Beckett's First Day of Pre-School!

Beckett is going to pre-school this year 2 afternoons a week.  I purposely put him in the later time so we could be lazy in the morning and so that the mall would be open when he was in school :)  I also thought I might be able to eat lunch with Sawyer and Eden every once in a while.  Another big reason was so he would have his same teachers from last year.  He had his first day yesterday and was VERY excited...this is a huge change from last year.  I think he cried for the first 3 weeks last year.  Yesterday he was a pro...didn't even look back at me.  Although he is still a handful, he has made some big improvements lately.  I used to have to hold him down screaming while trying on shoes or getting his hair cut..now he loves to do both!  He is WAY better eating out and now responds to my threats :)  There are still sharing issues due to the fact that his siblings still give into his every want...  this is why I send him to pre-school..so he can learn to share and take turns!  He is also quite outgoing!  My other kids still will barely speak to adults or strangers...Beckett won't stop talking.  If anyone makes eye contact with him he says "I'm just Beckett!!"  He is VERY into Cars (the movie) right now.  He loves his new backpack for school.  My baby boy is growing up!  He will already be 4 in January!!  One year and 11 1/2 months til kindergarten...but I'm not counting. 

Starved Rock

In the 10 years we have lived here (minus the 2 spent in England) this is the first time we have ever visited Starved Rock. It is not far from our house and FREE so not sure why we waited so long. After going...I am sure we will go back. It is kind of surprising that a place like this exists in Illinois. We did a ton of hiking...like for hours!! I was seriously exhausted! I have even been going to the gym pretty regularly since school started but I don't think it has helped. The kids had a great time. Faith and Sawyer especially really enjoyed the rock climbing and hiking-they are serious daredevils. I don't think I heard one complaint from any of the kids the whole time. Beckett spent a fair amount of the time on Kyle's shoulders so he was quite happy. It would have been that much better if it wouldn't have been so crowded....that is what you get for heading out on a holiday. There were also a ton of tourists. I couldn't believe how many accents I heard..it was like being at Disney...weird. The pictures I took don't do this place justice...it really is beautiful.