Next Week At THIS Time...

Next Monday, at this exact time, my little Clare Bear will be...

AT HER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I looked like this?

 Didn't I just bring her home from the hospital?

 Has it really been three years since she sat in the stroller like this?

 I perfectly remember this stage...just before she started walking.

 I still have this picture on our wall...as if it was just taken.

I remember when we gave her this backpack and joked that, "It won't be long before she's actually heading to school."

NOW...the time has come.

 My sweet, spirited, curious, thoughtful, inquisitive, crafty, and adventurous little girl is GOING TO SCHOOL!

 She starts a 2-day (because Mommy isn't ready for more than that) program on Monday, and she is SO EXCITED!  She keeps asking, "Do I get to go to school today?"

 SLOW DOWN TIME...

I'm not ready for my little man to grow up that quickly...

although it seems to be happening even faster.

3rd Annual Busch Gardens 5K

We were up BRIGHT and EARLY on Saturday morning...

for the 3rd Annual Busch Gardens 5K.

 Of the past three years, this was my FAVORITE
because several of my dear friends joined us.

(Sarah, Tory, and Grace...Barb and AJ, Courtney, Robin, and Laney Grace)

Clare, and her best bud Laney Grace, had fun "walking" through the park.

 The Sesame characters even made an appearance.

 This was the first year that Phil ran the 5k, and HE PLACED 2nd OVERALL!  Yes, you read that correctly.  My husband, who last year at this time didn't even own a pair of running shoes, was the SECOND OVERALL FINISHER! 
(It goes without saying that I'm a proud little wife!) 

 Phil walked back into the course to find the other 75% of his family (who was in the running for last place finishers), and our Little Cookie Monster was happy to get out of the stroller and finish the rest of the course on Daddy's shoulders.

 Here's a quick snippet of Clare, Daddy and Isaac crossing the finish line.

 Proudly donning her medal...

which she's worn to bed every day since then!

 The Pink Posse

 Sarah (who was pregnant during the race last year), Tory, and baby Grace

 Laney Grace with her Mommy and Nana (and little sibling on the way)

 Barb and AJ...with little sibling due in two weeks.

BEST BUDS...Isaac and Papa

 Best Buds...Clare and Laney Grace

 The day wouldn't be complete without some "Clare in the Air"

 My dad is the only other person who has done the 5K all three years with us.  He wasn't planning on being here, but he just couldn't miss the fun!  :)

FLASHBACK:

 Here's a picture from last year's 5K.  Isaac was only FOUR DAYS OLD (How, and why, on earth did I do that?!)  Check out this link for more pictures/stories from 2010.

 Here's a picture from the 1st Annual Run For Wildlife 5K.  Clare was 15-months-old, and I actually ran instead of walked.  Check out this link for more from 2009.

 As per tradition, we went to First Watch for breakfast after the race.
  That was fun, and we're already excited to next year!

Isaac ~ ONE Already?!

Our Littlest Love turned ONE yesterday. 

He's healthy and thriving:

Length - 31" = 75th percentile

Weight - 23 lbs. 8 oz. = 75th percentile

Head = 19' = 90th percentile

We had a fun celebration last night...complete with the cake smashing fun.

 He wasn't sure what to think about the sweet treat.

 As a matter of fact, he wanted NOTHING to do with it.

 SERIOUSLY...he was trying to say,

"DON'T MAKE ME TOUCH IT!"

With cheers from several onlookers, he still didn't want to play along!

Okay fine, I'll try some frosting!

 Still not convinced...

 "Can I please just get out of here?!"

 Here's the big cake...that his big sister helped decorate.

 Besides the face that his face looks inflated in this picture, you can see his shiner.

The coffee table had no mercy on our new walker.

 Clearly, Grandma is preferred over cake!!!

 Grandma and Grandpa Hillary

 "Grandma and Grandpa" Treinen...

who stopped over just in time for cake and ice cream.

 Opening presents with the help of his big sister...

who was far more excited about the process than he was.

 This was the toy that Clare picked out, and wrapped, for Isaac.

It was neat watching her excitement as she "gave" her first gift.  :)

It goes without saying, but I can't believe that my little baby is already a year old.  Now that he's walking, I can hardly call him a baby anymore.  Right?  That means I have two toddlers, and I can hardly call Clare (who's about ready to start preschool) a toddler anymore.  SLOW DOWN TIME!

Isaac is...

- Sweet and Sensitive

(He smiles and flirts all day long, BUT he cries if we "scold" him or tell him "No!")

- Walking

(He started walking on Halloween, and now he spends more time walking than crawling)

- Teething...ALWAYS

(He has 12 teeth...with the bottom two eye teeth about ready to break through)

- A Good Eater

(He LOVES Macaroni and Cheese, Grapes, Raisins, and Cheese)

- Still Nursing

(I haven't weaned yet, but we're starting to decrease his nursings)

- Enamored with Clare

(He follows her around, imitates her play, and laughs at her antics)

- Pure JOY!

(We love having a son, and Isaac brings us daily JOY!)

Halloween 2011

Halloween, a two-day celebration this year
because of the multiple "Trunk-Or-Treat" festivals, was a lot of fun! 

Clare was a "nice witch" on Sunday night,

and Isaac was a barefooted pirate.

Arrrghhh...

 Our little Pirate started walking ON Halloween...

although not with 100% security or stability.

 Even though he didn't partake in the sugar binge, he was still FULL of giggles.

 Our happy little man is almost a year old.

 Clare was a Ladybug on Monday night.

 I'm getting used to trick-or-treating with temps in the mid-70's.

 There was a mini-petting farm, and Clare was all over that!

 The Inflatables, and Bounce Castles, were her FAVORITE part of the night!

Daddy, with hot dogs and candy in his belly, survived the enormous crowds.

 Our little Bug was compelled to play with the plants...

 ...as if she had really taken on the spirit of her costume.  :)

 The morning after buzz!

She quickly found a new favorite candy: Nerds!

Confession:

I sorted all of her candy on Monday night.  It brought back memories of sitting on the floor with my sister as we sorted our loot...chocolates, chewies, suckers, etc.  The most popular item in her stash was Laffy Taffy and Twix.  I only stole a "few."