Nairi's first Nutcracker viewing

 We have been taking Keira to see the Nutcracker every year since she was 3 or 4 years old. We started out watching the local production and last year watched the Boston Ballet's version. This year Nairi was deemed old enough to go and we headed back to Boston. She loved it and asked me questions every 2 seconds about what was going on and the costumes and the lights and the fake snow. She was very cute.

 The Boston Opera house is super close to Boston Common so we headed to the park for a bit afterwards to check out the playground and watch the ice skaters and see some of the sights and sounds of the city. There is always something so fascinating about a big city like Boston or New York when  its not your day to day view.

The newest reader in the house

 I am a big reader myself and Keira loves to read so I am excited to see the world of reading open up to him.

2 year old coloring

He is crazy good at coloring! He does it with precision just like puzzles. He is funny because his fine motor skills seem better than his gross motor skills. Outside he falls alot, isn't that good at climbing and refuses to pedal a bike. Funny kid!

35 weeks with #5

 This is what 35 weeks looks like when you are on baby number 5. I got my first " Is it twins comment on Sunday"

Most of the baby stuff is ready. Diapers have been purchased, changing table has been set up, teeny tiny pink clothes have been washed and put into drawers.  All that is left its the last min stuff like installing the carseat and setting up the crib and swing and bouncy seat. We are all hoping for a Dec baby but seeing that I am due Jan 5th its more likely we will get a Jan baby.

Christmas Decorations 2015

The advent wreath is on the table, the chocolate calendars have been started. Christmas lists sent to Santa.

Nesting Nesting Nesting

No pregnancy is complete without some house projects. This is the "old" dining room that we are turning into a mini adult living room.  ( I say adult because we also  have the family room which is much bigger and a great room but its also full of toys) We redid this room when we moved in ( so 4 years ago) but we figured we would go with a new color and some new furniture. Brown is the old color

New color. There will be more pictures when we get the room finished ( furniture, accessories etc.)

Some big expensive projects to cross off our list

Mike is off medical back rest but these were projects we were going to hire out anyways. Not something he can do by himself and too time consuming.

 Windows!!! We had some rotting ones from before we moved in. We hired someone to replace the 10 windows in the front.  They new ones are great. So clean and clear and easy to open and close and should be alot more efficient.

 And the most expensive project to date. A new roof. The roof was original to the house ( 1992) so it was time to be replaced.

 ^^^^ these 3 pictures are before and the ones below are after. Doesn't look much different except old shingles were gray and new ones are black or charcoal colored.

Halloween 2015

 Israel as Darth Maul ( Star Wars)

 Samuel as Olaf, Nairi as a Dragon/ Monster and Keira as Laura Ingalls from the Little House on the Prairie books

Jack of Lantern

Oct 18th first snow

 It was only a flurry but it was enough to cause excitement. It "snowed" for about 5 min and then everyone insisted on going outside to play in the falling snow even though it was just a flurry.

We also had out first fire of the season because brrrr 30 and 40's feel so cold when its been 70/80/90 since May/June.

Its a wrap on the soccer season

They were so excited to receive their first ever trophies.

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers- Anne Shirley

 Its fast and fleeting so we are doing our best to soak up as much outdoor time as we can before the cold settles in.

Dear Israel as you turn 6

 You were our first son. Its been a big year for you. Starting Kindergarten and playing soccer for the first time. You are so full of love of life right now and its great to watch. You go go go all day long and then crash at bedtime ( usually after yelling at daddy and I that its so unfair you have to go to bed and why do you ALWAYS have to go to bed???) You love Legos, Ninjago and Star wars. You wanted a Ninjago birthday but we couldn't find all the stuff to go with that theme so we did Ninjago cupcakes and then Star Wars decorations. Soccer would be your other love right now. You get ready quickly for school in the am's and head out to the driveway to play soccer while you wait for your ride to school in the am's. You were also introduced this year to computer games and like to play Star Wars games on the Ipad when I let you.  You had your first mohawk haircut this summer and although I made you shave it off before school started you tell me all the time that there are kids at school with mohawks and you want yours back. There are also boys at school with earrings and can you have an earring??? ( The answer is no by the way)  You still love mowers, watching the landscapers and big trucks.  You and Keira fight like crazy but you get along pretty well with Nairi and Samuel. You enjoyed going camping with daddy this year in June and didn't really enjoy VBS. You are hoping to do soccer camp this  summer. You remain our skinniest little chicken at just 36 lbs at 6 years old.    We love watching you grow up!

 His reaction to seeing his Kylo Ren costume.

 Where are my presents??? :(

 Lots of chili

 cornbread

Its October! An update on all things

  I'm 26 weeks with baby girl. No closer to a name of course. Third trimester here we come. Looking forward to the END! In the meantime we are enjoying fall and cooling weather ( thank you GOD!)

 The school routine is down pat. Israel spends his days whining about all the safety rules of school and drawing endless pictures of Star Wars and counting down the days till his birthday and the release of the new Star Wars movie. Ohh and learning his ABC's although he tells me he " Already knows all this stuff Mom!"
Week 3 Kindergarten report courtesy of the resident 5 year old ( as heard in the car on the way home from school)
How was school Israel?
" Safety safety safety. Thats all we talk about. We have to do everything safely. Walk safely, put our shoes on safely, get a drink safely. We even have to play Duck Duck Goose safely. We can't even run! We aren't allowed to talk about weapons. We aren't to even think about going on the play structure if its wet because thats not safe. We can't jump on anything. Its the safest school EVER mom!!! Except when there is a fire alarm. Then we have to walk safely, shouldn't you run if there is a fire? Why would you walk? Safety safety safety. We talk about it all day long!"
Tell me something you learned this week Israel.
" Safety mom, thats all we learn and all we talk about. I like home better where we don't have to be safe and we don't have all those dumb rules. Too many rules mom!!"
‪#‎kindergartenproblems‬

Keira is doing good in third grade and other than the usual struggle to focus on homework she is doing good.

Yay for fresh apples and homemade applesauce. These two keep me company while the other two are at school.
Mike has 2 more weeks of spinal precautions and he is good to go. He is back at work but working modified hours till he is fully cleared. I'm looking forward to him being able to bend  and lift and move again ( aka empty the dishwasher, pick up the kids, mow the lawn, carry heavy laundry baskets etc). But in all reality his recovery has gone really really well and we are very thankful! Its been nice to have him home more too. Almost 10 years of marriage and I still enjoy his company. We have both been using the step tracker on our phones and counting our steps every day. The goal is 10,000 which is alot for pregnant ole me!
Looking forward to Israel's birthday, Halloween and Thanksgiving/ Christmas and then BABY GIRL!!!