The Oregon Corrigans

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

In other pumpkin news...

... this year's designs for the Corrigan pumpkins are as follows:

Marin ("a rockstar pumpkin")

Madeline ("a sweetie with eyelashes")

Max ("an Angry Birds pumpkin", thank you Google Images)

My parents have a tradition of accompanying each of our kids on a pumpkin patch field trip at least once during their "preschool years". My mom took Marin, my dad took Madeline and now Max. What a SPECIAL, SPECIAL memory , and one we will treasure forever. I love that all our parents (both mine and Kyle's) take the time to make memories with our kids. It is a gift.

Fall soccer!

We completed our first season of SOCCER with the girls. They were on two different teams, which meant 4 days a week of practices and games. Good thing us parents LOVE this sport :) They had so much fun, and had two very awesome guys as coaches (each was a dad of a player). It was so neat to see how they worked out their own interests on the field. Marin has a definite instinct for defense, however if you ask her about liking soccer, she will give you a so-so rating. PERHAPS we need to tone down our enthusiasm and give her room to decide if she really likes it on her own. Madeline (who started out very unsure), came to love game days. She loved the uniforms (fashion, of course) and the thrill of being in a real game with people cheering. She split her time evenly between running at full speed (LONG LEGS) and skipping along smelling the dandelions :) She says she is definitely playing next year. We shall see about Marin. All I know is Max is ITCHING to get on a team, that kid will need no prompting!!

Marin is #8 (just like mom!) in Blue Kicking Kangaroos jersey. Maddy is #5 in Yellow Sunflowers uniform :)

The little mascot... tagging along at every activity! Don't worry buddy, you will get your day in the sun too :)

Friday, October 18, 2013

Practicing with the camera

Kyle has been giving me lessons on our D50. Figuring things out a little bit at a time :)

I love the TOUGH GUY cringing as his affectionate sis comes in for a smooch :)

Marcus and his funny life

Marcus is such a funny boy :) A few examples:

1. He and Madeline inherited my long tongue... But seriously - it looks like he is chewing on a slug!!!

2. He found a cozy spot to lay back and relax... on Dad's shoe :)

3. The kiss face (favorite pose when the camera is out)

4. The glare (it's a happy face) - I think he's trying to make eyes :) It just looks like a glare... Ha ha!

Preschool Potluck

We attended our FOURTH "back to school" preschool potluck dinner! The girls loved visiting their old preschool, seeing their old classrooms, chatting with the teachers. It's funny how adults feel like it was "just yesterday" when these tall girls were the tiny preschoolers, but in their lives it seems like a long time ago. I could tell they felt a bit removed from it all. But of course, they loved supporting Max in his new school environment. We all did! I love that our family knows how to rally around each person who has something special going on. Highlight was of course... the cotton candy machine :)

Kyle's thoughts: "Please stop taking my picture woman"

Friday, September 27, 2013

Apple Farm field trip with Max

Max's first-ever field trip!!! I was ecstatic to finally, after much searching, find a sitter for Marcus, so I could chaperone Max's preschool field trip to the Apple Farm. I have so many fond memories of taking my girls on their Apple Farm field trips, and this just added to them. The only difference this time, was the enormous downpour of rain we endured. Sadly they even had to cut the field trip short, we were just that cold and soaked. The rain may have dampened our skin, but it did not dampen my spirits. I love preschool :) It was fun to get to know the other little boys in my group too. Can't wait to start volunteering in October! Love my boy.

Luke, I am your Father...

Friday, September 20, 2013

My Daddy is Awesome

Back to School 2013

Back to school time again! Such an exciting year...

Marin starting 2nd grade, and she was able to get into a 2/3 split class with Ms. Angal. I am ecstatic! I have heard awesome things about the class, teacher, etc...
Madeline starting 1st grade with Mr. Brosnan ~ her first time at school all day and having lunch in the cafeteria! She is in the big time now :) She gets to have the same teacher her sister had last year, and we are sooooo happy about that. He is stellar.
Max starting his first ever year of preschool with Mrs. Meier! Strange for me to see him start as a 4 year old, since he skipped 3 year old preschool due to potty training situations. I feel a bit jolted into reality, realizing this boy needs to be ready to start kindergarten one year from now. YIPES!!! He still runs and jumps into my arms with a big smoochy kiss when I pick him up (in front of the entire class, mind you... I LOVE IT.) - he is loving having his OWN school experience :) I am also astonished at his quick learning. The first day, he could not even trace the letters of his name without me helping him hold the pencil. By day 3, not only could he trace on his own, but he could write his own name, totally by himself! My girls did this much earlier, so I am not saying he is a preschool prodigy. I am more marveling at the sponge-like nature of children when they are ready to learn. AWESOME.

My thoughts and feelings:

I will admit, that first day with Madeline gone all day was kind of a blue day for me. I am used to having more time with her, and it hit me like a load of bricks having her gone that many hours. By day two I was feeling much better. It's always the transitions that are hard! The girls are total school-pros now, and easily navigate school and bus situations with ease. They stick together when one of them needs it, and go their separate ways just as easily. I love to see their togetherness and individuality both show in the school environment.

I am itching to get in their classrooms, help out their amazing teachers, and get to know their classmates & other parents. This momma is so excited for the school year! I even scored one of our favorite babysitters on Wed mornings, so I can leave Marcus in good hands and rotate through my kids classes each month.

I was born to be a school mom!!!