This and That: September

1st Day of Kindergarten... Mama Mimosas

Allie played with this toy for 10 minutes by herself quietly.... is this what having only one child at home is like???

Little kid on a big chair

Big Mama on a little chair

Celebrating Katie and Kenny's wedding weekend!

First day of MOPS for Allie!... she is a Moppet

anything Nathan and Benjamin want/have, Allie thinks she can do too!

Playing outside with her brothers toys.... what they don't know wont hurt them!

In love with her kitchen.... I brought it back out after school started and the boys were gone!

Lunch and shopping date with Matthew.... its a whole lot more quiet without the older 3 boys!

Nathan's tree is getting bigger!

My favorite 3!

A little mommy and Allie time at the park!

Freezees on this beautiful fall afternoon!

Grill cheese and tomato soup with orchard apples on the side!

Nothing better on a fall day!

"ride!" 

Checking out the new Hyvee!

Amery Fall Festival Parade!

The gang is all here!!! Looking forward to baby Kassekert joining us next year!

Things I don't want to forget...

* Allison Loves to climb stairs and the ladder to the bunk beds and the ladder to the swing set!

* walking, riding scooter and bikes to school in the morning and afternoon.... and of course stopping to play at the park with Ethan!

* Ben only likes to get hot lunch.... finally we figured out why... because his little friend Ali has to sit at the peanut free table and Ben always sits with her... but its easier to do that if sh has hot lunch!

* Nathan is so soft hearted, he loves to snuggle, he always hugs and gives Allison kisses. We often forget this about him because he is so rough and tumble with his brother.  Since school has started he has been a bit more tired and he needs a bit more time to snuggle, talk, read books and soak up all the mommy and daddy time he can get. 

* N & B always pick Pokeman and Lego books from the library at school.... not gonna lie... these books are so dumb!  But they love them and are so proud that they picked them out all by themselves.... so we read them happily!

* Allison nods "YES" to everything we ask her.... its adorable and I'm cherishing the time until she learns "NO"

Italian Dunker lunch date!  So much fun to see all their friends and watch them navigate the lunch room, explaining the rules and the routine!

Pine Tree Apple Orchard

Ready for her apple orchard trip

The big red apple is back this year!

Tractor Rides!

Yummy Yummy carmel apple... "mommy thinks she is getting this back?!?!?"

A picture perfect day for the apple orchard!

First Day of Kindergarten: Class of 2028

Open house and meet the teacher/assessment day!  Thanks Middleton PTO for the cute set up!

September 10th 2015 is the first day of kindergarten for Nathan and Benjamin!!!!

Benjamin is ready!  He is in Mrs. Esboldt's Class

Nathan is ready! Nathan is in Mrs. Patnode's Class. 

One last kiss goodbye!

Benjamin was literally pushing me away... "Mom I'm fine!"

Allison looking so proud of her big brothers. 

Nathan insisted on taking a photo of us... since we took so many photos of him!

Each morning the boys hug Allison goodbye!  I love that they love each other sooooo much!!!

We have been walking to/from school as much as possible while the weather is nice!

Quotes from school:

Nathan: "Mom when Ben had to line up with his class at recess and go inside... I almost cried, but I didn't"

Ben: "mom there was just a tiny bit of water in my eyes when you left"

Nathan: "During quiet time Mrs. Patnode reads us a story.  you can sit criscross applesauce, or lay on your side or you can close your eyes.... but absolutely no standing up!"

Ben: " I ate lunch with my friend Ally today, she invited me to sit with her at the peanut free table.  She said she loves me... but she is just my best friend!"

Nathan: "Mom don't you know that we watch Boz on our smart board everyday????"

Ben: "Mrs. Esbolt said its fine if you send 3 snacks, because I'm always really hungry at snack time."

All ready in 3 weeks of school they seem older, wiser and more confidant!  It makes me proud and sad all at once!

On the night before Kindergarten...

Dear Nathan and Benjamin!

I can't belive that this night has come! How have the last 5 1/2 years flown by so quickly? When did you grow from those tiny little 3 pound babies??? I have prayed and wished and hoped and worried so many times.... that you would grow, and learn and mature.... but mostly I just wanted you to be healthy, happy.... to be "normal."  And guess what???? .... you are!
I should not have worried.... I'm learning right along side you (Allie will have an easier path!).  So as you embark on the next big adventure in your life, I want you to know a few things.

Work Hard Always:  No one will ever fault you for anything you are doing if you always work hard.  Do your best work, help those around you!

Laugh: I know I often say "stop goofing around!"..... but just this once please don't listen! Laugh everyday.... make those around you laugh.  People who laugh attract other people who laugh.... be happy and fun!

Be Kind and Considerate: Say please and thank you..... but truly be kind, share, be concerned about others actions and feelings. If you wouldn't want it done... don't do it to someone else.

Pray: On the good days pray and on the bad days pray.  Show others in your actions what it means to be a good person, friend, son, brother!

I hope that Mrs. Esbolt and Mrs. Patnode understand a few things about you....

Benjamin.... you are feisty.... you always have been and you always will be!  It saved your life and it will also be the building blocks for your future success! You have a huge heart and a quirky smile that will win over those around you.  You know more then you give yourself credit for.... can you please be a little less stuborn?!?!? You don't like singing ... and thats fine, there are many successful people that don't sing and dance!  You are the best big brother! Continue questioning the world around you, continue building and figure things out!  You are always the idea guy and you are great with numbers! Build things, continue to critically think and continue to beat the odds! I hope that you never loose your love of the outdoors. You are a natural athlete!

Nathan: you are my negotiator! You love to talk and you love to join in with others!  You are a tough kid with a tender heart.  Your rough and tough exterior sometimes masks the tenderness inside.  You often take things to heart.... please never lose that!  You are the ultimate "Twin"... you love your brother so much and you always want to be with him! You also love Allison so much.... you always protect her, play with her and want her to be safe and happy! You are a good friend and always want to hug your friends goodbye! You love being outside winter, spring, summer or fall!  You are a great swimmer and a strong team mate. You are great with letters and sounds and you are starting to sound words out.  You have a memory like a steal trap.... you remember EVERYTHING!  

During big milestones in your lives I am always brought back to the scary days of bedrest and preterm babies... Daddy and I worried and prayed and hoped that you would live... and "be normal".... that you would go to kindergarten.  The odds were against us dear boys... and you overcame it all!  Our hopes and dreams are now a reality.... you are "normal," health, smart, capable, energetic little boys ready for kindergarten!  We are SO BLESSED!... and thankful!

So tonight I am sad that you are 5 1/2 and ready for kindergarten (because you will always be my babies!)... but tomorrow I promise that I will be happy and excited and grateful for the wonderful boys that you are!  You are more then ready for the new challenges of kindergarten... I believe in you always!  Have a great year.  Together we will embrace this new chapter in all of our lives.

Love always,
Mom

Summer Wrap Up

In this last week before Kindergarten I asked Nathan and Benjamin what some of the things were that they wanted to do.  So here we go.... what we did the last week before Kindergarten!

Children's Museum!

A trip to visit Gramma at work!

Lunch with Daddy!

A quiet afternoon playing with in the backyard.  They created a pulley system to raise the cozy coupe up.... it even held Ben's body weight!

A trip to Dairy Queen!

Mall of America and rides!

Nathan was so happy to find this Star Wars character... apparently daddy let them watch this movie this weekend while mommy was at work!

They love roller coasters!

Allison loved Hard Rock Cafe's music... she danced most of the meal!

And lots of pool time!!!  We made the most of the last few days at the neighborhood pool!

This afternoon I caught them quietly playing with their toys in the playroom!  An epic castle battle!  I will miss these two come fall!