5 years

Dear Espen,
You just turned 5 years old and I cannot believe what a fantastic, friendly, whip smart, funny, good mannered, cheerful and good-looking boy you are. I have nothing but love for you, the kind of love that you can't describe, the kind that makes your body ache because a million hugs or kisses can't show it. You are my one and only buddy and I am lucky to have you in my life and be your mom.
Love,
Mommy

the kid is in kindergarten

Espen's first day of kindergarten was a few weeks ago and this year was so much different then last year when he started pre-k at his school and I'm not just talking about Espen's hair. It was still exciting and 'new' but Espen was like a whole new kid. Last year his teacher had to coax him to her side and he looked a bit terrified, this year it was like 'see ya, I got this under control, been there done that'.

He settled right in, with his buddies from last year and that was it.  He's been having a great time so far, he and I talk and talk and talk about what they did all day, who he sat with at lunch, how was p.e., art, what songs did he learn. It's amazing.

On Sunday night, for Espen's last night of Summer we went out for a little celebratory fro-yo!






















This guy was next in line to start school. Jeremy started at Phoenix Law this year and we couldn't be more happy and proud of him. xoxo lover.

half day fun day

Espen's school had early release last Friday so a bunch of his classmates decided to get together at the park next to the school.

Before we headed over there we took a minute to look through these incredible binders that his teacher put together for all of the students. Each book had writing samples and drawings and photos from throughout the year. It was such a nice gift and Espen was so proud of it!

There were 11 kids from Espen's class and a ton of other kids too at the park playing in the water feature...we spent 4 hours there and had so much fun. The kiddos played while us mom's got to chit chat and relax, it was a good afternoon.










{ian dumping water on espen and yes, those are bags for picking up dog poop}










{tired of getting his picture taken}

ya ya ya

Standing at the Keurig machine, making my 3rd cup of coffee today I blurted out a sudden 'oh my gosh' after thinking about the past week. Thinking about trying to keep deals together after months of work, thinking of Big Fancy over-heating on the freeway in bumper to bumper traffic, thinking about my almost 4 hour adventure waiting for AAA to pick me up from a scary Home Depot in 90+ degree weather...thinking about, thinking about, everything...when the 'OMG' just came out of the silence.

Espen: Why'd-ya say that?
Me: Oh, I was just thinking
Espen: About what?
Me: Well...I was thinking about how incredibly cute you are and how much I love you
Espen: Ya ya ya, yep yep yep. you always say that.

encanto park

Last week my mom and sister and I took the boys to Encanto Park's Enchanted Island. I had never been before, my mom and sister used to take the boys a lot last year so I was excited to finally see it for myself. The park is awesome, it's like a fairground for kids year round. They have fair rides, a carousel and a train. After spending a couple of hours there we headed back to my sister's for a happy meal picnic in the driveway and gabbing away for hours while the boys messed around. Such a good day...



{espen and his ring pop}

{espen and i in front of some weird buggy you can rent}

{levi & espen}

{old school}

{oh my gosh, my mom looks amazing in this picture, i stared at this for 20 minutes, blown away}

{i was the 'adult supervisor' aka crazy fast ride spinner. for a minute i thought i was going to throw up}

{how hilarious are these little kid sized rides}

{up and away}

{{espen alone on the dragon wagon}









{oh my, stop everything you're doing, there's a train}

{happy meal}

{jump!}

{espen called me in from the other room to see his drawing...that he did on his face and body. strike a pose}

christmas party, preschool style.

I love Espen's school. I love his teacher, Mrs. Caton. She is incredibly sweet and so good with the kids and she goes out of her way to make their first experience in a school setting so amazing. On Thursday she even sent each kid home with a present...Espen got a little toy truck and 3 books, including one that I watched her read to the students one day that I told her how much I loved. I'm not sure if every kid got a copy of the Gingerbread Man, but I like to think that she gave it to Espen because she knew how much he and I both liked it.

On Friday, the last day of school before winter break she had coordinated a little party for the kids. When Jeremy and I got there each group of kids was already having fun at their 'station'. They set up 5 stations for the kids to rotate through, from a math game with bingo stampers to making ornaments and jingle bell reindeer's the kids loved it! I am beyond thankful that Espen gets to have such a wonderful pre-k experience and it wouldn't be the same without Mrs. Caton.


{what an awesome project. these were in the office at Espen's school, not sure what class made them but they are hilarious. chia pet pine cones!}


{espen playing a numbers/bingo game}


{the gingerbread houses that the kids made, which we forgot to take home...which i almost cried about}

{this is sophie, espen's girlfriend. the are best buddies and talk about having crushes on each other. it's so cute. unfortunately sophie will not be going to the same elementary school next year, although i don't think espen will have too hard of a time finding a new girlfriend in kindergarten}

{making ornaments}


{waiting to be colored}


{espen's ornament}


{the kids artwork is displayed all over the classroom}


{jeremy in carpet time}


{espen thinking about what color glitter glue should go on his next ornament...and the adorable eugenio in the background. that boy is just the cutest kid}


{getting a little ornament decoration advise from dad}


{espen and the lovely sophie}


{a very proud espen and his reindeer}