The Night Before Second Grade

Thought I'd share the sweetest thing we did the night before the first day of second grade. Aston's  second grade teacher handed us a booklet the night of the school's teacher and parents meet and greet last week. It was something we'd read with him the night before the first day of school. 

here's what the cover page says : 

SWEET DREAMS

open and read this together at bedtime on sunday. no peeking! 

inside is a packet of sequins confetti

here's what's written inside : 

I just thought that was the neatest thing. Honestly, it was tough getting him to bed early last night. We've spent late summer nights and he's struggled going back to the old early routine. But as soon as he read that, he got really excited. He did refuse to sprinkle "girly" sequins under his pillow as the book instructed but he did hold on to that booklet till he fell asleep! 

Happy first day of school to most kiddos and happy Monday to all! 

Summer Lately

I never intended to neglect this family blog but it seems to look that way. Judging by my pics, we've been a little busy lately. The first month of summer flew by so fast and pretty soon we are gearing up for the new school year and fall! 

Lots of good times, travel memories we've had this past month or so. We have a few trips planned next month before we slow down and focus on school. In the meantime, you can catch me in my instagram (@swankychicfete) or my other lifestyle blog for what's going on around here....!

A Lego Weekend

This is where we were this past weekend. A quick trip to the little guy's favorite place on earth. His favorite Lego characters and friends were all present ~ he had a grand time! 

It was a bit cold with an overcast on Saturday and Sunday in Carlsbad. But there was no rain, so we enjoyed the cooler weather. We just got back and the reality of 95+ deg warm humid weather jolted us back to hometown Houston. 

But it's great to be back home. 

How was your weekend? 

Last Day of School

Last Thursday, the day after their kindergarten graduation celebration, their class had a water slide party at school. This was their last day of kindergarten and they surely had a blast!

We will miss all of these guys. I have been close to his teachers and most moms and I am sure Aston will miss his best buds terribly. Cheers to a fun summer and new adventures and new friends come fall! 

Our Family's Easter

It was a nice long weekend Easter break for us. Spent with family, it was simply perfect. Here are a few images to recap the weekend. 

We discovered baby bunnies in one of our flower bushes. Three of them were cuddling and keeping warm under the leaves and our landscaping lamps! Super cute! 

Aston with his grandparents. Love that he can spend most of his time with them. They're not getting any younger and I know he treasures all his moments with them. My sister-in-law also flew in from Indiana and he get to play with her! 

After early Easter mass, we bribed him for a series of Easter poses before heading out for brunch. This is how it turned out. Ha - crazy boy! 

There was a good amount of spring rain Sunday afternoon that left a cooler early evening cast. So, we took advantage of it and had post-dinner dessert outside with this funny little man. Check out the random house shirt and fancy jacket he refuses to take off way after Easter mass :) 

I hope you all had a great Easter! 

Spring Break Style

I've decided to do a blog series of kids street style stemming from Aston's rodeo outfit post on my lifestyle blog, SWANKY::CHIC::FETE. He loves hamming it up to the camera (in this case, iphone cam) and is totally loving the attention. tTis 5 year old is also becoming a teenager in record speed and I am so sad. He now loves skateboards (finger skateboards are what we allow him to play) and basketball. No more superheroes or dinosaurs.

We travelled by plane last week and he insisted on wearing a hoodie coming back (but I forced him on preppy khakis and sweater on the way to Vegas) and like any normal 5 yr olds, his backpack was filled with crackers and coloring books. He has been pretty behaved travelling nowadays and with those necessities, he has been an angel!

here's what he was wearing : 

striped hoodie (similar here) // burberry jeans (pricey but he has been wearing it since he was 3!)

zara boys booties (from last year but similar here in blue) // quilted backpack (similar here) 

Face Off

The many looks of Aston. Serious, goofy, silly and sleepy. Ha! 

How's your Wednesday so far?

Cowpoke Cook-out

Celebrating Texas rodeo day at school is always anticipated every year. This year, Aston's class had a Cowpoke Cookout where the kids help prepare their lunch of hotdogs, beans and bread. Dressed in their cute cowboy duds, this was yet another fun kick off for Houston's rodeo at their school. 

Channeling a preppy urban cowboy wearing a plaid Janie & Jack shirt (gifted by auntie Nina and the twins), pinstriped vest (from last spring), jeans, old buckled belt and H&M boots from 2 years ago. We made it work. Here are a few shots before heading home......

Valentine's Day Party

Last Thursday I attended Aston's Valentine's day school party. Such a fun bunch of kindergarteners. They enjoyed some crafting creating hearts using twine and glue. But I must say the bowling game was a hit after cookie treats! 

A little prayer before snacks, as always

 

Yummy heart cookies!

 

Valentine's day bowling tournament!

More crafting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aston striking a silly pose! 

 

Valentine's day goody bags are just as fun and exciting as Christmas loot bags! 

A sweet Valentine's gift from the little guy. With pink glitter too :)

 

Merry Christmas!

Spreading love and good cheer 

to all this glorious holiday season! 

xoxo, Lili 

A Sad Heart + Christmas pjs linky party

My heart goes out to all the parents, families and loved ones affected at yesterday's senseless tragedy. May the good Lord's comfort and warmth be upon them during this very difficult time. 

Couldn't be more thankful for this little guy we get to hug and kiss everyday. So grateful for this precious innocent life we continue to treasure and nurture. Guide and support. Love and cherish. We pray that we continue to have strength to protect and shield our children from any terror and we can only hope and believe that this will never happen again.  

On a lighter note, as soon as December hit ~ we had Aston wear his Christmas jammies (some old and a couple new ones from Target) and it does add a little holiday cheer at home (and for bedtime)! 

And while you have sweet photos or a blogpost of your babies' in their chirstmas pjs, link them up with my friend, Meredith's christmas pajamas linky party ~ as I am doing today! 

Happy Thanksgiving

From our family to your's, 
wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Pumpkin Patch from the Past

See, our son is now 5. He thinks he's too hip for the pumpkin patch now. I would still want him to have pictures at the pumpkin patch but he's putting on the breaks and would just love to watch the little babies frolic at the patch.

So, i'm staring at this precious moment back in time in 2010 where he smiled and posed. It actually made it to our holiday card that we decided to do Thanksgiving card that year instead of Christmas. Uhm, can we bring my baby back? 

Custom Thanksgiving card by WHHostess 

Bike Riding Nights

Bike riding nights are back! 

The cooler nights with crisp fall air is perfect for bike riding in the neighborhood and we are excited! 

Kindergarten Lately

{Aston's latest Artwork}

The first month of Kindergarten was quite a breeze (with a just few reports from the teachers about compliance issues, oh well, stubborn boy). Carpool started last week and with the long line, we had a few moments to goof around with my phone camera while we waited for our turn (car is on park mode). 

We fought for airtime here :))

This past Monday he went home with homework so we arranged for a homework schedule. It worked well with him and I'm so proud of his reading skills. Slowly and surely getting there! 

Can't believe I'm saying this but I'm looking forward to working with him in his homeworks. I'm sure there will be days and nights where a frown or a "NO!" response is what I'll get but so far so good and I am hoping for the best! 

Every Friday will be Show and Share at his kindergarten class and today it is his turn to "show" what he wants to be when he grows up (it was to become a superhero last week). Last night, we prepared for his "show" talking about why he wants to be a doctor (inspired by dad) and he had a ball playing with daddy's "telescope" (stethoscope) and instructing the bear to "breathe". We'll see what he actually did in class from the full report of his teacher. I hope he didn't goof off and be the comedy man of the hour :)