Cheerleading, toothless wonder, a little of this & that~

Liv wanted to join cheerleading this year. It has become quite the commitment, 2 cheer practices a week, and about a 3 hour game on Saturdays. She LOVES to dance, so it was no surprise that she'd catch onto it fast.  She's really enjoying it and having fun!  Wanted to share pictures.  Some were taken at her first game and a few others from today, their Homecoming game ;)  They presented their mamas with roses and called us their Homecoming Queens(kinda cute!)  I should mention they cheer for the Raiders. I think most of the girls on her cheer team also go to her school(and 3 of them are in her 2nd grade class.)  I will snap some photos of the football team at the next game.  They are serious little football players, they are good too, they've won all 3 of their games so far!  The players range from 8 years old to 11.  This is a whole new world for me.  I grew up in a Hockey family/world so I didn't even know this kind of thing excited...Football/Cheerleading at such a young age.  Shane was cracking me up today, he was so into the game.  I even caught him biting his lip and pacing a couple of times, LOL!

Olivia lost HER 1st TOOTH on Tuesday night. She came home with a wiggly tooth and when I was helping her brush before bed, and I brushed it right out of it's pocket. Liv was a wee bit shocked, especially when she saw a little blood. I was starting to wonder if she'd ever lose a tooth. She was so excited to go to school and tell her friends and teacher, especially after the tooth fairy's visit =)  Yet another reminder that my baby is growing up...sigh

Nolan's Day!

Nolan turned 4 today...and you already know what I'm going to say, it was BiTTerSwEEt.  There has been so much going on to keep me a little distracted lately.  Leo's birth, Liv's birthday, planning Nolan's birthday, the kids baptism, my little brothers wedding, Liv starting school, and getting Nolan ready for school next week.  All of these events have happened, except for the wedding(that's in a few days.)  Needless to say, I have had a million things on my mind.  But today, the reality sank in =(  My little buddy is 4! 

He really is becoming such a big boy, and obviously seems so big compared to Leo.  He wants to be so independent, yet still needs me ;)  If he could he would wear his blue Adidas soccer outfit everyday(it's a good thing his auntie D got him a new one, even a new color, for his BiRtHdAy =)
He still has a Boston tone or accent to his voice, and I love it!  The other day he said, "Dad, did you choose to be a builda(he meant builder.") He still likes to fall asleep with either Shane or I, but prefers Dad at night.  I get him during nap time and love to watch him sleep, especially to look at his thick snuffleupagus eyelashes.  He adores his baby brother and is becoming so tender and helpful to him each day.  He still has baby soft, silky blonde hair, that wants to lay in a perfect bowl cut ;)  He is one sweet and spicy little dude.  He loves hard and fights hard.  He puts his backpack on every morning and takes it into school when we drop Liv off.  He can't wait for it to be his turn next week when he starts preschool!  I am so excited for him!  He is ready to learn, and getting into a routine is going to be so good for him.  School & play will help him get his wiggles out.  Soccer will help with that too, which he will also start next week.  It is his turn for some new adventures.  I feel like Leo and Liv have had the spotlight for the last 6 weeks or so.  I am just as ready as he is for some special time and activities together.

Here are some pictures from his BiRtHdAy bLiSs. Shane always gets the kids donuts for breakfast from Donuts to Go on their birthday. Nolan also asked for for Ravioli's at Tomato Street(dinner,) and then he got the treat of his choice so he wanted Maggie Moo's. Which by the way, is one of the safest ice cream shops we've found when it comes to helping kids/families who have peanut allergies. They are so cautious! They even wipe down surfaces and get ice cream from a brand new container from the freezer for kiddos with peanut allergies. They Rock! It was a great day and so much fun CeLeBrAtInG our little buddy!

Nolan asked for Orange Monster cupcakes

HaPPy BiRTHday Sweet Boy!

Liv wrote a sweet Birthday message to Nolan & she is reading it to him =)

The LOVES of my life!!!

1st Day of 2nd Grade!

My noodle is in the 2nd grade as of today!  I can finally say that she now heads off to school without any hesitations of being away from her Mom & Dad~it has seriously taken her since pre-k til now to be okay with that.  As hard as the separation anxiety has been not only on her, but on me, I love that she desired to be around me that much ;)  All in all, I am thrilled that she LOVES school, LOVES her teacher, and more importantly feels completely safe, and comfortable in her school environment.  Of course I miss the heck out of her already, and today was only a 1/2 day.  However, I will enjoy being with my boys, and super excited to start co-op with my little buddy NJP in a couple weeks! 

Dear Olivia...

Hey Sweetie Girl~I know you like to read blogs so I thought I'd write a little note to you.  You turned 7 nearly 2 weeks ago!  Awww, you know mama, I have a hard time with my babies getting older =)  Over this last year you have grown up and matured so fast!  You are such a lovely little girl!

I love that each day you like to journal, and draw.  You put your thoughts, heart, and soul down on paper, and I think that's so special, one of your gifts/talents for sure.  I love to read the short stories you create.  They make me laugh, and sometimes cry.  You like to keep things neat and tidy(like mommy,) but you definitely take after your Dad when it comes to having things "in order."  You are so helpful to me each day.  Helping out with the laundry, your brothers, making snacks for you and Nolan when I'm busy with Leo, and tidying up the house~wow, I am one lucky mama!  In those areas, you remind me so much of myself as a little girl, I was the EXACT same way!  Not to mention your brothers are so LUCKY and blessed to have such an amazing, caring, loving, and nurturing big sister!

You will start 2nd grade in a few weeks, and I am going to miss having you at my side each day.  I know you are eager to get back to your social life ;)  and to be with your friends each day, so I am excited for you!  You love music, and to dance.  I love to watch you at Cheer practice, and also look forward to you starting Ballet again. 

I think you had a great 7th Birthday! Here's to another WoNdErFuL year, and I can't wait to see the new things that you accomplish, and most importantly, all the things that make you hApPy and bring you jOy! I love you to 100 moons and back, or like you say it "I love you to the moon moon moon moon moon.....and back back back back back!"

Liv's Pinkalicious Cupcakes(they were so delicious I bought everthing to make more!)

Tabitha made these AdOrAbLe cupcake toppers!

Make a WiSh!

I'm 7 years old!

Our 1st family pet =)

Liv & her Daddy picked this out for her birthday.  His/her name=Fishy...simple ;)

This was the picture I took of Liv on her 6th Birthday.  Had to take the one this year in the same spot so I could see how much she's grown!

On a side note, I seriously couldn't have pulled Olivia's 7th birthday off without the help of a handful of my AMAZING friends~whether you helped me make barrets for party favors, decorate cupcakes, make cupcake toppers, let me borrow decorating supplies, whatever you did, I APPRECIATE it more than you know.  It was a miracle within itself that I could pull off a birthday party for Liv after being only 1 week out from having sweet Leo.  Thank you all!!!