Homecoming!

We’ve lived here for what, 6 years now and have yet to attend a Homecoming at both Kevin AND my Alma mater? Sad and pathetic, I have no excuse.  That all changed this year.  I have to admit, we were in it mainly for the free pancake breakfast.  I’ve heard stories about it, and boy, it did not disappoint.  There were pancakes a flyin’ through the air (yes, they throw them at you) and my kids both ate their weight in pancakes and sausages.  I was actually quite fearful that the pancakes were going to come barreling back out of Lauren’s tummy (as that has a tendency to happen when she over eats.)  Add to that all of the candy from the homecoming parade and I was fearful, but we got lucky! It was a gorgeous day outside and now that we know how fun it is for the kids, we will definitely be back again next year (and maybe we’ll stay for the game.)

Lauren’s 1st Birthday party

Lauren (and mommy too) was so excited to receive her very first birthday party invitation this week.  You know, the big girl kind where mommies and daddies don’t go with to the party?  Her friend Autumn is in her Kindergarten class and just turned 6.  Lauren had a blast at the party (and they decorated huge pumpkins so she brought hers home.)

Beanitude’s babysitting service

Baby blowing bubbles

He was covered in bubbles, but had a blast!

A blurry pic

of Jack looking super cute in his new hat.

The Gentle(wo)man’s bonnet

Lauren put on one of Jack’s hats tonight.  She wanted in on the gentleman’s bonnet fad.

Valleyfair

Today, we took Lauren to Valleyfair for the very first time.   We had a BLAST!!  Lauren was able to ride a fair amount of rides and Kevin and I took turns taking her on some of the rides so we could both go on a few of the bigger rides as well.

If you ask Lauren what her favorite part of the day was, she would probably say the food!  We had a ton of yummy snacks.  It wouldn't be a trip to the fair without cheese on a stick, dippin’ dots, an icee and cotton candy!

Park time

Super Husky Lauren

I had lunch with Lauren at her school today.  She was very excited to tell me that she was also chosen as the very first super husky.  Yaay for Lauren!

Unfortunately, Lauren also had her very first trip to the Emergency room today as well.  She sliced her finger on a stick while playing dress up outside with her friend Rosie.  Luckily, I was there as it started spurting blood and I grabbed her thumb right away to put pressure on it.  Double lucky is that Kevin was also home and was able to sprint outside and help out.  The cut was so deep we were sure it was going to need stitches, so Jack went over to the Larson’s (bless them!) and off we went to the ER (with me holding a towel around her thumb the whole way.)  We were brought back almost immediately.  However,  it took awhile for the numbing medicine to kick in so the dr. could get a good look at the cut.  In the end it wasn’t quite as deep as we thought it was and didn’t require any stiches.  However, she is not to play soccer this weekend. :(

I love kindergarten!

That is all!

Potty sprout

I took this picture on my phone to send to Kevin, but couldn’t resist posting it.  Jack is not potty training, he’s just dabbling at this point in time.

A fun outing

Today, we made a trip to Emma Krumbees for the annual scarecrow festival.  I felt a little odd about dressing the kids in their Halloween clothes so early into September, but  got over it.  It was a gorgeous day outside and perfect for the festivities.

Don’t mind the finger, Kevin is the world’s worst photographer.  Here we are on the ride out to the pumpkin patch.

I think Lauren must have had some weight on her feet as she weighs a bit more than this. :)

After Emma Krumbees we planned to hear to Bloomington to explore “chutes and ladders” park.  Little did we know that Target was hosting a huge kids event at the park that day, so there was even more fun things to do.  It would have been worth the drive for just the playground, but the face painting, games, inflatables and food was all icing on the cake.

Then, after playing for a long time, it was time for a trip to the MOA.  We had a little shopping to get done and the kids had some fun on the rides.  I can’t believe how much both kids absolutely love characters.  I know so many kids who are terrified but both Jack and Lauren absolutely love to see them (and hug them.)  I think we should start planning a trip to Disney (probably in 2014 when Jack is a bit taller and can ride more of the rides!)

Lauren’s first day of school

It was exciting morning filled with about 75 million photos.  I feel like I could make an entire photo book of just her first day.  It was abaolutely adorable when we were outside taking pictures and the neighbors saw her and yelled and then they ran and hugged (and took pictures together.)  Everyone was pretty excited for Lauren to be going to school (and riding the BIG YELLOW BUS!)  Then, they were off like a bolt to the bus stop.

I was able to get one little peek at her face in this pic, but once she got to the bus stop she pretty much forgot all about mommy and daddy.

Yes, I also followed the bus to school (can’t miss a photo op/want to make sure she arrives safely.) It was certainly bittersweet (and quiet around the house.)

This is the state she arrived home in later that day.  She looks stressed, LOL!

‘twas the night before Kindergarten

and all through the house, not a creature was sleeping except for the sprout.  Tonight we rode our bikes to culvers for a treat, played at “church park” and read a couple of books before bed. 7am is going to come bright and early for a certain little Beanitude tomorrow.

Jack’s first day of school

It was just a quick playtime to meet the teacher, so I was able to take some photos of him going into school without the craziness of a real morning drop off.  This year, Jack will go to play two mornings/ week.

Kindergarten conference

Today, we had Lauren’s intake conference for school.  She met her teachers (her teacher will be on maternity leave for the first month) and had her school pictures taken.  It was a fun morning and they both really seemed to like Lauren and her spunky personality.

I can’t believe my beautiful baby (big!) girl is going to be a kindergartener next week!