I call this a "Look Back".

I thought I would take a look back at the first and last days of school pictures. I cannot believe how fast these years have gone by! As I pulled up all these photos, all I could think about was the quote, "The days are long, but the years are short." 

Being a stay-at-home mom, there are days that sometimes do seem long and hard and frustrating, but then there are those other days that are rewarding and bring pure joy and happiness. As my kids get older, I feel as though we have more good days than the hard ones. I had a really hard time with Jack starting first grade this year. I was so sad and emotional about the whole thing while he was beyond excited and happy about it. He's getting so big and he's yearning for a little more freedom and independence. While this momma bird needs to let him go out and fly his wings, I still want to wrap my wings around him and keep him small a little longer. 

And Owen..how is he in his last year of preschool? How? I can't even imagine him being in Kindergarten next year. I will be a mess about that for sure. He loves preschool and wants to go everyday. He is making new friends and having new experiences that are special just for him. He so needed his own space to just be Owen and not Jack's little brother. 

Now for Adelyn..wasn't she just my newborn baby? She is working her way to full-blown toddler status. She is talking like crazy and wanting to try/eat everything she sees us her brothers doing/eating. Slow down girlie ;)

 Before I start the full-on ugly cry, I will end it with this...

Savor the little moments for they are what life is really about. 

I think this video explains that well!

Jack 1st Year of Preschool

Jack's Last Day of Preschool

Jack's First Day of Pre-K.

Jack's Last and Final Day of Pre-K. 

Jack's First Day of Kindergarten and Owen's First Day of Preschool.

 Jack's First Day of 1st Grade and Owen's First Day of Pre-K.

And one more....

Adelyn at 17 months old!

It's a hot one.

It's been hot here this week so we have been hitting the beach or pool everyday. I love to go in the afternoon because that is when the kids (my non-napper boys) are squirley and they need to burn off that extra energy before dinner. We have fun swimming and building sand castles for a couple hours. Then we head home for showers, jammies and dinner. Everyone (including me) just seems more at ease, relaxed and ready to wind down the day. Oh and Addy, she loves the water and sand. She crawls into the water until it is up to her face and I have to pull her back to shore. She then goes right back out for more. After the long winter we had, I am loving these nights swimming as a family.

A good place to start...

is a Miss Adelyn recap of months 10-13.
(because I have had this in progress for about 3 months)

This is going to be a major picture overload, so I hope you like pictures of cute baby girl!

10 months old

 

11 Months

 

12 Months

13 Months
Addy had her 1 year professional pictures taken just as she was turning 13 months old. We had to reschedule this session about 3 times due to the longest winter ever/rain/cold/yuck. When the day finally came for these pictures, it turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day and Addy was totally into having her picture taken. Win-Win. These pictures were taken by Chris and Kristy of Journey Photography and I think they did a fabulous job!

Addy had no idea what to do with this massive cupcake. She kept trying to tip the glass plate over until I scooped a little of the frosting onto my finger for her to taste. Then she realized the yumminess she had right in front of her and she didn't hold back.

 

 

Adelyn's 1st Year

Now I need to run and get a tissue.
How did this happen so unbelievably fast?