Curriculum Night, Block Party, and Last Hurrah!

We had quite the busy week two weeks ago.  We had our normal business of drop offs, pick ups, appointments, etc.  Plus, we had three social engagements in one weekend (not really that common for us, since we try to reserve the weekends for family time). 
Our week started out wonderfully with my 37 week check up (since check-ups on baby girl are now weekly). 

Here's baby girl's profile!  Love that little face!
The nurse said that she was about 6.5 lbs and at final
weigh-in, could be around 7-8 lbs.  Not too shabby (at least
the nurse wasn't projecting 9.5 lbs like when William was born!).

The nurse also said that the baby's head circumference
was measuring average (HALLELUJAH!!), since
her brothers both had very large heads at birth.
*PHEW!*  Baby girl is showing to be a slightly easier
birth.  (Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me.)

Here's baby girl's nose and lips.  So precious, right?
She was very active during this visit and took a few
big gulps with her mouth and even stuck out her tongue. 
Then, she had her little hands
propped up underneath her chin.  It was so sweet
to see her moving around so much.

Burger cravings!!  I was craving burgers like it was nobody's business.  Which is surprising because I've actually had somewhat of a meat aversion with this pregnancy.  One night we had Shake Shack for dinner.  The next day, I took the boys to Five Guys so they could do a taste test (and because I was really wanting their Cajun spiced fries).

Alex and William both agreed that they liked Five Guys
burgers better than Shake Shack burgers.  They were very cute
and put a lot of thought into their decision.

After that, we went to the library and picked up a few books.  On the way out, we stopped by the bathroom.

Here's William drying his hands.  This is actually QUITE
the big deal because he has been absolutely terrified of these
hand dryers and would not even go near them.  (To the point
where he would throw complete hissy-fit tantrums about walking
past them.)
Then, on that day, he just went right up to it like it was no big deal.
Kids are funny, huh?

Since Alex still gets out of school at 12:30 each day,
I decided to pack a picnic and go to the park.
The kiddos were ready to play!

Every morning, we walk Alex to his school, and then William and I walk back together to then drop William off at his school.  On Thursday of that week while we were walking Alex to his school, I glimpsed at our shadows and thought to myself, "This will be one of the last few times that it's just the three of us walking to school together."  I had to snap a pic.

Me and our lovely boys.

William, although he's almost three, is a very independent
and determined little guy.  He wants to do everything
that his big brother does and will struggle until he gets it right.
That morning as we were walking back home, William
took it upon himself to wheel the trash can back up
the driveway.  I was impressed!

While the boys were at school, I got my hair cut and
colored.  It was a lovely last minute pampering session
before baby girl's arrival.  Gotta look fresh when I won't feel so fresh!  :-)

Also on Thursday was Alex's curriculum night.  We hired a babysitter and I headed over to Alex's school to check out his classroom, speak with his teacher, and learn about the kindergarten curriculum.  Unfortunately Joseph had a late night and was only able to pick me up after it was over.  However, we took the lemons and made lemonade with the situation and turned our night into a date night.  We enjoyed a lovely and quiet dinner together where I re-hashed the curriculum night for him and we got some quality time together.

I was impressed with myself that I could find Alex's
art work just by looking at it in a line up (without labels).
This drawing (in the center) is Alex's "hopes and dreams".
He explained that he wanted to draw (I think he misunderstood
the "hopes and dreams" aspect and just drew a picture of
what he hoped to do at that moment).  It was quite cute.

Here's a peek inside Alex's portfolio:

Alex's writing section

This was a drawing of happy puppies hopping around.
:-)
(I told him to dream of this if he ever had a nightmare.)

Alex's "hopes and dreams" of being able to draw.

Alex's interpretation of "Bucket fillers" (things that
make someone happy) and "bucket dippers" (things
that make someone sad).
I think it's a pretty spot on interpretation.  :-)

His name poem.

Alex's science section of his portfolio.
He decided to decorate it with a Tamarin monkey
that he saw at the Museum of Science.

Alex's drawing of his family.
He drew a picture of all of us at King Richard's Faire
watching the knights jousting.

After going around the classroom and checking out the school, Joseph picked me up and we went out to dinner together.

Joseph with our delicious and complimentary dessert
that we both enjoyed at the Capital Grille that evening.

 Oscar solo snuggle time early in the morning.

On Saturday, we decided to have a low-key morning.

William made himself cozy on the snuggle couch,
covered himself up with a blanket, and got a book to read.
He's such a funny kid.

That afternoon, we went to our neighborhood block party.  Alex and William had a great time running around with one of Alex's classmates from school.  Joseph and I enjoyed catching up with neighbors and meeting new ones.

Alex, his friend Oscar, and William.
(It's funny that the boy's name is Oscar because William
keeps calling him "Oscar the boy" to differentiate between
him and Oscar the dog.)  Lol!

Alex and Oscar, clowning around.

A little boy ran into William while he was on his bike
and our poor guy wiped out.  So, in order to soothe
his wounds he got a popsicle.

Alex and William running around with the neighborhood kids.

Our little guy loved riding around the neighborhood that afternoon.

Later that evening, Joseph and I headed out to dinner with a group of our friends.  Unfortunately, our friends Shikha and Gaurav had to leave early.  Shikha was 40 weeks pregnant and started having contractions at dinner!  I texted them to see how they were later on, and found that they were at the hospital in labor! 
Congratulations to Shikha and Gaurav on your adorable second son!  We missed you guys that evening, but I think you were definitely in a better place.  :-) 

Joseph and Irun at dinner.  We have a bunch of goof balls for friends.

Irun, Peter, and Liz.  Our friends are really excellent
at taking pictures.  :-p

Ai-ris, Erika, and me at dinner.  We had a great time
with our friends that evening.

The next day, we had a small get together to celebrate the end of summer as well as have one last hurrah before baby girl comes.  We had a wonderful time catching up with friends and the boys loved running around with some of their friends as well.

William and Alex, belly up to the kiddie table for lunch.
We got some delicious barbecue catering from one of
our favorite local restaurants, Blue Ribbon Barbecue.

Our guests enjoyed some lively conversation in the kitchen.
The kids were "cooking" for their parents from the play kitchen.

Alex and Rayaan having a lovely lunch together.  :-)

Arhan and William ate together at the other end of the table.
The Franses boys wanted to be the "presidents" of the table by
sitting at the heads of the table.

Chloe and Avangeline enjoyed hopping around on the couches together.
So cute!

This little guy asked me to take his picture.  What a cheeser!  :-)

Arhan, William, and Owen enjoying the lunch that afternoon.

My friend Sharon, Jennie and her daughter Avangeline, and her husband
John in the background.
Jennie and John are also Purdue alumni!  Boiler up!

After the kids ate their lunch, they enjoyed decorating
sugar cookies with sprinkles and other assorted treats.

Alex and William enjoyed decorating their cookies with candied eyeballs.
Chloe and Avangeline opted to solely eat the sprinkles.  The kids enjoyed
their little treat.

Joseph and the Brauns, chit chatting with Christy and Sharon.

Sharon, the Brauns, and Christy with her darling three month old son.

Steve, Kevin, Vena, Sharon, and David enjoyed some chuckles together.

After Oscar finally mellowed out, we allowed him
to join the party.  He immediately regretted coming
downstairs because he was instantly mobbed by the kiddos.
He kept coming up to me, clamoring to be picked up.

Alex, Owen, Arhan, Avangeline, and Chloe all gathering to pet Oscar.

Teddy Bear Club mothers, unite!  It was so nice that Tammy, Jennie,
and their beautiful families could join in on the celebration that afternoon.

Time for some picture posing!  Avangeline and Chloe
were standing next to each other, when all of a sudden,
Chloe's younger brother Owen squeezed in between
the two girls and smiled for the camera.  What a cutie!!

Here come our little jokesters!
William, Alex, Avangeline, and Chloe after an afternoon of fun.

Love these kids!

The Franses men enjoyed some quality snuggle time after
their nap that afternoon.  We were all pretty pooped.

We were so blessed to be surrounded by so many people that we love.  It was definitely a busy week but I wouldn't have had it any other way.  The boys had a wonderful time playing with old and new friends, and so did we!  What a wonderful way to spend a weekend.  :-)
Until next time...

Love and kisses,
Nikki