Elijah Goes To The Potty!

It took him some time but he finally came around!!

It took a little persuading but....

Can I get a picture with you and mom and the cool fan you guys made out of leaves?

Pretty Please?

Finally!

And Now For Some Dancing!

Elijah demonstrates "The Stinky Diaper Dance"

Caeley's First Day Of Kindergarten!

So the day has finally arrived. The one my good friends with older kids have told me about. The one where you cry as you drive behind the school bus, crushed if they turn around and crushed if they don't. We got away with not having to go through that this morning as we all got in the car to take Caeley to her first day of Kindergarten. She woke up happy, excited and a little scared, much like myself. Because today was the first day where my vice like grip on my little girl would get dealt it's first serious blow. It is only kindergarten, but it was a lot more than that for me. It was the first real letting go moment. Watching her go in today, all dressed up and looking so grown up was such a thrilling and humbling moment. I always ask God to watch over my family especially my kids, but today I felt was the moment where I had to really start trusting in that. She came home beaming and telling us all about how much she loved her teacher, her new classmates and her new classroom. She even got invited to a birthday party this weekend! It all is so wonderful, so exciting, so terrifying and a little bittersweet. We have really had her to ourselves for most of her life, and have delighted in the little lady she has become. Today was the real first time we've had to share her with the real world, and we couldn't have been more proud. We love you Bug!

Caeley having breakfast showing off her cool new pencil with the purple jewel on the end!

Caeley loves flowers so on the way back into town last night I got her one of her faves, Sunflowers!

Can you believe her? Can you believe how grown up and absolutely beautiful she is!

Here is a little video! I know everyone knows these two are cute, but the exchange these two have when Caeley gets out of the car is priceless!

A Visit from Aunt Joanne, Cousin Dana (and a new friend!)

Today Aunt Joanne and Cousin Dana came to visit and wish Elijah a happy birthday. We always are excited to see this part of the family! And they had a little surprise for us!

Aunt Joanne got a brand new puppy! Her name is Mia ( Italian for mine)

Allie didn't know what to make of Mia! That little one held her own!

As usual hanging with Aunt Joanne and Cousin Dana was great! Thanks for making the time to see us! We appreciate it!

ELIJAH TURNS THREE!!!

Sunday was Elijah's third birthday! I can't believe our little man is three already. It was a great day! Laine and Pop were gracious enough to let us use their house to host the celebration! Check it out!

As with Christmas, or Easter, or any other event involving presents, the day started as soon as Elijah woke up. Here he tears into his first present!

A Buzz Lightyear Thermos! To go with his Toy Story themed backpack and lunch bag for school this year! This just highlights how fast he is really growing up!

Caeley has lucked out to still get mini gifts on Elijah's birthday!

One of the best gifts for us as parents is to see how close and what great friends these two really are. And I know I am biased, but MAN!! ARE OUR KIDS CUTE OR WHAT??? hahah.

Laine getting the pancakes started with help from Pop and a very very special guest: Gram Bunny! Bunny took the trip down from Vermont to be with us on Elijah's special day and we REALLY appreciated her being there!

One of the big hits of the day, the only thing that Elijah really asked for his birthday : A Buzz Lightyear action figure!

Later on, the party began! Aunt Connie and Aunt Wendy came to visit! We missed Nana, Aunt Maggie, Uncle Felix and the twins and Grandpa, but the Sullivan side was represented well by these two!

The two great grandmas! Oma and Gram Bunny enjoying seeing their kids, and their kid's kids!

Another big hit of the day! This race car set from Aunt Maggie and Uncle Felix! Thanks guys!

Now THAT is a three year old boy's birthday cake! Thanks Christie for going all out to give our little boy the Spiderman cake he has been asking for since June!

Elijah seeing the Spiderman cake for the first time from afar!

WOW!!

Caeley helping with blowing the candles out!

As the family looks on

We were very excited to see Aunt Carrie and Uncle Chris and of course, the cute Mr. Matthew!

While the ladies loved on Matthew inside...

The boys were being boys outside!!!

"I can still get you a shoe deal if you work really hard on that swing Elijah!"

And even though Elijah got the fair share of the gifts, Christie got a great one as well, seeing her lifetime friend Carrie and being able to let their kids get to know each other!

The next day it was time for Gram Bunny to go. We were so glad to have her visit!

Bye Gram Bunny! Drive Safe!

The new, updated, 3 year old version of the pirate snarl! AIIGHHH MATEY!!

Check out the air this kid gets!

It was an amazing birthday party with family and friends. Thanks to all who came and celebrated with us! Thanks for all the great gifts and more importantly, your time! So the party was over.....or was it????? (to be continued!)

PEACH PICKING IN CT!!!

We returned on August 1st back to CT to spend half the month in a cooler area of the country (Nashville has been 100 degrees everyday since we left!) and it really was a refreshing change. Many days have felt almost fall like. Unlike many of our trips, Christie actually got to come up for an extended time. She arrived just in time for Pop's birthday! Pop wanted to go peach picking, and so off we went. Here are the highlights!

Riding the tractor!

Let's do some pickin'!

Elijah picked a GREAT one!

Caeley going for the best at the top of the tree!

She obviously was very excited about her selection!

More happy pickers. (Actually Pop was caught mid bite as he sampled the peaches!)

Elijah, on a mission, to find some really good ones.

Yeah mom, that's the ticket!

Wow! These peaches weigh ALOT!

Peaches weren't the only thing hanging around!

Sweeter than peaches!

Pop and The Bug looking for the next delicious one!

No peach reference here, just cute!

Me and my girl! Due to Christie's extended stay, we got to get away for a night, something we haven't been able to do in over a year. We had a late celebration of our 6th anniversary by seeing a production of "Oklahoma". The tickets were a present from Laine and Pop! Thanks guys!

We had a great time going peach picking. Later that night we celebrated Pop's birthday with a blueberry pie picked up at the farm. Happy birthday Pop! Now who else celebrates a birthday this week? hmmmm......