School is Back

This boy was ready for first grade.  A little nervous too, but mostly ready.  Let's keep things real and say we both were.  Colt absolutely loved having eight hours of his day during kindergarten planned out.  He was on the go all the time and reveled in it.  Fast forward to summertime when Mama doesn't plan out every second of your day and I think it's safe to say we were both frustrated.  So come the first day of school, this boy was ready to take on the world.  Or at least the first grade part of it.

In true mom fashion, when it came time to actually say goodbye to him, I wasn't ready.  It must be in the mom part of my DNA.  When all is said and done, it's hard to let go.  Not kindergarten hard, but still.  You know what I am ready for?  The open mouthed crazy smile to go.  Guess he loved seeing his crazy T-ball picture so much, it's sparked a new fad.

As soon as I was on my way out the door though this boy was focused and ready to get down to business.

The traditional after school cookies.  Since I didn't have a two-week old this year, I baked the requested M&M cookies.  And of course, Delaney was there to beg for her share.

A week later, it was Cade's turn for his first day.  He's going to a Pre-K program at our local presbyterian church which he absolutely loves.  He comes home singing, "He's got the whole world in his hands...." and "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..." to name a few.  I'm also doing a joy school with five other moms from church twice a week.  I think it's safe to say we have preschool covered this year.

Here he is after his first day.  For the life of me, I could not get him to stop squinting for this pic.  Guess having lived in Chicago for most of his life, he's not all that used to the sun.  Can't believe this boy is going to be in kindergarten next year!  Good thing I have my Delaney girl to keep me company.

Happy birthday to little miss!

While Evan was on his trip, we celebrated our sweet girl's first birthday.  We definitely missed having her daddy around to celebrate, but were lucky enough to have the rest of my fam there ready to party. 

Delaney's first birthday gift was from my dad when he walked in the door from work at 5 pm, which I think is the first time I've ever seen that happen.  Delaney was pretty thrilled about it.

After dinner we broke out the pink cupcakes and seriously, Delaney didn't really know what to do with herself much less the cupcake.  With some serious prodding, she decided to take a test bite. 

And realized that cupcakes were definitely one of the better things in life.  We considered it a success.  Some pizza, cupcakes, presents and Papa home by 5?  Not a bad way to celebrate your first year.

We love our sweet Delaney something fierce.  She is such a happy, content girl who pretty much never complains, unless she's hungry.  I, of course, have no idea where she gets that from.  Her favorite foods are peas, beans, and oranges.  Weird, I know, but true.  And of course anything even remotely in the cupcake family.  She's adored by her brothers, spoiled by her dad, and my little sidekick.  She's been such an easygoing girl I know I've been forever spoiled.  We consider it a true blessing when she joined our family a year ago.  Happy birthday to my girl!

Roadtripping, Part II

After our week of fun in San Antone, the kids and I stayed in Austin to hang out while Evan headed to Utah to do a little of this...

Every couple of years, Evan meets up with some of his longtime best buddies to have a "mancation" as he calls it.  They do all sorts of manly things that, though I'm sure Evan would have a blast doing with his ultra daring, thrill seeking wife, are a little more enjoyable with his buddies.  This year included: cliff jumping, jet skiing, rock climbing, water skiing, four wheeling, getting dirty, and since they're all from Cali, saying the word "dude" about a million times (trust me, I've seen the video footage).  So while he was off getting his much needed, well deserved man time on, I stayed in TX with my girls and let the cousins run wild.

This included baths in Nana's tub.  Look at all those cute, white bottoms!

Poor Delaney.  Girlfriend can't take a real bath yet because of her kidney issues, but she had fun watching.

Some serious cousin bonding.  We live so far away that I loved watching my boys get to know and become friends with their awesome cousin, Gavin.

Blue Bell Ice Cream factory tour.  At the end of the tour is free ice cream so needless to say, an enjoyable time had by all.

Since we were in TX, most of the boys' days were spent here.  Nothing says summer like popsicles in the pool and I loved soaking up every bit of it.  After the kiddos were in bed, I spent some quality time hanging with the fam, eating my Tex/Mex, cheering on Team USA.  We left for home the week before school started, with some wonderful summer memories made.  I think I'll go ahead and toss the memories of the drive back.  Thanks to all my family for a great vacation!

Roadtripping, Part I

This summer we planned our main vacation down to Texas.  Or as I liked to call it, my sabbatical, since I was gone for over three weeks.  It just made sense to leave the Chicago heat for the more stifling, scorching Texas temps.  Here the kiddos are right before we got on the road for the two day drive down.

Everyone's happy, rested, ready for the much anticipated vacay.  As my mom will attest this was the antithesis of our drive home.  Oh, heaven help me the road trip back was the worst ever in the history of road trips.  Ever.  But back to our happy drive down.  We stopped in nowhere Missouri where Delaney proceeded to eat an entire cheeseburger by herself.

And her mama was proud.  She was pretty proud of herself too, apparently.  We made it to Austin safe and sound just to give hugs all around and drop the kids off, then Evan and I headed for a little getaway of our own in San Antonio.  We considered it a "Happy 8 years" to us a few weeks ahead of schedule.  We stayed in a cute bed & breakfast, ate amazing food (if y'all are ever in San Antonio please do yourselves a favor and eat at La Fonda on Main), slept in, went shopping, watched late night movies and just hung out.

Here we are on the Riverwalk, happy, relaxed, and what's more, rested!  Two thumbs up for a little time just the two of us.  I highly recommend it.  After a couple of days alone, Ash and Logan made the trip out and we met at Adam and Valerie's house for some delish grilling out.

It was so great to hang out, play games and eat some amazing steaks.  Thanks for hosting us all Adam and Valerie!  The next day before we headed back to the kiddos, we stopped for brunch at this amazing old house that has been renovated. 

So pretty!  And we did what we Carletons do best and ate ourselves silly.

A huge, huge thank you goes out to my mom and sister, Heather (who flew down from Utah) for watching all of our kids, which is not for the faint of heart.  Like, the time when Cade woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't find the bathroom and ended up...ahem...peeing all over my mom.  Not for the faint of heart.  By the way, Mom, I think I owe you a cookie.  Probably two.