Science Spectrum

Porter and I were invited to go to the Science Spectrum with some friends.  The Science Spectrum is this children's museum with all sorts of experiments and fun kid's rooms.  They had a veterinary room, a water room, a music room, and all sorts of fun hands-on things.  Porter had so much fun, he couldn't even stop for one second to let me take a picture, so this is all I got.  Needless to say, he's been talking about it ever since.  I'm just grateful we've got good friends to invite us to fun things like that!  Thanks Buckners!

First Day of First and Week 42

So this Monday was an eventful day because Brighton started first grade.  Graham thought he would celebrate the occasion with his week 42 background.  Anyway, Brighton was excited but pretty nervous which is understandable because we moved here a week ago so everything in her little life is new and different.  She handled the new experience with grace and did very well.  We were fortunate enough to meet a little friend at church the Sunday before school, who was in her class as well.  This alleviated a ton of her nerves so she felt not as lonely on the first day.  Anyway, I was sad to see her go, but excited for her and the new experiences she's having. 

As for Graham, this week he has been trying to master pulling himself up to standing and has given himself quite a few bumps, bruises, and a forehead gash in the process.  It makes for interesting times.  But we still love him to pieces. 

New school shoes are always so exciting

This is Brighton's classic excited face.  Made me laugh.

Week 41

It's our first week in Lubbock and we're enjoying ourselves here.  With adjusting to the move, and his mobility progressing, Graham is almost impossible to take a picture of lately.  He is getting too fast and laying on his back is like a punishment, so finishing this project will definitely be a difficult mission to accomplish.  Luckily, he has a second or two of sweetness in him for me to grab a shot before he rolls on his belly and crawls away.  It's a little frustrating but we love how fun he's become so we're okay with it.

Moving/Anniversary Day

Today was Kyle and my Anniversary.  What did we do for it?  Moved.  To Lubbock, Texas.  That's right.  On our 8th anniversary we celebrated by moving to the 8th place we've ever lived.  Sadly, practicality trumped romance for us.  But we've had so many low-key anniversaries that when we get out of school, we'll have a blowout!  After all, we deserve it right?

Week 40

It's our last Monday in McAllen and we are just tying up all our loose ends.  Graham is officially crawling and the kids are super excited about it.  We are all getting excited for the new move, and although it's not ideal, we wouldn't have it any other way.  Our family will be stronger for it.  And this little 40-week-old keeps us all entertained with his new tricks that we don't have time to think about things being tough.

Connections

 

Ever since Graham was born, Brighton and him have had this special bond.  I'm not sure if it's the opposite gender thing or if the age difference is perfect for them or if it's Brighton's innate nurturing sense, but these two are so sweet together.  I could leave them alone for hours and they would entertain each other.  Either Brighton won't stop making him laugh, or Graham will just snuggle up with her while she reads.  He loves her so much and she is so good about taking care of him.  I love that they are connected this way.  It makes me appreciate the sibling bond.  I hope this connection can last longer than Graham's infancy because 2 -year-old boys might not be as easy to snuggle with.  For now I'll enjoy the love they both bring into our home.

Week 39

Look at this chunk.  He is quite the ham (after all, GraHAM is his name).  And those chunky thighs are ridiculously squishable.  We love our little guy at 39 weeks and the weeks just keep getting better!

6-Year-Old Sweets

Brighton turned 6-years-old in April but I just hadn't gotten around to taking her yearly pictures until now.  Brighton was super excited because I put together this outfit that she thought made her look like Fancy Nancy, so we were in for a fun shoot.  It was really nice to take her out, just me and her, and have a girls' afternoon.  I got to talk with her and hang out and loved my life.  She is such a sweet girl and I'm so proud to call her my daughter.  I love her spirit and I can't wait to see what an awesome young woman she'll become.

Gotta love the ruffle bum

She did so good throughout the entire shoot but after 2 hours of smiling, she felt like this…

A Reading Celebration

The kids have been working all summer long on the reading program at the library.  Brighton has really excelled in her reading ability and Porter can sit for hours if someone is reading to him.  So that has basically been our summer.  They both knew that if they completed the program there would be a great prize.  They finished and when they received an invitation to a library party, they were a little disappointed that their hard work amounted to a piece of paper.  They are all about tangible things, but when I explained to them the fun we would have at this party, they were excited.  Party day finally came and I was a little nervous that the kids excitement for this thing was far greater than the awesomeness of the party, but McAllen Public Library did not disappoint.  There was a ton of free food, games, door prizes, train rides, climbing walls, carnival rides, and amazing bounce houses.  And you needed a ticket for everything which you received with your invitation, so there weren't a ton of people there.  The kids had the best day ever.  It was a great way to close out this first chapter of our cross-country adventure and it will make us think fondly of the time we spent in McAllen, TX.

Art Fair Friday

Porter has started grabbing hold of his ability to draw and color in the the lines.  Here are a couple of examples of his newfound love of the arts.

Porter's first picture of the temple

This is our family at a bubble party with a beehive overhead.  Keep in mind we've never been to a bubble party.  He just thought it sounded fun.

On The Verge

With this kid, it seems like he doesn't take gradual steps to do anything.  It was like one day all he could do was lay there, and the next day he's rolling to get things.  That's why it was no surprise to us that when he figured out how to sit up, about a day later he's on all fours about to crawl.  He is in those serious rocking back-and forth stages and it's only a matter of days before he decides to take the plunge and reach out that hand.  Let the countdown begin!