Paris, France Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumphe, Champs Elysees, & Moulin Rouge

     Aaron and I just got back on Monday from a 3 night stay in Paris. It was just the two of us and we had an amazing time. We missed Connor a ton, but it was so nice to just focus on each other for a change. Oh yeah, and celebrate our 5 year Anniversary. Aaron had no idea that just the two of us were going on the trip until I surprised him the day before. It was so hard to keep it a secret, but here's how I pulled it off: A few months ago I talked to Aaron's dad and asked if he and Carol wanted to come to Italy and stay with Connor so we could go to Paris for our Anniversary. He is the sweetest FIL and immediately told me they would be here. Last Thursday they arrived and when Aaron got home from work I surprised him with a box containing  our boarding passes, passports, Paris passes, and new luggage tags. He was so confused when he opened it because he already knew we were going to Paris, but then I asked him how many passes there were. At that point he got it and asked if just the two of us were going. After he asked, Carol and Pappy came down the stairs and Aaron was as shocked as ever! His reaction was PRICELESS!

Mother's Day 2016

    I hope all of you Mommas had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday, especially my mom and mother-in-laws. I spent mine relaxing with my boys. I got to sleep in {I love when that happens!} while Aaron got up with Connor. When I came downstairs, I had this sweet message waiting for me on the table:

Burano, Italy

   Burano, Italy

      As you have probably seen on my Facebook and Instagram, you know that Aaron, Connor, and I did a little exploring this weekend. We have visited Venice multiple times, and even visited one of the islands off it named Murano, but we had never been to the island of Burano. I have seen many beautiful pictures of it's colorful buildings and knew we had to make a trip at least once before we move back to the the states.

Life Lately

    Connor and I have been trying to keep busy while Aaron's away at saber junction. I have done a lot of rearranging, shopping for Connor's room {sorry babe}, and cleaning to pass my time. Connor has moved to the preschool classroom with other 3 and 4 year olds and has transitioned really well. He has also had daily play dates with his friend Holden. Keeping busy has made the time pass by much faster. Here are a few pics from the past couple weeks...

Connor's 3rd Birthday

My sweet birthday boy,

     I can't believe that you are THREE today!  That makes me both happy and sad. Happy because you are growing into such a wonderful, smart, and curious boy, but sad because you are not as little as you once were. As I write you this, I have tears rolling down my cheeks  because I can't believe how fast you are growing. People always told me to enjoy every moment with you because you were going to grow so fast. I didn't want to believe them, but boy were they right! I am just fortunate that I get to stay home and spend all day with you {except on Monday, Wednesdays, and Friday mornings when you have school}.  

    Over this last year, you have really developed your own personality! You are such a great mix between your daddy and me. You are hyper and rambunctious like your daddy. You love to play outside and play sports. You love fixing things and borrowing daddy's tools to work on your scooter, or anything else you can find that needs "fixing". You are like me in the sense that everything has it's place. You like things in order and if you get dirty, there better be a sink nearby because you can't stand dirty hands. You love cooking and like ketchup on everything just like me. 

     Since your last birthday, you have become potty trained {during the day and at night}, graduated to a bunk bed, started part-day preschool, added 8 different countries to your list of countries visited, visited the dentist, and you aren't scared of getting you haircut or visiting the doctor anymore. All signs of a growing boy!

     I'm excited to see what this year has in store for you. Your daddy and I love you so, so much! You have changed our world for the better and we couldn't imagine our lives without you.  You make us so happy and proud!

XOXO,

Mommy