First Day of School

My TWO elementary schoolers!

My third grader!  Wow.  Third grade.  Time goes crazy fast.

My Kindergartner!  Pretty stinkin' cute, huh?

Lined up on the playground before the pledge.

Ready, set, learn....and have loads of fun!

Well, we all made it out the door on time this morning.  One down, how many more to go?  And Ronnie went in late so we could each take a kiddo and walk them in on their first day.  The boys are going to different schools, so it makes life a littler trickier.  Clayton's at a magnet school and he had such a great year last year (his first at that school) that we didn't want to pull him out.  But....the magnet program doesn't start until first grade, so we had to find an alternative for Thomas.  Fortunately, a charter school was set to open this fall just a few miles down the street from us.  God's provision?  Yes, thinkin' so!  School options out here are slim to say the least, and so to have two great places for the boys this year is definitely a "Yay God!" thing.

We'll have our first try at pick-up here in a bit.  Thinking that's not going to be quite as easy as the morning commute, but we'll figure it out.

The girls have both been sleeping since just after noon.  It's so quiet!  I'm kind of glad I had those couple weeks with just the girls this summer when the boys were back east because I'm pretty sure they prepared me for today.  Think I got all my basket-casedness out of the way back then.  {Yes, I'm aware that's not really a word.  Still fitting. ;)  } It just hit me about an hour ago that we'll do this same thing all over again tomorrow.  The school routine and really, having T gone all day, hasn't sunk in.  Kind of feel like today was just a big momentous day, but it won't be repeated any time soon.  Ha!  Anyway....

In the meantime, it's just the three of us girls.  Pretty excited about that!  

Treasure the days they are young.

Last Day of Summer

We had a great last day of summer vacation.  Simple fun, just like it started.  After church in the morning, Ronnie took Clay to pick up his new glasses.  Then, they brought Five Guys home for lunch.  Yum!  I had to make a Costco run in the afternoon, but we spent the rest of the day enjoying each other. 

Lots of water play in the backyard.  

A light and delicious dinner of shrimp and Caesar salad (and maybe a brownie for dessert!)

And LOTS of laughing!

Perfect!

Off He Goes

My T-man starts Kindergarten tomorrow. I can't believe it. Truly, hard for me to believe the day has come.  He's so silly.  Makes me laugh a ton each day.  Going to miss that so much.

All day Kindergarten.  All day.  Wow.  Will be interesting to see how tired he is by the end of the day.  Can't imagine.  Clayton was still napping almost everyday when he started Kindergarten, so we're ahead of the game there, but I know this is a big step for him.  He likes his quiet time (much like his Mommy) every afternoon.  (Photo is of him chilling out in front of the TV after the boys' return flight home.  He was just a little sleepy then too.)

More silliness.  Did I mention he's silly most of the time?!  Silly or learning.

And a great big bro.  Just great.  Adored by those two little sisters.  They're going to miss him too.

Thomas, I wish you a wonderful, fun, special first day of Kindergarten tomorrow.  You've been my little buddy for so long now.  Can't really imagine my days without you.  No doubt, they will be duller without your questions, super imagination, magical smile, and super silliness.  Glad I have two other amazing little people to distract me from missing you too much.  And, I know this is just the beginning of many tremendous adventures for you.  It's time for you to spread your wings a bit.  I know you are ready (even if I'm not!)  Looking forward to big hugs at 3:15 each afternoon!  Love you bunches and bunches!

She Lost Her Mind

Video of the boys arriving home.

Have you ever seen a little girl more excited?

They're Here!

My boys are home! I haven't taken the time to upload a single photo or the cutest video in the world as Gaby watched them walk in the door. She pretty much lost her mind in sheer joy and excitement. So cute! Home at last! Felt so good to sit down to dinner on Saturday night, all six of us. Just been enjoying them ever since.

Shhh....Don't tell, but I will confess, life was MUCH quieter without them! :) Love their voices, just need a volume control! :) :)

Our Summer In Photos

Lots of photos of our summer. It's been a pretty quiet one, low-key for sure most days. With the ages of the girls and therefore, lots of naps, and the heat, we stayed in a lot. We did venture out from time to time to keep from getting shack-wacky and were able to check most things off our "Summer Fun List," so I'm calling it a success. I thought this summer was going to be pretty awful--boys always wanting to get out, girls needing to stay home; but it was my favorite to date. We just had a lot of simple fun at home. There are some notable missing shots, like countless afternoons in the pool, but if I was in the water, I surely had a babe or two in hand. I'm grateful for a relaxing, but wonderful summer.

The boys return home on Saturday. I can't wait to see them. Dreading a little the inevitable retraining that will need to be done after weeks of being spoiled by grandparents, but it's going to happen nonetheless! :) I am very thankful for the more individualized time I was able to have with each of the younger kids because of this trip. It was interesting to watch the dynamics change when Clay left, then Thomas....and I feel like I got to do, sit, hug, spend time with each of them more just because there were fewer of them for a little while. And I know the adventures that the boys had with their grandparents will be treasured memories for always.

Ronnie and I took a little vacation with the girls to California earlier this week, so we were able to have a change of scenery (along with some fantastic southern California weather) and recharge a bit. (Those few pictures aren't uploaded yet.) I loved my time with Ronnie after the girls were in bed. Sitting out on the porch, talking, even reminiscing, while listening to the ocean....pretty sweet. I confess the other two nights I fell asleep on the couch at 8:30, but I guess I needed some R & R that bad.

Anyway, it has been a fun one. Can't believe school begins in just over a week. These last few days with just the girls at home are soon to be my new normal Monday to Friday. Strange. Another huge life change as #2 heads off to Kindergarten. Right now, I'm just looking forward to two huge hugs on Saturday afternoon.

She's A-Growin'

My little one is four months old today. Really hard for me to believe. Another month gone in what seems like a moment of time. I took her in for her check-up today. She weighed in at 12 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 24 inches. My littlest four month-old to date. She must know this whole growing up thing is hard on me. :)

She truly is so sweet. She loves to be smiled at and talked to and will show her joy in return. She has started to chuckle, though I can't catch it on film. She stops as soon as that red light is in her face. She is mellow and can entertain herself quite well if need be. She's outgrown her need to be swaddled to sleep, mostly because she wants those fingers or thumb to soothe her instead of the pacifier. Most times, she falls asleep quickly on her own. She is loved immensely by her family.

I treasure you, E. And love you beyond words.