Eden's 1st Birthday

The birthday girl on her first birthday.  
It was so nice to celebrate the first year of Eden's life.  
She is such a blessing in our family.
 
 

Some decorations

Our traditional birthday breakfast

 

Her first birthday present

 

A quick photo session before playing outside

 

 

Dinner at Red Robin

Eden's birthday cake and cupcakes

After enjoying some cake

Getting tired

 

The gifts

Happy Birthday sweet girl! 

An Apple a Day........

Have you seen this guy?
We rarely see this face and if he is around, those beautiful blue/green eyes are closed in heavy, much needed sleep.
If you find him hurrying around St. John's Hospital, please send him home every once in awhile. 
We miss him!

I am boycotting apples in this house.  You know the saying!

My Benjamin is a Kindergartner!

I am so glad I had a couple of days after the other kids started school to get used to the idea of dropping off Benjamin in Kindergarten.  He seemed excited.  I wasn't sure what emotions I would get from him, but he was excited and ready but a little nervous.  His siblings all fought over who would sit by him on the bus.  That made me happy.  I love seeing my kids take care of each other.

He chose his clothes.  Isn't he handsome?!

We got to the school pretty early.  No one was lined up yet. I was glad it wasn't utter chaos like it was on the first day of school for all of the other students.

Benjamin was first in line to come into his classroom.

His hook

His classroom

His seat

His teacher, Mrs.Hebert. 
Both Jackson and Grant had the same teacher for Kindergarten. She is great.
I said goodbye and started getting choked up, but smiled and waved.  He waved back and Luke, Eden and I headed out.  As I reached the door to leave the school another mom was leaving with me and said "Oh goodness" to herself as she left her Kindergartner.  I said: "I feel the same way!".

After school he came running off of the bus to tell me that he "loved it".  I was so pleased.

I didn't even have a knot in my stomach when I sent him off to school this morning.  So far so good.

Happy After School

I

I should never write blog posts when emotions are so fresh.  After worrying all day about the kids at school, everything turned out fine.  I admit, I am always a wreck on the first day of school.  It isn't easy to say goodbye to any of them, let alone four in one crazy morning.  My kids' first day of school wasn't perfect, but I feel confident that we will be flying along happily in no time.  Carston came home with a smile on his face and said that he had made a new friend.

Grant was all smiles.  He made a friend too ("a girl, Mom" he said).

Peyton noticed that a girl living only a few houses down the street is in her class.

Jackson was unsure of his teacher, but was feeling more comfortable and has a friend in the class.  I think it will just take him time.  I'm sure he'll love her.

After school, we had cider and doughnuts to celebrate.  We love Michigan cider mills in the Fall!

 

An Announcement!!

For those of you who don't know, I am expecting.  We are having # 8 in December!
The kids were excited to find out whether we are bringing home a Christmas baby boy or baby girl.

 

It is a boy!!
What a great Christmas present.  We are feeling complete with six boys and two girls.  Little Eden's world is going to change in a few short months.  I am hoping she will be walking before he arrives, but we'll see.  Luckily, I am pretty good at carrying two.

We celebrated with blue ring pops and blue skittles.
Peyton cried when she heard the news.  Although she enjoyed the ring pop, she was sorry it was blue since she wanted another sister.  I understand completely.  After all, I thought another girl would round us out nicely as well.  Peyton has had time to warm to the idea and is excited to welcome a baby boy.  How can we be anything but pleased?  I sure love my boys and feel like I've been prepared to be a "boy mom".  I can hardly wait to meet our sweet little guy.  He was moving like crazy during the ultrasound.  Clearly, he is all boy!

Christmas is my favorite holiday and I am already looking forward to it since it will be extra special this year!

First Day of School

The first day of school is always bittersweet.  I know the kids like to get back to a routine and see their friends.  I love to see them learning and growing through their experiences in school.  Let's be honest, it is also easier for me to accomplish things when I don't have all seven home at one time.  BUT it is hard to let them go and be uncertain how things will turn out in their new classes.  This morning was especially difficult.

Carston started fourth grade today.  He was separated from all of his friends and doesn't know a soul in his new class this year.  He put on a smile, but he told me his stomach hurt and he seemed nervous.  I left him in his class and cried all of the way home.  I know he'll be okay and he'll make new friends, but it was hard enough to let him go last year when he had all of his friends in his class.  I am so proud of him.  He is a great kid and so smart!  We sure love him.  I hope his day is going well.  

Jackson and Peyton started third grade today.  They are in the same class again this year, thank heavens.  Jackson cried all morning and didn't want me to leave him in his new classroom.  (It is difficult for me not to just set up camp and stay with him when he is so upset, but I know that he has to be able to adjust to new settings and he always does fine once I leave.)  Peyton is like Carston, she puts on her brave face and pushes forward but I know she was nervous too.  I am sure glad that they have each other! Peyton is very protective of her brother and I can picture her taking care of him today.

Oh, sweet Grant!  He started first grade today and with his usual smile and finesse greeted first grade happily and with confidence.  He takes after his dad.  He was talking with the teacher, asking lots of questions and making friends even before I left the room.  He found out that his best friend from last year was in another class and he barely batted an eye.  He said he would be fine and waved goodbye to me as I blew him a kiss.
I hope all of those teachers know that they have charge of my treasures.  It isn't easy for me to entrust them to anyone.  I'm sure it will get easier as the kids settle in.  I think I'm the biggest baby of them all!  I'm sure I'll calm down once the school year gets going.  Thank goodness my Kindergartner doesn't start until Thursday.  Having to say goodbye to little Benjamin with all of the others would have put me over the edge.  I'll have to post again once he officially starts school.  He told me he is only excited about riding the bus.  At least he is excited about something!

Happy First Day of School Michiganders!!