Jack is 4!

Happy Birthday Jack! You are four years old!
This was you as a baby:

Look how you have grown! 

• You are a sweet 4 year old with glimpses of a very strong personality (Sounds like your Abba Jacques). 
• You still love Lightning McQueen. You have so many Lightning cars I cannot even count. 
• You like Animal from the Muppets. You sleep with him each night along with Lightning. 
• You like to watch the tv show Caillou on PBS. He is 4 years old, just like you!
• You like the color Red. 
• You like to pretend you are a monster and chase us around the house. 
• You love to run and boy are you fast now! I think you run faster than your Mama (not hard to do). 
• Your favorite food is pizza with chocolate a close second. 
• You are in your first year of preschool and are doing great! Your teachers' names are Mrs. Munsey and Mrs. Noble.
• You can write your name now. 
• You know all of your capital letters and most of your lower case letters. 
• You can count to 30 no problem and to 100 with some help. 
• You can count to 10 in Spanish. 
• You can get completely dressed by yourself, shoes, coat and all. 
• You finally like to color and paint - this is recent since about September. 
• You love to race your cars around the house. 
• You like to build with blocks. 
• You like to sing when you are by yourself (you have a very nice voice), but won't sing in front of an audience. However, you did sing at your Preschool Christmas Program and I was so proud of you! 
• You know all the words to "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". 
• You love your sister and she is your best friend.
• You tell Mama you love her every day (that makes me so very happy). 
• You have one of the best laughs. I love to hear you laughing. 

Look how much you have accomplished - and more - in just 4 short years! I love you Jack more than words can express. I'm so grateful to have you as my son. I enjoy you every day and look forward to a lifetime watching you grow and become the great person you are!  

Butterfly Pavilion

Yesterday, The kids didn't have school and David took a day off work. We went to Westminster, CO and visited the Butterfly Pavilion. Awesome place! I recommend it.

The only time Jack will nap now is in the car

Lily and I waited out in the lobby while Jack and David went through the bug display. I think Lily picked up on my dislike of insects. I'm sorry, they freak me out a bit. I tried not to pass this along, but I must have. 

This and That

We have been keeping busy this last summer and now into fall.  Just a snippet of what we have been doing. 

I went to Stamps for a Cure this last weekend. This is my 3rd time to attend this annual event. Always have a nice time creating cards, getting ideas, laughing with my friends and knowing that we are here for a bigger cause. 

Jack and I have more time together when Lily is in school. This last week Jack and I went to the park. Jack found a sand patch and made lots and lots of sand people. Jack is just now getting into coloring/drawing. I love it! 

My friend, Kristi invited me to a house party concert last Monday night. We saw Field Report and Hey Marseilles. Awesome show! I bought Hey Marseilles music the next day! 

Hey Marseilles!

Over Labor Day weekend my parents came to Colorado to visit us. We had a great time! 

While my parents were in town, we went to the Balloon Festival. We got up at o'dark hundred and watched the balloons take off. Beautiful!

I'm back to attending concerts again! I had a break when the kiddos were little. Now it's much easier to get away. This was the Jason Mraz concert at Red Rocks. My friends Regina, LaRain, Cat and I went. This is Regina. 

Everyday Lily colors and draws. It's wonderful!

Kids wanted masks - so we made some!

My fashionista. She definitely has her own style. Love this picture!

First Day of Preschool!

And, I'm late for this post. Poor Jack - he suffers from terrible 2nd child syndrome. I guess it's a good thing we didn't have 3 children.

Anyways, Jack started Preschool on September 6th. He did great! No tears and much excitement (I won't mention his 2nd day).

I'm proud of Jack. He is going through lots of changes right now. His sister is in all day Kindergarten and he misses her terribly. He's going to his school by himself and he has a babysitter one morning a week without sister.

I'm enjoying the Mommy - Jack time while Lily is in school. We have gone to lunch, the grocery store and Target all by ourselves. Love you Jack! You are doing awesome and you will love Preschool!

Lily's First day of Kindergarten

Lily started Kindergarten on August 15th. She was excited to start school all summer long. Her first week of school went well. I was imagining she would come home exhausted, but she wasn't. My friends tell me this is because she was ready to start. She is in all day kindergarten and the house is a bit quieter without her here during the day. This is giving me an opportunity to hang with Jack. I've never had much alone time with Jack, so these next two years will prove to be some good Mommy-Jack time.

Hugs before heading out the door for all day kindergarten

Jack wanted to sit right next to Lily during breakfast. I think he understood he wouldn't see her all day. 

Inside the Common Area of Lily's school

Lily waits on the stage of the Common Area each morning. Her teacher walks the entire class to their room once the bell rings. 

Walking to her classroom

She found a table with some new friends

Mrs. Jenkins 

I still have not purchased myself a new camera. I apologize for the iPhone pics. This is all I have at this time. Soon - soon I will buy myself a new camera.