BIG Dirt Pile

This boy and his dirt pile. Back in late April we were out in the woods scoping out some potential photo spots when he spotted the "BIG Dirt Pile." This post needs no further introduction the photos do plenty of talking.

Soccer Season 2016

Doug and I never played soccer, except for the occasional units of phy ed. I honestly never watched a full game of soccer until I dated a guy in high school who played. I have never have been wowed by the sport or thought it was fantastic by any means. But something changed when this guy was introduced to the sport a couple years back. We don't play competitive yet and I LOVE that. Kids have their whole life to compete. I am just so glad the right now this is something he LOVES and he at the same time he getting exercise, learning skills and sportsmanship because really that is the most important part of playing a sport and being on a team.

Soccer Season 2016

And celebration ice cream, ALWAYS.

Street Cleaner.

You would be pretty convinced that we are raising a couple of neat freaks until you ask them to pick up their toys and then you would realize... definitely, not a chance.

They do love to sweep however, both of them. I have to remind Harrison to stop sweeping under the couch and other furniture in the house. I mean in reality how many times do you move the couch to sweep? Apparently 3 days a week at our house. And he may have a terrible habit of not using the dust pan after he sweeps and I and everyone else traps dirt and fur back around the room. So... I like to keep the sweeping thing outdoors. On this night Miles birthday buddy and next door neighbor Waylon helped as they transformed the street as street sweeper workers. Got that?

Love these.

Goodbye Kindergarten, Hello First Grade.

Well... Are you just as shocked as I am that I actually posting a new entry? Well... It's only been almost 9 months! My only excuse is life got REALLY busy. I am not sure I can make up for all 9 months, but I can certainly play catch up from here on out.

Let's start with tomorrow...The last day of kindergarten. Yep, all I did is blink and he is a first grader. So, so much has changed with this guy. At the beginning of the year, I didn't think we would survive kindergarten... There was a lot of rebellion, even some aggressive "fighting" behavior that I'd never seen. I pretty much was convinced kindergarten ruined him. It wasn't until December or so I felt like we were winning the battle of school and we just might make it through the year. We did preschool for 3 years prior to kindergarten and I thought both academically and emotionally he was ready for school, which he was. However kids are always growing and changing and I don't think I was quite prepared for that much growth and change all at once. But long story short, we made it! He's consistently improved in academics all year, he can read and sound out almost any word, it's pretty magical to hear him pick up a book. And friends, he has good core group in his kindergarten room and in our neighborhood (turns out there are a lot kids we didn't know we he had in our neighborhood) but he also picked himself up two fourth grade girl friends Carly and Lael whom I know he will miss greatly as a first grader. The girls transition to the middle school next year. 

First Day Of School: 

And randomly that's not our kitty Hazel that is our neighborhood kitty. We didn't get Hazel until a month later after these photos were taken. 

The Comparison First/Last Day: Kindergarten 

Last Day of School: (Well to be technical, second to last day of school.)

Happy 3rd Birthday Violet!

Happy National Dog Day! And happy belated 3rd birthday to Violet.

Violet turned 3 years old last month. I have been meaning to take her official "milestone" photos and with many, many, many, many, many treats I called what I got success. Violet is all puppy, even at 3. In dog years she is legal to drink----but she's got enough craziness I am not about to serve her, her first beer :)


3 years.

Preschool Graduation-2015

Tonight was Preschool Graduation.

Are you ready world? Here comes the graduating class of 2028.

I sucked in my tears throughout the entire ceremony. Whew. 

This guy has spent 5 years at the most fantastic center with people that care about him and care about his future. 

There stood his class of 9 in their blue caps, holding their diplomas, ready for their next adventure. Harrison is going to miss the friends he made especially his besties Logan and Kyle. I am a little sad for him too---I know he will make new friends, but saying goodbyes are always hard.

This evening we were surprised with a memory book from Harrison's time at school. This will be an awesome reminder of the fun times he had during his preschool years!

I can not resist sharing his Preschool Thoughts on Life.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Police Officer.

How much money will you make? A lot.

Are you going to get married? No. 

How many kids are you going to have? No.

Where will you live? At mom's house.

What kind of car will you drive? Dad's car.

Whats the best thing about school? Playing with toys.

Alright buddy... Here you are as a Preschool graduate. Congratulations.

The end of Summer.

The last week of very cool temperatures, wind and rain is a reminder summer is almost over. Tonight we met Harrison's kindergarten teacher Mrs. May while having a popsicle and playing on he school playground with his soon to be new classmates.

Until Tuesday I am going to continue to stare at these photos and try to remember every single fun thing we did with his last summer home. These past 5 years went WAY, WAY too fast.

Tomorrow begins our last week's adventure of summertime. The laundry will not get done, the house will not get cleaned, emails will not be promptly answered, nor will photos be edited. This is my last week home with my buddy.