I heart my Family!

Below are some of our wonderful family photographs that were taken by an amazing, fun photographer (and new friend): Vilma Deckena! She was such a blessing to us as she captured our boys' personalities! I hope they make you smile as much as they do me...

Peepa!

The boys and I visited Mema and Peepa for lunch yesterday (Monday, December 14th) since we're on our Christmas break. They had a great time (as usual) and when Peepa had to go back to work, the boys were so sad.... That is, until he drove his forklift over for the boys to see! Peepa let them climb up and cruise around the shop for a few minutes. Landen and Graden couldn't stop smiling and laughing! :) Peepa was just as happy! The boys are lucky to have SIX great-grandparents still... So wonderful!

Family Pictures!

http://www.gemphotographybyvilma.com/blog/2009/11/02/hirsch-family-session-2009/

Check out some of our family pictures! :)

Dad's 50th Surprise Birthday Party!

Our 1st Trip To The Dentist!

Today, Landen and I went to his first dentist appointment. He did great! He made Mommy go first and was sure to get real close to my wide open mouth. Landen watched closely as I was a "good patient". Landen and I went last week to watch Aunt Rachael get her teeth cleaned. A few weeks before that, he got to watch Daddy get his teeth cleaned, too. So, Landen had a good idea of what was going to take place. I was nervous though, I must admit. Landen acts "shy" sometimes around new people (especially if he's nervous himself). He did wonderful though! He smiled for a picture that they hung on a bulletin board and was quite pleased to receive a sticker, new toothbrush and his own toothpaste! He even got to help count his teeth (which he guessed he had 5)... he's got 20! :) All in all, it was a successful first visit! :)

Landen is "growing up big"...

Another week has passed, another memory made...
Landen tells me this week that he's "growing up big". I asked how he knew this. His reply (of course, quite seriously): "because my legs are getting longer, Mom." Quickly, I assured him that I agreed ... He was definitely getting taller, thus "growing up bigger". Apparentely, this is on his mind because he's repeated himself about three times this week... letting me know each time, that he's growing up into a "big kid". Little does he know that I've got conflicting feelings about this as his Mommy. Pretty soon, I'll leave "Mommy" and I'll become "Mom"... Ah, I still remember when I was "Momma". I noticed the transition into "Mommy", but not as much as I'm noticing that he's entering the "Mom" phase. Sure, I'm proud of him! I know he WANTS to grow up, but I most certainly do LOVE this age...

As if that wasn't cute enough, Landen's teacher told me this morning that he LOVES his family! First of all, they compliment me all the time at how good of a helper he is... not just that he enjoys it or asks to help, but that he really is GOOD at it. (Cleaning, especially.) After telling me this, she asked me who "Pawpaw's Boy" was... For those of you who haven't heard this term, it's what Landen calls his Grandpa Basham (my dad). My dad fell in love with Landen the second he laid eyes on him and instantly started saying things like, "Oh, there's Pawpaw's Boy"... The name stuck and before we knew it, Landen was calling himself "Pawpaw's Boy". Now, he also calls my dad that in return. :) So, according to the teacher, yesterday they told him that he was just so good at being a helper and then asked him how he learned to be that way. Landen's (again serious) response was, "Well, I guess I'm just a hard-worker like my Pawpaw's Boy." Seriously? Who says that? :)

That was yesterday... This morning (like I said above) they commented on how much he loves his family. They knew his Aunt Kris (Kristal) was picking him up today... I told his teacher and supposedly, Landen informed the ENTIRE rest of the staff. He was concerned that they wouldn't know where he was though when she got there. When they asked why and assured him they knew who he was, he told his teacher his name was also "Squid" (Aunt Kris's nickname for Landen since he first swam with her in Florida as a 6 month old!)... :) So funny! I can't believe that he thought Kris would walk in asking for Squid Hirsch. :)

Finally, (as if the above isn't enough to make your cheeks hurt from smiling so big) they made "granola" for a snack this week. After the teacher told me about dad yesterday and decided this morning that this kid, Landen, clearly adores his family; she felt the need to tell me what Landen said about granola. When the teacher asked (before they even started making the snack) if anyone knew what granola was, Landen raised his hand and said, "Oh, yes, I do!! My Aunt Kelly LOVES granola! She eats them all the time!" :) True. Aunt Kelly loves granola bars.

The reason why I'm sharing these stories (besides that I love talking about my boys) is because I'm honestly amazed at what my four year old remembers and associates. It's so neat, fun, and exciting to watch his "wheels turn" and to hear what he tells other people. (Good thing he's only telling the good stories for now...) It's funny that he associates my dad to a hard-worker, Aunt Kris to her fun names, and Aunt Kelly to granola! All in all, he OBVIOUSLY associates them all with LOVE! :) He's so proud of each of us... He's constantly telling people that his Daddy "plays" football and teaches kids (and that he's going to play golf with him and Tiger someday), that his Uncle B teaches numbers and "plays" baseball, that his Pawpaw (Kevin) works at the mail store, or that Grandma Pam is his best friend. :) He always asks when he gets to go to "Pawpaw's Boy's house to see that silly Gramaw Weesa" and let's me know when he hasn't seen his Aunt Rachael in awhile! Everyday he comes home and asks "his Grado" how his day was and reminds him that "soon you'll be able to come to school with me, bud"... I just love those two!

GRADEN GRADUATES...

Graden had his last visit from the Speech Therapist on Monday... He was re-evaluated and actually graduated from his sessions! We are thrilled with his progress. He is actually a little ahead for his age now (based on an average of common vocabulary in his age group)...

So, not only did he catch up, he excelled! (That's my boy!) It has been an interesting year for Graden. Oh, who am I kidding?? Graden's life has been interesting from the get-go! :) He's overcome so many obstacles that I honestly believe he has no limit! Graden is going to surprise us all in everything he tackles (maybe literally, you football fans) for the rest of his life... I'm just so proud of my now-talking-non-stop little Grado! He's such a joy to have around! xoxo

Landen is off to SCHOOL!

Landen started his preschool this fall. He's so excited about it! He loves his teachers and new friends. As cliche as it sounds, I just can't believe how fast time has gone... it's so hard to see him off to school. They tell me he is doing wonderful! Apparently, he's quite the helper and social butterfly. Of course, I didn't expect any less; but, I am his Mommy. According to Landen, his favorite things about school: the sandbox, the "other Landon" (with an 'O', not an 'E'... he is sure to tell you), painting, counting, and making your own snacks! It's obvious (based on this answer) that his days are fulled with excitement. I'm so proud of my little man. I made him take at least 15 pictures before we even left. Then (of course) I had to take a few before we entered the school. He was such a good sport and was sure to smile for Mommy as much as he could stand... honestly, it wasn't too difficult, because he was so thrilled to go that his smile was quite natural! The only problem the whole day was the sun in his eyes! :) Ah... soon it'll be time for Graden to join him... I just can't believe my babies are growing up into little boys!

My Birthday Weekend!

Landen, Graden, and Phil took me out to dinner to Takaoka for my birthday. Afterwards, we took a walk over to Headwaters Park. It was wonderful! Landen loved running through the fountain. We were dressed nicely, but that didn't stop Mommy from joining him! What a great time we had...

Is it really August?

... Sure is! The month of July was busy for us. Seems we had playdates, vacations, weddings, showers, new baby arrivals, and other various parties the entire month. It's alright, though! Spending time with others is one of our favorite things to do. Things start to slow down now as we start August. It will be a nice adjustment as we ease our way into our new schedule once school starts. Landen is really looking forward to starting preschool while Mommy is at school, too. Graden will be hanging out with Keely (our awesome friend who happens to live next door!) until November when he can start preschool too. Can you believe that BOTH boys will be at a preschool already? They really do grow up fast! Both boys are doing well... Landen's newest medicines seem to keep his breathing under control and Graden is talking more and more every day!

Just wanted to give a quick update... I'll post more soon when we hear about where Phil will be teaching next year. Keep your fingers crossed that he gets "a call". Hope all is well with each of you!