Brock/Mommy Date September 2018

Brock's first "Day Off" from school was scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th... Hurricane Florence kind of spoiled it because I felt I had plenty of time with Brock over that long weekend... but nevertheless, we had scheduled a day together and I'm so very glad we did.

I told Brock we could do anything he wanted to do and gave him several choices - Roller Skating, Hiking, Playground, Star Museum (Planetarium), the Zoo, etc.... and he chose hiking! Hmm... I didn't think hiking at Umstead State park would have been that fun with everything flooded, so I decided to traverse to Durham to visit the Duke Gardens.

It was just big enough with just enough winding paths, Brock loved it!

This was my favorite.... the white garden!

Our trek took us around the lake and on the "zig-zag bridge." Ahh... see, this is when I wish I had a good camera (and knew how to use it)!

I thoroughly enjoyed just watching him enjoy everything! And boy did he tell me what he thought about everything! He's so different away from his little brother - very calm and talkative!

After winding around the lake, we headed to the Japanese Garden area. 

At the tea house, he told me he knew what the sign said: No cheeseburgers or drink, no dogs, and no steam. He's so cute.

So. Much. Energy.

This is the "Historic Garden" section. Super old, very large trees that have been there for years.

My photographer-in-training!

 
Brock asked me for a coin to throw in the fountain - good thing he caught himself after that release!!

What a nice "hike". (Nice east coast style - flat terrain!) Glad we went early in the morning!

After our hike, I took Brock to Kanki for lunch... he liked the "show", but wasn't a fan of interacting with our chef. Anxiety is a tough thing to overcome - he's making progress.

Then, we got to stop in at my favorite middle school counselor's home for a quick play-date (since she was out of school for the day too!) and Brock played with her son before it was time to pick up Kade from school. What a special day off!!

Brock is a Kindergartner!!

Brock's staggered day in to Kindergarten was Monday, August 27th! He was thrilled, to say the least! Two weeks before school started, he decided he would conquer tying laced shoes - he had it down in 2 days! Bag was packed, lunch was made, water bottle filled, and shoes were tied - he was ready!



When Brent picked him up that day, he talked nonstop about how much fun he had and all the cool things perks of his new and bigger school. His favorite - nap time was 20 minutes long instead of two hours! He was also mouth-open amazed at how big the gym was!)

We had to wait all the way until Friday to find out who his teacher would be!!

Brock showed me all around the school on "Meet the Teacher" day - the gym, the media center, the huge cafeteria! I guess he was impressed by the tour he had on staggered day!

Didn't feel like posing with so many kids walking around

 Showing off his lunchroom!

Finally, the first official day of Kindergarten - with his teacher and all his classmates (18 total in Brock's class.... at least to start the year!!)

He found his cubby!

And then he was off! Gave me a little wave and he walked over to a center all by himself! Brock said one of his favorite things to do in the morning is walk all the way to his class by himself after Brent drops him off in the carpool lane - I'm sure he feels like a big boy now!

Ahh.... but he's still my little boy too! REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU SAY BRENT! :P

And two pictures of their new Incredibles/Dash outfit I picked up at Costco! We'll see if they want to match for Halloween!

Maddox's First Birthday!

https://www.facebook.com/kathrynhastingsphotography/

Somebody turned one!!! My little nephew, Maddox, is now a one-year old and a super cute one at that! Brian and Nancy had a wonderful birthday party to celebrate the weekend after!

Little man was so happy to see Aunt Carol and Uncle Jeff!

While putting Brock to sleep the night before at Brian's home, Brock asked who would be coming to Maddox's birthday party the following day. I told him his Great-Aunt and Great-Uncle... and when he looked like he was a little bit puzzled, I mentioned "Do you remember Uncle Jeff? You put stickers all over his face at the last party!" Brock thought for a second, then BIG smile and asked wholeheartedly, "Do you think he still has them on his face??" After texting that story to our Charlotte relatives, they made sure to bring more stickers to the party! (They certainly know how to ease Brock's anxiousness!)

Look at that smile!!

Oh what fun!!!!

Time for cake!

A little unsure of what he's supposed to do with it!

Tastes good, but why are all these people staring at me!

Checking out the BIG cake!

Meanwhile, outside the kids were having a blast on the rented bounce house and Aunt Beverly's cool water-spray octopus gift (Maddox will love it when he's old enough!)

Brock made a buddy!

Unfortunately, the best picture was a blurry one.... now Brian and Nancy will see it's a bit harder to get a good picture of him sitting there - he's ALWAYS on the move - especially now he's taking steps!! (except if you're a professional photographer!)

And, speaking of which, I have to share some photos from Maddox's One-Year photo shoot because they are just THAT amazing. Shoutout to Katie at Kathryn Hastings Photography - it's Nancy's cousin too!!

 

Happy Birthday Maddox!!