The day finally arrived, September 4th was finally here! When he woke up he came over to me while I was sleeping and whispered "I'm going to school today!"

When Jordan and I were getting the kids in the car to leave, I said "Ok we will see you there", thinking he would drive his car so he could leave straight from preschool to work, but he said "No I am driving, Drake asked me to take him to school."  It caught me off guard, "He did?"  Jordan said in a know it all tone with sarcasm, "Ya, the Dad always drives on the first day of school."  Alrighty then, I guess a tradition was made right then and there.  (I don't mind because I get to pick him up everyday!)

Waiting for the bell to ring

For the 2nd year in a row we spent Labor Day at the Ferguson's beautiful house.  It is kid heaven: swimming pool, acres to run around on, trampoline, tree houses, chickens, basketball court, ect. We BBQ'd and just hung out while the kids ran free.  The weather was beautiful, we were surrounded by close friends which made out to be a fabulous day.

We love our friends!  We spent a lot of time at the pool and the library this summer...anything to stay cool!

Drake tells us that he is going to marry Brynlee one day.  I subbed in nursery last week and they stuck together the whole 2 hours.  They have to sit by each other for all of the activities, singing time, and snack time.  They are besties.

This summer we spent some time at home and these two have become best buds.  Drake is so sweet to Lydia and plays with her all of the time.  She lights up when he comes around and laughs at him all the time.  I love that she is old enough to play together.

After strep a bunch of times, snoring like a 50 year old and heavy mouth breathing, the decision was finally made to take out Drake's tonsils and adenoids.  His tonsils were HUGE, they touched the uvula in the back of his throat just to give you an idea.  After surgery the ENT said that his adenoids were just as large as his tonsils and his airway was 75% blocked so we are so happy with our decision!  It is true about a rough recovery, we thought we were living with a mean bipolar monster for first couple of days, then he got a tiny better and by the 10th day of recovery he was back to old Drake again.  From the day we took him home we already saw a difference with his breathing, he was silent!  Usually you could hear him across the room breathing and now he breaths out of his nose and not his mouth anymore.  The surgery altered his voice a little bit, I think it is getting better but I am not certain since I have just gotten used to it.  It is higher pitched and nasally.  The ENT said that is due to how much tissue was removed and he is learning how to use those muscles again in the back of his throat.  All in all, great decision.  My Mom is seriously the most helpful person in the world.  She flew back with me and the kids after being in Vegas since the surgery was the next day and Jordan was going out of town 2 days later, to help me out.  And she did 100 times over.  Uh I love her so much.  Drake wanted her more than he wanted me!  Grandma had the touch for sure.

Pre-surgery

Post-surgery

Drake had to stay the night and Jordan stayed with him in this uncomfortable recliner.

After a couple of hours of watching his favorite movies and eating 5 popsicles and gatorade he was ready to go potty and walk around.  Sweet boy, he even smiled for the pic.

The hospital had a little play room that really boosted Drake's spirits.  He got good at wheeling his IV line around.

Jordan seriously made a rough rough day into a happy day when he brought this Hulk mask home.  Drake wore it ALL day, he only took it off to eat and drink!

It's always sad when Grandma leaves.  On the way out she had these cool bubbles that you can catch. Again, another highlight with Grandma.  Thank you Grandma Tammy!