Backing up to the Beach!

We had such a wonderful summer with several beach trips with family and friends and even though it is fall weather and chilly as I type this...I have to share!  We first went to Destin on a work conference with Wes.  Even though he had to work a couple of hours during the day, it was so nice to have a trip with just the four of us!  Here are some fun pics from that trip!

Love this pic...

And love these sweet kiddos!

Dinner at Stinky's Fish Camp...the kids loved saying they were going to Stinky's for dinner :)

Getting ready for the conference dinner and sis is being silly...

And Colt manages to multi-task while smiling and watching tv!

First Day of Preschool

Not only was Colt's first day of school hard, but also I had to turn around and send Sis the following day.  She was SO excited to go!  You can just see it on this sweet face, even waking up first thing in the morning!

And here she is all dressed and ready to go!

I love that they are at the same school...big brother can watch over her!

While we are in car line, Marley says "mom, are you leaving me"?  And I reply, "yes baby, I am leaving you, but will be back to pick you up".  And her response, "you ok with leaving me momma".  Bless her heart, she knew she had to check on me...no worries from her perspective...she was ready!  So proud of my big girl!

First Day of School

So, I interrupt my usual catch-up to bring you something current!  Colt started school yesterday!!!  He is attending a half-day kindergarten program at Parkway Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten.  It is so crazy that my baby is in school five days a week.  So bitter sweet to watch him grow so fast!  We completed his first homework assignment as a family...he had to decorate a bear that reminded him of home...

Important night's sleep before his big day...

Not the best pic, but he had to talk to daddy before we left...

My big boy...

And his proud sister...

In car line and one excited boy ready for his day!

As a mom, I want my babies to know they are loved and special, not just by Wes and I, but by Christ who created them so wonderfully!  And I feel so blessed to be chosen to be their mom!

This sweet face got out of the car ready to face the day.  It took mommy a little longer to recover...but thankfully I had sweet Marley to check on me.  We drove away and she said "you sad momma" and I replied "I am sis".  "I sad too momma", so we were pretty silent on the way to eat breakfast.  Once we got to the restaurant, I was getting her out of her car seat and she said, "we don't have bubbies (aka Colt) at the Biscuit Barn".  So, then the tears again began to flow, but we decided that some biscuits and bacon may help.   She asked about him several times, but we had a good morning together.

When I picked him up, he said "my day was awesome"!  Those were exactly the words I needed to hear.  Another step taken in this journey of motherhood!

Preschool Graduation

And again, I figured I better squeeze this post in here since a new school year starts Wednesday for my little man...it just goes by so fast!  I can't tell you how proud I am of this little guy...he is caring, sensitive, happy, and loving all rolled into one!  He enjoys playing with cars and trucks (since he was born), playing baseball out back with daddy (because daddy won't let mommy pitch to him), and playing new learning games on the computer.  He loves to read together, do puzzles and board games, and write and draw pictures.  

Colt is one awesome little boy, and we are so proud of how he has learned and grown at Grace Academy!  

Searching for Strawberries

Ok, so I figured that I better catch up on my posts because the fall usually has so much fun to offer and is right around the corner!

On May 3, the kids and I went to pick strawberries!  I never knew that it would be so much fun...the kids had a blast.  The farm even had some bounce houses and a small petting zoo!  Here are some of my favorite pics...

Ready to go...

Searching for the perfect berries!

They are both proud of their pickings!

She passes the bucket to brother because they got a little heavy!

Off to play...

And pet...

Sis trying to sound like the rooster...

And what did we do with all those strawberries...made a strawberry cake from scratch for Mimi's birthday!

She's growing up!

In April, we moved Marley into her "big girl bed"!  As much as I tried to hold this event off, she was so ready and so excited...

 She even got "pretending to sleep" down instantly!

Brother loved the fact that he could fit in her bed too!

And here is the finished product...love decorating and accessorizing for a girl!

Then, on May 1st, she got her first haircut...I know, over 2 and a half and just now getting a haircut.  I think this is just so we can save up for highlights and layers when she is a teenager!

She was very excited that she got to finally sit in the chair after going with brother to see Mrs. Adela every month!

Curling up nicely!

As long as we can still get a bow in it, mom is happy!  And so is Marley...such a big girl!

A common pre-bath activity

It is pretty common around the Muschara house that the kids decide to get ready for the bath...OUTSIDE!  So, it typically turns into a pre-bath with the hose, which makes for some fun playtime!

And here is the one who usually starts it!  Love living life with these two!