The Big 9!

To My Little Man Austin,

Today you turned 9. You are growing up so fast! Before I know it you will be driving, graduating high school and leaving for college (sniff sniff). I wish I could keep you little forever, and I try to remember to cherish each day I have with you. What a gorgeous, wonderful, funny, athletic, smart little guy you are!

You continue to live and breathe baseball, although you are really getting into basketball and football as well. Fall baseball has started, and I think you were relieved and over-joyed to be back on the ball field after a few short months off. You continue to amaze me with your talent. This year is the first year of kid pitch, and I am looking forward to watching you grow in this. You are looking forward to playing basketball for your school since you are a big 4th grader now. And I am looking forward to watching you play again.

You make friends where ever you go, and kids fight over who gets to be next to you. You are kind to everyone (except your little sister at times), and are a good friend. I think you were secretly excited to be back in school just so you could be with your friends again. You do well in school and get good grades, and always get glowing reports from your teachers.

You LOVE Harry Potter, and have become obsessed with the books and movies. Daddy finished reading the series to you and Aubrey this year, and you have watched all of the movies, at least a dozen times each. You and Aubrey love to play Harry Potter with your wands, and cast spells at each other. And you love to play Harry Potter on the Wii. You love to play any game on the Wii actually. And you and Aubrey love to play on the computer (Aubrey does a lot of watching you play, but she loves just being with you).

Your favorite place to eat is Taco Bell. Your favorite color is red. Your favorite TV show is Sports Center. Gone are the days where I get up to find you watching cartoons. Now it is ESPN. You love to swim and are getting more daring with doing flips. And of course you and Kaehler have discovered a way to play pool baseball. You love to play board games (monopoly when you can talk someone into it, but you like Life and Payday as well). You are learning how to lose gracefully, which is okay because so is mommy. You are still your daddy's boy, and you are his best friend. You love to watch the Red Sox with him, and you love to look through yours and his coins together.

You are amazing and brilliant and handsome and awesome. And I love you so very much. Happy Birthday by little big man.

My 9 Year old, casting a spell at me. Hoping it is an anti-aging spell, for both of us...

First Day of School

The kids started school today, it seems to come earlier and earlier each year. They both had really good days, and both like their teachers so far (as do I!). They both also have some good friends in their classes so that made going back to school a little easier.

We crammed a whole lot of swimming into this summer, and a whole lot of just hanging out. This past week the kids have played way too much Wii, argued with each other way too much, and got on mommy's last nerve. I was very sad to have them start school, but a little relieved as well. Looking forward to re-established routines and early bedtimes.

My beautiful kiddos. Can't believe I have a 4th grader and a Kindergartner.

Aubrey fell asleep almost immediately after coming home. She is not used to getting up so early!