Brayden's 1st Field Trip

Brayden had his first school field trip this past Thursday and I am lucky enough to have great friends to watch Camden so I could chaperone. I really thought a lot about if I should go or not but decided this year I would go (there's only 2) and then next year I wouldn't (we'll see!!!!)

I'm so glad that I went because that morning I heard about moms that couldn't go crying while they dropped their little ones off. And as we loaded onto the bus (it was a 20 minute ride away) I understood because if I wouldn't have gone I don't think I could've sent him alone without having an anxiety attack. Funny thing is that morning I remember thinking this is no big deal and I shouldn't be going because all he'll do is want me to carry him. I didn't expect to get emotional (just tears in the eyes no one could see if they weren't looking) after all we've been to the zoo, beach, nature centers, etc....lots in his 3 1/2 years; but this was different. Seeing him sitting there in those HUGE bus seats looking out the window reminded me that my baby is growing up and soon I won't be there and that makes me sad. In theory I do want him to be independent and ask him all the time why he can't do more for himself (he's not even close to dressing himself!), but when it comes right down to it I am going to have A LOT of trouble when he does want the main ties cut! I joke with him and tell him he'll always be my baby....only I'm not really joking!

By the way he did great on the field trip to the nature center. He never once asked me to carry him and as you can see from the picture he even raised his hand (of course I don't think he knew why he was doing it other than he saw other kids with their hands up). His next field trip is in the spring and I think Jared is going to try to take a day off so he can go next time.

DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!!!!

So we went to the Minnesota Zoo since Jared hadn't seen the new exhibit. It gets you up close and personal with 3 grizzly bears. There is nothing between you and them except a VERY strong glass made up of about seven layers. The kids and I have been there a few times this summer but this is the first real close encounter we had. It was so neat and the kids were never scared at all.

More from the Jersey Shore

Here are a couple of my other favorite pictures. The first to me just shows Jared's devotion and happiness when it comes to his children. Camden looks like he's eyeing a seagull that he wants to go after but Jared has this huge smile on his face and it's all about his baby boy. The other picture is Jared and Brayden in action. Jared was throwing Brayden around in the air (we won't mention that there was lightning and thunder in the distance and I was throwing all of our stuff together so we could get off the beach and back to safety while he played). Brayden couldn't love his daddy more and this picture shows how safe and happy he feels with him, I love and cherish that look. Because Jared loves me and the kids with his whole heart and wears that on his sleeve is why I can forgive him for letting me do all the packing while he played on the beach with his boys......besides we did get back to the house safely, soaked but safe!

First Day of School

My little man is growing up so quickly, I try to remind myself of this everyday and hope it helps me put things into perspective. Most of the time it doesn't and I still take things for granted and just try to get through the day without going insane! This is one day I took in as much as I could and hope it will be burned into my brain and heart forever. I didn't get all 'emotional' so I guess some might say I was heartless (my words), but my heart was bursting with pride and I knew I had to hide any anxiety I felt about leaving him. He was in a safe and comfortable place (he goes to preschool at our church, the attached school goes to 8th grade). Three long hours later I went to pick him up where he beamed at me and stood up and said to anyone who would listen 'that's my mommy' and then jumped into my arms. The lump in my throat was huge!

He has been to school three times now and he loves it. His 'report' slip that I get every time has comments on it that my boy is 'happy, joyful, talkative, listens well, and enjoys playing with all the kids in his class'. Yesterday he was waiting for his lunch and was saying como te llamas. WHAT?!?!?! When I asked him what he said he replied very matter of factly, "I'm asking you what your name is". I ran to his stack of papers from school and sure enough there is a paper with Spanish words and translations on it. He had Spanish for the first time that day for 20 minutes. I took Spanish for a whole semester in high school and I didn't even know what he said!

Camden is a totally different child when his big brother is in school too. He is quiet, calm and less reactive. He takes in what's around him instead of just watching his brother. I see a lot of Brayden in him when it's just the two of us.

So I didn't cry, but I knew this was the best thing for us and that Brayden (and me) needed this. Besides he's only going two days a week......we'll see what happens when he starts kindergarten!!!!! Then I'll be the mom following the school bus with big sunglasses on so no one sees how red and puffy my eyes are!

Cool!!!!!!

So thank you to my cousins once again for giving me ideas for my blog! I went to check up on my cousins and found music when I got to their blogs.....what's this and how do I do it?!?!?! So I clicked on the playlist and found so many songs I love and started compiling. An hour later I found the easy instructions on how to add it to my blog. Now this is one reason I don't keep up with my blog, because it can be time consuming (for me) and I end up letting the house, kids, dog go. But I have found a way to update my blog while listening to my music picks which is waaaaay cool. Most of these songs that I have picked have a meaning to me behind them, some I just like a lot and there will be more added. The song 'Love is all around' is the first song Jared and I danced to after we got married, I still like the words, they fit, but wow does it sound dated (I guess that's to be expected we are approaching our 12 year anniversary). The song 'Boston' was on the Today show while I was starting my labor with Camden. Norah Jones 'Sunrise' is the song I'd listen to while I tried to relax and nurse Brayden those first trying weeks. The song 'Jersey Girl'....well it's Springsteen and while I don't agree with his political views he is one face of Jersey and I really have found how much I love and miss New Jersey. Michael Buble is one of my sister in law Dawn's favorite artists and when I hear his songs it reminds me of her....plus I do really like his voice and music too. Green Days 'Time of your life' is a song Jared and I hear a lot every time we get ready to make a big move. It's wild how we hear it so much right before we leave but it reminds us to look at all the positive that came from where we were living and to look for the positive with the next state. The spiritual songs remind me of God and how wonderful He has been to me, they are songs we sing at the contemporary service which I have really come to enjoy swaying and clapping with my boys to on Sunday mornings.

So I said I was going to keep my updates simple but with great music playing in the background flooding me with memories or just bouncey music I like (thanks for the Jason Mraz song title Jodi) I got caught up. And now my dinner is burning! Oh well!

Yes I Am Still Here

Okay, I think we all can see that I am not good at keeping this up to date. I have good intentions but then someone wakes up early from a nap, dishes need to be done, etc, etc, etc...... Most of the time I feel like I have to type a book, and who has time for that (reading or typing it!!)?!??!? So I will try to update keeping the captions short and see if that helps me keep this current. We'll see!!

Here are a couple of pictures from our family vacation to the Jersey Shore. We had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect, we saw lots of friends and met new ones. I found that 10 days on vacation is a bit long (the boys were completely off schedule by that point), but I also found that once we were home 10 days wasn't long enough!

I am really hoping that our vacation to New Jersey will become a tradition, not every year but maybe every couple of years. I really miss New Jersey and it's great to go back even if it's only for a short time.

This is one of my favorite pictures that I took at the beach. This is Brayden and Will just hanging out on the beach. The boys had a great time playing just like the 'old times'.

I'll TRY to post more pictures of our family vacation in the future.