1st Day of Kindergarten!

The day started at 7am... Lukas' 1st day of kindergarten! I had to have myself and both boys ready by 8:20. I packed his lunch the night before and assembled it this morning with the ice packs and cold stuff. I couldn't help myself. I made Lukas a "heart" turkey sandwich and wrote a note on his napkin. Ben laughed and said I was going to get him beat up. It's kindergarten for goodness sake. I showed Lukas his lunch before we left and he gave me the cutest grin when he saw his sandwich. Landon was so upset because I wouldn't let him have anything in Luke's box. Though, Lukas was being a nice big brother and let him hold it.

When Ben got home from work, we loaded the boys up and headed to school. Since it was the first day, they let us walk him in to his class. On normal days, he'll just get dropped off at the door and his teacher "Mrs. Paga" will take him to class. The morning went very well. Ben was a little stressed, but he'd just gotten home from work and it was the first day. I have to admit, I had to fight back the tears when they said to take your last pictures and say goodbye. I didn't want Lukas to see me cry so I held the tears till we made it outside. It was quite comical actually. The principal was also in the parking lot (a few feet away) and saw me wiping some tears and yelled "Are you OK?"..."I know, it's hard". Of course, Ben had to laugh. 

Ahhhh...the memories of our first kindergarten adventure!  

Ben told the guys at work last night that "he's starting day 1 of a mandatory 18 year prison term sentence".

After we got back home, I headed off to work and Ben stayed home with Landon and they'd pick Lukas up at 3:20. Yep, that's right. Lukas has all day kindergarten. I thought about him all day at work and couldn't wait to get home and see how his day went.

When I got home, he told me all about his day and that he ate his whole sandwich. Then asked me if I'd make a heart sandwich for tomorrow. He can't wait to go tomorrow.

No More Bink-A-Roo!

It's official!

We're safe to say that Landon has been weaned from his bink.

We started weaning 2 weeks ago. First, we took it from him during the day and would give it to him only at nap-time and bed-time. Though, when we would go places we'd take the bink with us just in case. Eventually, we'd be giving it to him more during the again. Last Friday, Ben said "this is enough"! We have to do this now. He went all day and night without his bink. It was awful the first three days, but got a little better as the week went on. He's still not sleeping through the night. It's been very exhausting on ALL of us, but this has to be done.

Better sooner, than later!

Back to School Shopping

Yesterday, we took Lukas school shopping. Our first year to head out and buy new clothes, shoes, and school supplies! We were more excited than Lukas. We got him a whole bunch of new clothes from the Children's Place (our favorite). Lukas has grown out of all his old long sleeve shirts from last winter, so we got him mostly shirts and a couple pairs of pants.  After we were finished at the CP, we went over to Kidz Shoes to get the boys feet measured. Lukas' feet haven't grown since we last bought him shoes, but they had Merrells on clearance so we couldn't pass it up. Landon's feet measure a size 6. We went through some of Lukas' old clothes and shoes and we decided to hold off on new shoes for him. 

We ordered Luke's back pack and lunch box from L.L. Bean and of course Lukas picked it out. He wore it around the house the day it arrived in the mail. He loves is new camo red back pack.

Today, we went to Sam's Club and stocked up on snacks for Lukas' lunch box.

We can't believe he'll be going to Kindergarten in 1 week!

18 Month Check-Up

This morning was Landon's 18 month check-up with Dr. Gibson. He weighed in at 27 lbs and is 34". Dr. Gibson said that he is right on track. Poor guy had to get one shot today. Lukas kept telling him that he was so sorry and it'd be O.K.... he's such a good big brother. Since Landon is in the high percentile of the growth chart, she told us we could start giving him 2% milk instead of the whole milk. He doesn't need the extra fat! 

Our only concern is the "Binky". We've been trying for a few weeks to ween him from his bink, but it's been tuff. Not only on Landon, but us too! Dr. Gibson told us we are doing great. We don't give it to him during the day, but allow it for nap and bedtime. She said that's a great way to start. She's not too concerned about it because his teeth look great and we still have some time before he's two. She likes "binky kids" to be off before they're two because once they start talking, then you have trouble. We went through this with Lukas. The only difference, he was a lot easier. We'll manage, we did it once before and we'll do it again. 

Landon's growing up too fast. He can go up and down stairs all by himself and we don't freak out. He loves to dance, play with cars, blocks, and big boy toys. He can use the stool and wash his hands, loves to brush his teeth and bath time. He's starting to talk more and loves to say "Hi"!

The most wonderful thing that he has been doing the last few weeks is giving hugs and kisses. And, if you ask him for one or the other, he knows what you asked for.

Kristy's Bridal Shower

The bridal party (Me, Natalie, Kristy, Jess)


This afternoon was Kristy's bridal shower at our church social hall. My Mom and Nanny knit dish cloths and wrapped them with a bath soap or hand santizer for the favor. My Nanny came up with a little phrase, " This dish cloth was knit just for you. Your dishes to help you do. The other gift just might care for your skin too!", that I made into tags. Great job to everyone who helped with Kristy's shower, especially Mom and Nanny! The decorations were beautiful and the food was so delicious. Kristy and Mike got so many nice things. I think they got everything they registered for! I can't wait for the big day, October 24th=]

The SURPRISE Party!

Yes, I put 30 candles on his cake...

...and 8 were trick/magic candles!

Ben knew that we were having a picnic with his mom and dad this Saturday. 

Little did he know that it was his 30th surprise party!

This is how the day planned out:

I woke up at 8:30 to start the pork.

Ben woke up at 9:30

I left at 10:00 to get a few things at the store.

Ben decided to cut the hedges and grass around 11:00. 

At 1:30 he was still cleaning up and the guests were to arrive at 2:00. 

At 1:40, our first friend, Gloria, showed up. Ben was downstairs in the basement running the vacuum...aaahhhh! I was starting to panic. I didn't know what to do with her. I couldn't have her go downstairs. That's were Ben was. I couldn't send her up to our room because Ben would be going up there after his shower. Landon was in their room napping, so I sent her up there and told her to hide in their closet. Yes, this was all going on while Ben was in the basement running the vacuum. 

Glenna and Rick showed up at 1:45. They were my key to get Ben out of the house. 

At 1:50, we finally got Ben in the shower! Right after he got in the shower there was a knock on the door. Everett arrived! I took him upstairs to hide with Gloria. Then he asks me the game plan. I told him that Ben was still in the shower. He said "O crap, I thought he was gone and my bike is parked right behind his truck". I snuck him back downstairs so he could move his bike. Thank goodness, Ben was still in the shower! 

At 2:00 Mike and Tracey show up and Ben's friend BJ. 

BJ and Everett were in the backyard talking so I ran out there to tell them to hide-out on the front porch. I went inside to close the blinds and to tell Rick not to drive in front of the house when they leave. 

Finally, shortly after 2:00, Ben is out of the shower...ready to go. Glenna planned on taking him to the cemetery where his grandparents are burried and to go on a beer run (I know it sounds weird, but Ben asked his mom about their graves a month or so ago). 

They left and we just waited for everyone else to show up. 

It was 3:00 and I'm texting Glenna telling her that we were ready. She couldn't get Ben to leave the cemetery. He was asking all kinds of questions. Back at our house, we're all wondering what the hell is taking so long. 

Finally, around 3:10, they arrive! We thought OK, he's going to walk into the house and we'll surprise him...HELL NO, this is Ben we're talking about. He goes to the basement, gets a cooler, goes back outside and starts putting the beer and ice. Then goes back down the basement again...for what, who knows. Meanwhile, everyone was waiting in the living room while I'm doing the play by play. Rick came in right before Ben and we almost did the "surprise" on him, but I was able to hold it off. 

Finally, after a long wait, Ben comes in the house and I told him to go into the living room because Lukas wanted to show him something. We got him! He had know idea that I had this planned. He did admit that he was a little embarrassed. Ben does hate being in the spot light.

Ben had a great time! 

This is what I did to play off the surprise:

I told Ben we were having a picnic with his Dad, Tracey, Mom and Rick.

Two days before the party I texted everyone to park away from the house.

Me, his Mom, Tracey and my sister made food.

I ordered a cake at Giant Eagle and gave my sister money to pick it up.

I called my brother and asked him to pick up the beer.

Family, Friends, Food, Beer=GOOD TIMES!

Thank you to everyone who helped me with his surprise and also for being so patient. It definitely will be rememorable! (I got this on video and it's funny!)

Happy 30th Birthday Benjamin...and many more!!

Happy 30th Birthday Babe!

30 Today!

What a wonderful time of life...
so much already accomplished,
so many opportunities ahead.

Can't wait to celebrate your 

next 30 years...

Happy Birthday Babe!

PS. At least you (and I) got carded when we 

went out for dinner and drinks=]