EJ's Christmas Program pictures

EJ's class did a wonderful job at their Christmas program.  He is in the front row on the left in a red sweater.



EJ's Christmas Program

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy 32nd Birthday Paco!



Fall leaves fall

Playing in the leaves at Grandma and Grandpa's



They had SO much fun!

Ice skating (sort of)

The kids and I spent Columbus Day on the ice.  Molly's funshop class was hosting a special day for the kids and their families to play on the ice skating rink.  They could try ice skates or just wear tennis shoes on the ice.  Sleds were also welcome.  EJ had the day off school and he was super excited to get to go with us. 

EJ had a fun time pulling his sister

She had fun while in the sled, but didn't really like walking on the slippery ice

Pumpkin Patch

On Sunday we visited our local pumpkin patch and found some beautiful pumpkins 

Daddy giving the kiddos a ride to the patch

Before the hunt for the perfect pumpkin

Molly made her pick

EJ eventually found one too, even though it took him MUCH longer than his sister

This is for Uncle Joe!

Picture Day

The many faces of EJ practicing for picture day



What a goof ball!

Corn Maze

Last week Molly and I helped chaperone EJ's class field trip to the corn maze in Auburn.  The kids had a great time running through the rows of corn and trying to find our checkpoints in the maze.  After the maze, we had a fun picnic lunch and then it was time for the kids to head back to school. 



Mrs. Erwin's kindergarten class

They were all a bit silly !

In Mama's shoes

Today little Miss Molly found some of my old shoes in my closet.  She decided that she needed to give them a spin and brought them downstairs.  She spent the whole morning clunking around the house in them.  I'm sure it won't be long and she'll really be able to wear my shoes.

Go Cards!

A few weekends ago Paco and his Dad took EJ down to St. Louis for his first Cardinals game.  They had a beautiful day and were looking forward to a good game. 



EJ outside the ballpark



Standing inside the ballpark with the arch in the background



Grandpa Esteban, Paco and EJ



They arrived about an hour early for the game and Paco was trying to figure out what in the world he was going to do to fill that time.  That's when they noticed a large group of people down on the field.  They went farther down in the stands to investigate and discovered, much to their delight, that it happened to be picture day at the stadium!  They were able to go out onto the actual field and meet the real Cardinals players.  They were a little late to meet Coach LaRussa and Albert Pujols, but they were able to meet a lot of the others.  Paco thought it was just great to be able to go onto the field.



EJ near the outfield wall



Paco shaking hands with one of the players




I "think" this is Jamie Garcia with the guys
OK, correction, after speaking with Paco this is Eduardo Sanchez.  So all Sanchez men!



 Overall, it was in incredible day for all of them.  The Cards weren't quite able to pull out a win, but EJ was happy anyway.  He had a fun day with his Dad and Grandpa and--even better--he got a  huge foam Cardinals claw!

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.