preschool

Eli's preschool has been such a blessing. It is at our church and this year, he went three days a week from 9-2. It was such a change for him after I quit teaching to stay at home. He was so used to being with babysitters that it was a shock to his system not to see his friends everyday. So, this was the perfect place for him. It is such a wonderful preschool and he made so many little buddies. I switched him to T/Th next year because Teagen is going too and I am kind of sad that his usual friends won't be there anymore. But, there are always new friends to be made! His teacher, Ms. Dee, was wonderful and kind and such a loving soul.

so mad this came out blurry but this is him with his little buddy drake

here we are at the Mothers Day Tea that they have

corn and other summer treats

Eli loves corn on the cob. It has been a summer hit. He likes popsicles too but only if they are the right flavor...this day was not!

He was being a toot about not wanting to eat so I let him use the tongs to eat his food...it was a hit~

in the hot sun

We are so lucky to have such a wonderfully shaded backyard that makes the heat somewhat bearable even during the hot summer months. Eli has many favorite backyard activities but his favorite are the water table(which usually involves him splashing water all over his sister and ending up in time out) and pushing lawnmowers around the yard(although, he only enjoys that if T is pushing hers too...it's a love/hate relationship)

Sea World

A while back we took Eli and Teagen to Sea World in San Antonio. It was a blast...hot but still fun. Eli was old enough to be able to see and understand and he is so interested in everything that it was just a great place for him to explore and learn.

we have a double Bob but I got this boogie board for Eli that attaches to the single stroller...it's so convenient and he loves it

waiting for shamu

watching shamu...he was so amused

riding his first roller coaster with his dad and one of my favorite pictures

he could have spent all day feeding the birds

having a snack with sissy

this was always my favorite part too

sonked out on the way home...marks the 5th time he has EVER(including infancy) fallen asleep in the car

It was such a great trip! One of my college buddies emailed to say they were going next weekend so we might just have to make the trip again!

And in this moment

my heart felt peace. Through the constant bickering and the three hour tanrtums(yes, 3 long hours, multiple times) seeing this site brought me great peace and love. The tears started running through my eyes and I felt, at this moment, like it's all worth it. It's worth it because, somewhere amidst all the chaos that is our life, there are moments that erase all else. These moments, few and far between, keep me going. They keep my soul alive and refresh a very tired body. Yes, this moment just made the past 2 months of torture worth it.

Maybe I did

but I'm pretty sure I didn't ever post pictures from Eli's birthday party(3/15 to be exact). You know, that's just how I roll these days. In fact, I haven't even finished going through them yet. Regardless of my shortcomings, Eli had a great birthday party! It was supposed to be on a Saturday but the weather man forcasted(and was correct) pouring down rain so we rescheduled to Friday. It was perfect. His preschool was out for spring break and so everyone was able to come. This was our first year to invite his 'real' buddies and have an 'actual' birthday party. He was so excited and he just had a blast. He was a "diggers and dozers" birthday party(his words, not mine). And, for all the non-with-it people out there...that is referring to mighty machines...you know, dump trucks, bulldozers, the whole construction crew. So, Adam and I got a TON of sand delivered and had mounds of it in the backyard complete with everything "digger and dozer" related thing that you could think of. The kids had a blast. Both boys and girls loved it so that was a hit too! I might have gone a little overboard on the decorations but I am sure to top myself next year! :)

Now, I am no Marth Stewart. In fact, these days, I don't cook, I don't clean, I barely do the laundry(in fact, T has 2 clean diapers and I have yet to even start washing the dirty ones) and don't get me started about the dishes. So, I must admit that it makes my heart a little happy to look at these pictures and know that I painstakingly made every.single.decoration. Just *a *little happy.

from my little man this morning

Adam was taking Teagen upstairs...

"Wait, Daddy, if you take our sister upstairs then I won't have anymore sisters left and we'll have to take the one out of mommy's belly"

Love you so much my little man!!