My First Born

Carter - Pre-K Graduation

On May 31, Carter officially became a Kindergartner as he received his "diploma" for completing Pre-K. A year ago, we made a very difficult decision to leave the only childcare/daycare home that we had known since Carter was 10 months old. It was decision that weighed heavy on our hearts, primarily because we were leaving many of our best friends and new friends we have just started to become close with. 

But we knew with out a doubt a change was needed and Carter needed to be in a positive and loving environment where he could thrive and focus on learning through fun in these super formative couple of years. We were blessed to find a new home with these four teachers above. Most have their degrees in early childhood development or are in school now to get it. Their passion for teaching, unbelievable patience and ability to tune into each child as an individual teaching to their strengths was what impressed us the most. 

Ericka and Andrea, his two main teachers. Carter definitely melted the heart of Andrea and he could always count on her to pat him to sleep each and every day, something he NEVER gets at home... what a treat!

After the four teachers read the Dr. Seuss book, "The Places You Will Go," and they each got up to receive their diplomas, we all had ice cream sundaes to celebrate. Here, Carter is with Robby and Aaron.

We love you our special little man!

Now, we are welcoming the world of summer camps in anticipation of Kindergarten to begin August 27, 2012!

First Lobster (Both Pet & Dinner)!

Lolli & Pops invited us over for a Seafood dinner.

While we steamed the mussels, we played with the four lobsters from Maine.

Addie couldn't get enough of these little things and before we knew it, had 25+ empty shells in front of her.

I was so proud of my baby girl.

I was so proud of Carter too!

More fun with the lobsters... the old rule of "no playing with food," was void that night!

He even helped cook our crab cakes, which Addie "tore-up!" (One of her newer favorite sayings!)

Waiting patiently for 8 minutes...

To enjoy the sweetest, most perfect tasting Lobster, ever! They loved every single bite. We were so proud of them and how they embraced everything.

First Ferris Wheel!

We told the kids, they could choose one ride to do and surprisingly, they were both up for the FERRIS WHEEL!

We waited patiently in line doubting our decision to ride with the gusting winds that had just blown in. But there was no going back now...

 We couldn't ask for a better first experience. Addie's face said it all!

 Carter was just as excited taking it all in.

Mission Accomplished!!!

 With a short turn around, it was time to grab the older crowd and head back out to the rodeo to see Daughtry.

Carter's Milestones - 2011 (4 years old)

Carter's 2011 Milestones

At 4.5 years, started playing in Under 7 Soccer League at school with all five, six & seven year olds. Scored the very first goal of the season for his team in GAME 2 (Blake coaching) - 4 yrs. & 9 months



He wrote and spelled ALL by himself - COW, CAT, MOM & other words - 4 years & 8 months


Started new school with Ms. Erika, Ms. Andrea and Ms. Lindsey.... doing so well, coming home every day telling me cool things he is learnind and experiences he is having. - (May 2011 - 4.5 yrs)


He is very interested in addition. He is constantly asking what 7 + 5 is as an example. Ordered some Kindergarden workbooks to start using with him at home - 4 yrs 4 mo


LEARNING: I am really focusing on phonics with Carter. He confidently knows all 26 sounds of the letters when he visually sees a letter - 4 yrs & 4 mo


Exploring new school for Carter for Pre-K, researching Montessori as possible option - 4 yrs 3 monhts


STAGE: In the last 2 weeks, he has started really testing us and becoming more aggressive with his arms swinging them all around. He is not listening as well as he usually does. It seems like we are constantly having to discipline him by sending him to his room, take away his favorite toys or send him to bed early. Don't know what is going on but noticing it at school, with Addie, us and even with sweet neighborhood friends like Barrett last Friday. Really trying to figure out what we need to do to get over this stage as quickly as possible. - 4 yrs & 3 months


First visit to Magik Theater to see "If You Give A Pig A Party," with mommy, Aunt Julie, Uncle Sean, M&M. He absolutely LOVED it and it was SO MUCH fun! - Just over 4 years


STAGE: Just over 4 years and LOVES to spend 45 minutes at night "talking about his day." He asks all kinds of amazing questions and looks forward to it every night.


MEDICAL:Rubbing ears during dinner last night, mentioned throat hurt. Woke up with 102 temp, took right into ped to find POSITIVE STREP test (2nd one, 1st in Dec '10.) Doctor said he is at most common age for it & and usually peaks at 5 and 6 yrs old. First time he has acted pitifully sick. Just wants to climb in his own bed and sleep. So sad. Started 10 days OMNICEF. - 4 years & 2 mo


VERY SENSITIVE STAGE - Right at 4 years old. Busts out crying if I gently kneel down next to him tonight and said I was disappointed in he and Addie when they didn't listen when asked them to get out of the office (seconds before part of the glass computer desk fell and shattered into a million pieces!) (Also busted out crying today when his teachers told me he had 2 time outs at school for not listening and I told him that he couldn't eat his marshmellow snowman?!?!?" - 4 years EXACTLY (Dec 18, 2010) 

First Trip To The CIRCUS!!!