Mikey's First Haircut

After a couple of months of delaying this little rite of passage, today was the day that I finally took Mikey for his very first haircut!!! I have had very mixed feelings about this day. On one hand, I just knew he would look SO ADORABLE, but on the other hand, I knew he would look so grown up with out his little "wings" on the side of his head.

Predictably, I don't think this little guy could look much cuter.....and now he is SO GROWN UP looking to me! What happened to my baby?!?! Here are some before and after shots of Mikey's very FIRST haircut.....

Wow, what a day! First day of school and first hair cut!!!! This little guy is sure to sleep well tonight, right?!?! Wishful thinking, I know....

First Day of School!!!

Well, I officially got through this morning filled with VERY mixed emotions. How could one morning be filled with so much excitement for both of my little men to go to school, yet so much anxiety for them to go to school at the same time?!?!! I am happy to report that things went off without a hitch this morning!!! Both boys were happy as clams this morning for this much anticipated day!! And this mommy was happy as a clam too!!! It is hard to believe that I will have 2 days a week for photo shoots and editing photos without babies slapping the keyboard of my laptop!!!!

Here are a few of the infamous "first day of school" photos. Predictably, it is impossible to get both boys together, but I think their individual shots as just as cute. I am SO MISSING my guys right now, but SO grateful that Sandbox Preschool is such a wonderful place with amazing teachers. I simply could not feel more comfortable with their school. It makes me feel even better that Jack (in his typical mayoral fashion) walked in his classroom like he owned the place. He got right down to business in the playground area and I barely got a "Bye, Mommy" because he was just too busy to notice me leaving! Michael, on the other hand....well, let's just say that this little break from me will be very, very good him in the long run:)

He's Trying So Hard....

When I put Jack down for his nap today, this was the scene about 10 minutes later. We have been working on potty training on and off for a few months now. He is so close to really getting the hang of it, but something about the whole thing scares my little man. He will tell you exactly how you go and all details surrounding the fact. However, when it comes time to pull the trigger, he falls a little short sometimes. Coincidentally, his favorite book these days is "My Big Boy Potty." He is trying so hard, my little guy.....and I think he is getting there:) Who knows, maybe by the looks of these photos, he is smarter than everyone and trying osmosis...HA!

Vacation in Sister Lakes, Michigan!!!

This year we went to Sister Lakes, MI for our annual summer vacation from Aug. 6- Aug. 13. Magician Lake is SO MUCH fun and I just feel so lucky to have this one week out of the summer to be completely dedicated to family, ice cream cones, fresh fruit off the "fruit belt,"morning runs, afternoon picnics (or attempts anyway-HA!) by Aunt Katie, all day boating, mega hot dog eating, Jay's amazing ribs, devouring approximately 15 bags of chips, feeding approximately 1,000 deer at Deer Forest, lots and lots of dreaming about buying a lake house as gorgeous as the one we are staying in.

We really, really want to thank Granny and Papa for taking the entire family on our annual summer vacation. It is just so generous of you...and without your extreme generosity on so many fronts, this vacation would not have happened for us. Not only were you so generous in treating us all to this little piece of heaven for a week, we also need to thank you for the adorable matching outfits for all of the grandkids. Seriously, could they be any cuter?!?!?! I am only sorry that they did not cooperate for that "perfect" grandchild photo. Well, we certainly did try anyway! Oh, and we also need to thank you for watching all 4 kiddos so that the 6 of us could enjoy a night out without babies in tow. Watching 4 kiddos that are 2 and under is certainly not an easy task. We are simply so lucky to have you in our lives and we really appreciate all you do for us!

I can go on and on about this wonderful week, but I think the photos speak for themselves. There are lots because I just could not pick my favorite ones. How about the one of Jack squeezing Adeline's cheeks on the boat? I can't take it!! Those 2 love each other so much!! I hope to be able to find the time to edit some of these great shots one day (for now, I only edited the first two of them), but for now, here they are. Oh, and don't be surprised if you see one of these precious photos make it to our Christmas cards this year (hint, hint)!

Jack tells me all of the time, "Mommy, I miss vacation." All I can say, "Me too, Buddy....me too." We are already looking forward to next year! Now, back to the grind and back to school.....