Pool Day

We had our first family pool time in our new pool. The kids have been swimming several times and have even had friends over but all five of us hadn't been swimming at the same time until today. Our new pool is much smaller but so much more practical and easier to manage. It has several rocks (which the kids love to jump off of), a water feature and a hot tub. There's even a mini palm tree which provides me with the perfect shade to take pictures of the kids jumping in.

The hot tub is currently the same temperature as the rest of the pool but the kids begged for a few minutes with the jets on.

Right now the backyard is kind of a blank canvas. We're not sure what we're going to do with it yet. Who knows, maybe Rog will build another fire pit. ;)

Big Day :)

Today was a big day! First off, the kids' new cousin Jemma Rose was born to my sister Amanda, her hubby Nate and big sister Jade. Second, the garage at the Baum house has TWO cars parked in it for the first time. :) Rog and I cleaned out and organized the garage and much to our excitement, can actually use it the way its meant to be used. 

There were a couple things about this new house that really excited us. One of them was the living room. Our new living room has a projector and big screen. We are excited to turn it into more of a family room/game room. Its still definitely in the works but the kids are enjoying it none the less. 

Cute little legs! We're using the couches that used to be in our family room for this room. They are worked in, comfy and wipeable. 

Cruzy looked at the pictures of baby Jemma on my phone several times today. Love that he's having some snuggle time with Cooper.

Another thing about the new house that was super exciting is the big courtyard area for the kids to play. When you drive up the driveway through the tunnel there is a big open concrete area. Rog and the boys have dreams of a basketball court complete with striping. We'll see. :) Anyway, now that the garage is open for cars, the kids can ride their bikes and run around out there. 

We also have the grill and a little sitting area out there.

There's still a small pile of garbage/giveway. 

These two love each other like no other and bicker the same way. 

Cora Grace: 23 Months

Happy 23 months Coco Bean! 

I can't believe that your second birthday is in one month. You are such a fun little girl- full of joy and mischief. I love how you can focus on a task. I am constantly amazed at the way you sit through prayers with your hands folded and your attention focused. With your brothers that was (is) always a battle. After having two amazing little boys, its fun to see the differences in my sweet girl. You are very dramatic and a very tough cookie. You dislike when I leave you but you love dropping your brothers off at school and always insist on several hugs and kisses. You are talking so much now. You can tell me what you want and even sometimes what you're feeling which is another fun difference from raising boys. You still love your baby dolls. You are more attentive to their "needs." You like to feed them, tuck them in, and change their diapers. You like to play with your vaccum although you're scared of mine. Some of your favorite foods are fruit, hot dogs, yogurt and cucumbers. We thank God for the unique little girl that you and the ways you bless our family. Love you Coco.

Legos

In our old house the boys' rooms were across the house from each other. This resulted in toys being dragged halfway across the house and being played with somewhere in between their rooms (usually the hallway). One of the exciting things for everyone about our new house is that they have their own "wing" of the house. When you come in the front door there are two hallways leading to two sets of bedrooms. Rowan and Cruz's are together. with a jack and jill bathroom in between. Its so easy for them to play together and share toys. It also makes it so they keep their bathroom mess contained to just one bathroom instead of two. Its a win for everyone. :)

This is Rowan's room. He got Cruz's old bed, bedspread and room decor, which were actually toddler Rowan's to begin with. Cruz has bunk beds in his new room. More on that later. :) 

Hangin' Around

Here are some pictures from our day today. 

One of the (few) things we bought for this house was a new couch for the family room. Our old couch and loveseat are going in the Living Room/Media Room/Play Room. This comfy sectional, that we got an AMAZING deal on is working out just like I pictured. :) Rowan is still adjusting to school and is exhausted when he gets home. 

I'm so glad we cut her hair! Its growing in so much more even already.

Clapping along with Mickey Mouse

This boy is finally more relaxed in his new house.

My current view from the kitchen sink. :) Those boxes are all empty!

We Did It!

We did it! We moved! Wow. With the exception of the washer, dryer, our bedroom furniture, a few random dressers and a couple other things, Rog and I moved our entire house ourselves. It took us 8 (I think) trailer loads over the course of about 28 hours but we did it. We had some amazing friends watch the kids. They went above and beyond- they provided meals, snacks, picked them up from school, took them to RV shows and McDonalds, let them borrow swimsuits and play with the sprinkler and so many other things. Our sweet baby-sitter Taylor took Cora all morning for me yesterday. They went to Walmart, McDonalds and the library. It was so amazing to have our kids cared for. We wouldn't have been able to move so much so quickly without them.

Anyway, we're settling in. There's so much to do but its fun to turn this house into our home. The extra space is amazing, the kids are loving their bedrooms and backyard. Cooper had a harder time adjusting than we anticipated. I can't wait to share some inside pics but it might be a little while. :) Here's a quick shot of the outside to hold you over. 

Alright, back to unpacking! We are so thankful for this fun new place to live.

First Day of School: 2014

Dear Boys, 

Dropping you off at school this morning was only easy because of how excited you both were. We had a fun, packed and exciting summer. Both Daddy and I had fun listening to your favorite things we did over the last few months before bed last night. It made my heart happy to hear you talk with such happy memories- we really made this summer count. Dropping you off at school this morning was a little bit easier too because I know that you are in a safe, loving environment, surrounded by God's Word and teachings. To know that your teachers will handle your problems, disagreements and sadness with the same guide that I would makes it easier to hand you over for a chunk of the day. As sad as I am to see you growing so quickly, it is overshadowed by how proud I am of you both. You are kind, compassionate, smart little boys who will do great things. I pray that your First Grade and Pre-K experiences draw you closer to God and are as fun as you've imagined. I'm so proud of you both. I miss you.

Love, Mommy

First Grade! 

Kinder Bridge!

Cruz is doing a 5 day a week, half day program called Kinder Bridge. It's our school's Kindergarten readiness program which will be a little more academic than a traditional Pre-K program. He also gets to eat lunch in the cafeteria with Rowan.

22.5 months!

Coco wanted a first day picture too. :)

I'm enjoying some fun one on one time with Cora but we can't wait to pick Cruz up at 12 and Rowan up at 3. :)

Pirate Cruzy

After Cruz's last eye check up in early July they told us to schedule another appointment two months out. After observing Cruz and the changes in his vision I decided to bring him back in after 3 weeks or so and have him looked at again. I'm really glad I did because his left eye changed from 20/20 to about 20/30 in that amount of time and was turning out more frequently.

Basically what is happening is that since the left eye is having trouble staying straight it causes him to see double. His brain realizes that he shouldn't be seeing two so it slowly stops using that left eye causing his vision to decrease. The next step, before another surgery, is to try patching his good eye for 3-4 hours a day, forcing his brain to strengthen and use the weaker eye. His dr. also thinks that this might help strengthen the muscle and hopefully pull that left eye into alignment. 

The patch is no big deal to Cruz. He's done great with it so far and is able to run, play, and play games just fine with it. Cruz has me save his patch from the day before for Chunky (his stuffed monkey) to wear the next day. :)

That was a lot of information but I need to write everything down to help me remember it too. I'm determined to have his vision stuff worked out before he starts Kindergarten next year. I just can't imagine learning how to read when you're seeing two of each letter. Yikes. 

Haircut for Coco

I do the best that I can with Miss Cora's hair crazy hair but the biker mullet finally had to go. Her hair was two very distinct lengths and the back seemed to be growing faster than the sides. 

Before

After.

Now, her hair on the sides is within a half inch or so of the rest of her hair. Mullet or not, we think she's a doll... but it definitely had to go. :)

6th Birthday Wrap Up

A special weekend with a birthday pool party and a visit from Grandpa, Deona, Uncle Randy and Nicole finished off Rowan's sixth birthday celebration. 

On Sunday we spent the day at the zoo. It was HOT but we still had a fabulous time.

It was so special and so so so much fun to have Uncle Randy and Nicole here. The kids just adore them both.

Thanks Grandpa and Deona for making the trip out for Rowan's birthday! We had such a fun weekend. 

That's it for birthday festivities around here. Now, back to packing. 10 days til closing... the countdown is on!

More Birthday!

Rowan has thoroughly enjoyed getting the mail the last few weeks and finding birthday packages! Thank you all so much for blessing our sweet six year old with fun and thoughtful cards and gifts. 

We spend a lot of time swimming in the summer... can you tell? We generally buy more swimsuits than pairs of shorts. :)

Thanks for the Coldstone Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Tom. Rowan used this gift card the same day he opened it. :)

Thank you for the DQ and Target gift card and Cars stickers, GeeGee! Rowan was so excited.

Thank you Great Grandpa and Linda! 

Thank you Aunt Amanda, Uncle Nate and Jade!!! My little Ninja Turtle lovers were soooo excited about these gifts. :)