Just another SUNDAY

Playing after church.

Showing off your mother's bribe, blue bubble gum.
An attempt to get me to sit with my Sunbeams class instead of Mom's lap in primary.

And brother is looking for bugs on the tree.

Look he found one!

first day of KINDERGARTEN

I have done a lot of worrying over this boys start to school and I am sure this is just the beginning.
But one thing I was never worried about was him being excited for the first day, because his excitement was in high supply.
The night before he got to stay up a half hour longer and watch his favorite show "Slugterra" and eat a bedtime snack, while Mom and Dad made his lunch and got his school supplies labeled and packed.
He was SO excited to wear his new clothes that he had bought just a couple days earlier. He even helped Mom lay them out for the next day.

That morning after breakfast and getting dressed he was even willing to stand for some pictures for Mom.

He kept reminding us not to be late.
And he couldn't forget giving his sisters a big hug goodbye, unprompted.

...even if it was forceful goodbyes ...

So before too long off we went. (My sister came to babysit so that Shea and I could drop off and pick him up together for the first day.)
Walking up to the school and seeing it all made it even more exciting for him, he was bursting!

And then as we walked through the doors you could see his face immediately turn to his shy and nervous side, no eye contact, holding on to Dad, no response to any questions; fortunately this isn't a new thing for him so it wasn't surprising.
We came to his class and although he wouldn't talk or look away from the floor, he sat down at the table his teacher told him too and grabbed his backpack and lunchbox from us and was nervous but okay.
I loved that Shea had him come back and give us hugs before we left, it was just pure sweetness as he fumbled trying to pick who to hug first and nervously hugged us and looked us up and down to say "love you".

As we left Shea and I both couldn't believe how nervous we were, and teary eyed, as we talked about it if he'd like it and what things he would be scared of or which things he'd love or the things that would be hard.

Shea was then off to work and the day went by fast before he was home again for pick up.
We waited and waited outside his school doors so anxious for Connor.
Seeing his face light up when he saw us was one of my favorite things, I think it always will be.
Then he walked with us intentionally holding each of our hands. (BEST MOMENT EVER!)
Connor talked a lot about his day and we bombarded him with questions about it, for awhile after.
We loved hearing all his answers even if they didn't make sense.

... How was school? Good. Did you have gym? Yeah but I had to imagine it. Did you make any friends? Yeah. Whats his name? Its a girl, she didn't say her name ... my friend isn't in my class. Was she at recess? Yeah, and the park doesn't have swings it got kinda boring. Does it have monkey bars? Yes, but i tried them and fell. I missed you guys. We missed you too! But school sounds so fun. Did you eat lunch in your classroom or the cafeteria? The lunch room it had a lot of tables and different people. ... What did you do? We took naps. Did Dad go to work? Yes. ... Did you miss your sister? Nope just my parents. ... I got lost. Did you find your teacher? No my teacher wasn't there. Where did you go? I was in the lunchroom. But I found my place. ... The class part's kinda boring. ...

As you can tell it's not just Mom missing
 our kindergartner.

It is seriously the beginning of a whole new stage and is scary for us.
Especially me.
I already miss my little boy at home.
Wild as he may be.
He is a huge helper and shows SO much LOVE all the time.
He just makes everything fun.
For now we are still finding a routine at home without Connor which actually has changed a lot, but seeing Connor come home full of smiles and happiness is the absolute best.
And everyone is anxious to snuggle with him and be with him, even if he is exhausted from getting smart all day.
I wish it could last forever, like this.

Pool Party

Before Connor starts school tomorrow the Martin's threw Connor a pool party!

It was a lot of fun and perfect weather to enjoy the sun and water.

Sprinklers, inflatable pool, squirt guns and splashing!

Everyone loved it, although I won't lie it all was exhausting.

Bella in particular is all too ready for another pool day.

She was obsessed with the water and stayed out nearly the longest.
Only out done by Uncle Joe.

It was a perfect way to celebrate summer and the start of Connor's kindergarten year.

{this moment}

"look mom we're like a family, take a picture" -Connor

And even though the morning has been rough,
and I'm feeling sick and the day looks bleak and gloomy outside;
I'm reminded that no matter what, this right here,
will always be worth more than anything in the world could try to give me.

Even when this moment passes all too quickly.

Swim Lessons

Connor's first swim lessons were a little rough, despite his brave ambitions in a pool with us, in the pool class he was a tad fearful of getting it in his face or eyes or going very deep.

Connor had fans on the sidelines while he swam and we all enjoyed watching our favorite swimmer. 

Most days it's all about playing at the park beside the pool while Connor played at the pool during lessons.

 Connor even enjoyed joining us to feed ducks some days, after class.

Diving proved to be not Connor's thing. But he did start a little club on the edge of the pool whenever it came time.

Although Connor didn't seem like he participated in everything and during the lessons he seemed a little fearful, he was still ecstatic to go every single morning for the 4 weeks he had lessons for. The heat did make the water a lot more fun though, on the cold days Connor was all too ready for hot chocolate and a hot shower when he arrived home.

And Connor's sisters even kept up with his ecstatic attitude each morning, more than willing to come along to play and watch.

The lawn mower made for an unexpected bit of entertainment each morning when it caught Sydney's attention. 

And Bella enjoyed nothing more than "FRIENDS"!

The big slide quickly became a favorite for both girls.

And we never once forgot to root for "CONNOR"  our "SHARK"!

The last day of swim classes was bittersweet, our mornings were a lot calmer for Mom and Dad, and a lot more boring for all three little ones.

I warned Connor of the last day and he was a little sad but more than ready for his last "funday of swim class".

So proud of our little swimming shark and all his hard work trying and doing his best, despite it being "scary".

(And yes we bought this boy goggles in hopes that they would help with his fear of getting his eyes wet, but his excitement for them faded after the first use... or almost first use.)

When he is in a pool with Dad though he sports some amazing moves and is fearless! Maybe next year that will tranfser to class too ;)