Half Way to an Adult

We celebrated Noah’s 9^th birthday on September 17^th.  It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years since Mike and I got to hold him for the first time.  It’s even harder to believe that in another nine years he will be 18 years old!  I’m guessing the second half will go even faster than the first. When I started the journey of motherhood over nine years ago, I cannot express how scared I was . . . but, like any journey, you learn lessons along the way and your confidence builds.  I know I’ve done at least some things right when I look at the person he is turning out to be.

 

On his actual birthday, I woke up early to make him a stack of pancakes (something he has always thought was awesome) with a candle on top.  He made his wish and blew out the candle as Amelia and I sang “Happy Birthday.”  One of the things I love most about having kids is how excited they get over the little things in life.  The day before, I took Noah to the grocery store with me and let him pick out a “Lunchable” and some other goodies for his lunch.  I also let him choose a 12-pack of soda for his consumption only, who would have known grape-flavored Fanta could make someone so happy!  What made me happy was that weekend, while all the kids and grownups on our street were hanging out together, Noah asked if he could share his soda with all the kids. 

The night of his birthday, we took him to our favorite burger joint (the Twisted Root) in a neighboring town, where he got to open some of his presents and eat a yummy Oreo shake.

This past Saturday, we had a birthday party with some of his friends at a local place where they offer bowling, laser tag, and arcade games.  What made it really cool was Radio Disney was there next to our bowling lanes offering cool prizes for the kids if they danced and could guess the names of popular Disney show theme songs.  In total, all ten kids won an extra $10 to spend at the arcade.

Amelia and I played glow in the dark mini golf while the others were playing laser tag.

The hamburger cakes were Noah's chose!

Noah and I finished off his birthday weekend by going to a Broadway musical with my friend, Susan, and her two boys who are also friends of Noah's.  We saw "Peter and the Starcatcher."  Both Susan and I read the book to our boys, so we were all excited to see it on stage.  It was good, but I think we all agreed we liked the book better.

We love you, Noah.  Thank you for making us better people and for being such a great example to Amelia and Max.  You are a wonderful son, an awesome big brother, a true friend to others, and you have amazing character!

First Day of School

I cannot believe the day has arrived . . . Amelia started preschool!  It was very bittersweet; she was beyond excited to start going to school, and I was looking forward to having more one-on-one time with Max.  Despite that, it was a very emotional thing for me.  I didn’t let Amelia see me cry, but you better believe I had big ol’ sunglasses on when we dropped her off that first morning.

 "Meet the Teacher"

She immediatley started playing and we had to pull her away when it was over.

Amelia and Ms. Deborah., she has two teachers and 13 kids in her class.  She is one of four girls, three of which names start with the letter "A".

All the kids get the same canvas bags, we were encouraged to decorate them.

She loved her first week!  When I picked her up from school, she would run through everything she’d done for the day and mention all her new little friends.  When she would see our neighbors, she would say, ”Hey, I was just at school,” in a very cool tone.  She has been talking about going to school for at least the last year, so she was definitely ready.  She goes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:45am to 12:45pm, which allows her to eat lunch there, which she loves.

First lunch napkin I ever wrote to Amelia.  I always loved when my mom included these in my lunch growing up!

I bought her tap shoes a few days before her ballet/tap class.  I thought her princess slippers were loud!

Another big milestone, the week prior, was Noah starting the 3^rd grade!  I am very pleased about the person who is his teacher this year, and he is happy to have quite a few friends in his class.  His teacher has a big love of reading, of which I am a huge fan and something I have tried to pass on to Noah.  It will be great to have this same enthusiasm shared by his teacher, as well.

Waling to school with some of the kids on our street. 

  

I had to include this one, they have a deep love for one another!