TGIF

The first week wrapped up well. I took Paige to get Mommy Daughter pedicures to bring in the Labor Day weekend. It was very fun. The kids were sure glad to have a nice long weekend at home.

 Eli really loved having his play mate back.

 Then we headed to Grandma's & Grandpa's for dinner with everyone.

Back in the School Groove

School is going well- back in a good routine and kids are doing well. Daddy has been home all week and that has been fun. We got our favorite pj line-  Halloween. Seriously, Gymboree has always been a family favorite for Halloween wear.

 They are acting like Frankenstein monsters-

 

 

 Last night he cooked out on the egg and we had friends over who also brought some good food. It was a very fun and yummy night.

 The boys were all over Jack-

And the girls had Jessie all to their self. :)

 Ending the night with yummy cobbler-

 Mornings have been good. They are early though.

LOL- Eli doesn't think we need morning pics.

 Jacob and Daddy were so excited that the NFL jerseys came this week. Jacob is sporting his favorite player- Tom Brady.

 And Eli and Daddy are loving the one on one time. They dress alike to these days. :)

First Day of School- 2013

Yay!!! The silver lining to summer ending is the excitement of the first day of school. Kids did good getting up bright an early after a summer off. 6:30 is indeed early. Jacob was true to form and had his trucker breakfast- where does he put it???

 Eli was happy to start the day too.

 And this is her big day. Breakfast is not easy for her when she has time let alone when she is on a schedule. But she got through...

 All dressed and ready for pictures! My baby....starting kindergarten...where has the time gone???

 We are so blessed!

 Every year Daddy takes the first week of school off and it is always so fun.

 Kindergarten-

 2nd grade-

 I love Eli's silly face in this picture.

 We are so thankful Laura is here and able to share in this special day with us. :)

Here we go....

 She is doing good so far....

 Eli and Laura running ahead-

 It is also fun to see all our friends too. Give hugs, see how tan and tall everyone got from the summer- I just love the joy that goes with the big day.

 Seeing more friends...oh the love....

 Okay- in the home stretch- put stuff in the locker and she is now saying her good-bye's. I was tearing up big time here and was thankful I had my big black camera to block my sad face. Otherwise I would have started balling and probably made Paige cry too. Paige was very quiet and sad- she also had watery eyes. Daddy was so good to encourage her and give her hugs, bc again- I would have been a mess!

 Here we go- leaving. She did great. I peaked in on her after we left and she was fine.

 Jacob's class is right outside Paige's class which is also very helpful. He was a pro- walked right in without us. Such a big man.

 These two have 2 more years. Cute little bugs.

It was a great day. I saw them both at lunch and the teachers said they had a great day. SO thankful for a great intro to the year. :)

Final Days of Summer

 Summer of 2013 is screeching to a halt. We are so not ready to get back into the daily grind of tired early mornings, rushing to get fed and out the door on time, the long hours away from the kids, homework battles, reading lists!!!, and the dreaded getting to bed on time! I know I am making it sound worse than it really is- only because I am focusing on the negative sides of school. There are good things- no great things to the routine of school that I will be talking about with the kids this week. BUT... for now, as the final sands of summer slip through the hour glass of time, all I can say is it's been a nice break from the busy school routine. I am always sad to see summer end.
The weather has also been very nice this summer. Only a week or 2 of extreme heat (at least that's all I noticed) has been very nice. This week we have been outside SO much. Lots of playing. I have loved this summer!

 Eli is like me- he gets all red when he plays outside.

 Eli stealing Daddy's "twee twee" (aka: Sweet Tea!)