It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Oh, how these boys are loved.

I May be Biased but...

this is perhaps the FUNNIEST picture ever taken on a roller coaster at Legoland:

Can you see the looks on the faces of my children?!?!? 

What I find to be the most comical about this picture is that immediately after we bought it, the boys went on this same ride approximately 150 more times!!  And, each time we looked at their pictures, their faces looked just like this one! 

I am seriously submitting it to Awkward Family Photos.

How to Party Like a 40 Year Old Rockstar

How do you party like a 40 Year Old Rockstar? You enjoy a week long vacation to Oceanside, California with your family!!  That's how! 

Your "Birthday Celebration Vacation" includes the following:

*Days at the swimming pool and the beach

*Spectacular Vistas and Sunsets, 

*A Day at Sea World in the Rain, 

*Even more Beach Fun in the Sun,

*A Perfect Day at Legoland

and so, so much more. 

Happy, happy 40th Birthday to the Love of my Life.  I hope you had the best celebration ever.  You are the man of my dreams and I am so thankful that I have been so blessed with you as my husband!!

How to Party Like a 4 Year Old Rock Star

Disclaimer: I am so far behind on my blog!  This party actually happened October 9th!  I am trying to catch up!!

(LtoR) Rhiley, Dylan, Leah, Andrew, Jackson, Shaylor, Jonathan,

Gavin, Jordan, Preston, and Micah

This year, for Jack's 4th Birthday, we decided to throw him a party at the Lied Discovery Children's Museum.  I know for a fact that the kids all had a great time exploring everything, playing, getting their faces painted and creating the usual Rieckmann Ruckus that we are so well known for! 

Blowing giant bubbles was a highlight of the day

The Wind Tunnel created winds in excess of 65 mph!!

It was everyones' favorite.!

Birthday Boy with his face paint.  He took this VERY seriously!

Making a wish!

(Don't you just hate when the picture of an important moment comes out blurry?!  Ug!)

We all had a great time at Jack's party.  I think all of the kids probably passed out in their cars on the way home from all of the running, sweaty-hair, red-cheeked, play. 

As for me, I spent the day in utter disbelief that my baby is four. 



Neglect

I have been neglecting this blog.  When I started it, I promised myself that I would post something at least once every week, and I broke that promise a long time ago!  But, in my defense, we have been so very busy!  If you don't believe me...here is proof:

 Dirty toes and dirty fingers from playing outside and enjoying the late summer weather...

Discovering that they love riding roller coasters and turning their mouths colors with Italian Ices at the San Generro Festival...

 Playing Fall Baseball on the Redsocks and learning how to hit a baseball that the coach pitches...

Fun at the park in the lovely evenings...

 turning four years old and MUCH, MUCH more! 

We have had a busy and fun past few weeks and we are looking forward to more!  Now, if I can just find the time to do the laundry...

Four Years Old (or 4 Years Little)

Today is Jackson David, my sweet baby boy's 4th birthday!  I can't believe how quickly four years has slipped by.  I catch myself saying over and over that it seems like just yesterday that we were in the middle of the newborn fog, complete with midnight (and 2am, 4am, etc.) feedings, diaper changes, and newborn baby breath. 

But, today at four years old, Jackson is a wonderful mix of big boy and toddler.  Of independence and neediness. 

He is:

Big enough to run wild with the neighborhood kids outside, but

Small enough to run to his Mommy with tears spilling when someone hurts his tender feelings.

Big enough to choose his clothes each day, but

Small enough that they rarely match.

Big enough to stray from me and start his own games at the park, but

Small enough to hide behind my legs when a stranger asks him his name.

Big enough to be independent through out the day, but

Small enough to crawl into my lap and ask for a story.

and

Big enough to love without abandon, and

Small enough to love without abandon.

It is bittersweet for me that he is growing so quickly.  Jackson is my last baby.  Sometimes, I want to hold time still in any way possible.  I take pictures to freeze the moments.  I try putting books on his head to keep him from growing.  Not really, but you know what I mean!  When I am missing those baby snuggles, onesies, bottle feedings and yes, even midnight feedings, it is easy to turn those thoughts to what a wonderful person Jack is growing to be. 

He has the sweetest heart.  He loves legos, Harry Potter, and of course, Star Wars.  He loves to eat yogurt (he will even resort to sneaking it when he has had too many) and he loves helping me make dinner.  He says, "I want to make" when he wants to help me cook dinner.  I am so thankful that he was chosen to be my son and that I was chosen to be his mom.

Happy, happy birthday My Love.    You are growing to be a wonderful little person.  We are VERY proud of you!!!

A Love Letter to a Certain 1st Grader

Dear Andrew James Rieckmann,

Today you officially started 1st grade.  This is the moment you have been waiting for all summer long.  My heart is literally swelling with pride.  You woke up bright and early with a big grin on your face, ate your breakfast, and got all spiffy in your new school clothes.

Doesn't he look handsome?

Your awesome backpack

Your brother Jack, your cousin Gavin, and your friend Shaylor were all excited for you and wanted in on the action.

Please excuse Jack's half-nakedness.  We definitely need to work on a new morning routine!

Then off we went to school.  When I was walking with you up to your classroom, I could see that you were feeling a bit nervous.  As for me, I had to seriously resist grabbing your hand and taking you to the Kindergarten classes.  I knew that would just be silly, but that is what we know.  Right?  So instead, I just looked at the little Kindergartners and realized how much bigger you are now.  You definately belong in 1st grade.

Your classroom looks wonderful and your teacher seems like she just might be the best in the world.  You are so lucky to be going to such a fantastic school.  I am so happy that your friends Ben, Tony, Saliou, and Kylie are in your class with you.  Waving good-bye to you was hard and I felt tears prick my eyes, but I know that you are in great hands and that your days at school will be filled with fun, learning, friendship and joy.

At your desk

Andrew, it has only been a few hours since I left you there at your desk, but I have thought of nothing else but you.  I keep wondering what you are doing right now.  Are you comfortable?  Are you missing home (Oh, I hope not!)?  Is your teacher as wonderful as she seems?

Sitting by your friend Kylie from Kindergarten

Andrew, I hope you know how much you are loved and how proud your mom and dad are of you.  As you venture into this great, big, awesome world, I hope you always remember to just be yourself.  Because yourself is really WONDERFUL!!!  We love you so very much!  See you at 3:00!!  I can't wait.

With a heart full of love for you,

Your Mom

Time is Not on My Side

I have been feeling a little melancholy lately.  Summer is almost over and I feel like time is slipping through my fingertips.  I try to grasp a hold of it, but it keeps running by faster and faster everyday.  My Andrew is going to be starting 1st grade and will be leaving me all day. 

Honestly, this has been one of the best summers of my life and I don't want it to end!  It is a very bittersweet feeling...

Time,

Time,

Time, see what's become of me

While I looked around for my possibilities.*

I recently heard someone say that since Time cannot be her friend, she just decided to make peace with it.  And that is how I plan on living.  My children are growing faster than I ever imagined and I am so VERY thankful that I have been able to witness the magic of their youth every single day. 

Great things are in store for us.  I can feel it in the air.

*Hazy Shade of Winter by the Bangles

Missing: One Tooth

Last week, Andrew lost his 1st tooth!  He has several loose ones and the one on the bottom was the loosest.  Also, I noticed that his permanent tooth was already starting to grow and was shoving his baby tooth forward.  So, I was very happy when it finally fell out!  It saved us a trip to the dentist!!

When his tooth fell out, Andrew told his Daddy, "This is the best day of my entire year!"

You can already see his permanent tooth growing in.

WOW!  $5!!  The Tooth Fairy must have really loved his tooth!

Swimming Lessons

Last week Jackson started swimming lessons.  He was super excited about it until I informed him the he couldn't wear his "Lifecoat" during the lessons.  When he heard that little tidbit of news, he went from excited to terrified in a split second!!  But, I am proud to say that he decided to try it and he loved it!  He has been to 3 classes so far and he is already swimming like a fish.  In fact, he has already been promoted to the next level!  That's our boy! 

Here are some pic from his 1st day!

Waiting for his turn in the pool

Developing trust in his teacher

He's doing it!  No "Lifecoat" needed!

You can tell he is very proud of himself!

21 Short Years Ago

21 years ago today, my dreams of being a Mommy came true.  How can it be possible that it has been 21 years, and yet it has been the blink of an eye?

Look at those cheeks!

I remember it just like it was yesterday...the sweltering Las Vegas July heat, my ankles swollen beyond recognition (can you say CANKLES?), the sweat pouring off of me as my mom made me walk one more time around the park.  Trying to get labor started but secretly being so terrified that I wished it would never come.  I wanted to appear so tough and so strong, but little did I know that labor has a way of turning even the most seasoned of woman into a blubbering baby. 

Anthony at 1 Year Old

I can never forget the fear of an unexpected and emergency C-Section and the joy of hearing the sweet newborn baby cry.  It all happened so fast and yet in all it took over 24 hours.  But we did it and that is what mattered!  I was a mom at 16 and I was determined to be the best mom possible.

My sweet 2 Year Old

Through the years, Anthony and I have grown up together.  He immediately became the guiding light in my life.  My reason for being.  All decisions I made were made with his interests first.  Sure, mistakes were made, but I know in the end, we did a great job!

Kindergarten Boy

My husband and I did everything backwards and started out life together with a precious little boy.  What joy I felt to see this little love worming his way into Rick's heart.  It was always my wish for Anthony to have a dad to look up to.  The next phase of our lives was unfolding and before we knew it, we had become a little family with Anthony as the center of the universe.

Check out that toothless grin!

Becoming a teenager

Anthony has brought so much to my life.  So much more than I know I have given him.  He has taught me to love without abandon.  To not worry what tomorrow brings but to enjoy this moment...

the right now. 

Homecoming his Senior Year

I know that sometimes I drive him crazy because I still want so desperately to be his Mommy.  I feel weird not offering advice and I feel lost not having him as a child.  He is an adult now and a wonderful one at that.  I am so happy that he just rolls his eyes and says, "Yes mom" when I tell him to drive careful or to play nice (just kidding...kind of!). 

Those little boys LOVE their big brother!

I hope that Anthony know how much is has always been loved and how much he is cherished today.  I am so proud of the man he has become.  He is kind and loving, he is outgoing and friendly, he is hard working and learning how to be a grown-up.  But, most importantly, he is my son.  I am honored to be his mom. 

So handsome!

Happy, Happy 21st Birthday My Love.  May you know today and always how important you are.  My heart beats with yours and my thoughts are forever with you.  As you grow and need your parents less and less, please remember that I will never (and can never) stop being your "Mommy".

P.S.  If I sound a little sentimental, it's because I am.