Johnny's First Day: Preschool!

Today was the day Johnny had been counting down to for months.....the day he gets to go to his new preschool....aka "Simon's School"!!! 

His excitement made things a little easier for this mama saying goodbye to him for a couple hours in the morning. This morning he woke up earlier than normal, was dressed quickly, was ecstatic to take first day pictures and gobbled up his breakfast like he'd never eaten.  

We chose a different preschool for Johnny this year for several reasons but mostly because we had heard great things about it from the Okos' and because of his age and need for a more structured learning environment than we've had in the past. As I've said about a million times before, change is hard for me sometimes and this was no exception. The school does a great job of introducing you to the classroom though so that definitely made it easier. Between an open house and a meet the teacher appointment, we were very comfortable with what was going to happen. 

This little boy walked right into his classroom, followed the arrows and instructions and couldn't wait to start playing at the hot wheel station. He asked where Simon was and after replying "he's not here yet but he'll be here in a little bit", he gave me a hug and said "bye mom". At that point Charlie also gave me a hug and proceeded to play with the cars. Sweet boy wanted to stay and play with his big brother! 

After picking up Charlie, we headed out the door to run some errands until it was time to come back and grab Johnny. Charlie constantly asked where Johnny was during that time which was the cutest thing! He was so excited to see him at pick up and I did get a few details from Johnny about the morning....mostly about the playground equipment that he got to play on. He is the helper of the day tomorrow and gets to bring in an item for show and tell so he's really pumped for that. 

Here's to a great year of preschool; John and I just know our little buddy is going to thrive! 

First day pictures!

Mellany joined in on some and Charlie continued sleeping (as usual....haha!). We waited a little too long to take the pictures this morning and the sun was so bright! (We aren't quite used to facing the sunrise.) Kelley was able to snap a couple pictures of the boys walking from the playground and I got one of Johnny and Simon in their classroom with "Pete the Cat".

Front Porch Party, Cinderella Ball & Home Depot

This post is a mix between end of summer and back to school randomness. We are having a difficult time getting back into the routine that back-to-school/fall brings and really wishing there was just a little bit of summer left; but I have no doubt that we will "get it together" in no time! (I hope!) We are really missing our Mellany during the day and can't wait to pick her up from the bus in the afternoon. Everyone just seems so much happier when we are all together-which I love! I am the happiest when everyone is at home, all together in one place; there is just something so comforting about it (Lord help me when John and I are empty nesters!)

Back yard pool party...gotta love the yellow tinted well water....yay for "country" life :) 

Special pudding dessert

On this particular weekend we spent almost the entire Saturday on our front porch in our jammies. It was incredible. Mellany painted, Johnny was moving rock and mulch with his equipment and Charlie was gathering what he could from both Mellany and Johnny's activities. I sat in my old lady rocking chair and soaked it all up! The boys also decided that daddy needed some help installing the lighting kit on the mower. 

This was our view from the back patio one night....reason number 5,842 that we love it here! 

I'm channeling my Grandma Jones and bringing in the hummingbirds. The kids have loved this even more than I envisioned! Can you see our little friend?!

Catching up on the latest in Tractor House

Filling up daddy's Pepsi supply.  Johnny has one of the most genuine, kind hearts...this was totally his idea....He wanted his daddy to have Pepsi ready when he got home from work. Talk about melting my heart! 

My life with boys during the day now that Mellany is gone. 

I had to take my car in to the dealership to get it worked on one afternoon. The boys absolutely love the dealership because they get to see trucks lifted into the air, oil being drained, tires being rotated and they get to eat a donut. 

The Cinderella Ball 

John and Mellany had the opportunity to go to the Cinderella Ball at Purdue this past weekend. It is a father-daughter event that benefits a local family organization. There is dinner, dancing, crafts, dancing lessons, a horse carriage ride and most importantly Cinderella & Prince Charming! Each girl got a t-shirt, necklace and flower and to top off the night, John took his girl for ice cream when it was all said and done. These two definitely had a great time together and had several stories to share about it! 

Her Girl Scout troop from her old school attended the event using the money they raised selling Girl Scout cookies. 

Sunday trip to Home Depot. Their favorite part is "driving" the utility vehicle in the front of the store...

Let the house projects begin... :)

Johnny pulled out his tools to help his daddy work on the bathroom fixtures....it's not a great picture but here he was explaining the difference, to daddy, between a Phillips screwdriver and a flat head screwdriver. 

This girl lost tooth #5! It was the most "wiggly" tooth I had ever seen and she worked so hard at pulling it out and did it all by herself. She was sooooooo proud of herself! The tooth fairy didn't disappoint and took her tooth in exchange for a note and dollar billed covered in glitter of course, which went to school with her the next day so she could show her friends. 

HAPPY TUESDAY! 

Mellany's First Day: 1st Grade!

The day has arrived that we have talked about since the last day of school last year. It is Mellany's first day of first grade! It blows my mind that she is a first grader; I feel like I literally just wrote about her first day of kindergarten a couple weeks ago. But, nevertheless, here we are! 

We got the school supplies weeks ago, ordered the back pack and new sneakers, attended back-to-school night and met her teacher/visited her classroom, painted her nails, had our official  "1st day breakfast" of cinnamon rolls and she was ready for the big day!! 

All summer long Mellany had talked about how excited she was to be in a new school and make new friends and all I kept thinking was "this girl is wayyyyy better than me". I was so nervous all summer long....wondering if we were making the right decision of switching schools. (Because of the location of our new home, the elementary school boundary lines change. She could continue to go to her old school if I drove her and picked her up. If we wanted her to ride the bus, she would go to her new school. Thus, we are going to a new school. We also chose the new school because it has a more small town feel and because we have heard such great things about it from our very good friends.) I was nervous about her making new friends and being in a new building and on a different bus with a different driver and for a longer period of time...etc. etc......(And let's be honest, those of you who know me well know that change and I are not friends AT ALL!) 

....And then last night came....

And Mellany went from super excited to a tear-filled mess! All of the emotions hit her. (Let me be clear...she did not see any signs of me being less than excited about switching schools. I was ecstatic every single time we talked about it...right along with her). It just all of the sudden hit her that her friends from last year's class wouldn't be at her new school and that she wouldn't see her kindergarten teacher in the building and that her bus stop friends wouldn't be on the same bus and John was out of town and unable to see her off at the bus stop....it was just literally everything that came raining down on her. I finally got her to sleep and when the morning came she was back to her usual self!! Ready for breakfast and pictures and all of the first day things. 

We made it to the bus stop in plenty of time and when that bus came rolling through she couldn't get out of the car fast enough. We walked up to the bus and met her bus driver (who is the sweetest lady!!) introduced ourselves, gave hugs and kisses and she hopped on and waved goodbye. And. I. Lost. It. My stomach turned and the tears just started rolling.....I think for so many reasons. We had an amazing summer and I'm sad that she is going to be gone during the day......I am worried about her--new school, new teachers, etc. etc.....just all of the mommy/selfish things. I didn't really have an appetite and thought about my girl all day. Even the boys were missing their "leader". 

When it was time to head back to the bus stop, the boys and I couldn't get in the car fast enough! We were waiting at the stop with several minutes to spare, only to wait about an additional 30 minutes past the time we should have (due to 1st day "kinks"). I was so relieved to see her in the window on the bus, then walk off and give me a big 'ole hug!! She got in the seat next to me and couldn't wait to start telling me about all the things at her new school....including how she got left at the bathrooms during bathroom break but that she asked an adult for help and she was so proud (as was I!). She was also so proud that she got off the bus in the morning at school and found her classroom all by herself and didn't even need to use the map that her daddy drew for her. :) 

The best part about all of this is that her very best friend Charlotte is at the same school with her. I can imagine the excitement when they FINALLY got to see each other at recess and the waving that happened when they passed each other in the lunch room, in the halls, etc. etc. I think it's not only comforting for Mellany but its so comforting for me too! We are so thankful for our Okos "framily"!! 

It's going to be a great year, I just know it. We are so excited to see what the year will bring and to watch Mellany grow and change in so many ways!! She's going to do amazingly well and will be challenged in the best way possible. I can't wait to see it all play out! 

First day pics! Including a funny with Johnny....Charlie was still sleeping (just like last year)...

1st Grade Questions...

Johnny and I made chocolate chip cookies for when Mellany came home!

She's hooooooome!!!

Reading, Boys Park Day, Grandpa Bob & More!

Summer is coming to an end and we are so so sooooo sad about it! This has really been the best summer yet and although change is always fun and exciting, we just aren't quite ready for our "no schedule", "do what we want when we want" kind of summer to end. 

Here's what we've been doing! 

Johnny's photography capturing a snuggle moment (note the "Barrett face")

While putting Johnny in his bed, this was happening.... 

Charlie wasn't too happy on this particular night about going to bed. So Mellany rushed to the rescue while I was putting Johnny in his bed, and started reading him a book. It was the sweetest thing I had seen all week. Charlie was just soaking her up! Our girl does not like for her brothers to be upset! 

Tonka Tiny's Fire Rescue Station first thing in the morning. Johnny boy loves his tonka tiny's!

While Mellany was at Camp Tecumseh, Johnny's request was to play and have a picnic at the park. Both boys had a blast. We basically had the whole park to ourselves for the majority of the time. Johnny loved being the oldest and Charlie thought he was just as big as Johnny and tried to do all the same things. 

Grandpa Bob (my 80 year old grandpa!!) came to town a couple weeks ago and stayed with us for the weekend. While he was here we ventured out to the Tractor Show near us. It was the perfect sized show with a large variety of pieces of equipment. The only complaint from the kids is that they couldn't get on any of the tractors. They were able to get on this old bus and "drive" which they thought was pretty neat.  

While grandpa visited we also worked on straightening up the barn. When I told him I'd be right back with a chair, he told me no and picked up the broom....old habits die hard I guess!

I found this while browsing Pinterest one day and still can't stop laughing! If you know me, you know how much I love friends and Chip & Jo....so this just about made me pee my pants because this is totally our life right now!!!

Turned around in the car one morning and this is what I saw :) I love my goofy boy!

Forts in the living room! If you know me, you'd be so proud to know that I let them keep it up for 3 days!! This is HUGE people! I was dying on the inside to have things back in order but the kids were having so much fun in them that I just couldn't have them take them apart....I mean, they even slept in them one night! 

Charlie and I during a trip to Meijer. The line to check out was long and he was restless in the cart so I let him out. This is where he stayed :) (He's saying "shhhh") (And waving to the lady in the aisle next to us)

Riding the pedal tractor like a combine at Simon's house....Mr. Jon taught him that and it has become regular play now....he plants the crops sitting on the tractor like normal and then harvests them sitting this way. 

More of Johnny's photography

HAPPY THURSDAY!