Sunday School!

We are so excited for McKinley. Today he started Sunday School. Only a little over a month in and his 3rd birthday has brought about so many changes and steps toward being a big boy! It was sweet to watch how enthusiastically he interacted with the MANY other children and his two teachers at Sunday School. He had a ball and didn't mind a bit when we stepped out to attend mass.
I didn't take any pictures...and I'm mad at myself for that, but I left the camera in the car. Me with no camera? Geez, I totally know better.
Regardless, McKinley will no doubt make many wonderful memories here. We are very proud parents, watching him expand his world one little child at a time!

Lynn

Preschool pics!

I'm so excited!
I just checked my email and discovered a fun little treat from Miss Kymberli, McKinley's preschool teacher in my inbox. She and Miss Lori captured some very sweet moments of McKinley's first day of school. When I saw them tears came to my eyes. It means so much for us to be able to SEE and hear so much about what McKinley does everyday, and these little updates via email are precious and treasured.

Can't wait to see what else is to come!

Lynn

Lynn

Back for more...

apples, that is. Yesterday the three of us headed for Anderson Orchard for our second visit...with many, many more to come I'm sure. We pulled up the gravel drive to the huge open barn and I could just feel any leftover stress just melting away. Once inside the barn we ordered two apple slushes (to die for...delicious) and two nut-crusted caramel apples before we headed out for some u-pickin'. We sat down and all devoured our little treats - it was MUCH warmer than it was the last time we'd visited in the Fall of last year, but it was a gorgeous day.

We piled in the car and began our drive through the HUGE orchard, choosing the red raspberries first.

McKinley designated himself as the holder of the raspberry bucket, which held true during the entire visit, we all dove into the bushes (though carefully...STICKERS!). I'm pleased to report that we scored 2 and a half pounds of gorgeous, ripe red raspberries. The bushes went on for what seemed like miles. Acres and acres, rows and rows of raspberries!

Soon we were back in the car driving through the orchard, trying to choose our apple varieties. We chose Galas, Honey Crisps and Mollies Delicious. And were they good? WOW. We each sampled an apple - who can resist? - and took turns picking some of these beauties.

McKinley loved twisting the apples on their stems and giving them a gentle pull. We ended up with a full peck of apples! What a steal at $7...I'll pay that for the stress-removing qualities of the entire experience alone!

Once we were finished, we headed back to the barn for a GIANT (seriously...GIANT...2 feet long) watermelon and some popping corn and a promise to return very soon for some wonderful pumpkins! ...and probably more apples....and raspberries!

This was the perfect way to spend the afternoon with my family.

Lynn

P.S. Below: McKinley's own photography! Not bad, eh?!

Day One...Take Two!

I'm happy to report that McKinley's first day of school did go off without a hitch! This morning when I woke him, he was so excited! The look on his face was priceless! I said, "Good morning! Guess what? It's time to go to school!" He replied, "NOW????!!!!!" with a big, toothy grin.
I AM enjoying this now...because let's face facts...he is MY child. He will NOT always be THIS happy to be woken to go to school...something tells me particularly in his senior year of high school. But for now, he is pleased as freaking punch...as are we.

Below: walking in the front door, the look of brief confusion and washing hands before we go inside the classroom.

HOLY MOLY, WE HAVE A PRESCHOOLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lynn

Missing

Today is the very first day of preschool...and McKinley won't be in attendance. Sadly, he is missing his very first day because he is ill. We're heading to the doctor soon, but I'm certain it is bronchitis. Poor boy...it has been a very long night for us all. There have been several bed sheet changes and the first real 'puking' for McKinley. Let's just say, that is NOT his favorite thing to do.
We are so blessed though, because this is the first time he has ever been this sick. Timing is bad, but we will nurse him back in no time so he can go play with Miss Kymberli, Miss Lori and all his new friends!
I'm declaring an all out war on this!
First day of school...to be continued.

Lynn

I HEART DATE NIGHT

...especially when they involve sitting (or standing) next to my handsome hubby while John Mayer serenades me.
Yes, he was serenading me...
and about 25,000 other people too, but who's counting?
Wow! We had the BEST time. How refreshing!

This was his best concert EVER. People are talking about it all over the country already! I am so glad that we had the opportunity to be there, much less be as close as we were! Once again I was shocked to learn that still photography is permitted --- after I left my camera in the car, not wanting to risk having my precious keepsake taken away. Well, dang. I missed some fabulous opportunities to photo John Mayer while he made his guitar sing like no one else can. He played his guitar behind his head. He played his guitar on the ground. He played his guitar practically upside down. And it was incredible.

He had real conversations with members of the audience. He made FUNNY jokes, he signed autographs on tour t-shirts and threw them into the crowd, he joked about his repeatedly reopening fly! It was such a great night!

I am (and will be) kicking myself for not having the camera...next time and I won't forget!

Thank you, Cary for a wonderful evening!

I love you!

Lynn

Goodies in the Mailbox!

So, back in mid-June McKinley modeled for our friend Wendi at InBloom Photography in Bloomington. Got the photos in the mail today. So in love. These are amazing. The clarity. The location. The subject, of course.
Wendi seriously rocks.
The mail made me a very happy Mommy today!

Lynn

In the Trenches

Break out the camoflage and war paint...it's ON!
We.Are.Potty.Training!
T-minus 14 days until McKinley starts preschool - THE date he MUST be potty trained.
I'm pleased to report that things are going swimmingly! Awesome, in fact!! I am so proud of McKinley - we all knew he could do it. Within three days he begun telling us when he has to use the bathroom and has been accident free almost that entire time. I'm sure we'll have a set back or two, and of course the occasional accidents - it IS a learning process. But McKinley makes us so very proud and has taught US a thing or two as well about patience, learning and how far a little encouragement really goes. I could think of a 'few' people who could use that lesson for themselves!

Yay McKinley! You rock!
Lynn