New Beginnings

Yesterday was a big day!  Both Cohen and Henry started at new schools.  We have been looking forward to this day since we sadly left Myers Park Baptist in Charlotte.  Cohen has been missing school so badly.  I have caught him staring at his old class picture about once a week.  He asks me, "Do my friends miss me?"  It would break my heart every time he asked because I know he misses his friends in Charlotte...and they miss him too.  So, I could hardly contain my excitement for Cohen as we walked into his new school, Community Presbyterian Church.

Here are my boys outside the school.  Cohen walked into his classroom like an old pro!  He had a fantastic day and is excited about going back tomorrow!

As for my little Henry, I hadn't planned to send him to preschool until next fall.  Then I thought about it more and realized that this guy has been ready to go to school for a while.  Earlier this year, he would cry every time we dropped Cohen off at school - he never wanted to leave!  So, as soon as we moved to Jacksonville, I quickly called Beaches United Methodist, and I snatched the last spot in the Older One's class for Henry. 

My little boy is growing-up so quickly.  I know he was excited walking into his school and his classroom yesterday.  As we waited for the teachers to open the classroom door, Henry went right up, knocked on the door and jiggled the doorknob.  He was the first one to walk right in and not blink an eye as he turned around to say goodbye.  So proud.

We are looking forward to a memorable school year, filled with fun and new friends!

Last Week

Quick catch-up in pictures!

We frequent The Corner a lot, and the boys love climbing on the sea turtle and jaguar.

Cohen went to the dentist for the first time last week.  I couldn't have been prouder of my little man.  He did such a great job taking x-rays and having his teeth cleaned.

The boys' hair was getting pretty long, so I tried out a pony tail on them.  Here's Henry's - he thought it was hilarious.  Cohen ripped his out immediately.

Henry is literally attached to my hip most of the time we play on the beach.  I was trying to relax, but little nugget climbed right on top of me to get close.  Love him!

Cohen has been refining his golf game!  He loves playing with Dad and his granddads!

Nap time has become a battle in our house for Cohen.  Most days, he's tired, and I know he needs to nap, but he is stubborn and just wants to play.  The other day, we curled up together in my bed, and he fell asleep within a few minutes.

Pirates have become quite the "thing" in our house.  The other day, Cohen came out of his room with a "pirate hat" on and his "hook hand."  He ran around yelling, "AAARRR!"

 It didn't take long for little brother to follow his every move.

 Dinosaur Henry

To say that Cohen loves Angry Birds is an understatement.  He got a t-shirt for being a good listener last week, and he wears it any chance he gets.  Cohen asked me to take a picture of him in his Angry Birds shirt the other night.

In Stitches

These boys continue to keep us in stitches.  They are hilarious.  Both really love playing games on our phones.  Every now and then, they'll take pictures, and we'll get something like the one below.

 

I love Hen's eyelashes!

With two boys, we hardly sit still.  We are always thinking up new adventures.  Friday, the boys and I met Clay, Sam and Caroline Tousey at the zoo.  It was hot, but the four kids loved racing around the zoo and looking at the animals.  

The spray park was a great place to cool off.  Henry went up to every water spout and put his mouth and face over it like a dog on a hose.  Hilarious.

It was all fun and games until Cohen fell and busted his chin on the giant cement whale.  

After a quick stop by the Italian Ice stand and a trip through the zoo gift shop, we headed back to the beach to get stitches.  Poor Cohen.  Only three and he's had stitches twice.  He is the toughest little guy!  The stitches didn't slow my boys down over the weekend.  They rode the ferry to Little Talbot Island Saturday morning.

Saturday evening, they headed out to Mayport to watch the fishing boats unload their catches from the day.

We're enjoying our last week before school starts!

Love

I want to freeze time right now.  I am loving the sweet dynamic between our boys at 23 months and 3 1/2.  And I can't even get into the fact that Henny is turning two next month.  The thought of my youngest "baby" growing up any more makes me want to cry.  But back to the brotherly love.  Cohen is an amazing big brother, and Henry follows him around and mimics everything Cohen does.  The sound of the two of them laughing, as their feet run across our hardwood floors together, is the best.  Henry wants to do everything with Cohen.  He still can't say his big brother's name, but he constantly points to Cohen and screams, "Ooohhh!" to get his attention.  

Henry thinks Cohen is hilarious, and he is always asking Cohen to make him laugh (a game Papa taught him).  Cohen jumps around and makes funny faces while Henry squeals and laughs at his brother.

 

Every time Henry sees this picture of Cohen, he laughs out loud!  

I have to admit, Cohen cracks me up too.  He is hilarious.  If he forgets to do something we ask, he usually responds, "Oh, silly me!"  

The other night, we were trying to put the boys to bed, and they were running around together (holding hands), trying to avoid the inevitable.  I hear Cohen say to Henry, "Quick Henry!  Hide under here!"  I love the way they look out for each other.

Henry is really into praying right now.  He wants to say the blessing multiple times during breakfast, lunch and dinner.  At night and before his naps, he squeezes his eyes closed and clasps his hands tightly (fingers intertwined) while we pray.  It is so sweet hearing him go through all of our family members' names.

I could watch these boys play together all day long!  Cohen - "I love my brother."

They are so lucky to have each other.  And we are so lucky they are ours!  When I tell Cohen I love him, he usually replies, "Love you more."  I follow-up with, "I love you most."