End of an era!

Kyle stopped nursing about 2 weeks ago which officially ends my pregnant/nursing parenting phase.  I've loved this phase immensely.  I've known since I was a tiny girl that I wanted to be a mom and it's definitely met my expectations.  I am thankful to have had the opportunity to bring four new little lives into this world.  I'm such a lucky girl! 

It's so weird to think that such a long awaited/anticipated phase of life is done.  I thought I'd be sad about it, but I'm not.  I thankful to been given the gift of parenthood and eager to see what the "school days" phase brings. 

I'm thankful that my body has been healthy enough to grow and feed four babies.  I am quite happy to get my body back to myself though - after almost 8 solid years of pregnancy and nursing!

Nothing else to add, just wanted to mark the end of this era with a quick note.

Niagara Falls

A couple weeks ago, we took a quick trip up to Niagara Falls.  I had never been there and thought it would be fun to see it during the fall.  It's about an 8-9 hour drive from our house.  We divided the drive on the way there, drove straight through on the way back.

I used to think car trips would be impossible for us since Erik gets so car sick.  But, I figured out how to keep him from getting sick!  You have to keep the car cold.  Really cold!  He needs to be fed before driving and fairly often on the car trip.  Absolutely no reading and I remind him not to stare out the side window.  Watching movies on the in-car screen seems to help him for some reason too.  Plus he takes Meclizine (Bonine).  This works SOOOO much better than Dramamine and it has less side effects!  

Anyway, the kids did great on the drive. 

Niagara Falls was beautiful.  We were only there two days but we crammed in a lot.   We rode the boat up to the falls, took the "behind the water fall" tour, hiked along the level 6 rapids (on a boardwalk). 

The weather was beautiful so we also spent part of a day hiking.  The three little guys went 2-3 miles total (Kyle on Victor's back).  Erik went 5-6 miles total as Victor graciously took the little guys back for a nap so E and I could go a little further. 

On the way back from the hike, Erik convinced me to take him on the Aero Car.  It takes you across the river and back.   It was amazingly smooth and provided very beautiful views!

http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-attractions/whirlpool-aero-car.html

Poor Carson had a bad cough so we headed home a little earlier than scheduled.  We drove through central Pennsylvania on the way home which was extremely beautiful! 

The Little League International headquarters is in Williamsport, PA which we drove through, so we stopped at the World of Little League Museum.  It was a fun way to break up the drive home. 

Erik is Seven!

My first born baby is a big seven year old!

Erik is a sweet boy.  

He has a very kind heart and really watches out for his siblings.

 For example, after AWANA last weekend, Lainey was a little disappointed that she didn't get
nearly as many dollars as Erik.  He very quickly said, "Don't worry Lainey, when we get to shop using our dollars I will make sure to buy you the biggest present."

Erik is a good student.

He really discovered reading over the summer.

I find him up late at night 3-4 nights a week reading.

He read through 3 series of chapter books in the past month or two.

Erik still doesn't love writing - the creative and physical acts of it.

I have also always hated writing, so I think I have to take credit for that one.

He is certainly on grade level but his writing skills are probably 2 grades behind his 

reading skills which can be frustrating for him.

Erik is well behaved at school.  We have never had any behavior issues.

It's a long day and hard to sit still for so long. 

He does it well. 

Erik is very active!

We watch little to no TV/screen time.

Erik would run and play from sun up to sun down if possible.

He loves all physical activity - running, baseball, fishing, kayaking, hiking, soccer, etc.

He has amazing endurance for a kid his age and very easily can hike 5 miles or ride his 

bike for 12-15 miles.  I love this and hope he continues to embrace an active lifestyle throughout his lifetime.  

He has played soccer for the past couple years but switched to baseball this fall.

He LOVES it and often sleeps in his baseball hat.

Erik is stubborn!

Erik is a pretty laid back kid.

He has always been very accepting of last minute changes to 

a plan/schedule.  (I am thankful for that!)

If he doesn't want to do something he is asked to do,

he is not afraid to flat out tell us no or just refuse to do it.

We don't accept that behavior of course, but he isn't afraid to try it.

 He never, ever yells or fusses he just calmly refuses to cooperate.

I find this behavior annoying at times, but generally speaking am 

able to figure out a way to inspire cooperation quickly.

Erik is friendly

Erik seems to pick one or two kids as his best buddies.

James still hasn't been replaced (that may just be impossible) but 

Erik has adjusted well to having his best friend and neighbor move.

Erik greets anyone he knows with a big grin and a wave.

It makes me proud to see him so kind and friendly towards friend and family members.

Erik is a kind, sweet boy.

He is a loyal friend and fierce protector of those he loves.

I love him dearly and am so thankful that he is mine.

Erik likes to give me a toothy smile.

It always looks a little awkward but I kind of love it.

Carson's a school boy!

Sweet little Carson started preschool 5 weeks ago.  He goes just two mornings a week for 2.5 hours.  He LOVES it!  He knows the order of the weekdays and is so very excited to get up and ready on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

He is at the same preschool Erik and Lainey attended.  There is one new teacher, she is great, and one teacher who had both Erik and Lainey as well.  Carson loves every minute of school.  When I pick him up he happily tells me what he did each day, the songs they sang, books the read, who he played with etc.  He is so much chattier than Erik and Lainey ever were.  I love hearing about his day.

Being the third kid, he is very excited to be a big kid.  He packs his own snack for school and is much more efficient than Erik and Lainey are when getting ready in the morning.   He is such a fun little boy!