Back to School

It's time to head back to school!! Grant was very excited about heading off to kindergarten. This mom wasn't so sure about letting him head off to school for a full day. Is that necessary?? When I was growing up kindergarten was only a half day, when did this all change?

Grant especially loved getting to ride the bus home. Me? I was watching the clock all day and at the bus stop 25 minutes early, ready for him to get home and tell me about his day.

Norah is off to 4K. She'll be at school four half days a week, and on one of those days will be staying a little later for lunch. She is very excited about her Doc McStuffins lunch bag she gets to use on those days. Doc is all the rage here right now.

Thankful for "Mums"

Grant and I had a great date night last night hosted by his school. Grant's class began by singing songs for all the moms. Then Grant brought me a mum.

Then we sat down together and painted a tile trivet together, painting his hand like a turkey.

 

 

We finished the night be eating some pumpkin pie and doing the hokey pokey.

What a lovely and perfect evening for me to enjoy my growing young man, who usually prefers to hang with his dad. We truly enjoyed our evening together.

Pop! Pop!

Let see if I can get this blog back on track and update all our family and friends with the happenings in our life.

One day after picking Grant and Norah up from school, we stopped by the grocery store. Grant asked to buy a bag of popcorn for a snack and I said I have a better idea. So we went off to find popcorn kernels. I loved Grant expression as I told him we were going to pop the corn ourselves. He laughed and said that's silly. That's he go to line when we are doing something new and fun.

Once at home everyone was excited to make popcorn so we set to work popping that corn. Everyone gathered around the pot. Grant helped me shake it up a few times. There were gleeful screams of delight from Norah when she heard the corn popping. Mason kept checking in to see what we were up to, but kept playing with ball. Once done everyone gathered around for the unveiling of our popcorn.

The were fascinated at how the kernels changed into popcorn. Grant still says that's silly.

Everyone dug in and enjoyed their popcorn.

 

I'm thinking we should make caramel corn next time.

School Days

Hugs as they were getting ready to leave for school this morning.

Today both Grant and Norah had there first day of school.

Grant has been asking to go to school for a year and looking foward to this day. He walked right into his classroom this morning and didn't look back. He was excited, very ready, and can't wait to go back tomorrow.

Norah was a bit more timid and shy. She was happy to go in and play with the kitchen and play dressup. When it came to sitting in a group and listening to the teacher, she thought continuing to play would be a bit more fun. I stayed Norah today, watching from across the room and was able to help her with her art activity. At the end of the day I asked her if she was excited to come back on Monday, she answered with a simple "No, Mommy."

Happy new school year to everyone, we hope you are blessed with a great and safe year.

Back In His Crib

We were out of the house for most of the day and when we arrived back to our abode at two o'clock naps were in order. Both Grant and Norah were tucked in while Mason was busy cruising along the sofa burning off some more energy. Mason finally wore himself out and when I went to tuck him in his crib this is what I found.

Grant looked so sweet snuggled in the crib that once upon a time was his. While I was tucking Grant in for his nap he was asking if he could take a nap with Mason. He loves his little brother but I'm still not sure what motivated him to climb into the crib.

Birthday Gifts For Grant

Birthday fun for a 4 year old is not complete without presents. Pretend play is abound is our home lately so why not add some fun clothes to add to the experience, so Norah picked out some fun costumes for Grant.

Grant approved!

 Grant also received a fun Hex bug, from Mason.

He has loved chasing it all over the house. I love the expression on Grant's face oooing over his new toy. Then there is Mason checking it out trying to figure out how he is going to take it away (most likely to put it in his mouth).

Last but not least Jason and I gave Grant a camera. Grant is frequently taking our camera, so we decide we would get him his own. I can't wait to take out the memory card and see what he has captured.

Grant smiling for the first picture on his camera. I can't believe I don't have one of him taking pictures.

He was just so excited about all his gifts.

Happy Birthday Grant! I hope you enjoyed your day.

Grant's Birthday Playdate

Grant made one request for his birthday, to play with all his friends at Kids In Motion.

That was one wish I could grant my Grant! A party and playdate combined together for one fun day. I loved how the day before I stopped at Sam's Club and bought cupcakes to bring. Grant asked if we could bring strawberries to share with his friends, so extra strawberries were brought for everyone to enjoy along with their pizza and cupcakes!

Grant's Birthday Dinner

Grant requested all of his favorites for his birthday dinner - corn dogs, coleslaw, red peppers and strawberries.

I loved that Grant is now old enough to make such a request and I was happy to whip up this meal for him. Grant even helped me make the coleslaw.

Grant is FOUR!!

Happy Birthday to my firstborn. The one who opened up a whole new world to me, motherhood. I have watched you with amazement everyday, each day you learn something new, ask questions, work hard and show your love. I love you, Mr. Grant!

Marble Maze

One of Grant's Christmas presents was a giant marble maze. Jason and I have put together a this contraption together a few times now. We have both said that it crazy how bad the directions are to put it together. I think you should a honorary engineering degree if you can get it together. On this day instruction were tossed aside, Grant and I kept putting pieces together until we ended with this. Don't look to close, you'll see structures that are not straight, they're more like the leaning tower of Pisa. BUT it did it's job and provided about an hour of fun, until Grant lost his balance and fell into it. While rebuilding efforts were made, I couldn't get it figured out again. Grant found something else to play with leaving the maze behind.

Nap

Grant is nearing the end of daily naps, I see it coming.Grant has always been a good napper.  I noticed that the days where he just doesn't want to take a nap are increasing. I always insist upon quiet time, and try to make that happen in his room. Often quiet time has turned into nap time once sitting in bed reading books.  This week Grant kept insisting he didn't need a nap and he was quietly watching Caillou on TV, so I was happy to let him continue on. Well I went about me afternoon activities, cleaning up, starting dinner, checking out the world of Facebook when I noticed quiet time was even more quiet. The TV was silent, Caillou was done.  I looked towards Grant to see him sound asleep. He looked like a big boy yet at the same time still my baby all snuggled into the new couch.



It was fun to see Norah climb up on the couch and try to wake him up when she woke up not to long after I took these pictures. Grant was asleep, she even tried to pry his eyes upon. So cute listening to her say "Grant William wake up." He opened his eyes turned away and went back to napping. I told Norah to snuggle in, which she did for about a minute before she was off to see if Mason would let her play with him. She did successfully wake him up.

Long Shorts

As the first snowflakes of the fall came down, Grant came into the living room carrying his corduroy pants.

"Mommy I'm going to wear these long shorts today." ~Grant

Dino-riffic!

A new hat for Grant, made with love by his mommy!

Yes, I straightened the curtain after I took the first picture and realized that it was all wonky (We were busy watching the street sweeper pick up leaves this morning). Then Grant being a spunky 3 year old is really into sitting still for pictures these days, so these two pictures is what he gave me. He does love his hat already, he told me so. :)



Too Young For Facial Hair?

Jason recently added the GEICO BroStache App to his phone, let's just say the kids, especially Grant, love playing with it.

A Walk to the Park

Yesterday while we were enjoying the nice fall weather, we headed out to the park. Norah asked to take her walk instead of go in the stroller. I have been reluctant to let Norah walk to the park with her walker for various reasons. The park is just over two blocks away and Norah's 2, even a typical two year old may not be able to walk that far, let alone with gross motor delays and a walker. If she couldn't make it that would leave me to carry her, push a stroller with Mason in it, and have to carry back her walker. All while trying to keep Grant with us too. Not really the situation I would like. BUT yesterday Jason was working at home, I was excited that Norah wanted to walk, so I thought I'd see how things would go. Jason was a quick phone call away for reinforcement if I needed help. Grant was just as excited for Norah to walk to the park as well, so he left his trike at home and walked with her. I'm so glad she has a big brother.

We made it to the park. And we had fun, chasing each other on the playground equipments, going up and down the slides, a game or two of tic tac toe, and swinging. Grant and Norah kept me busy on the swings. Grant would demand a push, while Norah was telling me to sit right here next to her and in circles I went keeping the both happy.

Mason slept through it all. I do love this park' besides the nice archways, it has a fun tree sculpture, you can frequently find people throwing a party for their dog their in the summer, and the yoga studio down the street holds class there in the summer.

I love how Grant likes to help Norah navigate with her walker. Everytime she hit a crack in the sidewalk he was there to help her out, so sweet.

Batting Practice!

Not only is the sprinkler good for cooling off on hot summer days. It also works well as a tee for batting practice. Grant loves taking a swing!

Enjoying Millennium Park

I thought I share some more pictures from last Saturday when we were in Chicago. We arrived early to the park in anticipation for the days' events. I didn't want to be late because of construction or the unpredictable Chicago traffic. While we waited for our friends to arrive, we had fun looking at ourselves in the large mirrored bean that sits in Millennium Park. It was so fun to see Grant and Norah discover their reflection. Norah took a little bit longer to discover her reflection but once she did she wanted to keep touching and give kissing it.

Once it was time for us to part ways with our new friends, we had to fulfill a promise to a very cute little boy who wanted to play in the fountain. It was such a gorgeous afternoon, we couldn't say no, and I came prepared with extra clothes for these 'just in case' moments. Norah liked to watch the water, but when it can to be near it and the possibility of getting wet she didn't want anything to do with it. Jason kept a watchful eye over Mason while capturing some good  pictures of us stomping in the water.

Once we were wet, we strolled around the park drying off. We enjoyed the rest beautiful afternoon with our little family. Jason told me that he didn't think we were considered little anymore, now that we have three kids, but I disagree. It feels like we are still a little family so I'm stick with it.

Once Grant was spun until he couldn't walk straight and his picture was taken next to the 'Grant Park Music Fastival' Sign, and Norah had posed for a dozen pictures where she continues to 'pick nose' and Mason had taken a nap and ate again, we finally had to leave Millennium Park behind and head back to Wisconsin.

Love From The Big Brother

Grant has been a big brother for 22 months to his special sister, Norah. He has taken to his roll well, and now with a new baby in the house, he is happy to be a big brother again. He is quick to ask what's wrong if Mason cries. Grant loves when Mason is awake and entertains him by shaking rattles, making silly noises or singing to him. While Grant was watching Toy Story the other day, he also took good care of Mason...

Disclaimer: This post follows a trying day of tantrums and "I wants" and "no's" and not wanting to do eat what was given to him and a I don't love you Mommy.  Being the Mom to an independent, self motivated 3 year old has it's moments, good thing they're mostly good :)

When did Grant get big enough to do this?

This morning, while I was still slumbering away, enjoying the end of daylights savings, thinking my little ones where still fouled by the change on time. One smart little boy woke up. Instead of waking to the bottom of the stairs and calling out for "Daddy" and Mommy having to come explain Daddy is already at work, he took care of himself. Uggh. My little boy didn't need me :(

As I stirred, I thought I heard the Television. Hmm, that's unusual. So I slowly flipped myself over, removing the five pillows I'm currently sleeping with to find some sort of night time comfort as I'm entering the 3rd trimester of this pregnancy, and ventured downstairs. This is what I discovered.

Grant had poured himself a glass of milk (with chocolate syrup added) and a bowl of cereal. He also turned on our TV, which is actually a computer. That means he navigated the mouse to the different icons, turning on the media center and starting up "my movie" he told me, Toy Story. He was proud of himself. Now I'm torn - so sad that he didn't want his parents when he woke up this morning and proud that he did take care of himself.

Don't grow up too quickly Mr. Grant, your Mommy still wants to be needed.

Happy 3rd Birthday Grant!

Happy Birthday to my little boy, Grant William! I can't believe that three years have past since those 28 hours of labor that ended in an emergency c-section. I am amazed at the little boy he has become this last year, especially this last few months.

Grant - 1 day old

A year ago Grant said less than 10 words, making us nervous about his delayed speech. Now, I come home from a day at work and he tells me everything he did that day. He is quick to figure out how things work and if he gets the chance he'll take it apart. He can work the mouse on the computer and get into Netflix to start his favorite movie. Currently that's Bob the Builder and the Search for the Golden Hammer. A visit to Target is never complete without visiting the vacuum cleaners. Grant inspects them, asking to play with his favorite, usually the purple Dyson. He still is quick to pick out the color purple whenever he sees it.

He loves his daddy, always looking for him first thing in the morning, sneaking in some snuggle before daddy has to go to work. He's a helper, working on the house with his daddy and cooking in the kitchen with mommy.

Baking chocolate cookies

He loves to eat fruit, any fruit. We usually hide keep Grant's fruit as incentive to eat whatever else he is being served. Lately he asks if we can eat at the "chicken restaurant" a lot, usually daily.  It took a few days to figure out what restaurant Grant was requesting, but we figured it out - Arby's. I know they are know for their fine chicken ;). The  best part is, Grant loves getting a roast beef sandwich at his great "chicken restaurant."

Grant helping install the new back door

In the last couple of weeks, Grant has learned his ABC's. I love listening to him sing his ABC's while he's playing and encourages his little sister to sing with him. He can also count to fourteen now. If I has him to do something before I count to three, Grant just takes off counting while he's off to do what I asked. He knows he's going to have a baby brother soon and gives my tummy a kiss for the baby, so sweet. Last night as we cuddled before bed, we talked about his birthday. Then I told him about birthday spankings, he looked at me and asked for timeouts instead of spankings. It was a priceless moment we shared.

Happy Birthday Mr. Grant!