Kingston the Kinder

Kingston has officially started kindergarten.  Tuesday was the first day of the school year for him and he was more than ready.  He woke me up early, exclaiming "it's the first day of school!" as if it were Christmas morning.

Because we were up so early, we were able to have a special batch of back-to-school pancakes and relax a bit before the big day.

We took a few photos before school, one being the obligatory what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up photo... and a few that featured the big boy in his first day of school outfit and backpack (his request).

We packed his Star Wars lunchbox the night before, so we quickly added an icepack to that bad boy and placed it in his backpack all ready to go.

We got to school about 15 minutes early and waited only a few minutes for his teacher to open her classroom door.  She let us in, asking each student to let her know if they were having hot lunch or cold lunch and to place their lunchbox in the lunchbox bin if they brought one.

Kingston hung his backpack on his assigned hook, sat on the carpet, and looked through a book as directed by his teacher.

I had heard that it was a pretty emotional day for most mamas - the first time you take your child to school and leave them there to learn all day - it's a big deal.  I guess I thought I had gotten that all out of my system a few years ago when I took him to daycare for the first time.

But, when I went to give Kingston a kiss goodbye this morning, I felt the tears welling up and quickly wiped them away as I knew he was in good hands and would have the best time at school.

And -- I had my secret no-crying-mama weapon there with me: Cole.  Having little brother there as a distraction for me worked like a charm.  Here's to a fun-filled school year ahead!

{Week 18} The Boys

Kingston, Week 18*: Practicing in the backyard with daddy (he got a new bat and now requests to practice a lot).
Cole, Week 18*:  Even though it was raining and not all that warm out, this boy wanted to run around the yard in only his diaper.  He may even be telling me "no" in this photo.  Ah, the joys of an almost-two-year old!

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

*{Sorry this one is nearly two weeks late... whoops.}

{Week 17} The Boys

Kingston, Week 17: Enjoying a 'toon on the living room ottoman after church.
Cole, Week 17: Continuing to play the ever-active role of "mama's shadow" by drinking his sippy cup in the kitchen while I unpack groceries and start dinner.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

{Easter Re-Cap} The Bunny Goodies

The holidays are truly so much more fun with little ones around.  This Easter was no exception -- Kingston was really into Easter egg hunting and, of course, excited to see what the Easter Bunny would bring this year.  We re-used the boys's baskets from last year (see HERE) and found a few goodies we knew they would be sure to enjoy.  In remembering how Kingston was so very literal with our Elf on the Shelf, I made sure to explain to Kingston that we needed to set out their Easter baskets the night before Easter, in hopes that the Easter Bunny might leave surprises for them to play with in the morning.  Worked like a charm.

Inside Kingston's Easter basket, he found:

1. Easter Bunny ears
2. Orange-flavored Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in the shape of a carrot
3. Robot water bottle
4. Bunny Pez dispenser + two SpiderMan eggs filled with Pez candy
5. Bubbles 
6. Skylander SwapForce character Freeze Blade

And, inside Cole's Easter basket, he found: 

1. Plush lamb
2. Frog water bottle
3. Easter Bunny ears
4. Orange-flavored Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in the shape of a carrot
5. Planes Airplane
6. Bunny Pez dispenser + two SpiderMan eggs filled with Pez candy

The result?  Two pretty happy Easter Bunny-eared boys!     

Coloring Easter Eggs

Coloring Easter eggs is fun, but sometimes I think plain white hard boiled eggs are almost just as pretty.  I can't be the only one who thinks that... can I?  Well, we were sure to color these eggs up right with a store bought kit.  I had originally planned to use food coloring instead of a kit, but the hubs thought Kingston might have more fun with the traditional wax crayon.  And, he was right.  Kingston loved to scribble all over the eggs -- no rhyme or reason to his scribbles.

The blue was Kingston's favorite.  He constantly wanted to check it and see if it was done.  I made sure to set our kitchen timer so he wouldn't have to keep asking "is the blue ready yet?!"

 And, I may have distracted him by giving him one of the plastic eggs a day early.  He was happy with the one he chose... and the yellow peep inside.

Yep, I think these are the best eggs we have colored so far... wax crayon scribbles and all.  Just one small part of our Easter weekend traditions, but so very much fun.

To Noni {heart} Kingston

Kingston colored this portrait of our family for his great grandma Noni.  Kingston is pink, I am purple, Cole is orange, and the hubs is blue.  We are standing on some grass and the sun is out.  I especially love Kingston's heart.  What a sweet boy.

Kingston's First Library Card

Last Friday, Kingston and I went on a special outing to our local library - just the two of us.  I couldn't believe the look on his face when he found out where we were going.  It was almost like it was Christmas morning.  We have been talking about getting him his very own library card for awhile now, so I was happy to find some time to actually do it.

When we got to the library, we very easily signed him up for his own card... which he was handed along with a sharpie to sign his name on the back.  Once that was done, he told me we had a certain schedule we had to follow when we were at the library.  I think he came up with this schedule based on a trip he made with my mom last summer to the library near my work.  First, we had to find the toys and play.  We worked on puzzles, had a puppet show, and built random objects out of blocks.  Then, we walked around selecting a few books and movies to check out.  Then, it was time to talk to the librarian.  Unfortunately, we did not find a librarian who wasn't busy to chat with... but Kingston quickly forgot that step when he saw that he would be able to scan his card and books all by himself.

My favorite part of the trip was spending a little time with my oldest.  It was fun to set aside one hour to do what he wanted to do at the library and share that moment with him.  But, I'm not gonna lie - I was so proud of him when he signed his name on the back of his card... something I will keep forever, friends.

{Week 10} The Boys

Kingston, Week 10: Playing zombie hunter in the backyard... with a gun and a twig.
Cole, Week 10: Throwing rocks in the backyard.  He doesn't mess around with the small ones.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

Adventures of Kingston and Papa: Treasure Hunting

Last Friday, Kingston got to have a little adventure with his Papa Bob.  Around 10:00 am and armed with two foam swords, a pair of binoculars, and some water/snacks to share, Kingston and Papa headed out for a fun day at Lake Cushman.  Of course, they had to stop and pick up a "treasure map" from a store a long the way, which turned out to be something pretty great -- it helped them find money under a rock near the lake.  Pretty fun time and great memories for Kingston to have with his Papa.

The above picture was from their treasure hunt... doesn't Kingston look old!?  Breaks my heart a little at how fast time goes by these days.

Peace Jammies: Then & Now

With two boys, I am lucky to get to reuse most of Kingston's baby clothes with Cole.  These peace sign jammies are one of my favorites and I am thrilled they are fitting not-so-little baby Cole these days.  And maybe I'm still a little shocked with how big Cole has gotten in the past few months.  Kingston was walking in these jammies; Cole is crawling.  And both are more than a little handsome in them in my book.  

Captain Cowboy, a True Adventurer

Knights, pirates, cowboys... and Curious George?  Kingston's imagination is definitely raring to go these days.

Of course, he wanted me to participate in his pirate-play today, rewarding him with pirate gold for completing pirate missions.

And wouldn't you know that one of those pirate missions was to pose for a pirate picture; the biggest mission there was, rewarded with 10 pieces of pirate gold.  This boy sure earned his keep.  

3 Toddlers, 1 Baby, & a Tired Momma.

Our nieces were in town last Friday and Kingston was beside himself with excitement.  He was so thrilled to have them come over and play at his house, with his toys.  Although the hubs was around for a couple of hours before baseball practice, I spent the majority of the day with all three toddlers (and our little Cole, of course) on my own.  Although extremely tiring, it was fun and we had a great day.

They read books, colored, played with toys... had snack time... played red light/green light, tag, hide & go seek.  We played boardgames and watched a little Tom & Jerry during quiet time.  They also practiced their culinary skills and played with Kingston's kitchen, filling pizza orders and preparing cake to go by the slice.  

All activities lasted about 15 minutes before the next... and they kept me on my toes.  But I am happy to say there were no fights, no time-outs.  These three love to play together.

A Boy and His Superheroes.

My boy loves his superheroes.  He has quite the collection and they tend to be his go-to toys right now.  So when I came into the kitchen yesterday afternoon to start dinner, I wasn't surprised to see he was actively playing away with them.  What I was surprised to see, however, was Kingston playing with his superheroes on our kitchen trashcan.  Again.  For like the second or third time this week.  Instead of interrupting him and asking him why, I quickly grabbed my camera to take a few photos.  Isn't that what you would have done?

Momma's Looks, Daddy's Charm.

While Kingston definitely has some of his daddy's features, we always hear how much he looks like me.  And for awhile, I didn't fully believe it... until I looked at a few photos of me that were taken around his age (see an example I posted last week HERE).

So, okay... I suppose he does look like me... but his mannerisms?  100% his daddy.

Take the above photos, for example.

When the hubs was a little boy, he would touch his upper lip with his finger.  He would do this so much, that he would get a little blister on his lip.  Now, on to Kingston.  The above photos were taken on our drive up to visit family nearly two weeks ago.  But since then, I've seen Kingston touching his lip (like pictured above) a time or two.

A small example, but something I can't help but smile at.

The Heartbreak Kids.

{Carson and Kingston, 3 years old}

Matching pirate jammies after Carson's pirate-themed birthday party?  Ye bet yer lucky starrrrrrs, matey.  

Oh what a fun weekend away we had.  These two boys had a blast playing together and it was so fun to overhear their conversations.  They are too much.

Party Sunnies and BFFs.

We spent Saturday afternoon celebrating our friends' two sons Sam and Sawyer's birthdays.  Such fun, sweet little boys... Kingston was thrilled to be invited over for their birthday festivities.  Because he gave up naps awhile ago (ugh) and did not take one that day, Kingston was a little grumpy towards the end... but perked up when he was handed his beloved party favor goody bag.  His favorite item?  The silly "sunglasses" pictured above.

"We need to put them in your car, momma." - I am assuming so that he can wear them when it is sunny out?  I am loving his little imagination and thoughts he shares these days.  

Their littlest guy, Max (on the right in the photo above) is definitely a cutie and sure to be our little Cole's future bestie.  They are super cute together and I love that they are only 2 days apart in age.  Cole slept for pretty much the entire party (party on on, Cole!), but woke up at the end for a few minutes to take the above photo and say goodbye.

Oh, and both photos were taken and edited via Instagram.

Easy Rider

Kingston got a big wheels for Christmas.  He was super excited to ride it... even though it is a little big for him.  So, the hubs fixed him up right with an outdoor cushion.  And when I saw him riding down the street like this, I just had to take a picture.  

Love this boy of mine.