Cornelius Chronicles

 Maeve smiles a lot and we are all in love with these sweet baby grins.  Why are toothless grins the best?  We also got to go to the homecoming parade for Dustin's high school this week.  Dustin and his robotics kids drove their amazing robot as one of the parade entries.  I think it looks pretty awesome.  The kids love grabbing all of the candy that the high school kids were throwing to the enthusiastic crowd.  I kept trying to get the kids super jazzed by the marching band.  Loyd was enamored with the cheerleaders instead.   The kids did pretty well for themselves regarding parade candy collection.... Some might say a little too well.  If you can't close your mouth because it is too full, then you might have eaten too much candy at once.

We made good use of Grandma P. while she was here.  She was invaluable in getting kids up, dressed, and fed in time to catch the morning bus to school every morning.  She was also a life saver in keeping busy, curious boys occupied and happy while I enjoyed getting to know new baby Maeve.  Grandma even managed to complete a few big sewing projects that I knew I would never get around to on my own.  We are so glad Grandma P was able to come!  It made for a wonderfully relaxing and productive few weeks.  :)  Grandma took the boys on several walks to the neighborhood pool to wear them out and to spend some relaxing time in the warm sun.  This is how Loyd relaxes in the pool.  :)  This is how Xavier spends his time at the pool.  His duck and dinosaur had quite an interesting conversation filled with many quacks and roars.   Here is Bekah modeling one of the eight Angry Bird costumes Grandma sewed while she was here...

While Grandma P. was busy doing this: Loyd and Xavier "fishing" at the neighborhood boat launch Xavier giving Loyd a ride around the backyard Xavier is a crime fighting, dinosaur shooting butterfly.  Its a very manly costume.  Careful, his magic wands shoot!   Dustin and I were busy doing this: Maeve at 1 day old Dustin very happily holding his new baby girl. Loyd meeting his new baby sister, Maeve, for the first time at the hospital.  Now we are all busy doing this: Rebekah holding her little sister.  What a surprise to come home from school to discover a new sister! Grandma P. helping Xavier hold Maeve.  He loves his baby sister and is enjoying his new title of "Big Brother." Catching some sleep whenever we can! Maeve Elanor Cornelius Born Sept 9th 8 lbs 0 oz 20 1/2 inches long Welcome to the family baby Maeve! Funny quotes about the baby this week: Loyd:  "The baby do...

 It was the first week of school this week.  Rebekah had a wonderful time meeting her new teacher, getting to know the kids in her class, and learning her new schedule.  She is excited to have some class guinea pigs to feed and hold, and really enjoys her art and music classes.  Here are the kids on the first day of school waiting for the bus to come.  :) Loyd wants to know when he can go back to school too.  I'm afraid it will be a long wait for him and for me until preschool starts in October.  Hang in there buddy! Because I'm getting to tired and pregnant to be of much fun we have been coming up with low key ideas for keeping busy while Daddy is at work and Bekah is at school.  The boys love blowing bubbles and sitting outside.  I like watching them from inside the house. ;) Xavier LOVES to play trains.  He asks everyone all day long, "Want to play choo choo trains?"  When we say yes he gets a big grin, does a little ...