The annual SPS faculty art show is timed to coincide with Parent's Weekend so mom and dad can see if jr.'s teacher really knows what he is about. This year Brian had a record 30 pieces in the show, ranging from traditional oil paintings to computer illustrations, digital prints, and a projector slideshow of portraits he completed out west last year. Special thanks to photog Tracey for helping me output all the digital stuff from White House Custom Color.
And in other news, the dog has gained a pound, bringing her up to 3 pounds of hulking Coton de Tulear, and she remains ridiculously adorable.
When Brogan was born, we knew he would be our LAST baby. And since then I have sadly watch and listened and experienced "The first time...for the LAST time." Meaning, that I would never watch another one of my babies take their first steps, say their first words, or start their first day of preschool again. He is it for us. And so, today I dropped Brogan off for the FIRST day for preschool, knowing that it would be the LAST time I drop one of my own children off for the First day of preschool. It's sort of sad. But it is also kinda cool. We are excited about watching Brogan grow. And he is just SO different from his sisters that I feel like I am getting a lot of firsts with him that I never got with the girls. This little man is one sweet boy and, I'm told that today, while playing in the "dramatic play" section of class Brogan had a tray of muffins. One of the other boys wanted some and Brogan very diplomatically said, "Why don't we share? I'm 3, so I should get 3...how old are you?" Such a relief to know that although your kids don't always show they are learning these lessons at home, they show it in public...where it matters. Today was an excellent first day of preschool.
This sweet face makes me smile and laugh every day. At 7, Kayla has a wide variety of interests. She is a Daddy's Girl. She LOVES to get up early in the morning to play HALO with him every morning. Like him, she loves to draw, enjoys martial arts, has a joke at hand or a goofy imitation to entertain you with. She loves to perform and would appreciate it if I could find her an acting troop to be part of. She will spend hours sitting next to Brian watching youtube videos and filling the house with her infectious giggle. She is our sporty. Loves to ride a scooter, wants a bike for her birthday (which she is getting), loves to run, throw things, etc. However, she is like her mom in some ways too. She loves to shop. She loves accessories. She loves to coordinate outfits. She loves to read (that's actually both of us). She loves to cook and bake. She loves to have her hair done and will let me try new styles out on her hair (although she HATES having her hair brushed). Her favorite foods are pasta (no sauce, just butter and parm, please), rice (haystacks), hot dogs, and bagels with cream cheese. She loves to play games (card or console, doesn't matter). She has quite the imagination and will spend hours with her little figures elaborating creating stories for them in whatever imaginary world she has designed for the days. Kayla is creative and loves to write and illustrate her own stories. She is clever...too clever, sometimes. She is sassy as can be. She has a memory for dialog and song lyrics. She loves people and people seem to be drawn to her. She has recently developed a bit of a feisty attitude that we are certain will give her new teacher (she's in 2nd grade this year) a headache or 2 (it sure does it for us). But she still loves to snuggles and cuddle and can be such a sweetie. We appreciate so many things about her and all that she brings to our family.
At the mature (as far as SHE is concerned) age of 9 Cassidy enjoys horses, mysteries, reading, friends (and boyfriends, though she still blushes when we talk of them). She is a wonderful artist and sketches frequently. She writes her own stories, and illustrates them. She sings all the time and LOVES music. She still enjoys gymnastics and has intentions of picking up piano lessons again now that we are back home with our piano. Her favorite movie is currently "Mama Mia" (which she sings along with at top volume). She loves to eat haystacks, chinese food (fried rice), shrimp, sushi (California rolls, really), lasagna, and baked potato soup. She has finally expanded her ice cream library from vanilla to vanilla OR cookie dough. After years of trying to get her to taste and enjoy maple syrup, she spent 18 days at camp where her friends were able to accomplish the task. She tried it. She loves it. She can now officially be a fullfledged East Coast native (a love for REAL maple syrup is a requirement). Cassidy will start 4th grade this year. AUGH! Because Cassidy thinks she is all mature and stuff, she has asked if she can start wearing make-up. We have consented to glittery chapstick....only. No lip-gloss, yet. And, although we have given her permission since she was 8 years old, she has still opted NOT to get her ears pierced (although, as with the syrup, we are fairly certain her peers will talk her into it soon). A goal for this year is to learn to ride her bike without training wheels. Which is a BIG deal for this timid little one (she'll try something once but if there is an unfortunate event or unpleasant experience, she isn't gonna do it again...and, her first attempt at riding a bike WITH training wheels didn't go well. So that she is willing to give it another go shows growth.)
We love this little girl. She cares about details. Loves to clean her new room. Keeps us all entertained. She loves life. She is energetic and excited to be doing things. She is creative. She thinks everyone is her friend and wants to be friends with everyone. She has a BIG heart. She is always aware of choices and wants to make the right ones. She is thoughtful and loving. We are blessed to have her in our family. Happy Birthday, Sweet Cass! We hope your next year is full of happy memories...only to be topped by the ones you make each year of your life after that.
To celebrate this big day we had ice cream cake, went to TGI Friday's for family lunch, and she got to do something special with 2 of her friends (There was a sleep over with Lily and a dinner date with Mia). It was a good and quiet birthday celebration. NEXT year she gets to have a big party. (We are doing every other year for big parties now.) Happy Happy Birthday!
We'll try to post some interior shots later, but since the decorating isn't done yet, please know that they will be here as soon as we're finished. But, for those curious, we have 3 bedrooms....technically. There is a "nursery" in the Master Bedroom that is serving as Brogan's room. So, you could say there are 4 rooms. We have a large kitchen, with more cabinet and storage space then I know what to do with. A dinning room. For real. It seems odd to have a place reserved for eating when we do most of our eating at the school cafeteria, so it will also double as my craft space (must to the chagrin and agitation of the 2 wonderful women who helped me unpack boxes). We have a "formal" living room and a family room (aka: the play room). There is an office space at the top of the stairs with built in shelves. And, 2.5 bathrooms. Plus, a large mostly finished basement that houses my laundry area. We are feeling pretty excited and blessed. And, we are eagerly awaiting any and ALL house guest. So, pack your bags and come visit. The door is always open.
Brian got the lego game "Creationary"...basically, it's pictionary, but you get to build objects with legos and everyone tries to guess what you made. Point for the builder and the person who guesses correctly. Fun and perfect for our family.
The kids all got him a present the represents time and things they like to do with their dad. Kayla got him new Halo Legos, Brogan got him Creationary, and Cassidy got him a itunes gift card...we think she is hoping he will score some fun new ipod games and cool "Cassidy approved" music (Taylor Swift, perhaps?).
Grandpa Schroyer lets Brogan take the helm....look at that concentration.
He is one Happy boy. And sweeter then can be. And 2. So, yeah, sometimes a stinker. But it doesn't matter, 'cause his little smile will squeeze your heart and you'll never be the same.
