Packing, packing, and more packing! aaghhhh

The past few weeks we have been packing like crazy. We are living out of boxes and it's nuts! I swear after I move into my new house, we are NEVER moving again. It has taken up so much time and it is very stressful. Our house sold sooo fast (within the first week of being on the market) and we haven't found a new house yet. We are lucky enough that my parents said we could live with them until we find a house, but that means moving TWICE..aaagghh! A lot of our stuff is in storage and then at my mother in laws house. I feel bad for Kaden and Kole because their toys are mostly packed and they can hardly walk without boxes being in their way. I know the outcome will be worth it when we have a nice new house, but in the meantime....I feel like I'm going nuts! We will be officially moving out Sept. 30th.

My classroom

The school that I worked at for the past 4 years was closed this past summer :( Our school along with another elementary school in Taunton are being combined together at one bigger elementary school called Mulcahey Elementary School. This is going to be a big change for everyone since both schools were very small. Now, combined together the is almost triple what we are used to. We have a new principal now too. It's going to be a little crazy at first, but I am very excited to work with everyone and to meet my new students. I will miss my Walker students so much though. They were a great group of kids who I have become very close to over the past few years.

This year I am going to be working part time :) :) :) I will be working Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. This is a great opportunity for me to make money, yet still be able to spend lots of time with my boys! My mom, sister, and mother in law will be watching the boys the days I work.

We were able to move into our classroom and set it up a few weeks ago. I was lucky enough to have my sister Kendra help and Dianne Lounsbury...she worked with me at Walker and covered my maternity leave when I was out with Kole. She is an amazing teacher and friend. I am hoping that she will be able to work the 2 days I have off. The school and kids would be lucky to have her. Dianne and Kendra came in several days to help me set up. It was a little crazy at first since I had over 65 boxes to unpack and lots and lots of furniture. With their help, my classroom looks great and I can't wait to bring my new students in there for some reading fun!

Here are some pics of my new classroom (not completely done yet)

Kaden decided he wanted to play "teacher" :)

Happy 4th of July

Kaden and Kole loved the fireworks. We watched them from the East Taunton Elementary School and we had a perfect view. Every time a firework went off, Kaden would say "That was TOTALLY AWESOME!" I loved seeing him so excited. He cried when they were all over. Kole watched the fireworks too and just kept smiling. On the 4th of July we went to Uncle Dave's house for a family cookout. Kaden was a little hesitant to go on the boat, but he finally went on. He didn't love it, but he went back on for a second ride so he couldn't have thought it was too bad. We were able to watch the fireworks from the boat in the middle of the pond. It was really amazing to be surrounded by fireworks all over the pond. The reflections of the fireworks off the water was beautiful. Every direction you turned your head, you could see fireworks going off. It was a great way to end the night.

Kaden, Kole, and Kevin enjoying the fireworks

Kole reaching to give his big brother hugs!

Our little monkey!

Kevin and his "little guys"

My boys and I waiting for the fireworks to start

A Surprise for Kaden

With the weather being so hot, we decided to buy a swimming pool for Kaden to keep at my parent's house. Kaden LOVES the water and being outside. He has taken swimming lessons twice now and he really enjoys it. He is starting to put his face in the water and he doesn't mind being splashed at all.

Our House Is On The Market!

After living in this house for almost 6 years, Kevin and I have decided to put the house up for sale. Our plan is to sell the house, move in with my parents for a few months to save for a down payment, and then buy a bigger home :) in the Lakeville/Freetown area. I have such mixed emotions about the whole process, but I know the outcome will be worth it. It's hard for me to think that 6 years ago Kevin and I bought this house (at the worst possible time, and for the highest price), then got married 2 years after and then brought both of our boys home to this house. There have been many great memories made here which have made this house OUR HOME! We have redone ever room in the house (with the help of my father of course) and it has been a very nice place to start our family. We are ready to move on though to a bigger house. Keep your fingers crossed for a quick sale! Trying to keep the house spotless and ready to show with two little munchkins isn't easy!

Our home....lots of time, money, and wonderful memories spent here!

The "For Sale" sign in our front yard

My new Mommy necklace

This is my new necklace I bought for myself! I saw it on a website and had to have it! I love how I was able to have the kids birthstones on it. Kaden's is the diamond crystal and Kole's is the amethyst crystal. The website had tons of different ideas and styles to choose from. I liked them all, but I loved this one. I'm going to keep this idea in mind for gift ideas!

It's been a while...

The past few weeks have been very busy, but lots of fun...for the most part. Other than Kaden being sick for 6 days with a fever of 103, we have been having a great time at home. Kole is really starting to laugh and show his personality. He started eating rice cereal the other day...makes me sad to think he is 4 months old already and that my maternity leave is almost over, but I love that he is able to laugh and have fun now. Kole is not too fond of the rice cereal yet, but he will like it eventually I'm sure. We went to Toe Jam Puppet Band yesterday with Nana and had a great time. Kaden loves all the silly songs, dances, and bubbles they do. Kaden is still very much into his tractors, firetrucks, and any other construction vehicle. His room is covered in them, but he plays with them all day/night long so I don't mind at all. He loves watching his DVD player with his construction and fire truck movies. Kaden is also very much into Barney right now. He has learned so many songs from the show. I love to hear him singing them. Over the past few weeks I have also been packing up my classroom at Walker Elementary School. Our school is closing after 115 years! :( It's very sad, but I have enjoyed 4 great years teaching there. Our school along with another school that is closing will be joining together at Mulcahey Elementary School. It's going to be a little difficult at first I think having 2 small schools join together for 1 big school, but I'm looking forward to the change and to meet my new students and staff members. Packing up really stinks, but I'm almost done so that's a relief.

I just love dressing them in the same outfit! :)

My little man is growing up so fast

This is what being a mommy is all about! :)

Kaden making blueberry pancakes

Mother's Day 2010

Mother's Day is a great holiday. Not only do I get spoiled, but it gives me another reason to stop and think about how lucky I am to be a mother to two of the most amazing boys! They are the reason I wake up every day with a smile on my face. I couldn't be happier, more proud, and more in love with my boys, Kaden and Kole! This year my mom wasn't here, but we still had a great time celebrating. My in laws, father, and sister came over for breakfast. My father in law even cooked for us....and it was yummy! My husband is cooking me a chicken dinner for supper! I'm going to be sooo full by the end of the night! :) Here are a few pictures from Mother's Day!

Mother's Day 2010
Me with my 2 favorite boys!

Some of the fruit we had for breakfast

My little man...Kole almost 3 months old...with his "Mom" shirt on of course!

Daddy and Kaden

Just loving being home with my boys!

I can't begin to describe how much I love being home with my boys. I wish I could be a stay at home mom forever. Some days are just lazy, hang around the house days, others are busy fun days. Either way...I truly enjoy each and every moment with them. I'm thankful to have this time to be home with them and watch them grow. Kole is smiling all the time now and has even started to giggle a little bit. It's crazy to think he is almost 3 months old already! :( Kaden is silly as ever. Every morning when he wakes up he yells " MOMMMY GET ME OUT OF HERE!" and then starts giggling. At night he will try everything in his will power to delay going to bed. He will ask for "just one more kiss and hug". He knows I can never refuse a hug or kiss...especially from my boys! Throughout the day he keeps me laughing as well. He knows he's being funny and does whatever he can to make me laugh. If only they could stay this little and innocent forever!

Kaden and Daddy watching TV before bed

Kole 2 months old

Kaden and Kole outside enjoying the nice weather

Kaden playing in his new swingset clubhouse

Kole

My two favorite boys!

Brotherly Love!

The reason I love my life!....my boys!

Kaden's 2nd Birthday!

I can't believe it...my little boy is 2 years old. He isn't so little anymore especially now that we have Kole. It's sad to think that 2 years have already gone by. Time does fly when you have kids. These past 2 years with Kaden have been nothing but amazing. He brings joy and happiness to my life each and every moment of every day.

April 2nd....Birthday Boy Kaden
2 year pictures taken by Mommy



Kaden, Mommy & Daddy at Kaden's birthday party
Kaden's "Handy Manny" cake made by his godmother Katie

Happy Birthday Kaden Garrett
Kaden couldn't wait to dig into his ice cream cake!