Chuck-E-Cheese Birthday Party...Check!

Jace has been wanting to do his birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese for several years now, what kid doesn't, right? So we decided that this would be a good year to do it. It was really fun, even for the grown-ups, and the best part of all - No clean-up afterwards!
As pumped as Jace was going into the whole thing, I was somewhat surprised that he was slightly scared of Chuck-E. He was willing to give him a high 5, but was having nothing to do with hugging him or sitting by him for pictures. Funny kid :)

Birthday Boy!


Woody and Buzz Lightyear Cake


Good Cake!



Jace playing the Air Drums :)


Birthday Medal


Camera Hog!


Me and my kiddos!


It was a really great day, and I wouldn't be surprised if we end up doing it again another year. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Staley and Grandma Kris, Kevin and Uncle Austin for making the trip to be there with us. We love you guys!

GOOOOAAALLL!!!

Jace had his first soccer game today and he was awesome! I was a little worried because he played 2 years ago and it didn't go well (there was a lot of crying during every game and not much soccer being played). Two years makes a WORLD of difference. He's now the oldest on his team instead of the youngest, and he understands the concept of the game - score! :)

He scored 7 goals - here's one of them...



I could not be more proud. He tried SO hard and had such a good attitude, even when he would fall down or get tripped, he would just jump back up and keep going. I can't wait until next week!

Where are we going?: PRE-SCHOOL!

Much to Paityn's delight, the day FINALLY arrived. Jace started school two weeks ago and Paityn has been asking every day since when she gets to go to her school. Having new school clothes and shoes and not being able to wear them is almost too much for the poor girl to handle :)

She was so excited that she couldn't go to sleep last night. She even got to get a new backpack to put all of her school work in, and of course she chose Dora (thus the title of this post just in case you didn't get it).

P.S. The spots on her dress are water from brushing her teeth and I didn't have time to let it dry before we had to leave. It's always something with this girl, she is seriously testing her mother's perfectionist character issue. I'm just glad it doesn't bother her as much as it does me ;)

Hat Day

Once a month at Jace's school they have what they call "East Rocks! Day". This time the theme was "hat day", so Jace chose to wear his cowboy hat. I knew it wasn't going to be a good morning when he threw a fit over the shirt I told him to wear, but it looked really cute with his hat and I thought he NEEDED to wear it. Anyway, he looked so cute that I had to get a picture, but he was NOT in the mood. Here's what I got...it's a good thing we were going to be late for school or he probably would have endured some form of punishment for his "delightful" attitude. :)

Jace's Big Day

Today was my little man's first day of school - the big "K". I thought I was ready for it and had no problems at the orientation yesterday, but today when he ran across the playground to get in line with his class all by himself, it did pull my heart strings just a little. He looked so grown up in his new school clothes and he acted like he'd been doing the school thing for years. I am so proud of him.

Jace hates to have his picture taken so I had to force him to stand for a minute so I could take one. Then I had to make him laugh because he won't smile and his fake smile is so silly. Here's what I got...




In the car on the way to school...



Walking with all of his classmates at the end of the day. If you can't tell which one he is, look for the giant...




He said he had a good day and even got to sit by a "pretty girl". Way to go buddy, we love you!