Look at this!!!

My darling Dallin rolled over all by himself this morning!!

I laid him on his play mat and went into the kitchen to make breakfast for the kids.  When I heard him squawking weird, I came in to check on him.  This is what I found!  He had his arm stuck for a little bit, but then managed to pull it out and look around.  What a stud!!!  (he will be 4 months old on the 17th!)

First Days of School - 2011

How in the world did I get old enough to have a son in Middle school?!! Really?! I'm still pinching myself that this really is reality! My Zach-o started 6th grade this year and is really enjoying it so far. He likes being able to switch to different teachers and be up and moving around to different rooms. He was not too nervous about starting at a new school...because hey...he's been there - done that - plenty of times!

I had to take him something that he forgot right after school started on the first day. I was glad to see him and ask him if the first hour of school had gone okay. I was somewhat comforted when he told me yes, it was all fine. Only somewhat comforted because I was more nervous for him than he was for himself. I never had to experience being the new kid at a school and it always has made me SO nervous every time he starts somewhere new. I left and sent Chris a text saying how I just wanted to hold his hand to class and go introduce him to all the nice kids and tell them to be nice to him and help him make good choices and to be his friend - especially lunch time. That was always the most awkward time for me...finding someone to sit with! But my happy, social Zach has done lovely and has been working hard already on his assignments and friend making and girl flirting!

And another amazing-to-me reality is that my little girlie is a big, full-fledged Kindergartener!! Wasn't she just a little squishy, curly-haired baby?!! Seriously! I thought I would loose it after dropping her off, but Parker did it for me! He had gotten up super early that morning which added to his breakdown, but the fact that his favorite play buddy had just left for the day, was just not ok with him!! He had lots of tears that morning! Chloe on the other hand, was all smiles and excitement! I just LOVE how much excitement this tiny little person can have!

She was a little nervous the first and second day to let me leave. She had to keep running back out in the hall for "just one more hug and kiss!" So after lots and lots, she took her teacher's hand and walked bravely into her class. Then we had to talk all weekend about how brave she would be when she jumps out of the car and walks into school all by herself!! The confidence she had after doing that was just so fun to watch! She is such a happy little girl and I just love it!! I am so grateful that she is mine. Even though I miss her, I am really enjoying watching her grow and experience new things!

Summer 2011 in pictures...continued...

Continued from this post...

July 2011

Chris's parents and youngest brother, Brian, came out for a visit and for Dallin's baby blessing.

Here we are waiting for the ferry to take us out to Peak's Island for the day!  Lots of pictures!!

After being on the island all day and soaking in the beauty all around us, we headed over to show them the lighthouse.

My super good baby just enjoying the day outdoors.

Dallin's blessing was on July 3rd.  He was so darling and fit into Zach's blessing outfit!

Swimming in the neighborhood pool!

Um...she's pretty cute!

So is he...

So is he...

So is he...

Lots of time in the sprinklers on HOT days!!

LOTS of time spent walking to and from friends houses

Summer beach days!!!

...and a mom that needs lessons on applying sunscreen! Maybe i need to not be in such a hurry! Poor little guy was in lots of pain!

Our last beach day in Maine before we moved!

Zach's moving away pool party with all his neighborhood friends!  He was SO lucky to have a bunch of great friends in the neighborhood.  They got to swim and play and eat pizza and snacks...all while the younger kids were at a friend's house and the movers were busy packing up our house!

Our summer has felt very short and VERY busy!  But at least we were able to get some fun activities in while it lasted!