Tuesdays @ 7:30

Recently there was a need for someone in our church to host a small group in the Centreville area and both Brian and I felt like the Lord moved us to do so.  Even though it meant leaving our old small group and now becoming the only ones over the age of 30 (haha), we were excited to serve.  Plus Brian's church responsibilities has gone down significantly and we have the space for it so the timing felt right.  Two years ago when that same question came up, I had said no.  The kids were younger and more needy added the fact that our lives just felt too crazy.  It would definitely have been an added burden to us. 

Anyway, the good thing about hosting it is that we are at small group at the same time instead of taking turns like we did last year (when Jen our sitter was studying abroad).  However, the not so good part are having to put both boys to bed as small group is starting which can be a little distracting as we're onto week two.  Ethan's always excited to see people and hates missing out on the social, but thankfully he goes to bed pretty quickly.  Gavin, on the other hand, cries, protests and would come out of his room and sit at the top of the stairs.  We were making great progress with keeping the door close at bed time, but now he wants it wide open again.  I'm praying it's just a phase and that this "newness" will eventually fade so that we can just quickly put him down for bed and not miss discussion time.  So we'll see. 

Painting Projects

So I thought I hated painting but after doing 4 rooms (out of 12) in our new house, I'm realizing that it really isn't too bad.  In fact, I find it kind of relaxing when the kids aren't around.  Thanks to these youtube tutorial videos on cutting in and rolling, Brian and I mastered a method that make the process go quicker for us.  I'll do two coats of cutting in with this amazing brush you'll ever need and Brian will roll two coats and then we're done.  I must say that what I find worse than painting though is picking out the colors.  What a stressful process!  The color the I choose from that little swatch never turns out the exact color that I had envisioned on the wall.  You know what I'm talking about right?  But at that point, I guess we just have to live with it.   

Anyway, so thankful that my parents did so much work in our house back in May that we've been able to focus just on painting.  In order not to get overwhelmed by how much we have to paint, I've decided to do one room a month. 

June: accent wall going down the stairs - Behr match to Sherwin William Pennywise in Satin
kitchen - Behr match to Glidden Cranberry Zing in Semi Gloss

July: staircase walls & fireplace room - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Moonshine in Satin

August: Ethan's accent wall - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Mill Springs Blue in Eggshell
-the rest of the walls - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Polar Frost in Eggshell

September: just last week we tackled our 1/2 bath - Behr match to Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue in Satin

In October, we will be doing Gavin's room - colors TBD and in November, we will finish the front room with the same Moonshine color as the fireplace room.

"Twittering" on Blog

Gavin came down with a cold so we're homebound all week.  On top of that, he's refusing to nap.  Ugh.  We'll make it on God's strength - that is what I've been telling myself!

Happy Friday Treat

Picture from Ethan's teacher: 



Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree

Birthday in the House

A birthday drawing courtesy of Ethan: 

 

Ethan's drawing interpretation: all the boys went on a donut run leaving mommy behind

And Gavin's version of Happy Birthday: "HAPPY TO YOU!  HAPPY TO YOU!  HAPPY TO YOU, DADDY!"  Haha.  Happy Birthday Love!  So glad to be doing life with you!

MOPS & BSF 2014

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) started last Friday and I was super excited to go but also nervous at the same time.  Prior to moving to VA, I was a Discussion Group Leader at our old church's MOPS for two years and did their Publication for one.  I practically knew everyone on the steering team so it wasn't even something I have to think twice about.  MOPS played such a huge part of my motherhood journey so I knew I needed to step up and be more involved in it again.  So when they accepted me as a DGL this year, I had to step out of my comfort zone because I only knew a handful of people from last year.  I was so nervous and really scared to fail - I wouldn't say I'm a leader by nature, but I do have a gift of awareness of others especially those who are left out which is huge especially at MOPS.  Anyway, there were 9 ladies at my table including 2 mentor moms who are very friendly and we all hit it off right away.  It was a great first meeting and God gave me the couraged and wisdom to "lead."  I left that morning feeling encouraged as always.

Other than that, I started BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) on Wednesday and the experience was a little bit different.  The church that we meet at is huge so it was a little overwhelming trying to navigate my way around.  I had to find the children's area, then figured out which is Gavin's room and then find my way back to the sanctuary.  Thankfully my group leader is super nice and friendly and helped me out quite a bit.  This year we'll be doing "The Life of Moses" and I'm excited as this is something I've been waiting to get involved in for the past two years.  Just works out a lot better because as far as my schedule with Ethan being in school all day and the driving distance.

"Twittering" on Blog

Happy Two Years Harvest Bible Chapel Fairfax!!!

First Week of School

Checked!

Ms. Plaza's class - very diverse for sure

 

We've finished the first week of school and almost gotten our schedules figured out.  I've been walking Ethan in all week because he had asked me to, but starting next week we'll do kiss n ride.  I guess the line opens at 8:45 am but they don't alllow students go to their classrooms until 8:55 am.  So my tears actually came on Day 3 when I saw Ethan looking kinda overwhelmed at a sea of bigger kids.  I instructed him to listen for when they call the kindergartens to go first and if he must, to push his way through the front so he doesn't get stampeded over.  I hope he'll be okay...  So I decided it is better to drop him off a little bit later so the hallway is cleared.

 

However, picking up is another story.  The kiss n ride line in the afternoon is absolutely crazy.  I'm findin out that coming 20 minutes early to get in line apparently isn't early enough.  There are about 20 cars infront of me just sitting and waiting which feels like such a waste of time.  I tried it and it definitely doesn't work for us since Gavin refused to sit in the car seat that long.  So right now, I'm parking at the pool parking lot (which is right next to the school) and walking to pick him up right dismissal which is 3:55 pm.  We'll see how that goes when winter comes.

 

Other than that, we had a great week!  Went to the Back to School night last night and learned more about Ethan's teacher, Ms. Plaza and what he gets to do at school.  We've been praying for her and that she would be a good fit for Ethan and so far I think she is.  She's a younger teacher (probably not much older than us) who is passionate about teacher and loves children.  She's fun, creative and gentle yet stern.  Ethan LOVES it and continues to come home with "new" things to share everyday.  Between him and Gavin (unintentionally) taking turns waking each other up early all week, he's starting to drag a little bit.  As for Gavin, he is still adjusting to the change and constantly ask if Ethan's coming with us wherever we go.  We kept busy with the park, the mall and the gym this week and had fun at a more mellow pace.  Aside from that, I haven't been sleeping very well with all the new-ness and anxiety this week bring combine with the super early mornings too.  Hopefully sleep will return next week!

Just for Laughs

My friend Stephanie, who has a daughter in Ethan's class, email and said,

"I just talked to Caitlyn about her day. She told me that she asked Ethan if he wanted to marry her when they grow up. He said no. And then she said another little girl asked him the same thing, and he also told her no. LOL."

These little girls.

Ethan's Kindergarten

Here comes Ethan!

If you know Ethan, you know how energetic and intense passionate he could be.  So sending him to school all day everyday for his physical, social and intellectual* needs to be met (something I couldn't do for him) is EXACTLY what he needed.  And the break I needed too.  So for our family, it really is a win-win situation. 

Anyway, the first day of school went without a hitch and was just such a great day all around!  Ethan woke up early as usual and had a mixture of excitement/nervousness and so did I. A new schedule with lots of changes which include setting my alarm clock - something I haven't done in forever. Brian teased and said, "Welcome to the real world." Haha. I made everyone a big breakfast and once we got the necessary first day pictures, he was off to school.  Once we arrived and walked into his classroom, I went in and assisted him with his morning routine (sign in, get his name tag, hang his back pack and put away his lunch box, etc). He found his desk and was told he could color...so he looked at me and said "Bye Mommy." That's when I knew he was good to go.

Gavin and I went grocery shopping while Brian got house stuff done. We came home, had lunch and it wasn't before long until it was nap time. I did my quiet time, got dinner all preped (in an enjoyable silence of my house) then it was time to go get Ethan.  I cannot tell you what an enjoyable, calm & quiet day just with Gavin whom by the way, I'm excited to spend more one-on-one time with this Fall.  It's only day one and I'm already loving this new season life has brought. Finally, I felt free from the duty/guilt to constantly entertain even though I know it's not my job to do so. Gavin probably struggled the most and was rather confused why Ethan was gone all day and no longer there to play with him. He pointing to himself and asking, "School too, me?"  Thankfully it didn't take him long to get over it though. 

Ethan came home content but not as tired and cranky like I thought he would be.  School obviously took the edge off of him and gave him what he needed as I had mentioned above. (Preschool days were definitely way too short for him). I had fun sitting and catching up on the couch as he told me all about school.  It was such a sweet time.  After dinner we did bath, snacks and some cartoons before heading to bed which got moved up to 7:30 pm with school and all. He's super excited for what tomorrow will bring and ready to do it again and again and again. This kid was born ready =0)  So proud of you Ethan!  We love you!!!

What a big kid!

 

Chicken pot pie dinner for the special kindergartener

*Side note: I didn't dawned on me until last night while Brian and I were talking that this summer I took Ethan out of the house a lot which fulfilled his physical and social needs.  However, as I looked back I realized I forgot his intellectual need which totally explained his constant boredom comments.  My always-want-to-learn-something-new child wasn't hardly being challenged.  Duh!  A little late but now I know.