Janie's First Preschool Party - Halloween!

As a parent, one of the most fun parts about the preschool experience is attending these sweet little parties the class holds.  The kiddos, do an activity, sing seasonal songs, and have themed snacks.  We attended these sweet parties during Clara's years at the preschool and now get to experience them again with Janie.  The first party of the season is Halloween. 

The preschoolers went and trick-or-treated around the classroom with help from parents.

 

The class made cute decorations for their snack table and sang the cutest seasonal songs.  Just like with Clara's class the song presentation was hilarious!  As loud as Janie practiced the songs at home, in the car, at bedtime, and dinner time, on walks, etc., when the time came to perform, the entire class barely sang a peep leaving Mrs. Vanessa to lead to shy performers.  It was too cute!  And leaves Janie something to work on this year! 

 

Announcing Gender of "Finch"

 

This pregnancy we had the option to learn the gender of our sweet baby a lot earlier than with Clara & Janie.  One Friday afternoon, I received a call with the test results.  Kevin came home shortly and together we let the it all sink in.  The next day we surprised the Big Sisters-to-be with these special cupcakes!  Still not sure if they were more excited about the yummy cupcakes or the message.

 

 

Later that day, we headed to Chehalis and surprised Grandma & Grandpa Stevens with some cupcakes, too!  Grandma Carol got message via FaceTime from Clara & Janie.

 

 

On Sunday, we went to Grandma & Grandpa Swanson's house to celebrate October birthdays and we let Papa Bob make the announcement via a special photo in his birthday card to the rest of our side of the family.  It made for an exciting celebration! 

 

Grandpa & I had to have our annual birthday photo.  So thankful for each year we get to celebrate together!

 

Exciting News!! A BROTHER is on the way!

Clara & Janie are thrilled to announce that we will be welcoming a baby boy into our family in the early spring.  Adding to our family has something that has been in our hearts for a while but actually making the decision to go for it ended up being one of the toughest but most well thought out decisions of our marriage.  Admittedly, after going for such a long stretch without good sleep from Janie, we felt like we needed a while to rest up and then once we decided to try the road wasn't as easy as it had been with the girls.  Where Scout and Gem are 2 years, 7 months apart, "Finch" as we have decided to call him, follows Janie by 4 and a half years. 

Then recently, learning that we are having a BOY was a big shock, for me especially.  I assumed that we would be having a third girl, while Kevin remained open to the possibility of a son.  Now that it is sinking in, we are extremely excited about the change in our family dynamic.  Janie is over the moon to become a big sister while Clara remains fairly apprehensive remembering all to well how Janie changed her life. We question whether Janie's tune will change once he is here!  Even if there are a few growing pains for our family, the idea that we will have the love of another person to love is ultimately the best long term outcome.