Oh, The Things Kids Say.

Joe told Kade, "Just give me a minute."
Kade, being disappointed said, "No, I'm going to keep it forever."

I told Ben, "If you keep asking me (for a show), you're going to drive me up a wall."
A little while later, Ben said, "I haven't asked you in a while, am I driving you down the wall?"

There are more stuck in my head -when I can remember them, I'll post more. Kids are hilarious.

More Pictures of Carter.

My dear friend has reminded me again, that I rarely posts pictures....so, here are some more pictures of Carter. He has gotten bigger and is an amazing baby! He is a great eater, great sleeper and great little talker (coo-er). He's entered the stage of BIG smiles and trying to laugh. I love this little guy.

My Kade.

Now...

Just last year...

Almost one year old.

Wow- around six months.

Only a month.

Kade is THREE!! He is an amazing boy who has more personality then anyone I know. He's determined, persistent, strong willed, and curious. He is lovey and affectionate and ever willing to hold your hand, give kisses or hugs. He's a flirt and hilarious and not afraid of anything.

He was proof to me my heart could grow beyond a capacity I thought possible. He's taught me how to be a little more silly and not to sweat the small stuff. He's a boy I'm sure I'll laugh with and share practical jokes with over the years to come. Yet, he's a quiet thinker who can solve problems and independent enough to do great and hard things completely on his own.

He's a sweet boy, who I couldn't live without. He is an example to me to be better, more enduring and more determined. He will no doubt test me and teach me how to be a better mom. I will grow because of Kade, and for that I am eternally grateful. I love my Kader-bum, and am so amazed that he's already a big three year old.

Kade and Preschool!

This picture was taken the day after his first day, but he got all dressed up again and so I snapped a few pictures with him in his back pack. He feels so big!

I didn't know he'd be accepted into preschool and didn't have my camera for the beginning of class, but this is Kade on his first day of preschool after class. I'd say he had a very good day. He's very comfortable in his new school.

In a previous post, I mentioned the crazy happenstance of Kade getting into preschool. That first day, I wasn't sure if he'd even be allowed to attend. (Because he wasn't even 3 for another two weeks and kids are supposed to be three before Sept. That's a four month difference!) The secretary told me to just ask the head teacher to see what she thought. As I talked with Miss Tracy, Kade was talking too -telling her his name and different things like that- and when I was finally able to ask "Do you think he can attend the three year old class even though he's not quite three?" She said, "Sure, just talking to him I know he's ready and will be fine." So, he walked right into to class and had his first day. Awesome!

Kade is doing so well and learning very quickly. His teachers really enjoy him and are constantly telling me how cute he is, and how funny and smart. They tell me he's a popular kid in class and that he's polite. (I love hearing these things.)
I tell the boys that school is their job and that they need to do their job well. Kade loves having a "job" and having a place to be. I can tell he feels so big and grown up. He is just as capable as Ben at many things, yet he's two years younger and, therefore, can't be involved in all the same things. That is so frustrating for him.

My grandpa used to say, "If you want smart kids, give them experiences." This preschool is giving Kade and Ben many great experiences and only increasing their intelligence. I love that. I love that Kade is in preschool!!!

Just a Quick Display of Gratitude.

A couple days ago, we learned that Ben's AMAZING preschool was closing and that he'd only have two days left. I was a little panic stricken, for several reasons -what would Ben do without his friends and the teachers he knows and loves? I didn't want to break the news. And, how the heck was I supposed to find him a new school mid year?! (I could teach him here -but it's the social stuff he needs and thrives on, which makes me want to send him to a school.)

Well, we were blessed. Another mom had found a preschool that was starting a BRAND NEW class TODAY! And, she was sure they'd still have an opening for Ben. And there was!! This preschool is the same preschool where Ben had attended, for a month, for "Summer Camp"; he already knows the place. And, with his best friend going there, we're set! (I like that it's a whole new set of kids, not Ben coming in as "the new kid.)
On top of that, they have a 3yr old class. I asked if Kade -who will be three in a week or so-could start the class, the teacher talked to him for a minute, and said "yes'. So, all of a sudden, without really any plan or thought to this whole thing, Kade is now attending preschool! He will have four months that he otherwise wouldn't have had, and I love that!

A couple awesome side notes....The new class starts at 1:30 -which, I'd normally not like at all, BUT, I have a new baby and being somewhere mid-morning means being pressed or rushed and no chance to grab extra sleep if possible. Now, I can actually breathe a little deeper on preschool days. Phew! And, it is $45 a month cheaper!! Whoo!

Things happen for reasons we don't always understand, but we can be greatly blessed when we do have to leave the comfortable, old and familiar places or routines. I had been freaking out -only to have things turn out in a way I couldn't have planned any better.

Carter's Blessing

Carter James was blessed this past Sunday. It was a beautiful blessing, and we had fun with our family. Carter was/is little sick, and he cried a little during the blessing. Poor guy. He wore the same outfit Ben and Kade wore. (In the picture, the outfit is missing the cute little vest that goes over top. Then at church he spit up all over it, so it's not in any post blessing pictures either.) He looks so cute. We love this little guy.

Carter before church almost ready for his blessing.

The Harris side of the family! Looks like a lot, but half were missing.

The Johnson side of the family. Still a few missing.