Christmas programs

Sean's Pre-school Christmas program at school was just beyond amazing. I cannot believe how well all the little kiddos did! There were three classes who each performed two songs, and then they all got together at the end to sing a couple of songs together. There is nothing that warms a Mother's heart more than watching her child sing about their love for Christ and really, really getting into it! I was SO proud of Sean and the amazing job he did! I was so grateful that my parents, sister and nephews came to support him too!

This isn't the greatest picture (it was taken on my phone), but he is on the end of the second row in a red vest. :-)



Nathan's class doesn't really have a program, but they did get in the Christmas spirit!! Their classroom was decked out for the holidays, and each day they did some fun Christmas-y activity! His teacher, Marcella, (LOVE HER) is so good about sending me texts/pictures of Nathan. Here is one she sent with some of the kids in their Christmas gear. Doesn't Nathan looked thrilled? ;-)

Happy New Year!

Hello friends and family! I can't believe it's been two months since I last posted - Yikes! There is so much to catch you all up on, but first, let me say I hope this post finds you all well!

I'll start with where I left off with my last post. December 4th, Jamie and I celebrated SEVEN YEARS of marriage! Although it's not a "milestone" anniversary, I still think it's pretty cool! I can honestly say, each year gets better and better, and I am SO LUCKY to have him in my life! He is THE BEST husband and father I could have ever imagined!

We celebrated by going to dinner at Minnechi's (where we had our rehearsal dinner) following by "Christmas Vacation" at the Virginia Theatre here in Champaign. We watched that movie on our second date, so it was fitting. :-) We just love seeing anything at the Virginia... the atmosphere there is just so cool! We actually managed to get one picture of the two of us, courtesy of Rob (the owner of Minnechi's). This was taken right before Jamie surprised me with my present... a purse I had been ogling over for awhile! He had it wrapped and dropped off at the restaurant before we arrived. Isn't that awfully thoughtful? Here's to 7x7 more years together babe!

Sean - 5 year check up

I promise I'll post pictures from Sean's birthday soon... I have to share all the fun stuff from my FIVE YEAR OLD's party! In the meantime, let me tell you about his five year old check up...

Let me start by saying he is as healthy, and for that, we are truly grateful!!! His pediatrician was very pleased with his growth, although she does want us to continue to see Dr. Green (his pediatric endocrinologist). We only see her once a year, and won't see her again until April. Despite the fact that Sean had to get three immunizations, the visit was pretty uneventful! Here are the five year old stats:

Height: 39 1/2 inches (3.26 percentile)
Weight: 29.6 pounds (0.13 percentile)

Just for comparison, here were his stats from the last couple of years:

4 year stats
Height: 36 3/4 inches (1.51 percentile)
Weight: 26.6 pounds (0.16 percentile)

3 year stats
Height: 34 1/8 inches (0.96 percentile)
Weighed 25.2 pounds (1.54 percentile)

So, he's still not gaining a lot of weight (only three pounds in one year, yet a big improvement from his third year to fourth year), but he's grown almost three inches - IN ONE YEAR! WAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! Although he hasn't grown much since April, he is growing. In regards to the weight, now that the weather is getting colder and we can't be outside as much, I'm sure he'll pack on a little "winter weight"... yeah, that's my excuse too. ;-)

Birthday pictures coming soon!!!!

Halloween 2011

This Halloween was SO much fun! We decided to meet up with my nephews, Nick and Kyle, again this year, and Trick-or-Treat in my parents neighborhood. It's nice that they can see the boys and that they can all be together.

Nathan really, really got into it (which was super cute) and just melted everyones heart when he would say "Happy Halloween" (or what sounded something like that) in that sweet little voice! Sean had a ball as well, but really didn't care too much about the candy... he just wanted to ring the doorbells!
:-)

"Handy Sean"





My sweet puppy (or lamb as everyone called him... ugh!)



Nathan making friends with the real puppy



I just loved how his little tail wagged when he would walk! SO cute!





Nathan was fascinated with this skull that would repeat back to you whatever you said. He kept yelling "BOO" at it, and saying "Happy Halloween". I thought it might freak him out a bit, considering how loud it was, but it didn't seem to bother him at all! I think he would have stayed at that house all night if we would have let him!





My nephew Kyle... aka, the red M-n-M!

ABC Halloween

It was kind of weird only having one kiddo with a Halloween parade this year, but it was still a ton of fun watching all the kids and their cute costumes! Grandma and Grandpa were even able to make it to see the debut of our sweet puppy!






Nathan, and his teacher Miss Marcela



Nathan and Kendal (his girlfriend... they are seriously obsessed with each other!)

Pumpkin Patch - 2011

We FINALLY made it to the pumpkin patch a couple of weeks ago. It just seemed like we had a sick kid or something going on every weekend, so I was glad we finally were able to get there. The good thing about waiting a little bit, is that at least the weather was cooler. I have a hard time picking out pumpkins when we're in shorts and it's 86 degrees outside! :-)

















I think Nathan is clapping because he just pushed his brother off the hay. :-)



But Sean didn't care!




Sean making a "silly face"

First school picture

I remember planning for my school pictures. The dreaded, "What do I wear?" and "Am I going to have a good hair day?" We all know how the pictures turned out... everyone told you how great they were, but we all know there really was no excuse for a bowl-haircut, a mullet and that hideous sweater vest with fish on it. Really Mom? Really? Don't tell me that's what I wanted to wear! I'll never believe you! ;-)

Sean had his first school picture recently... it was so fun to have him help pick out what he wanted to wear and remind him to "show a great smile"! Fortunately, we don't have to worry about the bad hair day (helps when you have no hair). I was pleasantly surprised at how great they turned out! And I am NOT just saying that cause I'm the Mom.

Bowling

Since Sean's pre-school was closed for two days a couple of weeks ago, I decided to take the days off and just have some one-on-one time with my sweet Sean. We had a fun couple of days having lunch, playing at the park, getting our flu shots (okay, maybe that part was a little less than fun), picking out a new toy and treat for Seabass's birthday, etc. To top the days off, I told him that we could go bowling! It's one of his favorite things to do! He was so strong carrying the balls all by himself. It was just too funny! Our friend Amy had the afternoon off, so she came with (and generously let Sean bowl her frames too)! :-)





Getting ready...



His "I-just-got-a-strike" happy dance moves :-)




Getting tuckered out...