Remington's FIRST day of Kindergarten

Today was Remington's first day of Kindergarten at Sts. Peter and Paul! We requested that he have the same teacher Southern had when he was in kindergarten because we liked her. We got along well with Mrs. Smith, Southern enjoyed having her for a teacher, and she already knew our family. I thought it would be an easier transition for Remington if he had a teacher that he knew.

Remington said his first day was good. They started the year with a half day to help, so Remington hasn't had lunch at school yet, and he said they spent most of today "just doing fun stuff".

Dustin had work today, but he went in a little later so that he could walk Remington and Southern to school with me and Baylor today. After he left us at the gate, Baylor and I walked Southern and Remington into the gym where they sat in rows with their classmates until the bell rang. Baylor and I then waved good-bye to Southern as he left with his class and followed Remington's class to their room. We got to see Remington and his classmates put their backpacks up in their cubbies, find their desks, pray, and say the pledge of allegience. Mrs. Smith had play-doh out on each kid's desk so they could start playing as soon as they sat down. Remington got yellow and started out making a banana right away. Baylor and I then waved good-bye to him and made our way home to wait until pick-up time.

Remington wants to be a painter when he grows up. He was most excited about going back to school "again and again and again". Remington's favorite book is Diego. His favorite color is pink. The lunch he's looking forward most to Mommy packing is a peanut butter sandwich. Remington's favorite thing about school is eating the snacks (they had pretzels today - "not the bendy kind").

SPP has three kindergarten classes this year, and Remington is in Kinder B.

Today was also Southern's first day of 2nd grade. Now that he's moved up to 2nd grade, he is on the second floor of the school building (super cool!). Also as a 2nd grader, this is his first year to use a planner at school. Each student is required to write in the planner every day what their homework is, the teacher writes down their behavior (Southern's today was "SUPER"), and the parents check it every evening and initial it. Southern was very excited about his planner and took the time to ask me everyone's birthdays so he could write them down after school today.

Southern's teacher this year is Mrs. McNeill. Second grade has two teachers this year, and both classes spend time with both teachers each day. Southern's homeroom is McNeill, but he will also go to Mrs. Schafer's class during the day. Both teachers have their specialties, so they will each teach different subjects. Southern was so excited to find out that he was seated across from his best friend Garner in class.

Tomorrow will be a full day of school, and both boys are looking forward to going back.

Baylor's 3rd Birthday

Baylor chose Diego for his birthday party theme this year. When I was looking online for Remington's birthday party a few months ago, Baylor got all excited and wanted to look too. I told him that he could look through all of the stuff and get ideas for his party, and out of all of the themes on the Party City website, Baylor wanted Diego. When I saw that it was all half off, I decided to order everything early. So we've been ready for his party for a couple months. We finally got everything out on Saturday evening (July 9th) as we prepared for Baylor's birthday party. The boys helped me make Baylor's birthday cake and cupcakes. Baylor picked out Blue Suede cake mix and vanilla icing. We made one round cake which I decorated with white icing, green icing for his name, green sprinkles, and Diego candles as well as a "3" candle. We also made two dozen cupcakes which I decorated with white icing, green sprinkles, and animal crackers. We also made the goodie bags which we stuffed with Diego plastic cups filled with small play-doh containers and play-doh cutting tools. The boys liked being a part of the process.

On Sunday morning (July 10th), we loaded everything into the car and headed over to Landa Park for Baylor's birthday party. We had reserved the zero-depth pool before it opened to the public, and his party was from 10am-12pm. We served hot dogs, chips, fruit, animal crackers, and cake. The kids all had a blast playing in the pool.

After the party, we headed back to our house for gifts. Baylor's godparents, David and Sharon Moore, joined us along with Dustin's granny, my mom, and Josh. Baylor got lots of fun things.

After the gifts were opened, Baylor and his brothers played with a couple new toys, and then we all watched a movie together as a family.

The next morning (Monday, July 11th) was Baylor's actual birthday, but Dustin had to work, so the boys and I stayed busy by attending a playdate. It was a bike/scooter parade at Torrey Park. The kids all decorated their bikes and scooters and then rode them around the park. We also had snacks together. After the parade, it was time for lunch. We drove over to Sonic to pick up some food and then headed home to eat. After lunch, the boys had leftover cupcakes, and Baylor had a candle in his. We sang happy birthday to him, and he blew out the candle.

Baylor loved his custom-made birthday outfit. He opened it with his gifts on Sunday and wore it on his birthday Monday. The shorts were Paw Patrol, and the shirt had 03 on the front with his name underneath.

When Daddy got home from work, we all changed into our swim suits. Baylor opened his gifts from Mommy and Daddy, and then we all got in the car. Our first stop was the 7-Eleven where we got free small Slurpies (they do that every year on 7-11) and free smores. Then we headed out to the river for swimming.

I hope you enjoyed your 3rd birthday, Baylor! We love you.

Baylor's 3rd Birthday Interview

Baylor still can't talk, but he's starting to try to say more and more words lately. I normally start asking these interview questions at each boys' 3rd birthday, but since Baylor can't really answer, I'm going to do my best to answer for him.

1. What are some things you like to do?
Baylor likes to do anything his older brothers are doing, he likes to go swimming, he likes giving Dracky treats, and he likes playing with toys. Some of his favorite toys right now are Paw Patrol, trains, action heros (especially Superman and Batman) and figures of animals.


2. What sports do you like?
Baylor likes running and kicking balls. He's also really great at throwing balls. He's tried his hand at putting golf balls and hitting tennis balls. 


3. What things do you like to do around the house?
Baylor is happy playing with his toys for long amounts of time. He is also starting to get into puzzles and likes to watch DVDs with his brothers.


4. What are some of your favorite foods?
Baylor likes chicken tenders, pizza, carrots, salads, all fruits (most especially raspberries and bananas), bars, cereal, and ice cream.


5. What do you like to wear?
Baylor likes his clothes with animals or cartoon characters on them the best.


6. What's your favorite color?
Baylor likes yellow the best.


7. Where are some of your favorite places to go?
Baylor likes to go places where he can run and be loud.


8. What makes you sad?
Baylor gets sad sometimes when he can't get his way. 


9. What do you do when you are sad?
To comfort himself when he is sad, Baylor likes to suck on his two middle fingers. He also do this when he is tired or asleep.


10. What makes you happy?
Baylor is a normally happy child. He is quick to smile and laugh. He likes to be tickled and kissed.


11. What do you do when you are happy?
Baylor has a great smile :)


12. Who is your best friend?
Baylor plays with his K18 (those starting kindergarten in 2018) friends every Friday morning - Maddie, Bethanny, Kylie, Grahm, Emily, and Ansel


13. What is your favorite movie and TV show?
Baylor likes Thomas the train, Diego, Dora, Sesame Street, Scooby Doo, and Paw Patrol best.


14. What are your favorite books?
Baylor's favorite books are the ones with flaps to flip or plastic bubbles to press.