't believe he is old enough to go to preschool!

It's Too Hot!

I cannot believe this weather! It is just so hot, and it's sad that I think it's a good time to play outside when it's "only 90." We live in Indiana, not Texas! Poor Jacob has been stuck inside so much because of this heat - it's even too hot to let him play in the water, especially with Joshua not being able to stand the heat as much as his older brother.

This morning I was woken up with little Jacob running into our room, holding his stuffed Lightning McQueen. He jumped into bed with me and slept there for another hour. Then we had some breakfast and went grocery shopping.

Bob had to work tonight, so I was on my own with the kids for the evening. I love seeing the boys get to the stage where they start interacting. Joshua is 7 months old, and has now started saying his version of Jacob. It's more a specific noise he makes for his brother, but it's just so darn cute! They sat and played cars together, and I loved being able to play with both boys at once and have us all interacting together.

Dinner was some shake n bake chicken, and Joshua was an angry baby right before dinner so I had to hold him through the meal. He was blowing raspberries like crazy, and got Jacob laughing so hard he was drooling juice and he peed his pants a little bit. It was so funny to see them laughing back and forth at each other. Joshua was kicking his feet like a crazy man with excitement when he was watching Jacob. After dinner, I took the boys to get some ice cream (sorry, Joshua, you just get to watch for now!) and then we walked around the neighborhood a little bit before Bob got home for his dinner break around 7:30. Baths and bed time!

Love these boys more and more each day!