conrad jay week 15 + school starts

With everyone having their first day of school, Conrad wanted a first of his own!  And I liked his first.

Sleep has just gotten better and better.  This is a good thing, because my need for more sleep keeps increasing.  I'm ready for some sound sleep. 

This guy is more and more in tune with all the things going around him.  He spends most of his time watching his brothers and smiling up at anyone who will look.  He still has to watch out for the Ivan Monster and loud noises, but most of his day is spent sleeping, eating or watching!

Ivan is becoming more and more fun!  His language is taking off and one of my biggest joys is to sit and talk with him and explore what's going on in his mind.  With better communication, comes better behavior.  He's starting to "obey Mom" better and use words instead of whines!  Hallelujah!

There are a lot of sweet moments with these two too!  They're right between hitting him on the head and trying to poke him in the eye.

Saturday we got to go to MSSU and wait for Dad to finish his 67 mile bike race.  We got there a little early and had lunch.

And then we pretended we were in the Olympics and raced back and forth by the track.  That morning the Olympic triathlon was on the TV before we left and Silas was looking to see which one was Daddy!  Haha!

They were all thinking, "One day I'll be riding beside you, Dad!"

All dressed up in a button down for church.  Silas chose his shirt to match Conrad's.  Silas is one of my best helpers with Conrad.  He's always willing to run and grab something for me or to sit and talk with Conrad if I'm doing something else.

Sunday was a busy day for us, but we managed a family lunch at Sam's.  

Monday marked the first day of school for the Vance Academy for Boys.  We're embarking on a new adventure of schooling at home for Amos' kindergarten year.  Silas will be joining us preschool and Ivan will be busy getting into everyone's business.

Amos got a new watch to mark the start of Kindergarten.  He was pretty excited about it.  He'd already worn out (pun intended) the one he got from his birthday, so we figured he was ready for a little more sturdy one.

"It lights up and everything.  Just like Dad's."

And then came school supplies - because, let's face it.  That's the best part of the start of school.

And Amos immediately began writing a new story.  Motivating him will not be the challenge.  Convincing him that he may need some help might be.  We've got lots of learning ahead of us!