Life Lately

We've been pretty busy around here since school started. I've been asked to work extra hours at the school here and there, so my schedule has been pretty full (which is good). There's also a lot of stuff going on around town lately too, so we've been out and about a bunch.

Last weekend was the Homefield Fall Festival. Highlights included pipe cleaner spiders with lollipops:

Face painting:

Matching, of course:

And pumpkin painting:

We celebrated Matthew's birthday with a party at the house. This is the only picture I took. I hope I can get some more from the other guests!

Matthew had his first school trip to PetSmart.

The weather has been great and we've been able to play outside a lot. The boys had their first lacrosse lesson the other day.

And we've been playing a lot at the school playground (you know, after hours).

Noah has visited Matthew's school on a few occasions and has done really well. I hope he does just as well when he really has to go next year!

That's about it for now. More fall fun to come!

Five Years (and one day) Old!

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

I'm one day late in posting - we were having too much birthday fun yesterday! It was a great day for a great little boy!

1st Day of Pre-K (take 2!)

Matthew is what's considered a "late birthday" kid up here in our town. Since his birthday falls close to the cutoff date for starting kindergarten we had the option to have him repeat pre-k. So now, instead of being the youngest in his class, he'll be one of the oldest. This extra time will give him a chance to perfect his fine motor skills, work on his speech, and catch up to his classmates in physical size a little bit. He's thrilled with returning to pre-k because he's the king of the school there - loves his teachers and all the kids, and loves his role as class clown. Today was the first day back:

1st Day of Pre-K favorites:
Favorite color: Green (news to me, but he insists it is!)
Favorite food to eat: Strawberries
Favorite toys: Smurfs, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Favorite movie: Toy Story 1-3
When I grow up I want to be: Myself (yes, that's exactly what he said when I asked!)

And since Noah just can't be excluded from anything that his big brother does, he just had to be included in a picture this morning. With his own lunch box of course.

Next week Matthew will be five. Next year, off to kindergarten!

Hello Fall

It's like someone flipped a switch on our seasons. Overnight it's become fall here in NY. The temps have dropped, zero humidity, cool breezes - it's fantastic! My kind of weather.

Noah has been doing great post-surgery. Acting like his total maniacal self. Tomorrow we see the surgeon to get his stitches out. I'm hoping it goes as smooth as everything else has with this process.

Matthew had a "come and play" day at his preschool this week. Basically, everyone who is going to go to the school shows up on the same day to meet teachers, get comfortable in the school, etc. Matthew had a blast. He really seemed so grown up - leading his classmates in dance and song. Two hours of great fun - he's excited to start school next week.

We've been able to get out and about more with the nicer weather and it's nice to be able to enjoy the simple things like bubbles in the front yard.

It looks like this weather pattern is a beginning of a trend, and that will mean more outdoor adventures to come.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Post-Op, Day 3

It's weird how accustomed to Noah's birthmark I've become. I have used it as a landing pad for kisses for the past two years. Matthew has never even mentioned it. It's always just been a part of Noah. When his dermatologist suggested now is the time to start the removal process, I was nervous of just how different he would look.

The day before his surgery I took the boys to Subway for lunch. I took this picture to send to Matt to show him how Noah was dissecting his lunch, but realized how prominent his mark really was.

Surgery day began pretty easily. To spite having to wake him at 5:45am, he was in pretty good spirits. He knew we were going to the doctor, and this doctor had a pretty wicked awesome waiting room. Complete with a TV and DVDs. We chose Shrek to entertain us while we waited for our turn to go up to the OR.

As the nurses got him prepped, he was being silly, having fun, not really knowing what was about to happen. Only one of us was allowed to take him into the waiting room, and Matt said Noah was really sweet and calm when they put him on the table. He was asleep in seconds.

About an hour later he woke up and started to throw a fit. The nurses let Matt rock him and give him some water. It was crazy to see half of his mark was gone.

After a few hours, we went home and had a "normal" day. We went to my parent's house to play with their new puppies and have dinner. Noah acted like nothing was different. On the way home he said out loud "my face hurts" - to which Matthew replied, "Hold my hand buddy, that will make you feel better". So he did. And it seemed to work.

Day 2 was pretty good too. A little swelling, still a little groggy, but eating, playing, acting totally normal.

Today, day 3, you wouldn't know this kid just underwent surgery two days before. Besides the long line of stitches on his cheek.

We see the surgeon later this week, when hopefully the stitches will come out. His skin will heal, and bounce back, and in six months we'll do it all over again. Then, nothing will remain but a scar, which will fade in time.

In the meantime, I'm putting in some serious kissing time on the other cheek.

New Friends

My parents and sister have two new housemates. Hawkeye and Sophie. Peekapoo puppies. Cutest little things you ever did see.

The boys love them. Matthew is training them to run like maniacs. Noah has his moments of fear when they get too close, but he'll come over and pet them when they're calm and in someone's lap.

At the end of the day these two pass out like Matthew and Noah do.

Matthew now asks me every day when we can get puppies at our house. I told him we have a puppy - Noah! He wants the real thing. So we made a deal - when he's in first grade and can build us a fence, he can get a puppy. He's already making plans and coming up with names. I'm in trouble if he remembers!!

Wordless Wednesday: Lake George 2013