First Day of Kindergarten

It was a very big morning around here.  EJ's very first day of kindergarten!  He was very excited and ready to go.  Mom and Dad also did very well, with no tears from either.  Molly has said a few times, though, that she misses EJ and wants to go get him :)

All dressed in his uniform and ready to go

Molly and EJ

His classroom theme is monkeys

He just put his backpack up and is ready to get to work

Getting ready to start on his coloring page

visiting school

Today we had the opportunity to visit EJ's new school, meet his teacher and see his classroom.  His new teacher is Mrs. Erwin and she seems very, very nice.  This is her third year teaching and she has a lot of great ideas for teaching kindergarteners.  EJ found his coat hook and seat and all the fun other areas in the room.  I think he is really looking forward to school starting on Monday.

EJ sitting at his table

Standing by the front door

A Trip Down Memory Lane

This week I have been making a lot of trips down memory lane.  How is it possible that my baby boy, who in my mind was just born, is heading off to Kindergarten on Monday!?! 

Look at that sweet little just days old face

It seems like just the other day we were cheering him on for holding up his cute little bald head

And he wouldn't sleep without being swaddled with his paci

He was busy playing with his best buddies in Ohio

and we only got to visit family in Springfield at holidays

EJ and I spent many happy days playing in the park with his buddies Hannah, Katie, Grace and Brady

 

He has grown up, though.  He gave up that beloved paci for some Geotrax trains

Brady and Katie grew up with him

He became a big brother to Miss Molly

Said goodbye to those wonderful playgroup friends and moved to Springfield

He went to preschool and made even more new friends.

And now he is ready to begin a wonderful new part of his life.  In the next nine years he will learn many, many things and hopefully make lifelong friends.  I really am excited for him, even though Molly and I will miss him everyday.  I know the teachers at Little Flower will take good care of my sweet little Bubba and he will love every minute of it.

Like a fish

EJ absolutely loved the diving board and slides at the pool. He is becoming such a great swimmer!

swimming with the girls

Today we went swimming with Emmie, Addie, and their friends Cammie and Lauren. The girls all love playing with EJ and Molly and the kids love it too!

EJ zooming down the slide

All the swimmers

Molly just went down the slide and cousin Chrissie caught her

Molly's turn to slide

He loved it!

Family Ties

Another reason for our vacation was a visit to Lito and Titi, who live in Puerto Rico. It was so nice to see them again and introduce them to Molly.

The whole family

Lito, Paco, EJ and Molly

Esteban II, III, IV and V

EJ and Molly with Titi

Paco swimming with cousin Stanley Andres and Molly

Our little Puerto Rican blondy enjoying an empenada--she liked those and tostones a lot!

Molly with Lito

Titi with her grandson Stanley Andres

Molly and EJ with Lito

EJ, Molly and Stanley Andres

Beach Fun

This last week we spent an incredible week in Puerto Rico with all of the Sanchez Family. The kids absolutely loved the beach and building sand castles. Here are some pictures of our wonderful beach adventures.

Erin and Molly relaxing between sand castle building

Our family: Paco, EJ, Molly and Erin




Paco and EJ jumping through the waves

Daddy helped Molly play in the waves too

Aunt Amber helps Molly play in the surf

The first day we went down just to see the water--well EJ came back covered from head to toe!

Uncle Mike, EJ, Aunt Amber and Molly

Making a sand volcano

Little hands and feet that loved the beach

EJ trying it out for the first time

The Paci Fairy

Last night Molly put all of her pacifiers into a bag and overnight the paci fairy came to our house and left her this beautiful princess dress, a book and a pinkalicious doll. She was a very happy girl this morning!