Granting Dreams

 Max is  part of the MOSAICS program at school.  This amazing teacher has done more for him in the past year than we thought possible.  She forces him outside his comfort zone, which is exactly what he needs.  Every Tuesday is Mrs. Klohman day and it is his absolute favorite day of the week.

As part of her curriculum, she has all of the students fill out a grant application that is funded by the district alumni association.  Max wrote his grant to attend the morning chess session at school and his grant was funded!  Monday night we attended the awards ceremony and he was so proud.  He looked so old crossing the stage to receive his award.  Can't believe how much our oldest is growing up!

Three

Because I just had to share one last birthday picture of Jack.  He was so excited ab out the fire on his brownies.  Love him beyond measure.

Happy Birthday Jack!

Birthday season in our house wraps up today with the baby of the family.  Although he isn't a baby anymore!  How is it possible that he is three?!

While it feels like he was just born yesterday, I can't imagine our family without him.  Everyday his personality shines through more and more.

He cracks me up - especially when it comes to eating.  My favorite is when he rubs his little belly with both hands and announces "I really sooooo hungry!"  Gets me every time.

He is a totally little lover.  I must get 50 big hugs a day and I savor every one - although sometimes its a bit tough to breath :)  Sleep has been a bit rough lately.  At bedtime he wants more songs and snuggles than humanly possible.  When I feel myself getting frustrated I try to remember that this won't last.  Before long, no one will want to snuggle with me before bed.  So while I do want him to go to bed and get the sleep he needs, I really enjoy the extra bit of snuggle time.

I'll admit to sending a sad picture to Aunt Anna during our snuggle session last night - it hit me that it was my last time snuggling with my two year old.

I've mentioned before that motor stuff is tough for our littlest man.  He get services from out states early intervention program and we just had his IEP for preschool services for the fall.  That doesn't hold him back, though!  He climbs and gives everything his all. There are a few extra bumps and bruises along the way, but I'm so proud of his persistence.

Each of our boys has a lovey.  Jack's is his little doggy and I just love that it goes everywhere with him.  Like when it went down the ailse at Godfather Tony's wedding :)  It shows just how big Jack's little heart it!

 Jack is always up for an adventure.  His favorite time is anytime spent outside.  If he can play with his brothers then it's all the better!  Last night was a perfect example.  NOw that all three boys have helmets they were able to chase eachother all around the really big circle.  Jack loved every second of it - that is until it was time to go inside.

Sometimes I think back to when I first found out I was pregnant with Jack.  I was barely keeping my head above water as a  working mom to two and I was a bit overwhelmed for a second.  Now I couldn't possibly be any happier than I am.  God knew exactly what he was doing when he blessed our family with our newest addition.  To quote his big brother Will "I love him a little bit more every day".

Tonight we have a second grade picnic with families from Max's school.  We will come home, sing happy birthday, and open presents.  Does it get any better than that?!

Safety House

Our local fire station had a family safety event - including free bike helmets - on Sunday afternoon.   Since both of the little boys need new ones it was perfect.  

They were all exited as soon as we arrived because they got these super cool magic sunglasses.

Then we were off to be fitted for their helmets.  Once the boys were fitted they were able to ride bikes around safety town.  They had to make sure to obey all the traffic rules - like the stop signs and the railroad crossing.  It was pretty cute.

 They both wore their new helmets as we explored several fire trucks.  Will and Jack had a great time climbing in, buckling up, and pretending to be real firefighters.  I love it when I'm able to find fun community events like this.  It was a gorgeous day, so an hour outside exploring was perfect!

 Sweet William was able to extend his birthday celebration just a little bit longer with brownies and signing at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  The look on his face is just priceless!

Cub Scout Camp Out

We headed to a local state park for some cub scout fun tonight.  For the first time I brought out both of the little boys for the fun.  Well hopefully they had fun, I thought it was a bit rough chasing them around the camp site. 


Brian and Max headed out to the park earlier in the day and the little boys and I joined them late this afternoon.  When we got there Max was at the playground with this buddies so we went down to meet them.  Jack was so funny telling me come on mommy - we go to the playground!

 

After dinner it was time for a few readings.  Max is wrapping up his wolf requirements and this finished off the religious aspect.  He is just so grown up!

 These two crack me up.  They were ridiculously excited about having sun chips.  They parked their cute little tushes on this nad enjoeyed every last chip.

Max had a great time too.  He didn't want too much to do with me and his brothers - he just watned to hang out with his friends.  They made up some crazy game where they earned points for catching the ball.

We are home now, and Brian and Max will spend the night.  The weather is gorgeous - they really couldn't have picked a better weekend. 

Will's Party Day

Last Sunday we got together with some friends to celebrate William.  It was a great time - and I didn't have to clean my house!

 The kids all started out by using trucks to make paitings.  If I were to do it over again I would pick a different activity - this was a giant mess!  The kids did have a great time decorating these cute little hardhats with all sorts of stickers.

 

 Will and his buddies cracked me up with these balloons.  I think they had more fun with them than pretty much any of the other birthday actitivies.

 

How stinking cute are these sweet little kiddos!?

 Before we knew it the big moment arrive and everyone sang to the birthday boy.  He loved every second of the attention!

 

This guy was having a rough day.  He was pretty cranky through most of the party, but he did perk up for the cupcake and free play portion of the celebration :)  His big day is right around the corner!!

I'm a Whole Hand!

Our sweet William has been so excited for today to come.  He announced this moring that he is now a whole hand old.  Yes, William you are indeed officially a whole hand old. 

 

What a day he had!  He got this hat at preschool this morning and didn't want to take it off.  We stopped at Dunkin Donuts before school because Will wanted to bring sprinkle donuts for snack.  They are his favorite!

 The celebration continued at speech school and then again when his buddy James came over to play.  Daddy is out of town for work this week and Will was a little sad that he wasn't here for his big day.  Luckily Nonna came over. 

See those cookies in the picture?  Well my always practical - and ridiculously frugal  - hubby surprised Will this this special delivery.  His eyes were as big as saucers when the cookie delivery man came to the door and he devoured that Who Loves You cookie. 

 This guy.  I cannot possibly put into words just how much I love him.  His smile is infectious.  His eyes are mischievous, and his little body is so full of joy that it cannot be contained.  He lives life with so much passion.  Every moment is felt with his whole heart and you can't help but pick up on that when you are around him.

 We sang and had brownies before opening gifts.  Mom and Dad bought Will a scooter for his birthday and he and Max couldn't wait to try it out.  The bond between these two has come so far this past year.  They are becoming friends as well as brothers and it is an honor to witness.

 It wasn't long before Will had the hang of it and was tooling around the really big circle.  When it was time to head in, Max offered a helping hand and I just had to smile.

 

After presents we headed over to the spring social at Will's school.  To say I love his school would be putting it mildly.  They are the most amazing teachers I have even encountered and they are all in one place.  One day a week for the past two years Will has gone to a math and science enrichment class this this amazing woman.  She is exactly what his little brain needs.  She provides him an opportunity to explore, question, and discover all kinds of things.  He cried on Tuesday because he had an ear infection and missed her class.  I can't wait for Jack to work with her next year.

I love this little five year old beyond all measure.  He is inquisitive, loving, caring, intelligent, charismatic, and so much more.  He brings more laughter to our family than I ever thought imaginable. 

How did we get so lucky?!