William turns SIX!! He is tender, determined, confident, bright, fierce, loyal, and funny. And he makes us happy (and crazy some times, but we'll take it!) He gives the best, most sincere compliments. I love how earnest his face is when he does his homework. He will play soccer with anyone willing and keep at it full speed for three hours straight, smiling the whole time. Happy Birthday William Bradley, you hold a special place in my heart! He requested a Wild Kratts Birthday, it was a blast.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Back to School Night 2019
A few weeks ago we headed to Jacksonville Elementary to meet the kids' teachers. We had our school supplies ready to distribute and our smiles ready get the school year under way. Caity kept a count down for us and we sure were happy when the night finally came. I was nervous and hopeful everything would work out for each child. I think I am just a nervous wreck at these things. I think I build everything up and although it is like 98% good news, I get so worked up among the chaos and seeing friends again, and witnessing insecurities resurface on kids faces as the walk halls...that I am an emotional mess by the end of the night and am sleeplessly tossing and turning and praying that everything goes smoothly as I release my kids back into the world. They were ALL on cloud nine and really excited about their teachers and friends in their classes.
After leaving the school, we headed to Food 4 Less for Umpqua ice cream cones. Where Caity was counting down to meet her teacher, and Johnny was counting down to see who was in his class, William was counting down to the ice-cream trip I promised after the event. Haha. If that doesn't sum up their personalities!
Next we topped the night off at the park.
The boys ran through the splash pad on our way out and Matthew kept hugging us and laughing sinisterly! haha.
All and all- a good day with a roller coaster of emotions that ended with me praying for faith to let go and enjoy in the journey.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
William's first day of KINDERGARTEN
I knew this day was coming, but I canNOT believe William has left my nest to venture in the world of elementary school.
I was beyond nervous about everything. This was my first child in full day kindergarten. I know, Kindergarten isn't goodbye forever but I feel like time speeds up significantly once my kids enter school and they get to experience new elements of their world without me by their side.
He was pretty stoked the days leading up to it. The whole week before he pressed for me to take him to get his shots so he would be ready.
(Here he is post shots showing stickers to Matthew.)
We got to have a one on one meeting with his teacher and it went so well, I am really pleased with his teacher this year, she is a perfect match for him. It was so precious watching him take in the classroom, reorganizing all the toys so they looked better. He decided his favorite part was the science area.
(This was from the Meet the Teacher....this was he "nervous" face.)
But this is how he "WHEELY" felt.
Right after the meeting we went to the park and William was so independent of Matthew and me. It settled well with my heart that he was ready for this transition as I watched him talk to other kids on the playground.
(here's a few pictures of them together at the park, because gosh, Matthew is sad with his buddy gone!)
Give me all the crying emojis now please.
The next day at the library, it was the same thing. He grabbed books are "read" them to his brother, and played with other kids in the outside space.
He was just growing up right before my eyes. Naturally, he was an absolute delight that last week home, so I would be miss him EXTRA when he went to school.
These pictures are from the "soft start"- he got to go to kindergarten for an hour just to test it out. I love how kinders look with their oversized backpacks!
He just quietly walked over, grabbed a Clifford book and started reading.
I had to include this one because it is the only one with his buddy Luke.
Here his is on his REAL first day of school. He was so independent and wanted to walk in all by himself.
One more snap and then I was off to keep myself distracted while I definitely did not count down the minutes until he got home.
When I picked him up at 2:30, he bound for the car with the biggest smile on his face and a first day of kindergarten crown on his head. The first thing he said was "I bet you can't wait to hear ALL about my day! And guess what? I ate my lunch ALL gone!"
Here is what WIlliam wants me to say about kindergarten.
"I like it. It's really fun. We have two lunch times. My friends are Luke, Grady, Sam, Niko. I like Mrs. Jones, cause she's so nice. She does fun stuff."
We came home and got RIGHT to homework. He was really loves doing homework.
In order to help the other kids, I told him legos was part of his homework, haha. It is just so crazy how much he has grown even in the last couple weeks.
Here he is on day two. He made sure I stayed ten feet behind so he could walk to school "all by himself."
The first day, Johnny and William said they fought during recess, after a lecture about how we are ALWAYS on our sibling's team and our family does NOT fight, I was pleased that for a brief five minutes, the boys played on the swings together and Johnny bragged to all his friends how fast Wiliam was at pumping. I love that they get to see each other a little bit every day.
Yesterday he came home from school and went to bed for the night at 5:30 pm, so I'd say he works himself pretty hard!
I am beyond grateful this transition has gone as smoothly as it has, and know God has been in the details. I have felt His love for Wills and I know, His grace has made all the difference in raising this little boy.
Labels:
First Day of School,
Kindergarten,
William
Matthew Does Preschool
Today I drove up to Miss Jenna's Preschool, I parked my car, and headed to the pick up door. As I walked the sidewalk, I spied through fence cracks, the side door open and a little body bound down the stairs toward me. As he turned the corner, imagine my surprise when it wasn't William, but it was Matthew. But, of course. William is now in full day kindergarten and it was Matthew, my baby, I was picking up from preschool. My breath caught in my throat. With the hectic nature of a new school year I suppose I didn't recognize the passing of time. As if in a tornado of thought, my mind danced around flashes of holding Caity's hand after her first day of preschool: "I was so nervous mom, but then I just smiled like you said and I felt I could do ANYTHING." Then Johnny, "My teacher has my favorite hair, I am bringing her a flower next time, is that allowed?" Then William, "Why did you leave!? I was nawrvous. Do I have to come back next time? Yes, I think you should. Good. Me too."
All this while in real time I squished Matthew's soft hand and while he chattered, "Me and Rory were the only boys, and mom don't step on the crack! OW! My back is killin now! Are you excited it's just the two of us now? Can I have lunch in the car?" I took a knee and breathed in his cute cheeks (that deceived me into thinking he was still a baby), and his big mischievous, eager eyes and I said, "I missed you!" Then he gave me a squeeze around my neck, pressing his cheek to mine and saying "Your the best queen ever, queen." (Side note/blog for another day: Matthew calls me Queen now and says I'll be his Queen forever and it melts my heart.every.single.time.)
Then I buckled him in his seat, and cried the whole way home. I let myself feel the joy of my kids growing and experiencing new things, the pain of time I can't borrow back, the gratitude of God's hand in the journey, the worry of the struggles ahead of them as they mature, the ache of nostalgia, and the resolution to stay mindful in the sacredness of daily moments.
I looked in my rearview mirror as Matthew dumped his entire lunch contents out in our newly vacuumed car and that changed the mood pretty quick. There was no more time for moping, I still had work to do!
2012
(I couldn't find her first day picture, but I know this was taken after we got home)
2015
2018
2019
All this while in real time I squished Matthew's soft hand and while he chattered, "Me and Rory were the only boys, and mom don't step on the crack! OW! My back is killin now! Are you excited it's just the two of us now? Can I have lunch in the car?" I took a knee and breathed in his cute cheeks (that deceived me into thinking he was still a baby), and his big mischievous, eager eyes and I said, "I missed you!" Then he gave me a squeeze around my neck, pressing his cheek to mine and saying "Your the best queen ever, queen." (Side note/blog for another day: Matthew calls me Queen now and says I'll be his Queen forever and it melts my heart.every.single.time.)
Can we take a minute to appreciate that little chin!?
Then I buckled him in his seat, and cried the whole way home. I let myself feel the joy of my kids growing and experiencing new things, the pain of time I can't borrow back, the gratitude of God's hand in the journey, the worry of the struggles ahead of them as they mature, the ache of nostalgia, and the resolution to stay mindful in the sacredness of daily moments.
I looked in my rearview mirror as Matthew dumped his entire lunch contents out in our newly vacuumed car and that changed the mood pretty quick. There was no more time for moping, I still had work to do!
He had a great first day of Preschool and commandeered the rest of my day with books and legos. Tough life. ;)
Labels:
First Day of School,
Matthew Hinckley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)


















































