Moving on up...to Pre-K

Conner's last day of school was Thursday.  It is hard to believe that he is done with preschool.  As I was writing a card to both Mrs. Keating and Mrs. Hughes to thank them for all they had done for Conner, I felt this huge sense of both sadness and gratitude.  When Conner started school in August of 2011, he struggled - so much so that Jason and I thought about pulling him out - maybe he wasn't ready? Maybe it wasn't an "accepting" place (we talked through every excuse in the book!)  We were new this this school thing and didn't know how to handle all of the emotions.  Each and every day, either Mrs. Keating or Mrs. Hughes would send me a very honest email about how Conner's day went.  Sometimes the emails would say "he cried almost the entire day" or "he still won't interact with the other kids" or "he only cried for about 15 minutes today".  Each email always ended the same though, "Kristin, this is normal, especially for a first born.  There are other children going though the same things. I promise you that he will grow out of this soon.  Until then, please let us know what we can do to help."  Each day, when the email would come through, I would get emotional.  Sitting behind my desk - away from Conner, I pictured him crying or worse, being scared or feeling alone.  One day one of my co-workers said, very honestly, "you have to let him grow - trust me, it is good for him"  So I followed her advice and I am forever grateful.  Forever grateful for all of the strong, smart women in my life that teach me how to be a mother (including my own), forever grateful for such an amazing opportunity that we can give Conner by sending him to St. Sue and mostly, forever grateful for two amazing women, Mrs. Keating and Mrs. Hughes who taught my child and loved my child as if he was their own.  Whether it was talking to Conner about hunting deer, four-wheeling or fishing - they did whatever they had to do to make him feel comfortable and loved.  At the same time, they taught him many of the foundations of his education: how to write, how to begin to read, how to spell, how to say his prayers and how to listen.  The most important thing they taught him though was that in life our biggest fears often lead to our greatest accomplishments.  From the picture below (taken the first week of school) you can see Conner's swollen eyes and red cheeks from crying. As the school year progressed, there were no more tears and the smile was never forced; he loved school, loved his friends, loved to learn and mostly couldn't wait to get there to see Mrs. Keating and Mrs. Hughes.  As I put him to bed the night before the last day of school, I told him that Thursday would be his last day.  He looked up at me with those big blue eyes and said, "Mommy, can I please just have 8 more days of school?"  If only I would have known in August what I know now, I would have let him grow sooner.   Lesson learned.

Florida 2012

During the first week of May, the McClellan's visited Destin, Florida for the first time.  We had a great vacation: we fed alligators, went to the local bass pro 187 times, swam in the ocean and the pool, went to a fun park, visited Uncle Bill's air force base, Conner and Daddy caught fish off the pier, played on the beach and visited the Braeger's at Panama City.  It was such a great time. Here is a little snapshot of our vacation - we are looking forward to next May already!

Even trade?

The best movie I have watched this year (which probably came out last year) was The Help.  I loved every minute of that movie.  My favorite part was when the main character told the little girl each and every day "you're strong, you're smart and you're important."  I love that line because those seven little words could change a child's life forever. So, I decided that each night, I would tell the boys before they went to bed that "you're strong, you're smart and you're important."  Well, a few weeks ago, as I was tucking Conner in and after I said the seven words that mean so much to me, he says"Mommy, can I trade important?" I said, "Sure, Conner, what do you want to trade it for?"  He looked at me and said, "Professional Fisherman".  I was really kind of stunned and tried not to laugh and he said, "Mommy, you know, professional fisherman get free boats and that is...IMPORTANT!"  Oh how I love him so!  Here are a few pictures of my strong, smart, professional fisherman!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Drew!

I can't believe that Drew is already two.  Time is flying by!  It seems like just yesterday he wanted to be held all of the time.  Now he is up and about, running around and never wants to sit down.  He is such a sweet little boy (most of the time!).  He loves to play games, fish, check his minnow trap, drive his power-wheel, follow bubby and read.  Right now we are working on colors and his stubbornness is shining through.  We will say Drew what color is this?  He will say Blue.  We will say, no Drew, it is red.  He will scrunch his eye brows and say "No blue".  Me blue!  He is talking more and more every day.  Lets just say, his favorite words were learned from his brother (poop, do-do head, and wild man).

Drew wanted a dinosaur party so we had a dinosaur pinata, a dinosaur dig and a herbivore apple bob.  Each time we have a birthday party for the kids, I am reminded of how blessed we are with our family and friends.  It is so fun to watch all of the kids play together.  Here is Drew's first shot at the pinata (yes, it is a dinosaur, it was on clearance on line - that must be why it turned out to look like Godzilla!)

 Drew was so excited to open his presents!  He got tons of new books, dinosaurs, clothes, a water table, dump trucks and dozers.  He is one lucky little boy to have such giving friends and family! This is my favorite picture of Drew.  Each and every time I look at it, I smile! He was SO excited!

 His "mean" dinosaur cake!

 Uncle Whilly and Drew

 Dinosaur Dig

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DREW BOO!

Super Indy - Superbowl XLVI

I loved working downtown during the Superbowl.  After the first of the year, I think everyone driving in every day was a little nervous to see how everything would work out.  However, after it was all over, I think it is safe to say that most of us would love it if Indy hosted the Super Bowl every year! It was amazing to be in the center of it all and to feel all of the excitement.  It was also a great experience to be able to watch it all come together: the crane's raising the XLVI concrete numbers, the pictures going up on the JW and every where else around the city, seeing the crowds start to get larger; and most of all being told every where you went to "have a Super day" "thanks for visiting our "Super city".   Being from Indianapolis, I don't think I have ever been more proud of the city or her people.  It was amazing.  Jason brought the boys down the Wednesday before the Super Bowl. To say that downtown was crowded that night does not fully describe how many people were there.  Needless to say, the boys were overwhelmed and maybe even a little scared - as you can tell from their faces.

 

We didn't stay downtown too long but I was so thankful that we were able to get these pictures.  We have our fingers crossed that Indy will be hosting again very soon!

Man's Best Friend - Meet Remington

Three weeks ago, we drove down to West Baden to pick up our newest family member.  I will say that A LOT of debate and discussion went into the decision of her arrival! Jason wanted a hunting dog, I didn't want a dog, Drew only wanted Leo (mom and dad's dog) and Conner wanted Clifford (his school classmate that has been to visit us twice) (see below).

We finally all agreed on a brand new miniature dachshund.  Her name is Remington (we all call her Remi) and really, she is precious.  She is a certain breed of dachshund that comes from a hunting blood line.  Over the next year she will be taught to shed hunt.  We have taken her out in the woods to prepare her and it is amazing how she just pounces about and finds EVERY SINGLE deer sign.  The boys love her...very much.  In fact, Conner, during his bed-time prayer last week, told me he loves her more than me and more than Drew but not more than Daddy!  She is still being potty-trained so we shall see how things turn out over the next few months!  Last week, Conner took her out and she came in with a wet head.  After  many questions from Jason, Conner finally admitted (I still don't believe him) that Remi walked under him while he was going to the bathroom.  I think he probably took aim at her - see she is already one of the boys! Here she is!

Here she is napping with Bubby.

And here she is, already trying to hide from Mr. Drew.  The other great part about the weekend is that we stayed in West Baden and the boys were able to swim again.  I think they are ready for the lake this summer!

Christmas 2011

 We had a great Christmas with all of our family and friends.  I can hardly believe how fast the holiday season came and went!  We hope that you and yours had a wonderful Christmas as well!

Conner was very excited this year.  He loved advent season and waiting for Santa to come.  He was so excited that on Christmas morning, that he ran out to the living room before we could get the video camera ready. I think he wanted to see whether he was on the nice list or the naughty list!  Drew was excited - but I think it will be another year before he really understands the season.   For all of us though, there is nothing like the feeling of Christmas morning - the sounds (laughs, new toys, presents unwrapping), the smells (play-doh, new markers, bacon and pancakes) and the joy.

The boys got trucks, hunting toys, games and clothes from Santa.  They both ended up on the nice list...even though it did come down to the wire!

We always spend Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's.  It is always so much fun, so much good food and so much love.  Every year, my family adopts other families in memory of Stephen and my parents do a very special gift for all of us in memory of Stephen.  That is the most important part of our night and really, of the season, for me and my brothers.  I think we wait for that moment more than we ever waited for Santa.  We talk about the families and their reaction to our gifts and the growing need of helping others and we listen to dad, who each year eloquently and passionately talks about Stephen.  So for me, being with my boys and celebrating Stephen's life, are my absolute favorite parts about Christmas. As you can see from the pictures below, we also spend so much time unwrapping...MawMaw loves to shop!

Patrick, Emily and the Boys

The boys styling in their new truck from Mom and Dad!

Brad, Amanda and the boys!

We also celebrated Christmas with Jason's entire family.  It is always so nice to be together and to watch all of the grandkids play together.  It is amazing how they all can look so different but how each of the 6 grandkids have that same McClellan nose!  They all have tons of fun playing together! 

So now, the tree is put away and the house is back in order.  We can't wait for next Christmas!