Take me out to the ballgame!

It took us all summer, but we finally made it to a Suns baseball game. I really love going to minor league baseball games so much more than going to the major league games. The atmosphere is more relaxed, you get better seats, and you're bound to run into people you know.

Here was our little crew a couple of Fridays ago. We all enjoyed the game and wandering around the bleacher seats around us. Even though we lost the game, the fireworks show at the end made up for it. I think this was the first post-game fireworks display that we watched where all the kids enjoyed it (I think Landon is slowly getting over his fear of them!)

 

And then there was one...

With Abby and Landon at school now, I get to spend my days with this little man...

 

 

I haven't had just one child at home in over five years so it seems a bit strange. He is so delightful and running errands is such a breeze these days! He is completely obsessed with building trucks right now, all of which he calls dump trucks (or in Nolanese..."dun duhs.") He spends much of his day staring out our front window where they are building a house directly across the street from us. I have noticed that his language skills have really expanded too since his little "mouthpieces" have been away at school. He is starting to say more and more words and I just love all of the little conversations that we have together during the day. It should me a fun year with my little amigo by my side!!

First Day of Kindergarten!

Landon's big first day happened on Thursday, August 22nd. He seemed pretty excited about it all. I, on the other hand, was pretty nervous. I knew academically he was completely ready for this new phase of life, but all day Kindergarten is kind of tough and I know his stubborn streak can be difficult to deal with at times. Plus how in the world is this little guy old enough to be in school already?!?!

But there was no stubbornness in sight on this day...just pure five-year-old excitement!!

 

 

 

He looked so very small heading into that big school. I cannot believe my little man is in Kindergarten. These last five years have flown by so quickly and its been tough to watch him take this big step of being away from me all day!

 

 

Here is his teacher, Mrs. Allen. I was a little disappointed because she is having a baby next month and Landon doesn't do extremely well with change, but it is what it is. Landon seems to really like her though and hopefully her long-term sub will be a good one while she is out on maternity leave.

All set and ready to learn! I was so worried that he might start to cry when we left him, but he handled it well and seemed ready to get down to business. I was very brave until I left his classroom and then the tears started to flow. Another one of my babies at school all day!!

This time we remembered our IDs so that we could walk Abby to her classroom as well. She is so excited to have Ms. Townsend and she has several of her friends in her class this year too.

 

It was fun to hear both of them coming home with lots of exciting details from their day!!

Father's Blessings

Due to scheduling difficulties (i.e. Scouts/YM stuff), we held off on doing Father's Blessings until the night before Landon was to start school. They do a staggered start Kindergarten here which means half the class started on Wednesday and then stayed home on Thursday while the other half had their first day. Then Friday everyone gathers together for the "real deal." I'm sure it makes it a bit easier on those saintly Kindergarten teachers! Landon was assigned the Thursday start day which meant that Abby and Landon started school one day apart from each other.

Even though Abby had already completed her first day of school, she was still excited for her blessing from her most favorite person!!

Landon was thrilled to get in on the action this year (and I LOVE this picture of my little Kindergartner...a real smile instead of his usual "I'm bored/angry/trying to be funny" faces I usually get when I pull out the camera!)

As soon as Landon hopped down, Nolan thought he needed a turn too. Who could deny this cute little face?!?!

 

Here's to hoping all of the promises made during those blessings come true during this school year!

First Day of Second Grade!

Abby's big first day of second grade arrived on Wednesday, August 21st. Although a little sad to see summer go, she was also very excited about seeing all of her friends again and getting to know her teacher, Ms. Townsend a bit better. Abby was the SGA representative from her classroom last year so she had worked with Ms. Townsend there.

She was up bright and early that morning...

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately Jason nor I had thought to bring our IDs with us so we weren't able to take her into her actual classroom. This made Abby start to cry which of course turned on the water works for me too. Once she was with her friends again though, she was able to get excited and she had a great first day.

It is always really hard for me to send my children off to school. I thought that it would be a bit easier since we've already done this with Abby for the last two years, but it was still difficult. I know it is what is best for her though and I'm trying to come to terms with the idea that my whole purpose as a mother is to prepare my children to successfully navigate this world without me. But boy, do I sure miss them when they're gone!!

Walk Like an Egyptian

We enjoyed attending all of the different library events this summer and participating in their summer reading program. To end the summer, they held a big "Egyptian" themed party complete with crafts, games, food and dancing. Abby really enjoyed learning the "Walk Like an Egyptian" dance in her "Arab" robes.

 

 

We had a fantastic summer filled with many trips, activities and some good ol' downtime at home. I think both kids were excited about starting school, but a little sad to see our fun summer end. I had those same mixed feelings too!

Greenbrier

This summer has been very unusual weather wise. We only had about one week of pretty hot/humid weather in mid-July and then the rest of the summer has been extremely mild. Almost everyday in August our high was in the 70's (it was heavenly!!) We also got quite a bit of rain this year which has been great for our grass but made some of our outdoor activities a bit more difficult. However, we still took full advantage of our weekly trips to Greenbrier State Park, even if it was a bit chilly at times! Jason was able to come with us a few weeks ago and he snapped these photos. With all of our beach gear in tow, the camera is always last on my list of things to bring!

Greenbrier is so gorgeous with all the trees surrounding the lake...

All three kids enjoyed building creations in the sand this year.

 

And Nolan LOVED the water. Unfortunately he has no fear of going under so I had to watch him like a hawk. He would often be walking around with water up to his chin and still trying to go further out!

 

 

 Oh, how I will miss these carefree summer days!!