Look Who's 3!!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY GUSTAV!!!

Gustav turned 3 on September 6th. We had a farm theme birthday party for him on Friday the 5th. His birthday guests were: Callie, Sarah, Hannah, David, Kayla and Chloe. Yes, he had 5 girls and one boy at his party :) Gus was jealous. The best part of the party (besides the train cake I made) was the pinata. I think he really enjoyed his party. We had a family party (the 4 of us) and gave him our gifts on his real birthday. What can I say about Gustav, except that he's the sweetest, happiest and calmest boy I know. He is always happy and has a unique temperment for a boy. He loves 'boy' things - cars, trains, trucks, balls etc. but is really sweet and not aggressive.

Thanks to Aunt Paula, I have some fantastic pictures of Gustav that were taken less than a month ago in Indianapolis. These photos really capture him in a natual setting. This is Gustav! Enjoy the pictures!

Look Who's 3!!!

My beautiful, precious little boy!

Hitting the pinata at his b-day party!

Checking out all the loot from the pinata.

Blowing out the candles! Check out the cake I made!

He got some cool gifts. Check out the tools!

Callie checking out one of the gifts. She was so good throughout the 2 day birthday event. She never complained about not getting any gifts and was really supportive of her brother.

First Day of School!

Callie started Pre-K at Roanoke Catholic School on Sept. 2nd. This is the first school of any kind she has attended, and she was ready! She has been looking forward to it for a while. I think she was also a bit nervous, but she never told us that she was. She has had a wonderful time so far and today was the first day she actually looked tired when she got home. She keeps getting excellent comments from the teachers, the most common comment being that she is a 'hard worker.' She is singing all kinds of new songs, has stories every day and was upset on Saturday when she couldn't go to school. Her first friend so far is Emma. Enjoy the pics!

Ready for school and looking adorable in her uniform.

No, she's never done any modeling for Lands End even though it looks like it :)

Gustav was sad to see her go, but is adjusting well.

At the school. Poor thing - Mommy didn't order her backpack in time so she had to bring a Kroger bag to school on the first day. Callie didn't even notice she was so excited.

Walking toward the school with her teacher Mrs. Meadows and another girl. This is when I started crying...

As promised - the picture of the kids new bikes. They each had to earn $40 (4o good checkmarks) to get the bikes. It took them about 2 months :)

I told Callie she had to wear socks and shoes to ride her bike (she doesn't like socks and shoes) and this is what she came downstairs wearing. I guess it's time to buy new socks and shoes!

August News!

August was another hot summer month! We drove to Indianapolis to visit the Baldini family and we got to meet baby Andrew for the first time. Aunt Paula came all the way from California and Aunt Barb and Grammy Ida drove over from Chicago to see us too! We all had a lot of fun and of course I forgot my camera, but thankfully Aunt Paula and Nonna and Nonno had camera so I have some really good pictures. We took the kids to the Indianapolis Zoo and they LOVED it! Gustav liked the monkeys the best and Callie liked the giraffe's, but mostly LOVED the dolphin show- Like mother like daughter! They were the perfect age to really have a great time. They also got to ride their new bikes on flat ground (I forgot to post pics of the bikes, but I will soon) and swim at the pool. We all ate tons of good food and enjoyed ourselves. Enjoy the pictures!

Aunt Paula, Nonno and the kids racing in the yard! (I think Callie won)

Feeding the birds at the Indianapolis Zoo

Gustav also feeding the birds.

Callie and Gustav playing with baby Andrew

Gustav particularly liked baby Andrew - he's going to make such a good big brother:)

The Baldini-Hertz Clan
Matt Sarah and Andrew

Gustav, Andrew and Callie

Grammy Ida and her great-grandkids

Aunt Paula with my two chickadees

July News!

The first half of July was a busy and exciting time for us. We drove to Grandma and Grandpa Hertz' house (Gus' parents) in the Atlanta area for a Hertz family reunion and birthday celebration for Grandpa Hertz. All of Gus' siblings were there and so were all 12 cousins! We all had a really fun time and it was great to see all the kids playing together. We stayed there for a few days and then drove down to St. Petersburg to spend a week with Nonna and Nonno at their condo. The kids had fun swimming and seeing my cousins Alya and Niko who are their age. Callie really got along with Alya and still talks about her! We also got to see Aunt Shellie (of course) and Aunt Connie and meet up with our good friends, the Platania's while we were there.

I posted tons of pictures below and they are completely out of order! The ones from the beach and 4th of July are in Florida and the airplane etc. ones are from Atlanta. The pool pictures should be labeled pretty well!

Gus, Callie and Nonna's handstand contest.

Callie, Alya, Niko and Gustav on the 4th of July!

Watching the fireworks in St. Pete

Heading back after a fun-filled fireworks display!

Gustav is getting ready for the new baby. He's showing what a good big brother he will be.

Callie at the beach in St. Pete (Fort DeSoto beach)

Floating in the water with Daddy!

We got to catch up with our friends the Platania's!

We rented a boat for a day in St. Pete and Callie caught the first fish!

Swimming with Nonna and Nonno at their condo

At Grandma and Grandpa's pool, Gustav didn't feel like swimming this particular day...

Callie and Caitiln doing somersaults in the pool!

Playing simon says with their cousins! Gustav was whining so Daddy fixed that!

We stopped on the way down to St. Pete to visit our friend Dave in Hommosassa and see Gus' former boat.

Gustav loved the sand at the beach - he especially liked throwing it

Grandpa took each kid up in his airplane with Daddy. They both LOVED flying!

Gustav's turn!

Getting ready to take off!

Callie (and Mommy) liked Caitlin's bathing suit so much we went out and bought a matching one!

Swimming with their matching suits! Callie loved Grandma and Grandpa's pool because she could touch the bottom and not be under water!

June News!

June was an exciting month in the Hertz house! We found out that we are having another baby!!! Yeah! We are all excited! Callie and Gustav got to see the first ultrasound and were totally confused, but are now anxiously awating the arrival of their new brother or sister. The other day Gustav asked me "Mommy when's that baby coming out?!" They are going to make an excellent big sister and big brother. Gus also bought another boat (apparently that seems to coincide with pregnancy for me:)) Other than that, June was just a typical summer month! Enjoy the pictures!

Callie, Sarah and Gustav playing in our basement. I made matching butterfly nightgowns for Callie and Sarah.

Callie thought she wanted to start getting rid of her naps, but sleep finally got the best of her while she was waiting outside her brother's door for him to wake up!

Trying to catch butterflies in the yard.

Getting bored waiting for butterflies.

Playing in the sprinkler.

Callie was amazing on the slip n slide!

Gustav just finished scooting along on his bottom. What a fast runner!