Evan: Nine Months Old

We celebrated Evan's 9mth birthday in Atlanta. Jermaine had a soccer tournament for the weekend so we got to tag along. It was a nice little getaway for us. Here's a few pics of our sweet baby boy ... he's a good little traveler :)

It was crazy hot so while J was on the soccer field, we hung out at the mall and then met up with him after games.

Dinner at Joe's Crab Shack

He's on the move!

My beautiful baby boy

at his 9mth WBV ... he is 15.9lbs / 7kg (5%) and 27.5in / 70cm (25%). He had a big jump in height - was at 5% for height at 6mth check. This all puts him officially on the charts now (no longer preemie charts!) woo hoo!!!

This is our last single digit month ... this year is flying by and I really wish it would slow down. We are having the best time with our baby boy!
~V

Ria Starts KIndergarten

I really can't believe my baby girl is in Kindergarten. For months we've been talking about it and the excitement was building but as the days got closer, the reality of her going to big school and no longer mummy's school was sinking in fast. I would no longer have my little side kick with me. Since she was 15mths old, I have been at home full time with her. We have only spent maybe 6 days apart. She told me I would be very lonely since Evan can't talk! I'm not gonna lie. I was a hot mess the night before. I was excited for her but sad at the same time. I knew she would do well. She was so ready but gosh, it was hard.

We went shopping the week before and she picked out her outfit. We got everything ready the night before

 Tuesday morning Aug 12 ... her first official day was a phase in day (just half her class was there)

 Taking that long walk to her class

This is the moment she knew I was leaving. I could tell she was about to burst into tears (and so was I) so I hugged her and told her I would see her later and walked away before either of us had a chance to!

 All smiles when I picked them up in the afternoon

Wednesday before school, we went to her Kindergarten Boo Hoo breakfast

 Her lead teacher is Mrs. O'Boyle

 and Mrs. Collins is the assistant

after breakfast and pics, it was time to say bye and school was officially in session for our little kindergartner. She is absolutely loving and I couldn't be happier!
~V

School is in: Javan's first day of THIRD grade!

I shared this on Facebook on the eve of Javan's first day of school:

When he wakes in the morning he will officially be a third grader. I really did blink and this happened. He is so excited and me, well I just want to keep him little forever. We had a great chat tonight, I prayed over him then we shared lots of hugs and kisses. And I shed few tears which made him hug me even tighter. Javan is an amazing kid and I know he is destined for great things.

I really do believe he is destined for great things and I know he is going to have an amazing third grade year. He is excited to be in Mr. Simmons class and he has a few friends from his 1st and 2nd grade classes this year.

The first day of school was just 2hrs. When we pulled in this morning all the teachers were holding posters and cheering for the kids as they arrived. How awesome is that! He was excited to meet Nathan in the gym.

When I picked him up he was singing 'Everything is awesome!' He loved Mr. Simmons and he told me 'time really flies when you're having fun!'

I just love this kid! Here's to a great third grade year Javan. Mummy and Daddy are so proud of you and we know you are going to have the best time.
~V

One last summer break hoorah: pool play date

Alisha invited us over to her parents house for a swim play date just before school started. We had the best time hanging out with our buddies.

 Evan and Reid had fun hanging out

 The highlight of the day was this big frog the kids found in the pool

this is one amazing bunch of kiddos

 sweet Ellie just took it easy poolside

 little bff's - Ria, Claire and Bella

~V

Jermaine's MAT Graduation

Well the big day finally arrived .... Jermaine finished an extremely grueling month of classes, a major exam (2 of 3 complete ... one more to finish before July 2015) and had his graduate portfolio approved. It was a very emotional day for us. This degree was such a family effort and we were all excited to celebrate this accomplishment.

Friday night was the Graduate Hooding Ceremony at the Lee Chapel. It was beautiful. Very personal and intimate.

I know these pics are a blur ... really it all happened so quickly and trying to wrangle 3 kids, a camera, stroller, diaper bag and it was insanely hot was no easy feat. So I didnt get the best pics of this service.

After the hooding, a reception for graduate students and their families was held in the chapel courtyard

Evan was asleep when Jermaine went in for the hooding, so when he saw him, he was very curious about his cap!

I am so proud of us .... these past couple of years have been so challenging for us but we are a great team and we did it!

Blake has been a great encourager and support to Jermaine. It meant a lot to have him and Alisha attend the Commissioning services and then celebrate with us at the reception afterwards.

Saturday morning was the Commencement services. I sent J this pic of Evan during the ceremony and told him I was glad he was having a great time with his buddies while I had to entertain the baby and make sure the other two didn't get bored!!!

 And finally his turn came to walk across that stage.

 He adores Dr. Murray so she hugged him before he walked across :)

 and he's done!

 Such an emotional moment for both us. We were on the verge of tears. This is the second time we are going through this with a graduate degree, but this time around it was a lot tougher (a full time job, soccer and coaching, and of cos a pregnancy, Evan's early arrival and NICU stay - the first 3 weeks of Evan's life were blur to J. He was so swamped with school work and finals that he was barely home ... all of this made for an interesting journey to get this degree).

 Dr. Conn's words meant so much to Jermaine. He told him how highly his professors talk of him and he was so proud and happy to see him walk across that stage. Coming from your university president ... yea that's huge!

 our future graduate class of 2028

Becky and Mikeal were able to come Saturday ... Jermaine was thrilled! We have lots of friends in education and Becky is another one. She has been a huge support and help to him too. Thankful for a great bunch of friends.

Graduation was on Saturday and J started back at work on Monday, which gave us no time to celebrate. I think once he finishes he final praxis exam, we will definitely do that.
FYI: MAT is a Masters of Arts in Teaching (his undergrad is in Business and he has a Masters of Divinity) 
~V