First Day of Preschool

AT LAST!!!!!

While I was sad to see the school year end in May, by the beginning of June I was ready to send the boys away to bootcamp! We had a lot of fun this summer, but completely lost any type of routine that we've always had. We ran errands at the drop of a hat or made completely unexpected trips to Springfield to wander around stores just to beat the horrible heat of the summer. So while we had fun, this momma was beyond ready to get back to a schedule and routine.

Greyson was excited all summer because he would finally get to attend preschool and be in Ms Tracy's class, instead of just dropping bubba's off twice a week. We didn't know who would be in his class, but he was excited to meet new friends and see one of his favorite ladies, Ms Tracy.

The twins were excited to start back to school too. All the of the kids that were in their class last year, changed to go three times a week instead of twice a week, so they'll have all new kids to get to know and luckily a couple of kids from church will be in their class. They are excited to get to meet and get to know Ms Judy. (We accidentally skipped the orientation night, so we didn't get to meet Ms Judy before the first day! opps!)

The night before school, the boys opted to take a shower together (it's the new cool thing to them), so I bathed three boys, cute thirty fingernails and toenails, and brushed three sets of teeth. We then picked out our outfits for the first day, and put on our jammies and said our night prayers. They were so excited, it took awhile to fall asleep, but were up bright and early the next morning. Greyson came into our room, before I was even awake and he was already completely dressed!

Brandon and I aren't used to having to share the bathroom in the morning, and the boys aren't used to having to be up at 7:30 and out the door by 8:15, so we were running a few minutes behind. We rushed to take first day pictures, load in the car and drive to school. I tried to get a couple of pictures of them walking inside and with their teachers, but they were ready to play and get to look around their new rooms.

I pray that this year goes smoothly for them. I can't believe that this time next year two of my sweet baby boys will be starting preschool. It seems like just yesterday, they were being handed to me after delivery. I pray that Greyson gets to know the kids in his class and really gets a chance to shine on his own!

The Great Room Rearrange

Ever since moving into our house, we've been racking our brains on how to rearrange the boys and make way for baby. I threw out the idea of putting Greyson on a trundle and having it slide under the boys bunk beds during the day, putting the twins into one level of the bunk bed, and Greyson on the other bed, (Promise it's not bad parenting... the twins sleep together 5 out of 7 nights anyway.) Not to sound like a negative nelly or anything, but for every idea I had, Brandon had problems with it. He didn't want G to feel like he didn't have a bed (trundle), and when the time comes that the twins no longer want to snuggle at night (tear) he didn't want to have to come up with a whole other plan on what to do. In the long run, we will eventually move the twins down into the basement, but they are only 4 1/2, and neither of us are comfortable with the idea of them being downstairs any time soon.
I've brainstormed with Brandon, my mom, and Carrie, and none of us could really come up with a "Great" idea. So one day when cleaning both of the rooms that the boys sleep in, I came to the realization that all we were trying to do, was put G into the twins room. We never... err... I never thought about putting the twins into G's room. (G's room has a vaulted ceiling and shares a wall with our room, so I always just thought that we would put the baby in there for practicality reasons.) After measuring the room about ten times, and then measuring out the bunkbeds and Greyson's bed frame, I discovered that it would fit, with two inches to spare. It would be cramped, but it would fit!!

I immediately called Brandon, and explained the layout to him, and then called my dad, because we always need his help! Brandon was relieved that I finally decided on what to do, and the boys were excited because they'll all get to share a room. (How long that excitement will last, I do not know, but we are taking advantage of it for now!) I asked my dad if he would come and help Brandon rearrange later that evening, before we changed our minds, and he agreed to come after dinner. What we thought would take about twenty minutes ended up taking a little bit longer, due to the corners in the hall, but we finally did it!

Hopefully the boys don't drive me nuts in all of their excitement!

A New Toy

Back in July, our neighbors across the street were having a garage sale. I'm not a huge garage sale person,I wish I was, but I can't get up early enough to get any good deals. But I noticed that our neighbor had a stack of silver poles infront of their garage door. In my mind I immediately knew that they were getting rid of their trampoline. I have been 'mentioning' or nagging Brandon for the past year, that the boys really need a trampoline. But more importantly, I needed it to wear out three little boys!

I happened to be leaving to run errands while my neighbor was setting up her tables and pricing, so I rolled down the window and yelled, "can we buy that!?" It took us a couple of days to actually bring the trampoline over and set it up, but now we can barely keep the boys off of it. While I was a little hesitant to let them on it without me being around at first, I now treasure that hour break, that I get while they go out and jump! Dont' worry, I check on them constantly!!


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Dad checked out everything first.. and then Lincoln went to town jumping!



Greyson is a little more reserved on the "jumperline"



This is right up Daniel's alley.. he loves ALL things jumping and climbing

29 Weeks

okay, normally I wouldn't be wearing a skin tight tank top at 29 weeks pregnant.  I swear there was a cute flowy shirt that I had on for church... why it didn't make it into the pictures I don't remember! Luckily, I've not gained any weight this week.. I'm saving that all for vacation in a couple of weeks.  I can't wait to place my big pregnant belly into a pool everyday.. and then my toes in the sand!  I can't wait for Florida!

A Bunch of Boys

I think I've said it before...we have lots of boys in my extended family. Luckily, we have three cousins that live only ten minutes away that my boys get to play with. My mom decided that before all six boys headed back to school that she would have them over to play and spend the night. That's right all six boys. We started the afternoon off with lunch and playing at the church for a bit, and then all six boys headed back to our house for the afternoon to play. I love my cousins. They are such well behaved boys and are GREAT with my boys. So while I sent all the guys outside to jump on the trampoline and have nurf gun wars in the basement, I was able to pick up a little bit and work on a project for Harper's room.

Around dinner time, we loaded up and headed over to my parents house for bbq hotdogs and all the fixin's. It was actually a pretty gorgeous evening, so we all headed out side to watch the boys play ball, chase and play on the swingset. Brandon came over after getting in a quick work out at the gym, and then all the 'big boys' headed downstairs to watch the Chiefs preseason game.

Mom and I stayed up stairs and attempted to continue working on the project for Harper's room, but got frustrated and continually interuppted so..we quit! Brandon and I headed home around 9:30 and left all the boys watching a late movie!

As soon as we walked in the door, I went straight to bed. I was EXHAUSTED! I am so ready not to feel so tired all the time. Having three kids and being pregnant really wears you out! Thanks mom and dad for watching the boys, so this momma could sleep in!!!

A Name and a Room

Ever since I was in high school, I've known the names that I wanted to name my kids. Luckily, when Brandon and I started seriously dating, he agreed with the names! Shockingly, with every pregnancy, I've started out liking the names but ended up hating them by the time the big ultrasound came around. Somehow we came up with Lincoln Grant instead of Grady Lane, Daniel Lane instead of Jonathan Scott, Greyson Ford instead of ??? ( I never thought I would have three boys), and for a girl I had always wanted the name Mckenzie Rae.
For some reason in January, I started really liking the name Harper. I have no idea where it came from or why it even crossed my mind. Then when Brandon's maga passed away, I really started liking the name Harper Dell, after his maga's maiden name. But as soon as it came into my mind, it left. We went on with our life, moving, a trip to Chicago, and then looking into buying a house.
When we found out we were pregnant, we didn't even discuss names until the ultrasound, but as usual... I no longer like the name Mckenzie Rae. After tossing around names for a few days the only names we could agree on were Harper and Claire. We asked the boys their opinions so they could feel included. Daniel thought she should be named Anna or Clarabell (his two favorite trains off of Thomas the Train), Lincoln liked Harper and Greyson liked Claire. We were torn. We really liked both hames and hated to choose, so we as a family agreed on the name.... drumroll please..... Haper Claire Howard.

Now on to completely figuring out how to create her room. I know I want to use a paisley pattern, but so far I have yet to find one that I am completely in love with. Brandon is being such a champ, and letting me pick pretty much whatever I want. He knows how excited I am (as is he), but he knows that I have dreamed of this day for a long time! I can't wait until we can post some updated pictures!

28 Weeks

Preggers update: I've only gained 8lbs, with one pound being during this past month.  Hopefully I can stay at a slow gaining pace... the more I gaine the more I have to lose! 

This week Brandon and I celebrated our six year wedding anniversary.  I was so worn out we didn't do much.  Being preggers in the summer... is exhausting.  It might be even more exhausting having three little boys that are constantly wanting your attention!  We celebrated with a peaceful dinner at Nona's and took a walk around downtown Springfield.  We even stopped in at a local cupcake store and shared a oreo flavored cupcake.  It was so yummy.  Mom and dad had the boys over for the night, but we called it an early evening with a movie and popcorn in the basement, so that this momma could get in her comfy clothes!  It was a nice relaxing evening.

A Day on the Lake

Growing up in Southwest Missouri and having a best friend who's dad had a boat, I practically grew up on the lake. (okay, not really, but that's how it felt!) Anyway, the older I got the less I went to the lake. It makes me sad, and Brandon and I both agree that we want our kiddo's comfortable on the water and with boats.

Luckily, my best friend Carrie and her family came down for a week long vacation to SW Missouri, and invited us to spend a day on the lake with them. We didn't know how Daniel and Greyson would handle it, since they aren't super crazy about the water. But we did know that Lincoln would be in heaven.

Brian and Carrie rented a pontoon and a tube, so we were set for the day. Between our two families, we had four adults, one teenager and six kids under the age of six, and three loaded down coolers. We were a sight to see! We had a blast tubing, swimming, and just hanging out with our great friends. We can't wait to do it again!