New Beginnings

Well Paityn and Conner have been back at school now for about 3 weeks. For the first week both Paityn and Conner cried when Matt or I would drop them off. The second week...Paityn cried everyday. Finally we have made it through the third week and NO TEARS!! Now when we get to school they both say "out" "play!" I must say I am so glad that we started the twins back to school early before my first day of school because there is no way we could have done this with me teaching already. Even though they have been going to school since they were 10 weeks...after being home all summer...this was the first time that goodbye was hard for them and me. When Paityn and Conner were little they didn't really realize that we were leaving. With the twins being almost 2 goodbyes are definitely a lot tougher! Now that the kids are settled into their new school routine...tomorrow marks the beginning of my new routine with the first day of school. I am excited to begin my 5th year teaching 3rd grade and am anxious to get to know my new students! Open house last week was a success and can't wait to get the year started :)

1st Day of Preschool!

For the past few days we have been telling the twins that they are going to go to school. They would repeat "kool" and we would proceed to tell them about meeting their new teacher, making new friends, and getting to play with new toys. This past weekend we bought their school supplies and they were very interested in it...especially their new "big boy" and "big girl" backpacks!

Well today was that BIG day! Paityn and Conner started preschool this morning! We were very curious as to how the morning would go because the other week when we stopped by for a visit they loved it! I asked them did they want to go bye-bye and they both quickly said NO LOL So needless to say we had no idea how today would go. We got up this morning and talked getting dressed for school, eating breakfast so we could go to school, getting in the car to go to school, etc...

Once we got to school, Matt and I walked the kids inside. Before we could get out of the office Paityn was saying "walk...walk" as she saw the other kids walking down the hall. Once we walked in their classroom Paityn and Conner stayed close to us and played with a toy near the door. As they played with the toy...Matt and I make a quick get away. We waited a few minutes and peeked in the window and saw Paityn already reading books with one of their teachers and Conner still hanging out by the door seeming unsure of the whole situation with his lovey held tightly in his hand. We were so happy to make it out of the door with no tears shed...well at least not from the kids anyway. So we left... Matt headed to work and I headed to school to work in my classroom. Thinking about Conner holding onto his lovey for dear life and Paityn being comfortable right away I wanted to call and check on how their day was going. During nap time I called to check in. Their teacher said that Paityn was the one having a rough time and Conner had been great! That just goes to show us how surprising our kids can be! She said that Paityn got upset easily, didn't want to come inside, and said "Mommy" alot. When I got to St. Paul's to pick them up they were both excited to see me! Paityn began to cry until I picked her up and Conner ran to me with a huge smile!

Ready to go home!

Excited to be in the car with Mommy!

Happy Birthday Mommy

Happy Birthday Mommy! Yesterday was mommy's birthday and we hope she had a great day!! We love you! Love, Paityn and Conner

Celebrations!

Wow...I can't believe it is already the middle of July! Since the beginning of July, between workshops, we have had many celebrations! We celebrated my mom's birthday, 4th of July, and even went for our first real play experience at the park. First we started the month with mom's birthday. Mom's turned, lets just say 21...because she would kill me if I posted her age on the internet LOL, on July 2nd. For the past several years I have always baked her a cake and cooked her dinner. So we continued this tradition and make her a delicious Butter Pecan cake with Buttercream icing and made chicken spaghetti for dinner. It was nice to have mom spend time with all of her grandkids together!

Next we celebrated 4th of July by camping out at the lake! This was the first time for the kids to go camping and I think they really enjoyed it! They both slept in bed with Mommy and Daddy and I'm sure they thought that was the best part! LOL Once we woke up we spent the day swimming and playing outside until the fireworks started! It was fun the watch Paityn and Conner clap for the fireworks and cheer for them! Conner watched the whole time, but Paityn got bored half way through and then thought it was more fun to put the glow necklace she was wearing on everyone's head like a crown.

20 Months

Today the twins turned 20 months...it is hard to believe that in only 4 month Paityn and Conner will be 2. Its sad to think about not saying how old they are in months anymore. Having two 20 month olds is a wonderful thing but also has many challenges. The most recent challenge is when the twins test Matt and I to see how far they can push our buttons. For example, we recently got a new coffee table and Paityn and Conner want to climb up on top of it and sit. We tell them "No" and take them off. After a few more times of the same thing...they end up in time out. Then 5 minutes later they watch you as they slowly raise their leg to see what you are going to do. This is just one of the many ways they test us! LOL However there are many great things too! Matt and I are just so amazed at the things the twins do now and more and more we are continuing to say we can't believe how big they are getting! Here is what they are up to at 20 months... Paityn -Repeats everything you say -Sings to her babies -Love to call for Harley and Milo -Says up to a 3 word sentences -Loves to dance -Says "More" in sign language and words -Still definitely a Daddy's girl -Eats anything and everything -Not much of a milk drinker -We call her Little Mother Hen because she is always making sure things are taken care of -Still hates to wear shoes -Screams when you fix her hair -Loves to read books Conner -Is beginning to talk more but doesn't say much that we can understand -Still says "More" in sign language but now tries to say it with words -Very much a Mommy's boy -Studies everything very closely -Likes to chase the dogs -Has become a picky eater -Loves milk... he could drink it all day long -Can climb into his high chair -Climbs into the car and gets in his seat by himself -Listens when told to "stay" while outside...while Paityn runs away LOL -Loves to play in the sand and dump things -Still chews his lovey or blankie to go to sleep -Loves to swing Things Paityn and Conner Both Do -Can find their hair, ears, nose, eyes, mouth, hands, tummy, knees, feet, and toes -Says animal sounds for dog, cat, cow, horse, duck, sheep, chicken -Love to help Mommy cook and play with their play food, cups, plates, etc. -Love to be outside -Make kiss kiss sounds -Love to climb the dog stairs and play on Mommy and Daddy's bed -Love to feed the dogs their food -Could eat fruit all day -Like to help you brush their teeth

Sweet Summer Time

A few weeks ago Matt and I decided to get Paityn and Conner their first swing set! The twins love being outside but we didn't have much for them to do in our backyard. Since the weather has been nice and hot we thought a swing set would be perfect! With this hot weather...we also ventured out for Paityn and Conner's first trip to the Aquatic Center with the help of our neighbor Haley!

Fredricksburg Vacation

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