Sarah - This & That...

I can't believe that September has come and gone. It has been a good month settling into the routine of school although I told Jason the other night I miss summer. In summer you don't have to make school lunches each night and get the kids to bed on time so that they are back up early the next morning for another day of learning. Jason comforted me by telling me I only had 9 more months of this routine until summer comes around again. Thanks honey for the encouragement. Sarah and Brayden aren't complaining at all, so that is good. I guess I am still adjusting to it all, not complaining, just adjusting.

Here are some pictures of our beautiful girl, Sarah, from July, August and September that didn't make it in to any of my other posts. They show off how pretty she is and how funny she can be.

BFFs - Cayla & Sarah

BFFs again serving at Bethany's Family Fun Fest in Parsippany

Sarah is a coaster girl. She is in the front ready to ride El Toro at Six Flags.

Goofing off with Cayla, Emma and Cara.

What do I say about this? 

Sarah & Brayden love seeing their friends at our Washington Township campus.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread in the mail from MeMe. Best Day Ever!!!

Sarah has a big weekend coming up with our youth going on Fall Retreat Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday. To say she is excited doesn't even begin to describe how she feels about this weekend. It is a huge highlight for her. The Jr. & Sr. High both get away together as a group, play games, hang out, get to know some kids that maybe they didn't before, and most importantly spend time growing in their relationship with the Lord. I can't wait to see how the weekend impacts her life and the rest of the kids in our youth.

A Quiet Day...

Last Friday I was in need of a day away from the distractions of home just to sit quietly. My girlfriend Melissa is always up for those kinds of days, especially when it means at the beach. 

After I got the kids off to school we headed to Seven Presidents Beach, just about an hour and twenty minutes away.  It was a gorgeous day, not to hot and not to cold with a nice breeze. I loved being able to share the day with my girlfriend.

Our spot. Nice and quiet.

Father & Son Days...

Towards the end of August Jason and Brayden had a couple of days where they got to spend some special time together.

First was going to a Yankee game on a Father & Son outing where they went with Fafa, Uncle Johnny, Sammy and the Grecos who are pastor friends.

Next was Brayden's first golf outing. Jason bought Brayden a pair of golf clubs in late July and now was his first official time to play 18 holes with his Daddy. Fafa and Todd Sheehan helped make up the foursome.

My guys and their clubs. Ready to go.

Brayden getting his clubs all set up in Daddy's car.

Ready to drive the ball down the fairway.

The Foursome. Brayden LOVED the golf cart!

Jason said Brayden did really well. We weren't sure if he would last all 18 holes, but he did and had lots of fun. His favorite part aside from being with the boys was driving the golf cart with Daddy and getting a candy bar and soda halfway through the round.

School Days...

We are almost finished with our second full week of school and all is well. Everyone, including mom, is adjusting well.

Homework is in full swing. Brayden had his first assignment this week to work on his word journal, as well as learning to write his name in D'Nealian form. It is a form of writing that will help them transition into handwriting in 1st or 2nd grade.

He already has a best friend. He didn't know his name the first couple of days of school, but he knew that he was his best friend. : ) Johnny is his name. Johnny's mom's name is Aimee too, easy to remember.

When we talk about his day he tells me that he gets tired of coloring, writing his name and talking about apples (an apple theme right now).  Going from 3 day 2-1/2 hour preschool to full day of more work than play I am sure is hard, plus he is only 5. He never complains about going though. His favorite part of school is still lunch.

Sarah has had a little bit of homework each night. She had her first test today, as well as two quizzes.

Sarah has been invited this year to be a part of the Gifted, Creative and Talented program (GCT) at school. It is a program where each week she will attend a class with other students and work on different projects that challenge them. You have to be invited to be a part of the program.

We had Back To School last night with the opportunity to visit Brayden's class and the different classes and teachers that Sarah has throughout the day.

We of course knew Brayden's teacher, Mrs. Arnoldi. Have I mentioned how much I love Mrs. Arnoldi? Yes? Let me just state once again she is an AMAZING teacher. She shared with J and I last night that she is thrilled to have Brayden (of course she is, who wouldn't love our boy) and recognizes how different Brayden is from Sarah, very active and ALL boy. She said "All in a good way, I mean". I am thankful she sees Brayden for who he is and is excited to be his teacher this year.

We met the majority of Sarah's teachers and as soon as we introduced ourselves as her parents they commented "Sarah is such a hard worker", "Sarah is so sweet", "I never worry about her". We couldn't be prouder of her.

Jason and I came home reassured that our kids are going to be just fine at school this year.

Since Jason's day off is on Monday, he and I now have an official "Date Day". We were so excited. Our first day wasn't really a date since I talked Jason into going clothes shopping for Brayden, but at least we were together. We will both being looking forward to Mondays and time together.

MTS Week 4...

Here are the pictures from my final 9 days. What a GREAT experience! I have to say though that I am so glad these 30 days are over, it was a lot of work. I am proud of the pictures I took and so thankful for my teacher, Heather, for her encouragement and suggestions on how to make them even better.

Day 22 - An Animal

Day 23 - Your Favorite Book

Day 24 - Something Green

Day 25 - Eyes

Day 26 - Something You Love

Day 27 - Colorful

Day 28 - Starburst

Day 29 - Reflection

Day 30 - Self Portrait

Loose Teeth and the Tooth Fairy...

On the morning we were leaving to come home from Florida a couple of weeks ago, Brayden lost his first tooth while waiting at the Delta Airlines counter to check our luggage. He and Sarah were playing around and some how Sarah knocked his tooth and out it came. I didn't realize how loose the tooth really was. It startled Brayden, started crying and wasn't quite sure what was happening. We were all excited for him and telling him how great it was, but he wasn't so sure about it.

After a couple of minutes he calmed down and was excited to see what his new empty space looked like.

Once we got home and settled, Brayden got his tooth set up in hopes for the Tooth Fairy to come.

Can you see it? Really tiny.

In the end, we put it on his bed post. We wanted to make sure the Tooth Fairy found it.

Hugs & Kisses. Ready for sleep.

The next morning Brayden came down with what the Tooth Fairy had left for him, $2.00.

Yesterday, tooth #2 came out, which was right next to tooth #1. We knew it was loose and have just been waiting for it to come out. The last couple of days it has just been hanging there, but Brayden did not want to put it. So, while we were at our Parsippany campuses Fun Fest yesterday it came out while he was playing on the merry-go-round. Oh, the places these teeth come out.

We got setup again for the Tooth Fairy last night. Somehow she never disappoints and brought $2 again.

Tooth #3, which just so happens to be next to tooth #1 is loose as well. However, it is just a little wiggly so it could be a few weeks before the Tooth Fairy needs to come back again.

First Day of School...

The kids are off to school. All went well. I shed a few tears after B-bear walked in. I think it will take a couple of days for this mommy to adjust, but I will. :)

Our Kindergartner, so proud of him. Mrs. Arnoldi, Brayden's teacher, sent him this special card to decorate any way he wanted. He choose Star Wars, Angry Birds, Hot Wheels, Hulk and Spider Man stickers. No coloring, nothing fancy. Brayden has a Spider-Man backpack and lunch box this year.

Our 7th grader. Sarah looked so beautiful this morning. We straightened her hair yesterday and then did a side french braid this morning. Mommy's beauty shop was open this morning as it usually is for the first day of school. I forgot to get a picture of the braid, but this is the braid we did. Sarah picked out her outfit and we got the boots yesterday at Marshall's. She loves them and was so happy with her "first" day outfit.

Family pictures. By this time the kids are saying "Can we just go to school now?" No! You must take a picture with everyone single family member here. LOL!

And we are off...

 

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It's off to school we go.

Sarah informed us that once we arrive at school she would like us not to come to her side of the blacktop. We can say our goodbyes at the gate. She is in 7th grade now and can't be having her parents cramp her style. I am sure I probably felt the same in 7th grade. However, today she had to endure her parents and both sets of grandparents walking her into school. 

She met two of her girlfriends walking in and was mortified when I asked her if I could take her picture with them.  I just had to though. I am so proud of her.

She never said I couldn't take pictures from the other side of the blacktop.

Ready to drop off our B-bear.  Last pics.

Mrs. Arnoldi telling all the parents "You Can Do This!"

Lined up and ready to go.

Last wave goodbye.

See you at 1:16!

Mrs. Arnoldi was Sarah's Kindergarten teacher, so we are beyond thrilled that Brayden gets to have her as his first teacher as well. Mrs. Arnoldi is that teacher that you never forget, she is a special lady. We know that our B-bear is in good hands.

This week Brayden will go just half a day until 1:16, next week will be full days. Sarah will get out at 3:16 this week.  I can't wait to hear all about their FIRST days.