Back to School

It was back to school for Ryan last week! This year he is in the 4 & 5 year old program (ReadyK) at Chenango Valley Nursery School. If I haven't mentioned it before, I will say it now...we LOVE it there! Needless to say, Ryan was pretty excited to go back. Fortunately, a couple of the kids from his class last year are in with him this year, so it has taken no time at all for him to warm up to his new class. He does have 3 new teachers this year (3 because there are 18 kids in his class!), but they are all very nice, and though they didn't teach his class last year, their faces are familiar to him.

This year is a little different, too, in that he attends school 5 days a week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are his 'regular' preschool class, and the Tuesday and Thursday sessions are his "Literacy" days. The Literacy portion of the class is a little more advanced, and helps the kids with literacy related activities. Ryan isn't a kid who loves to write. This year they will be helping the kids with writing their first and last names. In addition, they will be learning some sight words, and focusing on those early reading skills. All of the information is presented in a fun way, and it is never forced upon the child. I think it will be good for him.

Here he is on the first day...ready to get going!



Ella is not a happy camper when we have to leave Ryan at school. She thinks she should be able to stay, too. I, however, am enjoying my alone time with just her and am trying to cherish every moment, as next year it will be her turn. They are both growing up so fast.

Vacation to the Outer Banks

Fortunately for us (not so fortunately for others who went after us), we were blessed with a week of beautiful weather for our vacation to the Outer Banks. Hurricane Earl swept through the very week AFTER we were there. Whew!

We went in on renting a house with some friends of ours , Brian and Beth, from Winston-Salem. It was great to catch up with them, and to meet their little girl (as they were always very adament about NOT having children...ha!) Madison, who is now just over a year and 1/2. The kids had fun together, though I'm not sure who had more fun...them, or Beth!



This is the first vacation we have taken as a family and we had a great time! The only downfall to the whole week was that James ended up with food poisoning and was miserably sick for about 12 hours. I'm SURE he could have done without that, but thankfully it was an isolated event and the rest of us were fine. When he first started throwing up (on Tuesday), my mind went to the stomach virus that plagued us a couple of years ago. We were SO sick...all of us, that time!

Ryan's swimming lessons certainly paid off, as he spent every afternoon in the pool at our rental house. He had a blast jumping in and swimming around and around that pool. Ella quite enjoyed it, too...though for some reason she was only comfortable with James holding her in the pool. She wanted NOTHING to do with me.





This was the first trip to the beach for both of our kids. Growing up in Maine, I spent many summers going to the beach and sticking my feet in the (much COLDER than NC) waters of the Atlantic. I was so excited to watch their faces as they saw the ocean for the first time. It still takes my breath away!







We, of course, brought many sand pails and shovels for building sandcastles, and Ella was quite fond of finding seashells and sticking them in her pockets.







The first day we went to the beach, there were TONS of jellyfish washed up on the sand. I have never seen one up close, and at first, I didn't realize what it was. The lifeguard told us that the ones that were clear were harmless (dead), but to be careful of the ones with the brown and black spots on them...they sting! These things were ALL over the place. So much, that we didn't let the kids get in the water that first day (nor did we spend much time walking by the water). As you can see, this one was very much alive.



Less than a mile from our house was a fun little plaza that had bumper cars, mini golf, homemade ice cream shops, and lots of unique little gift shops. We hit it all. This was also the first time we took the kids to play mini golf. Ryan did pretty well...Ella, well, she IS only 2!







One of the highlights, for me (you know, besides spending an entire week with my family), was DRIVING on the beach to look at wild horses. James was kind of like "big deal", but I thought it was amazing. The 4 wheel drive section of the Outer Banks is located just a few miles from Corolla, which is the town where we stayed. There are some gorgeous homes in that area, but no roads. When they say you need 4 wheel drive to get out there, they aren't kidding! At any rate, there is a limited population of these Spanish mustangs and there is actually a law that you cannot get within 50 feet of them. We got close enough to snap a few pics. Just amazing.


The pavement literally just ends...and there's the beach







It was a wonderful end to a very busy summer. We hope to be able to do it again next year!

Happy Birthday, sweet Ella!

2 years old! I can't believe it! I know, I say that with both kids, with every birthday, but seriously! These kids are growing up right before my very eyes!

We had a fun day celebrating Ella! We went to a local park where there is a man-made (I believe) lake and a sandy area for the kids to play. James and I didn't bring our suits, as we weren't sure what to expect, but the kids had so much fun in the water!
















After, we went home and Ella opened her presents (with help from her big brother, of course!). We had dinner and then cupcakes for dessert. Oreo cupcakes, that were pretty much amazing! We are celebrating again this weekend with a family party. My Mom is flying in on Wednesday, and James' family will join us on Saturday. No question that Ella is loved!












Oh, sweet Ella. I love being your Mom and watching you grow. I'm so thankful for the 'ordinary days' that we have together. I love your squeezes and snuggles, your giggles and being able to wipe your tears when you're sad. I love your strong personality and hope that we can steer you in the right direction to use it wisely. You have a voice, and you want to be heard, and boy, some days do we hear you! You have so many words these days...you even put whole sentences together! I love that after hearing Ryan pray before meals, that you have started whispering some of the words (since he uses the same ones every time) under your breath. I pray you will have a heart for God, and that He will bless you richly. He has blessed ME richly by allowing me to be your Mom. I love you so much. Happy Birthday!

A little of this and a little of that...

Boy, summer has been busy for us, so far! Since I haven't updated in over a month, I thought I would do an update, picture style, so you can see a little of what we've been up to!

The last week in June, we went to Maine. James went on his annual fishing trip, while the kids and I went to visit my Mom. We had a great time, and spent a great afternoon at the lake...where I took lots of great pictures...then lost them all from my card as I tried to upload them to my Mom's computer (that had a worm). UGH! Anyway...

Our neighbor has two grown girls, both of which were not happy when she said she was going to sell their childhood play house. SO--we are 'borrowing' it while the kids are little, so that she can get it out of her yard and so that she doesn't have to actually sell it before they are ready for her to do so. Bonus for us!! The kids LOVE it, as you will see...


Cheeeeese!


Ryan peeking out the window


Ella peeking

With the really hot weather we have been having (upper 90s, some days), we got out the whale pool, filled it up, and let the kids go nuts. Well, they didn't actually go nuts because they seemed more interested in the pastel play house! Ha!


Ryan in the whale pool!



Splashin' fun!

When not in the play house, or in the whale pool, the kids can be found riding (and falling off) bikes and drawing on the driveway with chalk.








Our cute little driveway artist


Ponytails (or attempts at them) are a must on hot days! The unruly curls don't allow it all to stay in place!


One must stay hydrated, of course!

4th of July weekend, we went to see the Yankees play in New York. It was our first trip to the new stadium and it was pretty impressive! The Yanks won the game, though most of the action occurred in the 3rd inning (11 runs were scored in ONE inning!!). We stayed with our friends Joe and Karyllan in New Jersey for the night and had a great time!


Take me out to the ball game!








James and Joe--a buddy from high school days



The following weekend, our friends Matt and Tara and their two kids came for an overnight visit on their way home from visiting Tara's parents in northern NY. Apparently I forgot to take pictures of that, but the kids had a great time. Their son's name is Noah, and for some reason, Ryan kept calling him "vanilla". Cracked us up.

Today, Ryan started swimming lessons. I was so proud to see him venture down to the pool (without me) on the heels of one of his friends who is in his 'class'. He was a little timid in the water, but did everything he was asked to do. I imagine by the end of the 3 weeks of lessons, he will be pretty comfortable in the pool.


Looking to make sure I'm watching


Feeling a bit more comfortable the second time around

We are enjoying summer, thus far, and hope to continue on the same path for the rest of it!

Ponytails and Must Haves

Yay! I was able to pull Ella's hair into her first ponytail this morning!!


Isn't it adorable?

Lately, Ella has a few 'must have' items that go to bed with her at nap time (and at night). Don't worry, though. We DO remove the large Elephant and Elmo once she falls asleep. :)


You will note that her hair is no longer in the above mentioned ponytail. It lasted for all of a half hour, if that!