Back To School

Wow! I remember shortly before I had Porter (child #2), someone told me that with one child you can still do the things you always have (and I did), but with two children, you realize you just can't do everything and have to let some things go (which was absolutely true). They never told me what happens with three children, but I would say that it's easy to let everything go! I have time for my three children right now and that's about it! I'm loving it, though. It really is a wonderful thing and I know there are seasons to everything and we will get back into the groove soon.



When Gabby was 10 days old, we drove back home to Nebraska to watch Casey receive his MBA. This has been three years in the making and I completely broke down when I saw him receive his degree. He has worked so hard and we as a family have sacrificed so much to make this happen. We debated whether to make the trip back for his degree as we knew it was a little crazy, but we thought it would set a great example to Caden. And it has.... he now has a piggy bank that he "saves for college."

Speaking of school... Caden started preschool last week. He goes three days a week for 2 1/2 hours. He has the same teacher as last year and loves it! When I asked Caden what he wants to be when he grows up, he said "a football player." Here is his giving a 4 year old forced smile to the camera. (He does this every time the camera comes out).



Then I tell him to be himself. Ah, that's better.



Now for the goofy shots.





And one with brother.



For those of you wanting a Gabby update. She is doing really well. I tried to take good pictures for her announcement a few weeks back and this is what I got.



Fussiness. Pure fussiness and I haven't been able to take pictures since. Blame it on the light, or the pure craziness that is our household currently, it just hasn't happened.

Preschooler Chores

Caden loves helping out around the house. Anytime I'm wiping off the table, he'll ask me if he can help. He gets a Clorox wipe and cleans the table like I've never seen before! I'm serious-- he will even clean the chairs.

We started giving Caden responsibilities when he was ready. Around age two, we discovered he really liked getting the mail. So it's been his job everyday to get the mail (with mom or dad, of course). Ever since about 3 or 3 1/2, he's helped with other various chores around the house like putting away the silverware, folding his clothes and putting them away, or setting the table for dinner. He doesn't do them every time, but if he's around while we're doing them, he usually wants to help. And how am I supposed to say no to that?



Here's a list of chores if you are looking for ways to give your little ones more responsibility.

• Make the bed


• Help do laundry (sorting clothes, putting them in and out of washer/dryer, folding, putting away)


• Empty trashcans & taking out garbage


• Washing the car (lower half)


• Watering the garden


• Dusting


• Help put away groceries


• Cutting out coupons


• Watering plants


• Sweeping


• Setting the table


• Feeding pets

Are there any chores that your children love doing around the house?

"If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders." ~Abigail Van Buren

And if I might add, responsibility also helps fill their need of independence at this age. If only it would continue into their teenage years, right?

Caden Goes to Preschool

Caden started preschool last week and if you can't tell, he loves it!  Can you also tell by these pictures that he never stops moving?  He is such a busy boy, I tell you!  I'm so happy I've kept up my workout routine.  I think I might be in the best shape of my life and it sure helps me keep up with him!

Caden wakes up every morning and asks me if he's going to school.  And then he asks me if we can have ice cream for breakfast.

Gotta love him.

We've been a little hit and miss around here.  Sorry about that. The summer has been downright gorgeous so we are getting out as much as we can before the winter sets in. 

Big Boy Caden

Caden is growing up to be such a big boy.... he's definitely not a baby anymore. I've been focusing on being a better mother by making sure he gets the stimulation he needs and deserves. We're very lucky to have wonderful church friends that are proactive and plan activities such as playgroup {where we go to various locations around town as a group- i.e. the zoo, husker stadium, parks, etc.} and music makers {which is just like KinderMusik}. These activities happen to fall on my days off and we are very grateful for that.

Once I go back to work, my days off will shift and we will be left to figure out our own activities. Knowing this is on the horizon, and Caden would appreciate some activities while I'm home full time with him and the baby, I started planning mini preschool lessons for him. They only last about 10-30 minutes depending on the activity that goes with it. He is already loving it and I can see it paying off in his vocabulary and knowledge- which is so fun to see!

The other day, our little lesson was "A is for Acorns" so we went to East Campus for an Acorn hunt, and then came home to count our collection of acorns together. Then we sang a couple fall themed songs and colored an A is for Acorn page.

Since he enjoys this so much, I spent a few hours putting together a mini lesson manual to get us through November. I love teaching him and it has helped to map out our activities ahead of time.

As far as an update on the baby.... I had an ultrasound on Tuesday and the baby is measuring 8 lbs 4 oz. {although it's hard to know how accurate this truly is-- but my guess is that it's not too far off considering Caden was 8 lbs at this stage of the game). The doctor would like to induce me a week early. We are considering this and need to get him an answer tomorrow. Please be thinking of us as this seems like a really difficult decision. One part of me would like things to happen naturally, and the other part of me doesn't want to deliver a 10 lb baby.

I hope all is well with everyone.

xoxoxo