Gwenyth turned One! (three months ago).

So I posted last about Jude's third birthday and now I am posting about Gwenyth's FIRST!  I cannot believe how fast little babies grow up!  There are days I beg my little chitlins to stop growing big and always stay mommy's baby.  Jude usually responds with "but Mooooommm, then I won't be the bestest football player ever!" and from Gwen a cute little giggle. 

I knew that when Gwen turned one I wanted to get a full photo shoot with our all time favorite photographer, Lisa Hodack.  Since I had already decided the theme would be a summer lemonade stand I ordered the most perfect dress from the etsy shop, ILUVMYTUTUBYGG.  The dress was the absolute perfect color and fit.  She wore it for her photos as well as her party. 

Here are a few photos from her shoot:

Seriously, I can't get over just how beautiful she is. 

Even when she is over of having her picture taken, wants a bubby (bottle) and desperatly want to go nigh night (take a nap) and is doing this....

while crying big alligator tears like these ones...

She is still able to be bribed... 

So we can get just a few more gorgeous shots like these...

We were also able to get just a few mommy - daughter shots.

It was an absolute lovely day spent with my sweet baby girl.

I love you Gwenyth.  You are an absolute joy!

So many happenings...

There are a few key things I have been meaning to blog about but every time I think I will have time, an obligation pulls me in one direction, then another pulls me in the other.  Now that I am wide awake at 2 AM on this wonderful evening, I thought that I would get a start.

There are many things that have occurred since my last post.  First, Jude turned three and Gwen turned one!  Yes!  I know, crazy isn't it?   Jude is so so handsome and thinks he is the biggest boy and Gwen is still as healthy and beautiful as can be and is thriving every day.  In between the two birthdays, we went on Spring Break to Myrtle Beach.  What fun!  After that trip, I took an end of the summer girls trip was a dream.  Next, Jude started preschool.  My darling little boy has sure grown up.  It is so bittersweet.  Lastly, I just planned my TEN YEAR class reunion which was held this past weekend.  It was so much fun!

So many things to post about! To me, it makes sense to do it chronologically, so the post you see next will be JUDE TURNING THREE and the details of his party!

First Day of School. (Gasp)!

I am sure everyone has seen the idea on Pinterest of taking a picture of their little love with 

their grade on a piece of paper or chalkboard.  Well I loved the idea and couldn't resist.  In the middle of the night on the eve of Jude's first day of school I was painting away on a piece of spare wood I had left over from a previous project.  I wrote the grade and year since because of his age he will be doing two years of Preschool as well as what he said he wanted to be when he got "big".  

I knew before asking that his answer will be "when I get big, I want to be a Football Guy"

He is so ridiculously full of cuteness I can't get over it.  

 Here he is in his classroom for the first time since our little visit to drop off supplies to the teacher.  I posted about that here.  He looks a little dazed as if he is trying to process it all but no worries.  He was more than fine with me taking him to a strange place, dropping him off all alone with strangers and leaving him there to fend for himself.  I was dragging on with my goodbye's and of course he simply said "Bye Mommy, see you later" as if it was no big deal.  So in front of him I put on my brave face, but walking out to my car I cried.  

Best of luck my sweetie boy!

Welcome basket for Jude's teacher

Jude is starting preschool.  Yes...already!  I cannot believe how fast it came.  He and I have been talking repeatedly that he would be "starting school in the Fall".  To get him prepped for the start of school and to ensure that there were no first day jitters I thought it would be fun if he and I put together a gift basket for his new teacher and while dropping it off, we cold stop in and see his classroom.  

I bought a simple black milk crate and filled it with items such as sanitizing wipes, tissue, glue and crayons.  On the outside, Jude and I taped boxes of markers, glue sticks and crayons.  We tied it with black and white ribbons to match the school colors and included a discount card sold by the football team for discounts from local small businesses for her to use and a small note.  

The note said:

Miss Humphreys, 

I look forward to having you supply me with knowledge! 

Welcome to New Lothrop!

We took it to the school and she happened to be there. We took a quick moment for a quick hi, introduce ourselves and welcome her.  Jude peeked around the classroom and I showed him around the building a bit.  He seems like he will be perfectly fine, but me on the other hand....I think I will put a happy smile on but be crying on the inside.  He sure is getting so so big so fast.