Parent Teacher Conference

I definitely stress about some things more than most normal people. I'm working on it, really. But I felt like I going to throw up before Brooke's parent teacher conference! Why....I have no idea! What was the WORST they could say in Kindergarten?? She needs a little help with her ABCs? She needs to work harder on counting? I guess my worst fear was that they'd tell me she was extremely young and not as "advanced" as her peers. Anything academic-related I know I can help her with, at this point in her school career. [Come 4th grade and I might have to turn her over to Daddy for math help!!] But I always wonder about our decision to send her to Kindergarten at age 4, even though 98% of me thought it was the right decision for her.

You always feel warm and fuzzy when you're child succeeds at something. But I think the best feeling is when your child is successful at values and traits that you have been working so hard to parent them on. The things I heard from her teacher--hard worker, polite, friendly, has a lot of friends, gets along well with others, joy to have in class, she's happy to be here--those are the traits that I have always wanted to hear from her teachers. And academically she's right on par. In fact, her teacher told me to stop stressing about it so much. :) I think I will. And I finally know that we 100% made the right decision to send her to Kindergarten this year.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

We did our annual family trip to Stanley Lane Pumpkin Patch in Napa today....one of our most **exciting** outings of the year!! :) It's hard to believe last year we were wheeling an immobile Buddy around in a wheelbarrow and this year he was running around all over the place!

Our trips to the pumpkin patch have been different every year, but always beautiful. This year was the first year I remember not walking around with a sweater and coffee...this year we were all sweating to death!! Something about an 80 degree pumpkin patch trip isn't quiiiite right :)

But we had a great time on this annual family tradition!


He was right at home on the tractor!

Sooooo many beautiful pumpkins!

A ride on the wagon!

Lost in the corn maze! Where's Buddy??!
Enjoying the sunny day...while Daddy gets a workout :)

No Training Wheels!

A couple of weeks ago Brookey decided she wanted her training wheels OFF--no more "baby bike" for her! I was very reluctant because the kid doesn't have the best balance or athleticism in the world, but after pleading and begging, her dad finally agreed :)

She's been doing GREAT! She can't ride very far on her own yet, but she's making good progress...and she keeps wanting to practice until Daddy's back is broken!

Man, first swimming, then Kindergarten, now this. Checking off milestones left and right. Very sad!!! (for me!)

18 Month Stats

Our little active outdoorsman is still growing well, despite the fact that he hardly eats anything!! (one of those phases, i guess!)

At his 18 month appointment he weighed in at 28lbs (75th percentile) and 32.5 inches (50th percentile). People say he looks big, but I think he's a pretty normal size for a boy. When Brookey was 18 months, I swear she was wearing Size 3T! Buddy still fits comfortably into 18 month clothes. I put him into 24 month jeans today and he kinda looks like a gangsta with his pants on the ground!! :)

Our Doctor has this new computer program and now he prints out all the notes he writes during the appointment, along with all of the appointment information like height weight, shots given, etc. In the notes section, Buddy's read: "Brought in by Mom. He is very active." :) Thanks for the observation, Doc :)

Berkeley 5K

So I finally got off my butt and decided to run a little bit. This was originally supposed to be a little **fun** run but once I got out there, I really wanted to do well and actually RUN the whole way. Lord knows the last time I actually RAN 3 miles....maybe when I was 21. My goal was 10 min miles, so mission accomplished! :)

The "race" was...well, BERKELEY. I'll just say that. All the people and the "scene" kept us laughing the whole time, so it was a ton of fun! I'll definitely be signing up for some more 5k's...maybe 10k's soon!! Probably not in Berkeley, though :)

Church Pictures

So we had to get our picture taken for the church directory. As usual, the family picture was a cheesy disaster (except for Buddy who had the best smile EVER!). But I thought the one below of Brooke & Will turned out well--it was truly a MIRACLE the photographer got Buddy to smile--only in church :)

Our first day of school picture also made the church bulletin this week (bottom pic)! We're moving up in the world! Haha!!!

Little Angels :)


We have shaved all his hair off since this picture. I couldn't handle styling TWO heads of hair (not including my own!) every morning!

Kiss, Kiss! Don't think so, Sis!! GET LOST.
Church Bulletin Pic

Mommy & Me "School"

My friend and I found this great little once a week class for little toddlers that simulates "preschool." They do circle time, songs, arts and crafts, outside time and learn about their numbers, colors, ABC's, etc. Parents stay with kids and play with them.

At first I was a little worried because Buddy has never really done any type of "structured" activities....he's not one to really sit still for more than 10 seconds. But he made it through the entire 3 hours with no major incidents! He loved music time sat through the entire circle and story time.

It was great having a Mommy friend there, too...we had a great time as well! I wondered, "Why didn't I ever do this with Brooke??" Oh, yeah, cuz I worked!!!! :)

He likes the kitchen!

Snack Time!!

Beep, Beep!


His buddy, Sophie

Time for Art!

Look what I made!!!