Goal....

We decided to give soccer a try since Ethan has been asking to play sports for awhile....he is only 5!  I have been feeling a little guilty since Emma started gymnastics when she was 2 and then switched over to dance at almost 6 years old.  However I did try tumbling with Ethan at 2 and all he wanted to do was run around the gym.  So he settled with swimming lessons several times a year.  He LOVED that and we will continue with those.

I signed Ethan up for fall soccer through Westerville.  He had his first practice this Wednesday.  He met one of his coaches and his team mates.  Most of them are 4 years old but I think there might be another year 5 year old.  Either way, he is ready.  Here are some pictures of his practice...

Listening to the coach...

Not sure why he is pulling up his shorts????

Playing sharks and minnows and he is a shark!

1st day of school...

Emma started 4th grade this Wednesday.  She was super excited to see her friends and really likes her teacher.  Ethan had his "gentle start" on Wednesday as well.  However he did not ride the bus with Emma in the morning but I took him to school and he met with his teacher and a small group of kids.  This eases them into the school year.  Both had a great day!

However our bus stop changed due to the levy issues this pass year.  Obviously Westerville City Schools have a major deficit and are making cut backs.  For 4 years, Emma was lucky and caught her bus at the end of our cul-de-sac.  This year my kids will just have to walk behind our neighbor's yard to the cul-de-sac in front of us.  Both are okay with it but I am a little sad.  It was convenient but it is what it is.

Ethan will start his school year this coming Monday.  He is super excited to ride the bus in the mornings with Emma.  However he is only in school for 2 1/2 hrs but it will be an exciting time for him.

4 years ago...

4 years ago this week...I quit my corporate job as an accountant at a financial institution to stay home with my kids.  It was not an easy decision but I kept struggling with it since my son was born.  I always wanted to stay home with my children but when it came time to start trying, we had some issues.  It took us almost 8 months to conceive Emma and Ethan was over 2 years.  Both were miracle children with Emma being preemie by 8 weeks and I was high-risk with Ethan.  When Erik and I kept moving up the corporate ladder, I really enjoyed my job but after I had Emma, things changed.  I wanted to spend more time with her.

Well I found my neighbor to watch Emma 4 days a week.  I talked my manager letting me work from home on Fridays.  It worked for about 9 months and then management changed, co-workers were jealous and that was the end of that.  So I had to place her in daycare which actually was great for her.  Emma learned so much and really enjoyed it.  However again, jobs change and I was working more and more hours.  I would cry when I left her each morning and then Erik had to drop her off.  I would pick up which was great for me.

Then we sold our house and moved into a bigger one.  Finally we got pregnant with Ethan.  This pregnancy was difficult because I worried that he would come early like Emma and I was 34 years old. Again with long hours and more stress at work.  I had to get some injections the last trimester but he was born full term and happy and healthy.

So Erik and I made a deal that when Ethan turned 1, I would quit my job and try staying at home.  We saved and saved but Erik was still skeptical.  Since I am a shopper, he was not convinced that I would stop.  Now, do not get me wrong, I shopped the first month like I was still working.  I just forgot...no paycheck was coming in.  It WAS difficult the first year since I quit when the economy tanked and banks were getting killed.  His job was on the fence the first year.  I babysat a co-worker's 2 kids for about 6 months until they found jobs in another state.  It helped a little.  Eventually, we found a way to make it work and so here I am.

The original deal was we were both going to sit for the CPA exam...pass, maybe help him get promoted and then I could do taxes from home or work for a small accounting firm within a couple of years.  We tried to study for the exam and with Erik's long hours, no time to study.  He could not study either so we decided that was not going to work.

I may look into something when Ethan starts 1st grade but now I am content volunteering at their school and Emma's dance studio.  If only I could make money by being a Mom....LOL!

Fun weekend before school starts

School starts this Wednesday for Emma who will be in 4th grade and Ethan has his "gentle start" on Wednesday as well.  He will meet with his teacher and about 6 or 7 other students.  Then he will officially start on Monday, Aug. 20th with Emma.  They will ride the bus together in the morning and then he will come home around lunch time.  He is super excited and I think Emma is ready to get back too.

Saturday I decided to take the kid's to the zoo for the Teddy Bear Safari.  Kids bring their stuffed animals and Nationwide Children's is there to help fix their bear's boo-boo's and play games and get prizes.  Well we all slept in and decided not to go until lunch time...big mistake since EVERYONE was there.  However we went and had a great time.  Met up with my friend Hillori, James and their son Connor for awhile.  Kids had a great time and it started raining as we were walking several "miles" to the car but we made it!

Sunday we had my parents over for a late lunch to celebrate my step-dad's 62nd birthday.  We made him lunch (spaghetti & meatballs) and made a special chocolate cake.

Sad the weekend has ended but here are some pics of our fun time....

Happy 5th Birthday to Ethan and Family Reunion

It was a very busy week last week.  Ethan turned 5 this past Thursday.  It is sad to see him grow up to become this little man but happy he is a healthy little boy!  I was not sure if I would ever be able to have a second child but with a lot of praying, tests, etc....he arrived!  We celebrated with a candle in the waffle and went to the pool.  Then his Grandma and Great Grandma Kyre came over to give him some presents and we gave him ours.  He loved getting Spiderman toys, books, workbooks, clothes, Legos and we gave him his own Kindle Fire....this way no fighting over Emma's.

Saturday evening we had his birthday party at Super Games in Worthington.  It has many bounce houses, climbing walls, etc.  He had a great time with family and friends.

Sunday was our annual Beres Family Reunion which was at my house.  My Mom is the 4th child of 8 and it was her turn to host.  I volunteered my house this year.  Luckily the rain held off and it was a great day of food, games and catching up!  I love being in a big family and getting to visit them.  I feel bad that I do not get to see all of them as much as we used to when we were little.  It was a difficult time since we have lost some of our family members but we know GOD IS GREAT and they are all watching over us.

Here are some pictures of our fantastic time...