Belt Promotions!

We had belt promotions at karate today...

Focusing their eyes, minds, and bodies.

Zach getting ready to start.

Jacob checking himself out in the mirror.

hitting the pad.

mid kick.

doing his form.

more form.

another kick.

Jacob and Connor were promoted to yellow belt. I love Connor standing like a statue.

Jacob clapped for himself!

 

I took a video of Zach getting his new headband! (He was promoted to the rank that Jacob had been, tiger patch, orange headband.) I'll try to set it to upload the video tonight so I can post it tomorrow!

 

I didn't take any pics of the boys in their new belts/headbands together today. We were hungry and had to stop at the orchard to pick some apples before going to meet Daniel for lunch (he had to work. boooo.) I'll stage a picture at a later date... ;-)

 

Anways, we picked apples at the local orchard.

 

It was HOT. We picked enough apples and then waited in line for the tractor ride back to the car.

 

We had a delicious lunch at my mom's most favoritest restaurant (ever possibly) up here and then headed home to relax!

 

One more thing... it's game day! So, it's the perfect day for Emily to try on her VT pillowcase dress made by me! (It's a little big!!!)

 

so sweet.

not sure what was so funny but she cracked up!

posing. oh my. we're in for it with this one.

future cheerleader... just like her mama.

Zach's 2nd day of Kindergarten!

Here's a glimpse at how awesome Zach's Kindergarten teacher is:

He left his lunchbox at school...

She brought it by our house.

(It was only the second day of school...I'm curious how many times we'll be seeing her at our door this year!)

both boys had a great day at school again!!

Zach's first day of Kindergarten!!

Zach had a great first day of Kindergarten. I asked him what his favorite part of the day was and he exclaimed "ALL OF IT!!!!" :-) As for the worst, nothing! I must say that I was quite lonely while Emily napped and the house was way too quiet but I did enjoy the time I had with the little princess.

Here's some pictures from before school....

 

 

 

 

Daniel was walking cupcakes up for Zach's class so they could celebrate his birthday at lunchtime.

If you look closely you can see him in the building. Thats his classroom as soon as they walk in the door! (Same room Jacob was in last year.)

 

We met Zach's teacher's dad on our walk back to the house after dropping the kids off. He lives right outside of our neighborhood but walks through our circle a couple times a day. He spotted us walking this morning and said something along the lines of "One of your kids is in my daughter's class this year." He told us her name and I told him that it was my little Zach man.

 

I did a lot of clock watching today and a lot of "I wonder what he's doing right now?" thinking. I missed both of the boys like crazy today but was so glad that they both had a great day at school. Jacob did like he said and made sure Zach got into his classroom and that he came out with him this afternoon. He sure is a good big brother.

 

Sweet Miss Emily missed her brothers some kinda' bad today. She kept yelling towards the steps for them and I had to keep telling her they were at school. We went outside about 10 minutes before it was time to leave so she could swing for a little bit but all she wanted to do was get in the stroller. I'm pretty sure she just wanted to go get her brothers!

 

 

Ninja Star Photos

Just like any other sport, Karate had professional pictures taken..

These were the pictures we chose from the ones that the photographer took. I am quite pleased with how they turned out!

 

Zach starts Kindergarten tomorrow!!!!

He's so excited and told me not to worry because Emily will still be with me.

 

 

Happy 5th Birthday, Zach!!!!!

So I don't have the same mushy, sappy post that I had for Jacob's 5th birthday (Don't get me wrong, I would except that I only have pictures starting in 2012 on this computer. Daniel was busy getting other things taken care of so I couldn't bug him to put all of my pictures from the past few years on my external hard drive!).

We had a great day! Zach chose Cracker Barrel for breakfast and after a quick trip to the grocery store we went bowling. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves!

I won the first game. :-)

Emily wanted to do everything her brothers did.

nap at the bowling alley anyone?

just kidding!!

Zach decided he wanted to try using the ramp.

Emily insisted on trying too.

 

Daniel might have one the second game.. by a point or two. ;-)

 

We came home, had pizza, got ready for bed, and then finally let Zach open his presents. (cake came afterwards, I was trying a new icing recipe and it just wouldn't cooperate)

He was so excited to get the spyglass. He's been talking about wanting one for awhile and saw the Jake and the Neverland Pirates one and thought it would be perfect. The headband that came with it is almost too small for his head! (but didn't bother him one bit!)

He guessed what these were! He's just like his momma and wants everything he sees on tv. I am a marketers dream and I've passed that on to him. :) Regardless of these being an as seen on tv product, he LOVES them and is currently wearing them while he sleeps.

I love that Jacob drew hearts and smiley faces on Zach's card.

Emily was very interested in watching Zach open his presents!

(and yes, the plastic is still on my new lamps)

Not sure if Jacob was more excited about what he got Zach or the other way around. Jacob was definitely excited to help him build it.

Zach was on the phone with Daniel's dad. Dee Daw just so happened to call at the worst time. Zach was busy opening his presents and gave very short responses!!

Daniel was really excited to get him the game Twister.

Emily found a good opportunity to eat Zach's candy. (still in the wrapper!)

I'm gonna wreck it!

His "Wreck-It-Ralph" hands were a hit!

Daniel had to clarify to them that they were for wrecking buildings, not punching each other.

Ralph wrecked the cake.

and some more..

then he jumped off of the cake.

I always feel like our kids cakes suck on their birthdays. We're always busy running around and playing and there just isn't enough time! Probably didn't help that I found a new recipe that I wanted to try but wasn't patient enough/didn't start it early enough. It tasted really good so I guess thats all that matters!

I'm 5!!

 

On top of us having a fantastic day, my cousin, Chris, and his fiance, Jessica, welcomed a sweet little baby boy, Peyton, into the world today! We are all excited about their new little bundle and can't wait to meet him!