Our Last Day with an Awesome Preschooler

Today is Collin's LAST day of preschool!!!!

We now have a Kindergartner!  We have been trying to explain to him that he will now have summer vacation with Mitchell and Mommy (eventually with Mommy....someday soon I hope).  The idea of this many stay home days in a row has brought about many lengthy question/answer sessions.

This will be the FIRST time we have had NO full time daycare since late 2004.  And while the road to caring and appropriate daycare options was sometimes a rocky one early on with Mitchell....we have been blessed with both boys and ALL of Collin's daycare providers/preschool teachers.  So today we salute Keena (Mitchell first babysitter and our first daycare experience ever), and Patty who took care of our never- all-that- little oldest.  For both boys we say a wonderful heartfelt thank you to the amazing Kelly Bellindir who loved both boys so much and was Collin's first home away from home when Mommy went back to work.  To Melody Padgett for her calm, caring and nurturing ways with both boys during their preschool years and to Tami and Yescenia for helping Collin prepare these last few months for his journey to Kindergarten in the fall.  We appreciate all each of you have done for our boys!!!

For his last day of preschool, Collin also "had" to wear a shirt that was "awesome".  Yesterday we had a long debate about the shirt I had out for him to wear because it was not "awesome" according to him.  I talked to him about that fact that he was awesome and therefore every shirt he wears is also awesome....but there was limited buy in to this on his part.  I'm sensing a new approach to the way apparel is picked out for Collin each day in the near future.....however, here is to an AWESOME LAST day of preschool!!!

Machine Pitch

Tonight was Mitchell's first baseball game if the season. This year he is in the machine pitch league and playing for the Giants.

The game was called after two innings due to a thunderstorm, but Mitchell had a great hit and got two outs while playing first base! We couldn't be prouder of our baseball player and his short but outstanding first game of the summer.

Kitten Chronicles....Week 2

Leo is now almost 8 weeks old.

And he has settled in as one of the family, with continued protesting events from Belle (growling and hissing in his presence) but we do think her acceptance has grown slightly.

Collin loves to cuddle him and feel his soft fur. This goes better when he isn't in full spaz mode.

He still is a fan of biting......he just can't seem to help himself.

And when he sleeps, he prefers to be close to one of us or even covered up while close. The past two nights he dived in under the sheets of our bed at night to sleep. Last night he was clear down by our feet sleeping!

Last Days

Mitchell is now a 3rd grader!!!!

This upcoming week is Collin's last 4 days of preschool!!!!

We were able to spend the weekend in Nebraska with a few of our close friends. While the guys worked out at the Croghan Cabin rebuilding their dock, the mom's were in full zone defense with 7 kiddos!

And after spending a weekend being kitten-sat by grandma and grandpa, Leo is back at home....and in full spaz mode.

Collin's a Whole Hand!!!

 Happy 5th Birthday Collin Riley Bunger!

At 4:37p.m. On May 22, 2008 you made our family complete!

The first four weeks of your life were rough, but you handled all those pokes,blood draws, hospital stays and photo therapy with ease.

You had such strength,will and determination from the get-go and we are so proud of you!

And now that you are 5 years old, we know that the best is yet to come for you.

Please,everybody look at me!

Today I'm five years old, you see!

And after this,I won't be four,

Not ever, ever any more!

I won't be three or two or one,

For that was when I'd just begun

Now I'll be five awhile and then,

I'll soon be something else again.

Marie Louise Allen

Kitten Chronicles....the first days

It has been 12 years since there has been a kitten in our house and the first ever experience having a new pet for the boys. Here are a few things we've come to know about Leo since his arrival 72 hours ago:

-He purrs constantly...even when he is eating.

-He follows Mitchell almost everywhere he goes and cries when either of the boys leave.

-He likes to bite toes.

-No need for specialty cat toys when a sock, ribbon or yarn will work for hours on end.

-While he had stopped running head long into the sliding glass door at full speed, he continues to try and play with his own reflection in the glass.

-Collin loves to feel his fur against his cheek.

-If anyone is up in the night, he thinks it should be time to play...even at 2 a.m.

-Belle has allowed Leo to be in her presence for a limited amount of time but is still NOT a fan.

-Leo loves to cuddle and be close!

Party Time

Saturday Collin hosted his first friend birthday party. He was so excited and has been talking about his birthday party with his friends for months!  

He had also decided on a cake months ago. He always knows what he wants, is extremely specific and consistent about his decision. This year it was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the characters Baxtor Stockman & Dogpound .

It was a great party! The weather was perfect and Collin was thrilled to have his friends over to celebrate...even though he is quick to let everyone know his actual birthday isn't until Wednesday this week. ;)