Brosins

These boys think they are brothers! They love and fight just like brothers and I pray they will continue to positively influence each other and be there for each other for the rest of their lives! They are bonded by time at DD and Big John's, Paw Patrol, love of anything with wheels, and their last names. I love you Parker, Colton, and Ranger!

What a fun summer!

It went too fast, but we sure did make the most of it!

- This is the first year that Cadie and JR could go to the pool themselves. They loved getting to walk up and swim more often and they acted very responsibly.
- Cadie and JR both flew for the first time by themselves!
- All 3 kids can ride their bikes for the first time ever!
- Colton was big enough to go to camp - Camp Funshine, VBS, and Sky Ranch Launch camp
- Peyton took a big trip to Europe in July and we were so thankful her friend Ali was able to help us for the whole month!
- Lots of trips! KC for the Gullickson Family Reunion where we celebrated Grandpa Weldon's 90th birthday, Cadie and Erin to Houston to visit Lindsey one last time before her baby girl (kiera Elizabeth) was born, Grant and JR to LegoLand, etc.
- Both Cadie and JR had a "day with Mom" at work and they both were on their best behavior
- Lots of dinners at Dive, time with friends, and musicals at Fair Park Summer Musicals

I really love summer and was sad to see it end. I love the pool, relaxed schedule, vacations, water fights in the backyard, etc.

Cadie 10th Birthday Slumber Party

Cadie wanted to have her slumber party at DD and Big John's so we found a date that worked prior to DD and Big John's trip to Japan. Cadie worked so hard to prepare! She brainstormed party ideas and made notes, created custom decorations like the butterfly mobile, made a dinner menu, prepped crafts and word search games, and planned the whole schedule.

5:30-6:00: Guests arrive. Everyone she invited came! Elise, Sutton, Kamryn, Claire
6:00: Girls place their "Cadie's Cafe" order and Chef Big John makes dinner
6:45: Cake with a Special Surprise Guest - Mrs. Noonan!
7:00: Presents
7:30: Butterfly art. The girls worked so hard on their art and they were so creative. I think they all ended up beautifully.
8:30: Games - the girls were so funny and giggly as they played twister
9:30: Move Time! It was hard to find a movie everyone was willing to watch, but Peter Rabbit is what the majority landed on and it was a cute movie
11:00: Lights out. I slept on the "reading bed" in the playroom. All the girls slept great, except Elise. Sweet Elise could not settle down and I really don't think she slept at all.
7:30am: Girls are awake and Big John makes pancake art
9:30am: Pickup with lots of hugs

Cadie felt special and I loved getting to spend time with Cadie and her friends. DD and Big John were incredibly gracious and worked so hard to make the party a huge hit. It was a pretty epic slumber party!

Blog 10-Year Anniversary

Crazy that I started this little project 10 years ago! Through thick and thin I have been committed to this blog. There is a book printed for every year and they are currently sitting on our living room mantel. The books aren't uniform or perfect, but neither is our life. These books were created with love to make sure we remember the fun and chaos and blessings in our family.

The kids read the blog books and so do I. Sometimes they will mention something to me that there is no way they could remember. After questioning I learn they were reading the blog books. As much as I think I will remember every detail, I don't. Not even close. I am so glad I have these books that track development milestones, birthdays, vacations, and even some sadness and challenges. When I read them, they jog my memory and I can better recall how it felt when they were babies or what we did on specific vacations.

I hope that many years down the road, these books still mean something to my sweet babies. My babies and our family are my whole world and I am thankful to have documentation of the beautiful life that God has given us.

Back to School!

Finally getting around to a Back to School post. It has been a tough school re-entry for the Walsh clan, so I didn't force the kids to take too pictures. Colton let me get pictures of him in his handsome uniform on his first day, but the big kids weren't much into pictures. But I finally got pictures yesterday as the kids left the house with the bikes for the annual bike rodeo. Both Cadie and Ranger were excited to be able to ride bikes for the first time in the rodeo. Cadie has been begging for a new bike, so Grant surprised her with a beautiful bike as an early birthday present.

We have LOVED being back at UP in the new school. The mornings are so much easier because the kids can sleep a few minutes longer and both Cadie and JR are able to walk to school. JR also buys lunch at school this year and even just that one less thing to remember in the mornings is helpful. It has been nice that the logistics have been easier because the emotions have been a bit more complicated.

Teachers:
- Colton in Kindergarten with Mrs. Michelle Rickman and Miss Vaughn Camp
- Ranger in 2nd grade with Miss Reed
- Cadie in 4th with Mrs. Williams in the morning and Mrs. Rousch in the afternoon

Cadie has a rough start because she wasn't thrilled with her teacher and none of her closest friends ended up in her class. She has started to feel better over the past few days because she really likes her afternoon teacher and we are working hard at creating opportunities on the weekends for her to stay connected to her friends. Colton had a tough few days getting into the rhythm of school and sitting still longer. After a few days of coaching after some poor teacher reports, he finally got a Fruit of the Spirit award for self-control. Here is the conversation that followed.

Colton, "I got a self-control Fruit of the Spirit."
Ranger, "Wow! That is pretty much the hardest Fruit of the Spirit."
Mom, "It really is. Most adults struggle with self-control. How did you earn it, Colton?"
Colton, "Well... the main thing is to listen to the teacher and obey her."
Mom, "Yep, that really is a key to success."