2 wheels

A couple weeks ago I went on a bike ride with the kids. Ashleigh says "mom, watch Preston ride, he doesn't use his training wheels anymore!"

It was true! he didn't use his training wheels at all except when they would scrape the ground when he'd turn.

Nick and I had been thinking about taking his training wheels off for a number of months, but never really thought it was a good idea.

I told Preston that we was riding on 2-wheels the whole time and he was just as shocked as I was.

Last week before Nick left for work he took the training wheels off.

Preston got on his bike. Nick held the back of the seat to help him, like dad's do when they're teaching their kids to ride 2-wheel bikes...

Preston started to go and immediately said "Dad, let go!"

Nick--"Are you sure?"

Preston--"Yes, let go"

Nick--"Really? you're ok?"

Preston--"YES"

By now, Preston had stopped riding...waiting for his daddy to NOT help. It was so funny...

Nick backed off, Preston got on, and away he went! He rode down our driveway, around the cul-de-sac, and back up again...over and over and over. He was having so much fun and you could see on his face that he felt like he had way more freedom now. We were both beaming. So proud. :-)

Soccer....

After watching Nick's cousin Jessie and then Ashleigh's cousin Bridget play soccer, Ashleigh decided she was done with gymnastics, so I called Salmon Creek Indoor Soccer and asked about their classes. I actually thought it would be good for both kids, but after seeing how Preston refused to participate for the entire trial class, I decided it wouldn't be worth my money to put him in classes. Ashleigh, however, absolutely loved playing and says she can't wait for Thursday's so she can go play soccer again! :-) here are a few videos...

My kiddos

Ashleigh loves that she doesn't have to wear a uniform to school anymore. She's definitely pushed the limits on her style choices...sweats with a feminine tutu top, for example. This outfit was one of my more favorite outfits.

2 days after his birthday, Preston finally decided to try his ice cream cake. He ate the ice cream and left the cake.


Nick surprised us all and came home early from work. It was a really really great surprise.

Preston got a sticker and put it on his nipple.....

See... Strange kid.

Preston came running inside from playing and said "mom, I have to tell you something..." then he made this face and just froze. Seriously froze for over a minute. I finally grabbed my camera and took a picture. Then he laughed and ran off to play again. I love this kid!

When I came downstairs to get ready to leave for work and Preston had decided to make a bed on the floor and finish off the bag of circus animal cookies...nice breakfast.

I went over to visit my wonderful BFF Vanessa. Isn't she cute??!?! (blurry phone pic...sorry)

I got a cute pic of me and Liliana (Vanessa's daughter).

I got to watch Bridget, Avery, and Finley. I love how good they play together. I kept a close eye on Finley cause she likes to get in to pretty much everything. Distraction is key with her. I found one of Ashleigh's old lip gloss and Finley and I spent about 30 min playing with it. Amazing. She was SO cute and I really felt like she loved spending time with me. She'd also go over to Nick and say "dude" to get his attention. It was seriously so cute!!!



My adorable Preston posing with his water bottle. Lol. Man, I need to take more pictures of Ashleigh. :-)

I asked Nick if he'd get a couple slices of cheese...he came back with this!

What a wonderful husband I have!! I'm so lucky.

Cheese words. Now THAT is love! :-)

Birthday Boy

Wednesday, September 14th, was Preston's 5th birthday! :-) My little baby is growing up so fast and I hate it! I want him to stay small forever...so I can carry him and hold him and snuggle him and kiss him. He's my little baby....but he's not as much anymore. He's getting so big and so grown up. dang it.

Anyway, so after I tucked the kids in the night before, I waited a bit to make sure they fell asleep and then I started wrapping Preston's birthday presents. I made this "Happy Birthday Preston" sign. I blew up a bunch of balloons and put them in Preston's room. I also hung up about 20+ freight train picture/posters in his wall in his room as well so when he woke up in the morning he was surrounded by trains and balloons. (which he loved!)

Preston and I took Ashleigh to school then we picked up daddy at home and took him to a doctor appointment.

For lunch Preston got to have McDonalds, which is a rare treat for him. Then we went to Felida Moorage to watch trains. We arrived just as one was zooming by. We only waited about 20 min before another one came by. It was awesome to watch and we even got a flattened penny. :-)

When Ashleigh got home from school she and I hid Preston's gifts and then we let him hunt for them.

His request for gifts this year was Angry Birds and the movie Rio. So, that's what he got, plus some clothes and money from Gma/Gpa Call and Quinn, and a gift card from Gma/Gpa Ballard. (We're planning on taking P to spend his $$ and gift card tomorrow)

:-)

LOVE this boys smile!!!

(his finished train)

We got Ash a craft to do along with Prestons

The gift he wanted most of all!

We also got a pinata...Preston chose the motorcycle. Nick held it for the kids and they both took whacks at it.

We got a mini train ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins...I love that P says his wish out loud! :-)

The night before...

On Tuesday (sept 13) it was the night before Preston's birthday. Nick was at work so I got the kids ready for bed. We read stories and then we talked a bit about Preston turning 5 the next day. All of the sudden he burst in to tears and said he was so sad. He didn't want to turn 5 and get bigger, he wanted to stay 4 and small forever. It was so sad and sweet. I comforted him for a bit while Ash snapped some pictures and then Preston took a couple of pictures of me and Ash and then some other random pictures. :-) It ended up being a nice/fun night with my amazing kids.