Celebrating 5 Years...

An update on the Carlson Crew:

The most notable event of the last couple weeks was Connor turning 5 on June 13th!! He had a great time celebrating, and we were able to stretch celebrations with friends and family out so he basically ended up celebrating for a week straight. What a lucky guy!

A couple weekends ago, the kids went and spent some time in Baldwin City with Grandpa and Grandma Lori. The highlights of the weekend included lots of time playing at various parks and a trip to see Thomas the Tank Engine at the Baldwin Railroad. Grandpa and Lori then took us all out for dinner at T-Rex out at the Legends in celebration of our little man's special day. Connor LOVES the T-Rex restaurant, and it was fun to walk around the Legends shopping area on a beautiful summer evening. The kids spent quite a bit of time playing in the fountains in the middle of all the stores, and it was really fun for Brandon and I to sit back and watch them. I think those are some of the most fulfilling moments as parents--getting to sit back and observe your children having fun at something. This is fulfilling for two reasons: 1.) If you're sitting back watching them, this means you've made it to the point where you don't have to hover over all them all the time out of fear that they're going to hurt themselves or destroy something, and 2.) Watching children when they are absorbed in something else brings such joy--the smiles on their faces when the water sprays them, their laughter as they play nicely with each other...bliss.

Last Saturday, some of Connor's friends and family gathered together at Chuck E. Cheese for Connor's official birthday party. He had a great time seeing his friends and playing all the games. It was sensory overload for the grown-ups, but the kids really enjoyed themselves. :)

Brandon and I have spent some time reflecting on the last five years...remembering bringing Connor home from the hospital and then celebrating Brandon's first Father's Day the very next day, watching Connor learn how to navigate the world around him...first days of school....we feel so blessed to have such a special boy in our lives. He has changed so much in the last six months....he is learning new words, recalls information that we've taught him (when we weren't even sure he was listening), and he continues to relate well to other children. He is becoming more independent and has grown 3 inches and gained 5 pounds in the last year. He is a sponge for knowledge and has picked up his Daddy's interest in cars. We've outgrown Bob the Builder and are now onto "bigger boy toys". He loves to ride his bike (a birthday present from Mommy, Daddy, and Kylee) and pedal his new scooter. It is so fun to watch him!

Grandpa and Grandma Carlson came to help us celebrate, so it was fun to have both of them here, too. Grandma stayed for a few days after the party to help around the house while I was busy with work. I am trying to wrap up my Assessment course and am also doing a clinical rotation this week, so I was especially grateful for the help. We were able to take the kids to the wading pool in North Kansas City yesterday, so here are some pics of our first trip there! Connor and Kylee both loved it, so I'm sure that we'll be going back over and over again.

You know, I love my job, but I have to tell you that these last several weeks have taught me that I really enjoy being home, too. I think we all have those days as mothers when we think "Boy, I can't wait until I can get away from these crazy kids!", and while I am grateful for my career, I have noticed that it hurts my heart to be away from home day after day. I am so THANKFUL that my job enables me to keep my foot in the door professionally while still being at home a great deal, and I am THANKFUL that months like this one has been are rare for me. I love being with my children...and sometimes, it's nice to be reminded of that. Being a mother is truly my highest calling and Connor and Kylee are part of the core of my being. Now, don't get me wrong, I still enjoy some good quality "me time", but I treasure each moment with my little ones at home and am grateful that God has enabled me to share in those moments that pass so quickly. I am thankful that my husband works hard and supports me in my desire to be here with our children...I am ready for work to wrap up so that summer can officially begin here at our house!!

With that being said, I must go and finish some grading. :)