Nolan's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip and Halloween Party

Friday October 28th, was a very busy day for Nolan at school.  Not only did he have a trip to the pumpkin patch at Rhodes Family Farm, but it was also his Halloween party at school.  With the festivities being on a Friday I was able to be with Nolan the whole day.  He had a lot of fun and it was great seeing him with his friends.

Nolan started his busy day with the trip to Rhodes Family Farm.  He was so excited to ride the bus!!  I rode with some friends and met Nolan at the farm.  First stop, pick out your pumpkin.

Nolan wanted to do his own thing and run around by himself.  After awhile, Nolan met up with his friends and mostly hung out with Harper and Anna.  These girls are in our small group at church and in Nolan's class.

After a few hours of playing at the pumpkin farm, it was time to load up and head back to school.  The kids had a parade and walked around the middle school track in their costumes.  Nolan was Batman this year for Halloween.

Once Nolan's classmates made a lap around the track, it was time to go back inside for the Halloween Party in their classroom.  Nolan had a lot of fun and consumed a lot of sugar!

Below is a picture of Nolan and most of his Kindergarten class with their teacher, Mr. D.

Crossfit Festivus 2016

Bill has been working out at Crossfit Edwardsville for about a year and a half.  He really enjoys the competitiveness and stress relief.  Bill had a friend ask him to partake in a crossfit competition called Festivus. On October 15th Bill and his partner, Chris, competed in Festivus at J5 Crossfit.

There were several different heats, the boys and I went to support Bill for a few of them, but I had to take the boys back home.  Luckily, I was able to make it back in time to cheer Bill on in the Finals!!  Bill and Christ took 4th place, which is great for their first crossfit event!

For the finals, Bill and Chris had to complete every exercise synchronized.  The exercises included: knee raises, push-ups, kettle bell swings, and air squats.  The guys were moving so fast in most of the pictures, I wasn't able to capture good photos.  Thank goodness there was a photographer who was able to capture some good pictures along with my candid ones!

I am so proud of Bill for taking place in the competition and doing such a great job! 

Carter and Blake's Birthday Party!

Since Carter and Blake's birthdays are only a couple of weeks apart, we decided to celebrate their birthdays with one big celebration.  The party took place at our house on Saturday, September 17th.  The theme for their party was Gone Fishin'.  Carter turned 4 on September 19th and Blake turned 2 on October 1st.

Carter was more cooperative and took pictures before the party.  Blake only wanted to eat the cookies.

Friends and family started to show up, so outside everyone went to blow off some steam and play for awhile before it was time to open presents!  I didn't snap too many photos because I was inside trying to organize the party. 

All the kids were starting to become hot and sweaty, so inside we went to open presents.  Carter and Blake were blessed with so many presents, they didn't know where to start opening.

Once all the presents were opened, it was time to sing happy birthday and eat some cake/cookies.  We sang Happy Birthday twice, so Blake and Carter had their own special song.  When it was time to blow out the candles, the candles kept sparking back to life.  Little did I know, I had bought the trick candles which relight themselves!!  Whoops! I was in such a hurry I grabbed the cheapest ones not even reading the label.  It made for a good laugh at least and a story we won't forget for awhile.

Our family of five birthday photo!  What a great day to celebrate my two youngest loves!!

Carter and Blake want to thank everyone who helped them to feel special on their birthdays!!

Carter's First Day of Pre-K

Carter is an official first year Pre-K student now.  Carter was moved up to the butterfly room at TWL. Carter's first day of Pre-K was September 7th, 2016.  His teacher's name is Ms. Carrie.  Carter only let me take a few pictures the morning of his first day, but he did a great job in the ones I took!

Nolan was our photographer for this group picture! I would say he did a good job.

Carter wouldn't hold his tote bag for the picture, so Bill put it around his neck.  Carter thought this was pretty funny and smiled for the photo.

Carter had a rough adjustment to Pre-K at first, with Nolan no longer being at school with him.  Drop-offs have been rough, but after emailing and talking with his teacher, she assures me Carter does great during the day and is his happy, silly self.

When I come home from work, Carter is always excited to tell me about his day and show me his projects he completed.  Carter is such a fun, loving boy I know he will do great in school and continue to have a great personality.  Bill and I are so proud of our Lynn Lynn!!

Nolan's First Day of Kindergarten

Nolan is officially a Goshen Gator, his first day of Kindergarten was on August 16th, 2016. Nolan's teacher is Mr. Dinkheller, yep a male kindergarten teacher!  Nolan has adapted so well, it's like he has always gone to school.  Bill and I had no doubt in our mind Nolan was going to be a great student.

Nolan and his school signs!

Below is a close up of Nolan's sign 

Nolan's first day was on a Tuesday, so Papa and Nana were at the house watching Blake and Carter.  

It is so hard to express how proud of Nolan both Bill and I are.  It really does seem like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital on a snowy day after being born, then starting him in preschool, and now he is in Kindergarten!!

Nolan gave good-bye hugs to Blake and Carter.  Then he was ready to make his way to school.

The grass was wet, so Nolan stood on his tip toes for the picture.

When Nolan was picked up from school after his first day was over, he kept pretty quiet and didn't really talk a whole lot about school.  During our nightly talks, Nolan opened up a little more about school.  One thing Nolan was excited about was the school lunch!!  He was excited to have chocolate milk, chocolate pudding, and a sandwich cut in the shape of a goldfish.  Good job to the cafeteria crew, this little boy was impressed!!

I asked all the questions a mom wants to know, "Who did you sit with at lunch?", "What did you play at recess?", "Did you find the bathroom okay?", "Did you nap at rest time?", "Who were your new friends you made?" Poor Nolan answered my questions and rolled his eyes each time!

Nolan has made lots of friends since starting school.  Nolan met an outgoing little boy at orientation night, Grant, who happens to have a locker right next to him.  Nolan frequently mentions Grant, Liam, Christian, Anna, and Harper as his good friends.  

The pictures below were from Nolan's Kindergarten Orientation, which was on August 11th.  The students were able to bring in their supplies, meet the teacher and classmates, and become more familiar with the school and their classroom.

Pictures in front of the school 

Bill was trying to make a "K" with his hands.