Political Facts

The kids are getting into the full swing of school. We are now in our 3rd week. E's class is progressing right along in the Kindergarten Cirriculum. E is loving school and is learning fast.

Monday as I was in the lunchroom adding money to S and E's lunch accounts, Mrs Matthews (one of E's teachers) stopped me and asked me if E had shared with me any Political Facts he had been learning. I was not sure what she was talking about so I just told her no. She laughed and told me about E and his Political Saviness!!

Last week Mrs Shirley was reviewing political facts with the kids and asked who the president of the United States was. E apparently raised his hand right away, and when call upon, yelled out with much confidence "MICHAEL JACKSON!"

Well E, I could see why this might be confusing...they have both been in the news a lot lately...

Maybe I will ask him who the President is when he comes home today??? I need a good laugh!

School Days

Wow! Where has the time gone? I cannot believe I have 2 school age children!! We are certainly entering a new phase in life. Part of me wants the clock to stop and just enjoy where we are, but part of me is very excited for this new phase in life we are beginning. It is so special to me, the friendship that S and E are enjoying. They have a new common ground, going to school together. S is such the "big sister", telling E what to expect at school and even walking him to his classroom. She is delighted to have her little brother at her school. I am not sure how long this camaraderie will last, but I am just going to enjoy!!! It is so much fun seeing them stick together. That is what family is all about!!! Just this morning, S, after finding out that E was wearing his VBS tee-shirt to school went and found hers to wear to school too. I need to snag a picture of this. I love the innocence of this age. I am sure, give them a couple of years and they would not be caught dead wearing matching shirts!! Ha! M is still adjusting to both her brother and her sister being gone all day. I know how you feel M, it is pretty quite around the house!

Broken!

Yes, school started today but I do not have pictures of E's first day of school because when I pulled my camera out of my purse to take a snapshot it would not even turn on. (Despite charging the battery last night) I am hoping the old saying that things break in 3's will hold true because it seems everything I have touched in the last 24hours has broken. It began with the garage door coming down on the back of my van, so much for the sensor. I now have a broken, scratched back of the van to match the broken front bumber of the van. Next I had the issue of the camera this morning and now this...

Need I say more???? Now for the clean up? I don't know how the kids will ever go barefoot on the back deck again.

Showers and Showers!

The only picture I got of the happy couple!

Maybe someone could send me another.

Lauren and her mom

Some guests at the shower, melting in the GA humidity

Lauren's mom and sister Lindsey

Saturday we had a shower for Lauren and Tulley. We had planned this to be an outdoor event and were literally down to the last minute with a "shower" ending about 30 minutes before the party was to begin. The rain held off from 7-9 and we were able to have the shower outdoors. Mary did a great job with all the detail planning and although we had a hectic start with the weather, I think it was a success. It was nice to visit with Lauren's family who came all the way from Texas for the event. All the family (both Lauren and Tully's) pulling together for the event made it so much fun. It is so much fun to watch Lauren and Tully begin their new lives together. After being married 10 years, I have such a different perspective on this than I did when I was in their position. What a special time this is for them! I am so thankful our family is getting to be a part of it!

The beach

I had so much fun at the beach playing with my camera. Everybody gets beach pictures and we had never done this. This year despite the fact that "getting ready" while we are on vacation is not what I want to do, I really wanted pictures!!! So we got everyone ready. We chose the morning b/c we thought the kids would do better in the AM. Unfortunately, it was too bright. The kids could not keep from squinting. So we had to go for plan B and attempt pictures again in the evening. They turned out much better! Thank you to my dh who had much patience with me and helped me get the kids ready, not once but twice for beach pictures!!!

The Beach

I cannot believe our much anticipated trip to the beach has come and gone. We had a great time and the kids had so much fun playing with their cousins. I hope we are creating fond memories that will last with them forever. I love the beach and am always reminded of the God and His awesome power every time I go. It is so funny to think about how my life has changed in the last 10 years. Comparing an outing to the beach trip 10 years ago to a beach trip now really makes me think...

Ten years ago the list of what to bring down to the beach
beach towel
sunglasses
book

What I take to the beach now
tent
towels
sun screen
swimmies
buggie boards
swim rings
football
kites
sand toys
swim diapers
more sunscreen
snacks
bottled water
a child on my hip that won't walk in the sand
bug spray
a baby doll????
beach chairs
cell phone (to call the condo, to have someone bring what I forgot)
sun glasses this time with tinker bell and spiderman logos
?book--oh I forgot my book, oh well, I will not have time to read anyway!

Oh! and did I mention my husband and 3 great kids!! Ha!!!

After 10 years an outing to the beach is not quite as simple, but I wouldn't trade my "extra stuff" for anything. It is all worth it!

Slow down Summer

Swimming on the 4th!!! Complete with 4th of July tattoos
E at "Mr Jack's" we had a great time!!!!

S and K enjoying some melted snowcones

What says 4th of July better than American Flag tablecloths??

Glad I snagged a picture before the snowcone was all over her shirt.

Wow! I cannot believe it is July the 6th and school starts one month from today!!!! We have had a great summer and are trying to enjoy every second.

We celebrated the 4th with the annual downtown parade and a party with some neighbors. We finished off the night with a swim and fireworks!!!

his week starts VBS!!! We are doing it at night this year, so our schedule has definitely been out of whack!!! That is okay, we are having lots of fun and S is thrilled that I am teaching in her class!