James went to the eye doctor and this was his first time getting his eyes dilated! He was a little freaked out that he couldn't really see anything, but then in real 6 year old fashion he embraced it and pretended he was a zombie for the rest of the visit and day.

James and his little group of friends at school made some crazy game up during indoor recess one day, and his teacher was so impressed that she took a picture to send to us. He has really settled into his new school and made the best of the situation.

Madeleine has taken it upon herself to always make sure Matthias has enough toys to play with on the floor. I cant tell if its motherly or just trying to plan ahead start to train him now to only play with his toys and not hers for.

All the public schools and Madeleines preschool didn't have school one day (Poor James did though) so several moms packed up all the kids and took them to IKEA for the day! They have a really fun playroom for the older kids and then after we shopped we got picked the kids up for lunch and ice cream. Very successful no school day for all!

We carpool to James' school with a neighbor - and on the days where it is my turn and John is out of town, Madeleine and Matthias have to go with us. I think Madeleine's face says it all on her thoughts of taking the boys to school.

Teething is the worst. There really isn't much to do about it except lots and lots of frozen blueberries. It is a total mess but it gives him cold yummy relief on those poor gums. He has his two bottom teeth now but his two tops ones are coming too. Hopefully once those pop out, he will get a break before the next bought of teething starts.

On Fridays, we have been meeting a few moms at our local craft beer spor. Yes, I know how that sounds but it is super family friendly and the kids love being able to play. Its right outside our neighborhood and the owner even bought our kids sidewalk chalk so they would feel that they get something there too. Its been a fun little tradition and more and more moms are coming so now there are about a dozen kids on any given Friday afternoon hanging out there!

Just snuggling with his blanket. I tried so hard not to give this one a blanket because the other two are so attached to theirs - but it was either a blanket or me. So he got his blanket.

John had a three week trip (which is also why I haven't posted anything - its been a crazy three weeks) and he came home last week just in time for his birthday. The kids wanted to go all out since they missed him so much. So we made lots of cards and decorations, but the highlight was his birthday cake. John always wants an ice cream cake - so since we couldn't make one of those, the kids shoved as many candles as they could on there. I know it doesn't look like it, but there were close to 30 candles on that cake!

Last Friday, John joined us at the craft bar and brought all the kids frostys. He sure knows how to win them over!

Matthias did not get one, but he got some daddy snuggles while John worked so he was happy!

September Fun

Duke has been through a lot these past few months. After he lost his brother, Bronx, we found out he has diabetes. Thankfully, since he is 110 lbs, two shots a day doesn't bother him in the slightest. But he also had awful hips and a possible torn ACL so he is now on several different medications to try and make walking easier for him. But even with all of his health issues, he still loves being part of the family and always follows the kids around - even when it means Madeleine will dress him up.

James isn't always thrilled to go to school, but he carpools with a friend which he loves - so at least he is usually happy while waiting for his buddy to come and pick him up in the mornings!

One of Madeleine's friends turned 4 and had a really fun birthday party where they rented a retired firetruck to come out so the kids could take a ride around the neighborhood and get sprayed with the hose. It was a very cool experience for the kids.

We went apply picking with our friends at Sky Top Orchard. This is our third time there and every time it is so much fun!

Football season is fun but practice makes for long nights.

It has lightly rained the past two practices but each time we get the prettiest rainbows afterwards!

First day of Madeleines last year of preschool

Last week Madeleine started her last year of preschool! She was very ready to go back to school, especially since she had to watch James go off to school for almost three full weeks before she got to go. I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming, I am excited to see how much she grows this year - 4 is turning out to be such an amazing age for her.

Some more end of Summer pictures

Most of these pictures are just from my phone that we just some happy moments the last month or so. We had such a busy summer (as always) that it is good to look back and see that we actually did have some relaxing moments where we could just enjoy our time together.

One of our good friends has a lake house in Georgia that we went to this summer with a few other families. James was the oldest and the only boy out of diapers. He handled himself pretty well for being surrounded by lots of girls.

John basically spent the weekend like this...

This is one of the dads with most of the kids. It was a really fun weekend with lots of kids and laughs.

For Madeleine's birthday, she got a new bike! This one is super special because it has a basket AND a baby seat on the back for her dolls.

John took James and one of his friends to a Charlotte Knights game last month. It was one of their family nights so the kids got to run the bases after the game and there were lots of activities to do while the game was going on when they got a little restless.

Olympic watching!

James started playing flag football a few weeks ago - and he LOVES it! He is one of the smallest on the field but he is quick.

Boys Weekend

Over Labor Day, John took James back to Ohio for an epic boys weekend. On Friday, we picked James up from school early and I dropped them both off at the airport so they could fly back to Columbus. It was James' first flight and John was able to upgrade them to business class!

Saturday morning we were able to FaceTime with James while they drove to OSU campus to tailgate with Johns family for the game.

After the game, they all drove up to Cleveland to see a Cleveland Indians game!

This is Meredith, Johns brothers girlfriend. She is staying with us for two months while she completes one of her PT clinicals in Charlotte. As you can see, James loves her. Madeleine was amazingly jealous that Meredith was allowed on the boys weekend and she wasn't. But I think that has more to do with the fact that she missed out on Meredith time, because she also loves her. Both kids are thrilled she staying for two months - poor Meredith might regret staying with us because she will not get any rest from those two! Also, she has the best name ;)

Sunday they went to the Cleveland Air Show - and James conned Uncle Stephen into getting him the biggest lollipop he has ever seen.

After three packed full days, they headed home on Tuesday morning. I picked them up from the airport and then James went straight to school.

I am so happy that they were able to have such a special weekend, but we were very happy to have them back home!