Rest of Summer and Back to School

July: Here are a few pics from 4th of July weekend and our fun neighborhood party! Then in the middle of July we visited our Hulen friends in Knoxville. Had so much fun going to Dollywood - and just hanging out. Wish we could see them more often.  Our new cousin, Archie arrived in July! August: The Borgerding's came up to visit and celebrate Emie's birthday - played at a fun park all day. Our family was extremely fortunate and got the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Red's game! Wow - was it cool! Sammy and Mom took to the mound, while Ben and Daddy caught the ball at the plate. It was a beautiful day - something we'll never forget! August also marked the beginning of Kindergarten for Sam! Our baby is in K! How in the world? It was a rough start - he got really scared/upset at the bus stop. Mom had to carry him on the bus and then drive to the school to make sure he still wasn't crying when he got off the bus. He got in the classroom and was fine. Then I cried the rest of the day. Since day 1, Sam has been a champ and says he loves school now (and the bus). He has Mrs. Allsup this year - gets picked up at 9am and gets home around 4:30! He's doing great! He also started his first organized soccer - plays as a "Green Monster". Just scored his first goal last week! September: Big Snug started preschool! Walked right in with no fear! Going 3 days a week to Liberty Heights and has Ms. Becky and Ms. Julie. He seems to also love school! He likes to talk about his friend Greyson in class. Had to include the last few pics of the boys with their buddy Addy, Sam and his stuffed animals and Ben trying to throw the ball for Bunk, who very sadly cannot chase a ball anymore (but Ben was trying because he knows how much Bunk loves his tennis ball). Sad how fast the summer went, but it was certainly a great one! 

Fun Summer

So last time I wrote it was Ben's birthday...now it's already July and a lot has been going on. Sam graduated from preschool at the end of May - cutest thing ever as you can see from the pics. He was so proud! I was fine until they played some song about "let them be little" and then I couldn't stop crying. Kel and the kids came up for a week so there are some pics from that - of course we hit KI that week. Some other pics from Parky's farm at Winton Woods - cute park with farm animals and indoor/outdoor play area - boys loved it! Boys started playing YMCA t-ball in June - so fun watching them play on the same team! Not sure how Ben feels about t-ball. First practice he seemed to love it, but after that he has been less enthusiastic =-) Sam is one of the biggest kids on the team which is funny - he loves to talk about how he wins all the races. Celebrated Papa C's (#2) 50th and went to visit our friends the Trioano's in Columbus in June. We went on vacation to the Outer Banks again - had the best time! Beautiful weather, just went back and forth from pool to ocean. Did some putt-putt and go-carts one day which was really fun. Sam said his favorite part was "everything" (though I would say he probably enjoyed boogie boarding the best) and Ben said his favorite part was the pool and being with is cousins. And now this weekend was 4th of July - celebrated by watching fireworks in Lebanon on Friday, had neighborhood parade and party on Saturday and went to Young's Dairy for Aunt Kristen's birthday today! Have included lots of pics (from everything but this past weekend because I haven't uploaded those pics yet).

Happy 3rd Birthday Ben!

Big Snug is officially 3! We had a day long celebration (to go along with the 2+ week celebration since Sam's bday)! Ben was really kind of confused I think that it was his actual birthday. They had multiple parties so I think he was 3 a long time ago! The best part of the day was when Sammy, Dad and I went into his room in the morning and started singing Happy Birthday to him- he got the biggest smile on his face and kept saying "Thanks guys" "Thanks for the birthday song". It was the cutest thing ever! I'll never forget it!  We had a special breakfast at home - Dad was there, but then he unfortunately had to work. We met Grammie at Kings Island and were there most of the day. It was absolutely beautiful outside and the boys had a really fun time. They were so happy to be back at KI! Ben got to ride some new rides that he is now tall enough to ride - the swings, pumpkin roller coaster and then two new rides to the park this year (that I can't remember what they are called). We ran to Lowes to get some flowers where Ben proceeded to repeatedly dip his fingers in the muddy flower water on the ground and put them in his mouth - barf! Then we went to Holly Hills for dinner on the deck to watch the airplanes (kind of for his birthday and an early Mother's Day celebration) with the Smith fam. We somehow even made it home in time to play with the neighbor friends - what a day! Some updates on the Big Snug:
- WILD MAN - that is what Sam calls him (and Mom and Dad)! He is especially wild at night. He loves to get a bath and pretend he's shamu and thrash water out of the tub, be naked and run up and down the hall screaming "I'm naked". Tonight he even turned naked somersaults down the hall while I tried to tackle him and put lotion on him, while hysterically laughing. He has definitely earned the title of "Wild Man" in our house!
- Bedtime - still jacked up from his nakedness, Ben doesn't always go straight to sleep. We first do prayers where he likes to very quickly say the "open shut them" prayer and finish with a deep scary "Amen" that sounds hilarious. He won't go to sleep until Daddo rubs his head and Mom rubs his back and elbow. Yes, I said elbow. It's a new thing - he asks me to rub his elbow. Weird, but so funny!
- Mr. Talker - it's hard to believe Ben wasn't really talking 5 months ago. He seems so much happier now that he is able to communicate (who wouldn't be). He loves to ask "what's that"? Even things we know he knows, he likes to ask it anyway. And he likes to ask about weird things that I can't explain all that well - likes pipes and parts of a toilet. =-)
- Favorite Toys - His favorite toys are trains, trucks and cars - he will go sit and play with them and not need anyone's attention (especially if it's his brother who wants to just come in and take them to annoy him). He especially likes playing with his trucks in the backyard where he can pick up dirt and dump. He likes to jump on his "big boy" bike and ride. He loves Zingo and is starting to get into other board games. He loves any Thomas engine and track. He also likes to play on his leap pad and he is starting to try and do PacMan when Dad and Sam play. While he still loves Barney and blankie, every morning he likes to pick different animals to bring downstairs. You never know who he's going to pick!
- Favorite Foods - his go-to breakfast of choice is cheerios with bananas, strawberries and blueberries. And don't forget the milk and spoon Mom! His favorite lunch usually consists of PB&J. Not so much a dinner guy- but he loves his rice krispie treat or M&M yogurt for dessert! Or chocolate cake, ice cream or brownies - he's definitely our chocolate man!
- Favorite Shows - he loves Paw Patrol, Mickey, Thomas, Team UmiZoomi. He also loves his movie and popcorn night - gets so excited!
- Sweet Ben - our Ben Ben is the sweetest! He just has a such a sweet demeanor about him. He gets so excited to see family/friends. He loves his big brother and definitely misses him if he's not around. We love you Big Snug!!! Hoping you'll also enjoy reading this when you get older! XOXOXO Mommy and Daddo

Here are some party pictures - Boys are so fortunate to have such loving family and friends!