No More Training Wheels!

Over Labor Day weekend, Josh's dad "Grandpa E" came to stay with us for a few days. We were all excited to see him because it had been since Christmas since he and Eli had seen each other. He got to our house late Friday night and we were able to visit with him for a little bit before Eli had to go to bed. 

The next morning after several cups of coffee and a trip to the donut shop, we decided that since "E" was here it was a great weekend to learn how to ride his bike without training wheels. We tried this back at my parents house during Thanksgiving, but Eli just didn't have the right mindset then. Eli's totally my kid because if his mind is not in the right place and he doesn't think he can do it, then it's just not even going to work out. Same way with me. I'm such a perfectionist and I can remember not doing things when I was little just because I knew I couldn't do them perfectly. Yeah, I know that's all kind of wrong, but that's just the way I am was. 

I told Josh to talk to Eli and to get him excited about learning to ride his bike without training wheels. Josh is very good at talking to Eli and convincing him to try new things. Eli listens to him so well and really tries his best to do it just like Daddy said. It didn't take long and Eli was ready to try. Please ignore the vagabond look my child is sporting in these pictures. Eli dressed himself and I didn't feel the need to tell him that he didn't match. 

Josh explained what Eli needed to do and then they were off. Eli didn't get very far that first time and we realized that he needed something on his hands to prevent them from getting road rash. We came up with the idea of "crash gloves" using his winter gloves from last year. Once he had those, it was on! 

Josh, Grandpa E, and I all ran with/beside him a couple of times and then we all heard, "Let me go! I got this!" Lo and behold, he was right! He was riding his bike by himself without any training wheels. It was such a proud Mommy moment for me right then! I was smiling from ear to ear. I couldn't believe my baby had accomplished such a huge milestone for a little kid :)

His form wasn't exactly "pretty" at first, but he didn't give up. It took awhile for him to find his center.

Once Eli had the basics down and could stay upright on his bike, we decided to go to Wal-Mart and get him a bigger bike. He'd had his Lightning McQueen bike for about three years and his little legs were almost hitting the handlebars every time. We bought the only bike they had in his size and it was perfect. It even said ROCKET on it :) Eli was so proud and couldn't wait to get home to try it out.

Eli, Josh, and Grandpa E continued to work on Eli's form and by the end of the day, he was riding like a champ!

Look at that focus!

The next day was another great day for more bike riding. Eli was MUCH more confident and couldn't wait to go riding on his new bike. We all took turns riding with him around the neighborhood. 

His newfound confidence also made him very brave and he started taking little risks. He found out that he loved going down the hill on our driveway. It was quite the thrill for him!

We took a nice break from bike riding and went to have lunch at our local coffee shop. Eli ate the majority of his food, so Grandpa E bought him the biggest chocolate chip muffin I'd ever seen! Eli was just slightly excited about it :)

Afterwards we came home and did even more bike riding. Eli wanted to ride his bike so much the adults finally started a rotation process. We each took a turn going around the neighborhood with Eli. To say he loved riding his bike would definitely be an understatement!

Eli and Josh

Eli and Grandpa E

I'm so proud of my little guy! He didn't give up and now he can ride his bike like a pro! It was such a fun and exciting weekend to see him accomplish this important milestone! I'm glad that Grandpa E got to be a part of all the fun! I'm looking forward to all the bike rides we'll be taking in the future :)

Sleepyhead

The start of school means early mornings for us and early mornings for us usually mean I can find this little boy still snoozing away in his bed until the last minute. Don't get the wrong idea though. This ONLY happens during the school week. On the weekends, he's in my room announcing that it's morning at 6:30 a.m. Which reminds me, I've got to teach this kid about the joys of sleeping in on Saturday... even if it's only til 7:00 a.m. 

First Day of PreK-4

Our summer was long and wonderful but the time had finally come for school to start back up again. All summer long, I had been preparing Eli for this day. He had spent two years with his last teacher, Mrs. Paige, and we all loved her so much, but this year he was going to have a new teacher and a new classroom. Mrs. Paige and Mrs. Jody will always hold a special place in our hearts because they were Eli's first teachers. He learned so much with them and grew so much. He was a baby when he started with them and he left a little boy. I will never regret putting him in school when he was only 2 because it has helped to mold and shape him into the little boy he is today. He is so comfortable with any kind of social situation, he listens to adults and obeys, he follows rules, he handles transitions well, and he makes friends easily. I'm so happy with his school, his teachers, and the friends he's made over the past two years. 

The night before his first day of PreK-4 we read books, his devotional, and said prayers. As I was about to leave the room, Eli said, "Mommy, I'm a little nervous. I don't know if I'll like my new class. What if she doesn't give me as many chances as Mrs. Paige?" I started laughing because for the past two years, Eli has gotten a green dot in his folder every single day. I didn't realize that some of those green dots were because he'd gotten several "chances" :) I assured him that he would do great in Mrs. Rosemary's class and that he had nothing to worry about. The rest of the night went great and when he woke up in the morning, he was excited and ready to go!

Eli woke up, got dressed, and ate a hearty breakfast of eggs, yogurt, and watermelon. Then it was time for a few pictures before we left for school. I had already arranged things with my principal to miss my first morning meeting so I didn't have to rush like on a typical school morning and could take Eli to school on his first day. Thank goodness!

In all these pictures, he looks like such a big boy! He was so happy about his first day of PreK-4!

This was the picture I posted on Instagram that morning. 

My big boy!

We left our house and drove to his school. He got out, put his backpack on, and walked like such a big boy down the sidewalk to his classroom.

After making a stop by Mrs. Paige's old classroom to see Mrs. Paige and Mrs. Jody, we headed next door to his new teacher's classroom. Mrs. Rosemary was there and was so excited to see Eli. I was relieved to know that Rosemary and Paige share a supply closet, so Eli can still see Mrs. Paige and Mrs. Jody during the day. I think that made him feel better, too! A lot of his close friends from Mrs. Paige's class were in Eli's new class, so once he saw them he was great! He walked right in and started playing with the table toys that were out. 

All the preschool teachers chose a different Pete the Cat book for their theme this year. 

Mrs. Rosemary picked Pete the Cat and His Groovy Buttons. 

We snapped one quick picture of all three of us and then Josh and I left our big boy to enjoy the rest of his first day of PreK-4. We knew it was going to be great!

I cannot believe that my little boy is in PreK-4. The school years are flying by so quickly and I'm trying my best to soak up every little moment with him. I love how much he is learning and growing every day. He is such a blessing to my life and I think Josh and I would both agree that we're better people because of this little boy. We love him so much it hurts sometimes and we can't wait to see all the wonderful things that God is going to do in him and through him. We are looking forward to a wonderful year in PreK-4! 

Welcome, Harley Clare!

Our little circle of friends has a brand new baby to love on and she's just perfect! Harley Clare Johnson was born on August 15th to Tammy's daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Will. I was supposed to take pictures of Miss Harley's grand entrance, but she ended up needing a C-Section to get out so I didn't get to take pictures until after I got off work. I went to pick Eli up from school and then we both went to the hospital to meet this little sweetie. 

Sarah, Will, Tammy, Clare, Ben (Sarah's brother), Emily (Ben's wife), and Zue-Zue were all there loving on Miss Harley. She was precious and perfect in every way!

Will and Sarah with their sweet little girl. 

Eli checked out Harley and then made himself comfortable on 

Emily's lap with my phone while I went picture crazy :)

Tammy and Clare with their two girls. 

Tammy and Clare are over the moon about their first grandbaby!

Clare holding his granddaughter who's named after him :)

I took this photo of Clare while he was talking to Harley saying, 

"You know you're loved, right? Because you are. I love you so much!"

Tammy and Clare are going to be the best grandparents to Harley!

Sarah and Harley with Ben and Emily

Mammy with her two babies.

After taking pictures, I finally got my hands on her. She was just precious!

Oh, I miss those sweet baby days. They're so squishy and soft. 

I love all the little baby noises they make :)

The sign I painted for Harley's arrival :)

Welcome to the world, Miss Harley Clare Johnson! I am so glad you are finally here and we can love on you! I can't wait to watch you grow up into a beautiful little girl!