Preschool Days are here!!!! =/

You know, I knew this day was coming, I mean really I signed him up for Preschool; however, it didn't make it any easier last night at the Open House!!! I did prepare myself all day for what was going to happen, but looking back, overall it really wasn't that bad.  Yes, he cried and was on overload, but truly there were a lot of people there and as I've mentioned before, Colin has social anxiety, so yes it was an emotional evening.  Once he started to cry, I walked out of the room with him (truly, so we both could regain our composure, b/c I lost it too) and when we returned a few minutes later I made him touch the walls, touch the toys, the rug, everything and then I put him down, the tears stopped, but being terrified was still there and it was written all over his face (see pictures below)!  This step, for Colin, scares the hell out of me.  This means I have to trust people again and I HATE it, because I've been let down too many times in his 4 short years of life!  So, God better be prepared for this mama, because all I knew to do is pray!  I just want this little guy to succeed and be able to do things that all the other kids can do and I've FINALLY got my feelings in check, tests have been scheduled, and the future will be so much easier....but, long story short, he is 4 and the world around us is moving quicker than I want, so it's time to quit running from reality and get down to the nitty gritty!  I guess I just had in my mind that as his mom I could protect him from things, or lets say everything!  I had in my mind I could do it and now that I got a glance of reality it hit me, it's not that easy!!! So now, it's in my head to help him and do whatever it takes to make the world around us understand how to do just that, how to work with him, teach him, and communicate with him! =)  I talk like it's a terrible thing and honestly, it's not.....we've adapted and know what to do...it's the outside world that SCARES me!!!  It's amazing the life he brings here and it's my own fear of letting go & trusting that I had to get in check, so I don't hinder him!!!  I will get there and I feel, as a whole, we are in a much better place with life.  From what I hear, it'll get easier the older he gets and honestly.....isn't that true about ALL kids?!?!?!  So, next Tuesday is the big day for my little guy.....my sister Amanda will be there, because she teaches the older kids, and I know she'll protect him and help him!  His teacher and helpers are prepared, so mama needs to relax and realize a few tears will not hurt!!! =)

here we go

and there it is ;)

I sure hope Miss Angie is ready...lol 

I'm not too sure of this mama....

warming up...I might just like this place?

here is when he said "bye" and "see ya later" and
I knew it was time to leave =)

✏ Back-2-School ✏

So, today was the big day....school started!  Ethan, though a little anxious & nervous, was ready!  Last night we had Open House at his new school and he was so excited to meet his 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Shivers!  We were able to take all of his school supplies, so that today wasn't a nightmare for him and I must say, that was awesome!  Can I say, right now, that I really am impressed with Indian Valley Schools....wow, I tell ya, it was so different walking in there last night and seeing a clean school, a air conditioned school, and one that just seemed to have it together!!!  When we got to Ethan's class, it was so nice to see that they weren't jam packed like sardines, either.  I had a great feeling leaving there that this year will be different!

When we got home, the boys played outside with Lynnsey (who came to watch Colin for us) and I went in to get ready for our Back-2-School celebration......yes, I am that parent that celebrates EVERYTHING!!! I mean why not?  Why not make life fun for them, so I went to work and got everything ready!  We had a few visitors and after everyone was gone, we had dinner, and then Ethan finally came inside to see his surprise!  I like to do practical things, kill 2 birds w/ 1 stone, so to speak....so his surprise consisted of his favorites for his lunches, a bucket filled with bath necessities, a new lunch box, a new Pete the Cat book, The Night Before 1st Grade book, and a Magic Confetti Poem! I knew he'd be nervous today, so I found the poem online and then critiqued it to fit him!  He loved everything about it and before he went to bed, we read his new books, I read the poem, he said his prayers and off to bed he went!  I tossed and turned all night, but the house was quiet and I couldn't help but go down memory lane!  Where has the time gone?  I can't believe he's a 1st grader!!!

Much to my surprise this morning, Ethan didn't need an alarm, he was up looking for me at 6:30!  Right away, I could tell he was scared and then the tears came!  So, I tried to talk to him, but that wasn't working so I said you know what....we need to pray and that's exactly what we did!  We prayed for strength, courage, and bravery for all the new things that were ahead of him....then it was like magic, the tears were gone and he was ready!  God is good and I knew things were going to be just fine!!!  We got out the door about 7:15, headed to the high school, and then went over the day!  Then we heard a beep and there they were, his cousins!  The lifesavers I prayed for a few minutes before and it was actually then, that I saw the nervousness completely gone!  Ethan, left with them and headed to their bus line!  I loved watching them there together, it warmed my heart, and then it happened bus #23 arrived!!!  That knot in my stomach was back, but I knew I had to keep the smile going and so I just started snapping pictures of him.....his smile is enough to melt me!  He got to sit with Jamisyn and as I waved my goodbye, Colin and I headed back home to wait for them to head over the bridge off to Port!  Colin was so excited and kept saying "Ethie" and then the final bus was #23 and then I hear "there he is" and sure enough, there was my big boy, smiling, waving, and blowing me kisses.....that's when it happened, I LOST IT!!!!  Yep, I cried and cried....I'm not that mother that loves sending my kids anywhere, and back to school kills me!!!  However, I know it's for his own good and I truly feel this is going to be a great year!!!

At 10:15, I got the sweetest phone call and it was Theresa.....the driver of bus #23 and she was calling to tell me that "Ethan, is such a sweet boy" and that he had a wonderful morning, wasn't shy, and even gave her a great big hug before he got off the bus!  Who does that???  I was so surprised and thankful to know that she cared enough to call me to tell me the news, because then I felt calm and off I went to enjoy the rest of the morning with my other little buddy =)

To finish off this post, I had to share a few more pictures.....He had a great 1st day, but was so excited to see me :)

and ofcourse, we had to have his favorites for his after school snack!!!!!

I think this is going to be a great year!!!!!!

Home!!!

This weekend, we decided to have a "family" weekend since school starts this week!  So, we went to work outside in the back yard for the boys.  Brenton got his river rock delivered on Friday, so once we got that down, the rest was fun!  The boys absolutely love that area out there where they can run a muck and have fun.  I tried to make it so there is something in every corner out there for them to have fun in.  I think I accomplished it, but a clubhouse is next.  Ethan has described the perfect one he'd like to have, so Daddy has quite the project ahead of him and Colin, needs/wants swings =)  It was so fun to watch them play together out there.....listening to them giggle, run around, and just having fun has given us such a sense of home!  We love this place....not sure why, but life is different here!  We have wanted this for so long and we finally have it!  Ethan tells me everyday how much he loves it and he loves having his cousins so close, too!  Life is going to be fun watching all these kids grow up, including these boys of mine!  God sure has blessed us and I'm so thankful for the life he's given me!!!

lesson recap....

he maneuvers that thing better than me

he sure loves his cousins

Ethan and his pillow pals...aka: his kids

we have the same face Mommy"

looked down and he was giggling while doing this...LOL

what I saw in my rear view mirror!!  Love my boys!!!

Tree Free!!!

Ethan is such a ham....a few weeks ago, we had my sister's girls for a few days and while they were here they were playing outside and Ethan some how ended up with a splinter in his foot....OMG, you would've thought the world was coming to an end!  The girls and I tried frantically to get this thing out, but he wasn't having it.  He wouldn't sit still for nothing!  I got onto Pinterest to see about a solution and so I went to the cabinet to get the needed supplies to make the 'paste'....put that on his foot w/ a band-aid and it didn't work! Tried again, a little longer this time, but to no avail! So, I let it go for like 3 more days and when he started to complain about it hurting his foot, I didn't know what else to do, but say the first thing that came to my mouth and that was "Well, we better get it out before you turn into a tree"!  Oh boy, he said "I"m going to turn into a tree" and I said "we need to get it out or it's going to grow"....that was it, he got on the couch, held up his foot, and we got that dang splinter out.  Needless to say, he was a champ and now "tree free"!!!  Mother of the year right here I know...don't judge =) haha!!

Still here!!!

The Shroyer's are still here.....its been a busy few weeks, but we are making it through and getting ready for things to change next week.  So very hard to believe that summer break is almost over!  I have enjoyed every ounce of break and hate the thought of it all changing soon.  I loved having my little guys home, but know that all good things must come to an end!  Anyway, we are finalizing school shopping tonight, so the reality of it, is here!!!  I'm excited for the change though!  Last week, we went to the Back to School Fair and got lots of nice supplies for Ethan.  He was a bit nervous, but having his cousins there to help him, calmed his nerves. I don't think he's ready to start back, but I'm sure once we get in the groove, he'll be fine. My mom surprised us though...here she bought all of Ethan's school supplies and his Avengers back pack he wanted. I love my mom so much and that had helped us immensely.  She always seems to know how to help!!!  So, the supplies we got at the school, I have put away to be used as backups for Ethan throughout the year.

waiting outside for the Back to School Fair to start

Another thing we got to do last week....was celebrate the 4th annual "Cousins Camp"!  Brenton's parents like to have this each year and the kids love it. It's just a day for the cousins to get together, run a muck, and have fun together.  This year, we went to Tuscora Park and the kids played, rode rides, swam, ate snacks, and just enjoyed the day together.  Ethan was a bit bummed to find out that he is no longer able to ride the kiddie rides....he's too tall!  So, that was an adjustment, b/c he loves the cars and watching his little cousin ride w/o him, wasn't something he wanted to happen.  =)  Overall though, it was a great day with great weather!!

2013 Cousins Camp Fun

Other than that, not too much else has been going on around here.....We did finally get our porches stained/painted, so that I think concludes the "major" projects going on around our house.  Its been 2 months and I think we've accomplished the "to-do" list pretty good this year.  I have really enjoyed, well we all have, enjoyed our little fenced in backyard.   That space has added so much fun for the boys and for me, relaxation!  It's so nice to open the door and let them out there knowing they can't go anywhere, but there!  Colin, loves it!  That boy, is my outdoor kid!!  He loves to be outside soaking up nature.....He's enjoyed eating mud pies, running barefoot, and jumping! One thing Brenton and I decided this past weekend....the boys need a clubhouse!  So, we plan on building that and get a few swings out there, yet!  However, until then, it's so fun to watch them. =)

this is where he turns into a muddy mess =)

last year for this....he'll get a big boy trampoline next year

having fun....worth every penny!!!

he loves to be outside....so, we enjoyed breakfast together!

back of house complete!!!

finally got the porches done!!!  Now, to landscape!!!