Last Days of Summer (I hope!)

I don't know about anyone else but I am very much looking forward to the end of summer. I am so ready for fall leaves, wearing a sweater, eating chili and apple crisp, the list goes on and on. But, here in TX it is still incredibly hot in the afternoon so the kids wanted to play in the sprinkler. We just bought one of the old school sprinklers that I have many fond memories running through when I was a child. (We have a few dry spots in the grass so we thought we'd give this sprinkler a try).Ouch, that looks like it hurt!

Needless to say they loved running in it as much as I did when I was their age.

I love Elizabeth's run - how funny is that?!

If it can't feel like fall yet I guess we'd might as well enjoy the heat! :)

Ben's Meet the Teacher

Elizabeth and Ben both had things at school the same time on the same night, so Tom took Ben and Elizabeth with him to Ben's meet the teacher.

Tom was nice enough to bring the camera with him so all these pictures are from him! :)

Ben and Cooper are both going to zoo school this year and they are so excited about it!

Elizabeth was in the same class when she was 3 so this brings back lots of memories for us.

This is after meet the teacher. The kids made hats while the parents talked to the teachers. This is where the kids will wait for us to pick them up after school is over.

I'm guessing the boys were running around, jumping off the benches. I remember sitting with Ben and Cooper while Elizabeth was in class and the boys running around like crazy. They were only one and a half at the time!!! I can't believe it's already time for them to be in school.

We are looking forward to a fun year in zoo school!

Football Season has started

So football season has started. I really couldn't care less. But, my husband is pretty excited about it - along with some other members of our family. Tom's family has a fantasy football league, and Ryan (Jessica's husband) is also doing a league this year so Sunday night was every one's sign up online. We had a test run the night before with Jessica and Ryan to make sure everyone could get online. Luckily, they could, so we had all the family over to sign up for their football leagues. I have no idea how they do it (it took a couple of hours though) but we had tons of snacks and we all had a good time.

The kids were all climbing on top of the playhouse out back (so dangerous!) but they wanted me to get their picture. Even Jackson joined in the fun!

When my sister in law, Victoria, came over she brought back the jumperoo that we lent her for Amelia. I came in the room and there was Ben, hanging out in it! He stayed in it for an entire show!! Today he was trying to flip in it and doing all sorts of crazy things. Needless to say it is going in the attic tonight!

School is still going great for Elizabeth. She really likes it and I have gotten to go up a few times to help in her room. I'm also on the PTA board so we have been meeting for our committee so we've been super busy - just with not a ton of fun stuff :) Ben doesn't start zoo school until next week. Tom took him to meet the teacher last week so I'll have to post those pictures.

Off to another full week!

Week One - Done!

Wheww - we got week one of school out of the way! Thank goodness :) Elizabeth was happy to go to school everyday, so I consider it to be a success! I already have my first classroom job (I get to go to school on Monday and organize the classroom books for the teacher) and I have a PTA job! I have a feeling I'm going to be busy this year :)

Ben and I decided to bring Elizabeth lunch on Friday (her lunch is at 10:45!) so we got some Subway and headed up to her school.

Elizabeth got to pick a friend to sit with us. She picked a little girl named Emma. We met Emma at meet the teacher and found out she lived right around the corner from us, and she has a brother Ben's age. They came over to play yesterday. I'm so glad she found a friend that she gets along with so well.

Here's to next week going just as smoothly!!

Elizabeth's First Day of Kindergarten

My baby had her first day of kindergarten yesterday. She did a fabulous job. She didn't seem too nervous, and was very excited to go to her class.
We got a new backpack and lunch box for the occasion.

Here is Elizabeth outside her classroom. See the "bling" on her name?

They entered the room and put their things in their cubby.

I was very proud of my girl. I still can't believe she's in kindergarten and gone all day long!! Besides the pit that's in my stomach all day we are doing well with the change. :)

Here's Elizabeth when I picked her up - look at that happy face!
That's Elizabeth's teacher in the background - see her hot pink dress?! They dress way cuter than I did when I taught. She was also wearing super tall wedge shoes. I don't know how practical it was for teaching...but she looked cute!

Elizabeth was super spoiled going back to school. She got presents from both her grandparents and her Aunt Jessica. Jessica is Elizabeth's godmother and she gave her a charm bracelet for all important events. This time she gave her a school charm. So cute! We met my mom and sister at Sonic to have ice cream and to give Elizabeth her presents. This is from my mom.

She was also excited to get flowers and a balloon. Like I said, she was very spoiled.

She did a great job on her first day, and I survived it. ;) Today was slightly easier for me, and Elizabeth was happy to go back. It was a good first day!

Company - and Jackson's 1!

We had my Aunt Amy, Jim, and their children Evan and Emma in town this week. We had such a fun time playing with them all week. We visited a splash park and - besides it being boiling hot - had a great time.

This is me and my buddy Evan (I'm just noticing you can see through my shirt - sorry about that!!) I wasn't planning on getting wet but my buddy wanted me to go into the water with him - so in I went! I wouldn't have been able to stay out anyway, it was way too hot!

Jackson was hysterical! He loved everything about the spray park!

That evening we went to Elizabeth's meet the teacher night. The kids wandered around and explored the room. Do you notice the pink curtains in the back? The room was made for Elizabeth. It was very pink and girly. She's so excited that she finally got to see her room and teacher.

The next day we went to hang out at our house with Emma and Evan .

The kids loved running and jumping into the ball pit.

The next day Tom and Elizabeth had a daddy and daughter day - one of the things she wanted to do before school started. I don't have any pictures (Tom didn't bring the camera) but they went to the science museum, went out to lunch, and went to buy a present of Elizabeth's choice. She pretty much got to pick anything she wanted at the toy store (within reason of course) so she was very excited. Tom has a hard time saying no to our daughter :)!

Then - Jackson turned one!!

Even though Jackson was over taking pictures by this point, I had to add this picture. I loved the photo banner Jessica made for him - it's so cute!

The adorable table.

Evan had a lot of fun at the party - he was enjoying the candy :)

Jessica had a candy bar for the kids to enjoy.

The kids enjoying their dinner.

And - oh my goodness - I have never seen a baby like his cake as much as Jackson. He never took his eyes off of it!

Look at Cooper stealing bites!

My beautiful Aunt Amy and cutie, Emma. She matched the polka dot party perfectly!

Of course we had to get a group shot of the cousins.

After the party we headed to a local park to watch one of our favorite kid artists - Eddie Coker.

The kids loved it and were up dancing and having a great time.

Ha Ha - our attempt at a picture with him. We felt bad asking him for a picture as he was cleaning up if we weren't going to buy a CD - we already own all of them!

Last but not least - Elizabeth is having her back to school dinner (it makes me sad even typing those words!) Elizabeth goes to kindergarten tomorrow and she requested chicken pockets, fruit, homemade french fries, and ice cream for dinner. We went to bed early tonight so we were ready for our big day tomorrow! I'll let you know how it goes!! :)