Hello Friends & Family

Do you remember us?  Catching you up from last April seems daunting which is one of the many reasons I haven't sat down to document our happenings.  After our family vacation in Florida we all stood by my sister's side while her and Marc exchanged the most special wedding vows (which they wrote themselves by the way).

 Our kiddos walking down the aisle on Mia's big day

The Beautiful Bride on her wedding day

Our summer in Chicago was HOT HOT HOT and actually is still going strong in late September.  Mason enjoyed summer camp and trips to the pool on the weekends.  Ava came into her own; adding many words to her vocabulary and a strong love for "brother" wanting to do everything he does.  Her personality is one for the books...she is strong and encompass every aspect of the word physically and mentally.  She is also my little dare devil which has left us with no choice but to put our kitchen chairs on top of our table/counter tops.  Needless to say this season of life keeps me on my toes and my gas tank empty by the end of the day (another reason for the lack of posts). 

Our kids have really grown this summer!  They seem to interact more which is the most heartwarming thing to watch, when they are giving each other kisses or Mason is trying to have full blown conversions with Ava.  One of their very favorite things to do is dance together and boy do they have some moves.  It is also extremely frustrating, as they fight over one car when we have a million or one just doesn't want to be touched by the other (usually Mase).  Either way our hearts are full but so are our hands.

They don't even know how much love they have for each other

Pool Day at RLCC

Loves her purse and our day at the arboretum

Mason started school in late August and moved up to the 3's program.  He loves loves loves school.  Every morning and usually after every nap he asks if its a school day.  Here is a picture of him from his first day.

Ava and I go to an open gym class once a week along with a class at the library which includes lots of singing.  I hope I'm not biting my tongue but she is way more into circle time then Mason was at that age.  She sits and repeats "songs songs songs" until the teacher gets things rockin' and rolling.

As for Matt and I; we took our first real trip away from the kids at the beginning of the mouth and I really struggled with leaving the kids.  Like up worried the three night before we left kinda struggle.  By the time we got to the airport my worry dissipated and I enjoyed every part of being away and coming back.  One disclaimer, for some reason I thought I would come home well rested but that was so not the case at all.

Scottsdale AZ 9.10.16

PreSchool {the new norm}

I can sum up how the first few weeks of preschool are going in two words, LIFE CHANGING! I'm not going to lie; I was worried....very worried about how the whole preschool thing was going to go.  I wanted it to work so badly but I just wasn't sure if he was ready (sharing isn't one of his strong suits and either is doing things he doesn't want to do).  I was pleasantly surprised how well Mason took to the entire experience.

I picked our particular preschool based on their pick up/drop off policy.  They do a car line where the teachers grab Mason out of his car seat in the morning and put him back during our pick up time.  Ava and I get to stay in the car which will be key when winter hits.  Mason LOVES preschool and asks daily if he gets to go to school.  He loves going to school by himself, he loves the teachers, he loves music class, playing with play doh and dressing in the color of the day.  I couldn't be more happy and either could he.  Not only does Mason love going to school he seems to have "grown up" a bit from being at school. I have a feeling this will continue to happen throughout the school year.  He know actually cleans up when we sing the clean up soung (hello, LIFE CHANGING).   Yay!!

The other reason this new norm is AMAZING....Ava usually naps while Mason is at school (did someone say fabulous!?!?!).  So Tuesdays and Thursday have officially become laundry day, straighten up the house day, pay the bills day...you get the picture.

To sum it all up preschool has been great for both of us!  My favorite part of preschool; picking Mason up and hearing about what he did in school.

Nighty Night

Bed time has always held a special place in my heart as a mother! Bedtime looks different from our nursing and rocking days but there is still something so special about this time with my son. Lately, bedtime has become an even more precious time knowing months from now my hands might be full with an infant (Matt will then have the  honor of putting Mason too bed). My very favorite part is sitting in the rocking chair post books and just snuggling. Many times our snuggles turn into belly laughs and I find myself wanting to snuggle more instead of placing him in the crib. There is just something so peaceful about this time with Mason. These days I step outside the situation and feel so full; Mason on my lap, baby in my belly. Change is heading our way but for now I cherish bedtime with my first born. 

We did it! {we survived the 1st week of school}

In usual Murray fashion we like to keep things interesting!  We found out in early February that Matt was accepted to Chicago Booth.  This is huge for a few reasons: 1) Matt has always wanted go back to school to get his MBA 2) Matt wanted to get into Chicago 3) Life as we know it is going to change.  Personally, I couldn't be happier for my husband or more proud.  This is a great accomplishment that we have celebrated to the fullest (good food and bubbly are just how we roll) over the last couple of months.  Reality set in quickly when Matt had to attend a 3 days orientation from 8am - 9pm and has since taken on two classes a week.  I'm not going to lie....I was worried about not having Matt around.  We have a "routine,"  Matt comes home from work around 5:30pm and takes over the parenting duties.  I look forward to him coming home every night; I instantly have another set of hands (which are much needed due to a VERY active 17 month old) and adult interaction.  My worry (panic more like it) set in quickly....we have 2.5 to 3 years of this.  Matt is the rock of this household and change is always scary but I'm so happy to report we survived the first week of school (you have to start somewhere, right).  Mason and I will find a new routine on the nights Matt is gone and before we know it Matt being a part time student will be our new norm!  A big congrats to my smarty pants husband and a big thanks to friends/family who are going to be my extra set of hands on the evenings Matt is away.