.5 years old!

Dearest Ezra, a very half birthday to you!  And the cuteness and love continues!

You got to meet your Grandpa and Grandma this past month with their awesome visit.  Of course they didn't forget you will all the treasures they brought and you now get to rock out your own car.  It was perfect timing as your becoming more stable in sitting upright.

You still love your floor play time through.  Sometimes your daddy teaches you how to crawl.  You're beginning to get your little booty up to start the crawling process, but we probably have more work to do on that.  Rolling around gets you around a lot now!

You now grab anything in front of you....this has caused mommy to spill her coffee in her eggs and get her hair pulled a few times when she forgets!

You have been a bit more of a struggle at night time.  Not sure why but the swing is just not doing it for you anymore after the girls go to bed....which means more holding time for you.  Sometimes this makes mommy and daddy go to sleep too!

I LOVE to hear you giggle.  You seem to enjoy being tickled just as much as your sisters.  Although they can just make you laugh by doing silly things at times.  I love that, too, and how you get to interact more now together.  Your even big enough to sit in the stroller, too!

You love to catch someones eye and give them the biggest grin!  They seem to like that about you, too, and get excited for such a reaction.  Even when you came with me to the bus to pick up Zoe from school....all the students came to the door just to see you!

Your first word = Dada (and Daddy, too).  So clear and so precious!  I swear I, also, heard you say momma once....but we will wait to call that one to when it is consistent!  

I love you so much baby boy and try to soak up all our moments together!

And so it begins....school house rocks?

This little piece of paper represents one that holds more emotion than any other I've experienced. 

 What to do with Zoe this school year was a huge question in my mind.  Yet, now that we have three children....childcare is even more of an issue.  For the longest time, Zoe has constantly asked about when she would start school and why she couldn't go.  So when there was a chance that she could go to the 4K program at the elementary school near our house this year I decided to get her evaluated.  I know that she is so smart but there are, also, areas that are a challenge for her, as she doesn't like to write or draw.  When I took her to the school for the evaluation in May...I had a strange peace come over me that I was not expecting.  And I felt God telling me it was okay, that this could be okay.

Well she did get into the program and I felt that was God's open door in the direction we should start.  In the back of my mind I told myself that I could always pull her out if it turned out to be terrible.  I went to pick a backpack out for her to attempt to check another thing off of my to-do list and found myself just staring at the wall, only later to return to the store with Zoe for her to pick one out.  Somehow it seemed like such an important choice and Zoe is so selective and passionate, I knew it needed to be hers.

She loved doing so and sitting in the car on the way out.

I greatly anticipated the open house and meeting her teachers and seeing her room.  Zoe didn't really talk to them but I made her take a picture with them in order to go outside to the playground.  I'm sure it won't be too long before they get to see her strong personality come out.

Shiloh wanted her picture taken, too, of course!

I question still, though, if I'm doing the right thing.  (This has nothing to do with the great school or great teachers.)  Should I be homeschooling her (even though that doesn't seem to be really realistic with my work and our clashing personalities)?  Should I just have her not go for a year?  How I wish I could look at other options, but just can't due to money.  I have never wanted to be forced because of finances to make decisions about what may be in the best interest for our children.  And perhaps I would have come to the same conclusion (although I seriously doubt it) but it's hard not having that option.
Handing over my first born soul to the hands of strangers is so very hard.  It is like another huge part of my heart walking around and I don't know what's going on.  The only thing keeping me sane is knowing that I have a loving Heavenly father that is watching over her and loves her more than I could ever love her!

So hot out here....and other happenings in August

My two mini-me....male and female version.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes date night....despite Beach not feeling well, we still had a good time out.  When we are with the kids we cannot seem to have a conversation, as they are soooo talkative and still learning about not interrupting....so having dinner peace is special!

We stopped by the lake to check out the view on the way home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Library time fun with puppets.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We braced the crowds for a free day at Edventure.

It had been about a year since the girls had been able to go....so they really enjoyed it.

Beach is always so amazing wearing Ezra, so I can be more hands on with the girls.

Apparently Zoe liked the dinosaurs.

They have many fun exhibits.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My parents inherited my grandmother's bed....fit for these princess.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My girls attempt at the photo booth.  Zoe turning a necktie props to a hair bow and Shi attempting to get in on the action, too.

Happy special birthday to a very blessed little boy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The walls in our kitchen have been an on going  project for months now.  We finally decided on red....which I believe is the hardest color to paint....looks like it is going to be another several weeks to get done!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When it has been days and days of hot humid mess....some mornings call for first thing playdough sessions outside.

Zoe was pretty proud of herself for the burger so made!  (Don't worry it was grass fed.)

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My sister, Danielle, is back with watching my littles this month while I work.  She is such a blessing.

I love that she enjoys taking pictures (and is so good at it).  Here are some of the images she captured from watching them this month!



I love that these cousins get to spend so much time together.  Hoping that these will be friendships that will last a lifetime!



 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sending love from the Lovelands this month!

Day 1....it has begun!

How did this day get here?  I've heard other mother's speak of it, yet couldn't grasp it in the depths of my heart....my first born's first day of school.

Zoe was so excited, which helped this momma's nerves.  I allowed her to chose her outfit...which of course meant a poofy sun dress!  Learning to let go more and allowing her to express her style.

Shiloh has been having a bit of a time understanding why she cannot go to school, too.  She went right along with Zoe in attempting to pack herself a lunch and bag.  She does love her sister so and wants to be with her!  It will be an adjustment for her too!  Danielle took this picture while we were leaving when she requested such in seeing me take Zoe's picture.

Daddy included a little note in her lunchbox...

Upon learning of Zoe's teacher's favorite drink and love of coffee...we made sure to attend bearing gifts.  Gotta start the school year off right, right?

She looked so small at such a big school!

We made it just in time (I have a feeling this is going to be a constant struggle).  It was a little rushed in saying goodbye and seemed to go by in a blur. 

And just like that....I had to go, praying that the day would go well!  (I had to smile looking back at this picture.  I have no idea what the board was that she sat next too, but somehow it was a connection with her daddy.)

I had to go to straight to work that day, so my mind and thoughts were pretty busy.  But the next day....when I dropped her off and found the house so different without her there.  Tears. A lot of tears throughout the day.  I had seen the FB status updates about crying when you drop your kids off....but throughout the day, many times?  I just wasn't expecting that.  But I miss my Zoe, and realized that this was an end to a stage in our life. She has been with me everyday that I have been home for over four years now.  Her inquisitive talkative self almost always by my side.  She is such a precious soul that I want to protect.  This momma's hands and heart have to be a bit more open.  Knowing that you will soar little one!