First Day of School

It's official, we now have a school schedule to follow. 

Gabriel started preschool on my birthday.  We had been driving him past his new school for a few weeks and we have been reading a lot of Bernastein Bears Go To School.  I think he was ready.  He was very excited the morning he woke up. 

When we dropped him off, Scott and I did not even get a hug from him.  He saw his friend Drake and off he went to play. 

I am happy to report that his first day was a success and he loves preschool. When we picked him up he was so excited to tell us about his day and new teachers and friends.  This is a great start to school for Gabe.

Omaha

Somewhere in the middle of America...

My mom and I took a quick trip up to Omaha to celebrate Callie, my soon to be cousin.  She is marrying my youngest cousin, Scott, on October 1.  Since we are unable to attend due to Baby A's arrival the next month, I wanted to go to her bridal shower. 

We left STL early on a Friday and made it to Kansas City for an early lunch.  Then on to Omaha by 3:45.  It was nice to leave the rainy STL weather for low 80s and sun. 

Friday night we hung out at my aunt's house, while other aunts and uncles and my only other girl cousin came over for dinner and catching up.  It had been 3 years since I've last seen everyone.  We needed this upcoming wedding to catch up. 

On Saturday morning we had the bridal shower.  It was a beautiful shower at my Aunt Denise's house.  I was able to meet some more second cousins that have been born since my last trip to Omaha.  I love seeing all the new babies and hated that my boys did not get to meet their cousins.  Maybe in our next trip up.  We managed to get some Husker gear shopping in.  This was an essential stop for me.  My boys, all 3, did not have anything to wear for the upcoming season.  We're good now! 

Saturday night we all hung out at my Aunt Denise's for dinner and chatting.  We hung out on her beautiful deck, enjoying the lake and the boaters.  A great end to a very relaxing weekend.  On Sunday morning, my mom and 2 of my aunts had a casual breakfast and then we were on the road.  It was so nice to be home and see my boys again.  As much as I needed a break, I needed to get home to see them too.

A big, HUGE, thanks to Scott, who held down the fort for the weekend.  I'm still hearing about how much fun the boys had swimming at the Y.

Birth-a-versary 2016

Scott and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary and our birthdays a little early this year.  My mom is in town to go to a bridal shower in Omaha over our actual wedding anniversary. 

This year my mom was in town and Scott and I were able to have a night child-free.  We stayed at the same hotel we did on our wedding night, then Mayfair, now Magnolia.  It's a historical hotel in downtown.  I did not remember the hotel at all, we were only there for about 6 hours the last time.  This time we got checked in and were able to causally relax/nap before our dinner reservations.

I had made reservations at Kemoll's.  I had only heard of the restaurant and never been.  It did not disappoint.  It was only a short walk from our hotel to the Metropolitan building, then up to the 40th floor.  The views all around were amazing.  We were able to watch the sun set as we ate dinner.  It was a peaceful and not-rushed dinner, things we are not used to. 

Sunday morning we took our time leaving the hotel.  Again, it was so nice to not rush to get ready and out the door.  We had a great Sunday breakfast and Benton Park Café and then ran a few errands on the way home.  It was a great night out, that was sorely needed for both of us.

Big THANK YOU to Grammie who stayed overnight with the boys!

Basement Update

We've decided that the boys' toys need a place to go.  Preferably away from the tv area of our basement.  We have plenty of space just behind the couch for the to really play.

It really started with our trip to Chicago a couple weeks ago and how awesome the boys played in the toy area of the basement there.  We had finally moved the picnic table from my in-laws house to ours and put it in the place of the catch-all-junk table.  

Then on a trip to Soulard we let Gabriel pick out a rug for the area.  The first choice was a bit floral for my liking.  Later that day we stopped at Lowes for our other basement project and found new shelves for the toys.

The boys thoroughly love their new toy/play and Scott and I enjoy it more.

 

Finding Dory

We decided that Gabriel was old enough to experience the joys of going to the movies.  Finding Dory finally came out and Scott and I had been wanting to see it.  So, Nana and Grandpa came up to stay with Bennett and then we were off to the Galleria to watch the movie. 

We did talk it up to Gabe during the week so he would be excited to see it.  I think he was over-excited just to have mom and dad to himself for a few hours. 

There was no one in the theater when we got there and we let Gabe pick our seats.  He did well sitting through the entire movie, minus potty breaks.  The movie was great, we know we will add it to our collection.

Just Keep Swimming

Gabriel rocked is firs swim lesson.  The class started out a little shaky with a lot of tears from Gabe and a lot of nerves from mom.

Scott helped Gabe meet his teacher and he found his seat on the pool deck.  Then the tears started as Scott let his hand go walk away. 

Holding Daddy's hand

We had a quick meeting with the pool deck manager and by the time we turned back to watch the class, check on Gabe, he was on the other side of the pool laughing with the other kids.  He really did well in the class listening to his teacher and trying everything.  He was all smiles when he got out of class and excited to go back next week, not like he had much of a choice in the matter.

Bennett spent the time in the Y daycare playing with friends.  But he did get to watch some of the swim classes while we waiting on Gabe to get changed.  The fearless, water-lover that he is, will be in class before we know it.

Mini-Yadi watching classes

Everything is Peachy!

A few years ago, 3 to be exact, we went peach picking at Eckerts for the first time.  Gabe was only 5 months old and Scott and I loved the fresh peaches.  I have been wanting to go back ever since and we just didn't find the time.  This year I've been checking the website to know when all fruit and veggies would be available. 

We finally had a slow weekend and decided that it was time to take the drive over and get some fresh peaches.  The boys love the tractor ride to and from the peach trees.  The way back was extra long since we had to stop to drop off people gathering veggies. 

Here is our trip in pictures:

Waiting for the tractor

Tractor ride

Our peaches