#74 Kicking it in the Hallway

I walked by and saw Brennan just hanging out in the hallway, looking pretty comfy. Silly kid.

#73 Another What-the-Heck-Was-I-Thinking Moment

I always have an indoor sensory activity for the boys, most often I put rice in a bin. The rice had been in there for a while so I thought "hey, let's add water to it." Once we got started, I had the same old what-the-heck-was-I-thinking thought. I have those often, yet I continue to do these types of activities with the boys!

#72 Fear of Bees

Brennan got stung by a bee twice last week and now he is terrified of bees, and every bug, for that matter. He won't let me roll down the windows in the car. He won't play in the backyard. He won't play at the park with his friends. When he sees any bug he seems to go into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I am going to have to go get some books on bugs to try to ease this fear. This is a picture of my friend, Amber, protecting him from bugs.

#71 Study Time

Practicing letters with Daddy. How sweet.

#70 Days are Long, Years are Short

When did this child get so big? *sigh* 5 (almost 6 now) years flew by at rocket speed. I heard a fantastic quote a little while ago. "The days are long, but the years are short." This concept seems confusing and impossible, yet it is so true.

#69 Noodles and Drawing

I bought a role of large paper to roll across the table while the boys are eating. Maybe they will want to eat more... worth a shot!

#68 Vinegar on Tap

Hudson had the stomach flu. What a bummer way to end such a great week. We were cooped up the whole day on the most gorgeous day ever. So, the sick, little scientist decided he wanted to do experiments. I seriously wish we had vinegar on tap because we go through it like water. We managed to get through the day and hopefully he is feeling better today. 

#67 Playdate Fun

I am kind of lovin' black and white photos right now. I love taking pictures of kids talking to each other. It is so cute. You have to think, hmmm, I wonder what they are talking about right now. It is usually something simple, and yet it brings so much joy to them.

#61 - 66 Early Morning Hell Pays Off

Wow, between my vacation and my hard drive crashing, I am not doing so hot on keeping up with this. Stupid hard drive. I've recently replaced my hard drive and my old drive sits helplessly in a drawer with all of my pictures from the last year... poor little, broken, lonely hard drive. So, I will attempt to catch up. I will still take 365 pictures; but at this point, they just might not be 365 days in a row :)

Hudson started kindergarten this week. That was hard for me. I was worried about this change for several reasons: Hudson is very sensitive and I wasn't sure how this change was going to affect him; Brennan is used to spending every minute with Hudson and sometimes doesn't know how to operate without him; We have never regularly had to be out of the house by 7:30; And, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel without having Hudson around every day. 

I am happy to say that this week went very well! Hudson had a few little bumps but is doing great!  It is amazing how fast they grow up during that first week of kindergarten. I already adore his teacher and have so much respect for her energy and enthusiasm. Kindergarten teachers have an exhausting job. I can't maintain the attention of one kindergartener, let alone 25 of them.  

Brennan is adjusting; although, he has been very grouchy this week. The change seems to be affecting Brennan the most. I am hoping he will learn to appreciate his alone time and make the most of time with Hudson (like, LESS fighting when they are together... fingers crossed!). 

Our morning routine so far has gone surprisingly well. My kids have always been early birds and during this first week of school I am appreciating that very much! We don't have too much morning grouchiness (although, the afternoons are another thing!).  So after putting up with the last 6 years of early morning hell, I am realizing what a great trait it really is. 

As for me... I have several friends whose kids started kindergarten last year. That affected me greatly because it was the start of it... the start of our kids growing up. I then spent the ENTIRE year thinking about how the change will affect me, Hudson, and our family. I began talking to Hudson about kindergarten long before it started, talking about how wonderful it was going to be. While that helped prepare Hudson, it also helped prepare me. I won't lie - it was sad. It marked the end of lazy mornings, going to the park when we felt like it with both boys, and those special mornings that I will forever be grateful that I got to spend with him. There is one thing I will never regret and that is being home with him. I've heard that once school starts, it flies by. So, here we go!

First day of school

After school on the second day

Brennan laughing at his friend crashing in the grass.

Brother time

#60 Weeeeeeee

#55 - 59

#47 - 54 Oregon Coast

I am try to get back into the swing of things since vacation. I always have a hard time leaving my family. I always go through a little post-vacation depression. I'll snap out of it soon enough :)