First Days of School 2013

These 2 handsome boys started school on Monday! I can't believe it's that time again, but we were all pretty excited for school to start!

 John is now in 3rd grade! He's a pro at this by now. He has always loved school and looks forward to it. He has an awesome teacher and I know he is going to have a great year! When I picked him up and asked how his day went, he answered with "it was good!". We got several details and it seemed like it was a successful first day of school! He knows several of the kids in his class and is looking forward to this year!

Braidy also started big boy school this year! He is in Pre-K, which goes alllll day long! He had been super excited about going which was making my heartache not quite as bad. He did great as we dropped him off, but when I went to pick him up, he had the saddest look on his face with big tears in his eyes. It broke my heart into a million pieces. Not the response I was expecting or hoping for! I asked how his day went and he said, "It was NOT good!". I think it was just a long day, a big adjustment, and you know, the first day(s) of school are all about learning procedures, how to walk in the halls, how to do things in the cafeteria, classroom, and all that other BORING stuff! He said "we didn't even get to play!" He told me he didn't make any friends. He didn't like eating in the cafeteria. They got to play block, but apparently on this day, he decided he didn't like blocks. He was a huge Debbie Downer on the car ride home. He told me he did NOT like Pre-K. I told him we should at least give it a week or 2 before he decided that. He said "I'll give it one more day, and then I'm going to be done with Pre-K!" So...needless to say, I went to bed with BIG prayers for a better day 2! Prayers were answered. Day 2 and 3 have been smiles and "good" days. He still isn't sold on it, but next week when they start doing "real" stuff I think he will love it! Once we picked up John, he was SO sweet. He assured Braidy he would make friends, but it takes a few days. He was so encouraging and it really seemed to help. We love Johnny. He's such a great big brother and role model for the little 2!

 His precious teacher took this on the first day! We LOVE his teacher!

It's been quite an adjustment for momma too! I have decided I'm a MUCH better and happier momma with school going on. Summer starts off awesome, but the days are L-O-N-G and mom's patience is S-H-O-R-T! That sounds bad and like I don't LOVE every second I get with my boys. I do, I really do! But I love having structure and a routine. I love getting up early and showering and fixing lunches (ok not really this), and dropping them off, picking them up, and having the afternoon and evening to play and enjoy the heck out of them! I have never been very schedule oriented (I'm a go with the flow-type-gal), but being a momma of several little boys....I love and need a schedule. I'll probably recant everything I've just stated come the end of May, but for now, we are loving it.

My momma heart had a hard time with the fact that Braidy would be at school all day. He's so big. I blinked and he turned 5 and started school. I can't believe he is old enough to be doing all of this. But he is and here we are. I had gotten teary all month at the thought of him going, when reading letters from the school I'd find myself tearing up. I knew the first day was going to be ugly. But it wasn't. Daddy and I dropped him off, I had Quin as a distraction, we said goodbye and no tears. UNTIL I got into my car and read the poem that his teacher sent with the moms (with a pack of kleenex). That definitely started the tears, but not for long. Soon Quin and I were on our way, ready to spend the day just the 2 of us! Quin definitely misses his brothers, but I think he's loving the 1 on 1 time he's getting!

Summer Wrap-Up!

With school starting TOMORROW, I thought I'd do one last summer blog. I've been TERRIBLE at blogging lately, so here's a giant catch all....with LOTS of iphone pictures from the last month (or so) of summer!

Lulu took us to JOYLAND! The boys (and moms/lulu) had a blast! We rode almost every ride and shut the place down. The boys still ask about going to Joyland daily. To say they had fun would be a huge understatement!

Braidy has turned into a little Cowboy! Since he got all the "attire" for his birthday, he loves wearing his hat, boots, and sometimes his spurs!

We got to go out to the Falls' to ride their horse, Jose'! We also got some farm fresh eggs (YUM), a few onions, zucchini and squash too! Delicious! Made me want a garden of my own...chickens too!

These sweet statue people are right by Ryan's office, and ever since they have been there, Braidy and Quin always say they are "Lulu and Papaw". Kinda does resemble them. So one day when we met dad for lunch, they wanted a picture with Lulu and Papaw! I love how Quin is holding Lulu's hand! We have loved having some lunch dates with daddy this summer!

Just a sweet moment as we were shopping at the mall. Braidy said "Mom! Take our picture!" Couldn't pass up the chance!

Sleepy Quinny at a baseball game! Nothing better!

Several times this summer we'd grab lunch somewhere and head to the park for a picnic! The boys got to play, and I didn't have a mess to pick up in my kitchen! Win, Win!

Our neighbor/buddy had a Cowboy birthday party with horses! We had a blast!

We got to go to the lake with the Wheatley's a few weeks ago. It was so much fun. To me, there is NOTHING better than spending the day at the lake. I Love it! We tubed, swam and enjoyed the sun! We love our friends!

The boys and I went to several "big movies"...many were the $1 shows on Thursday morning, but we splurged last week and went to see Planes! It was super cute and the boys love the big movie!

Just for memory's sake. Anytime we go to Academy, my children turn into heathens. We are that family that people are judging and whispering about behind our backs. They make it look like they've never been disciplined a day in their life. I'm not sure what it is about that store.....but we may decide to boycott it forever.

Last week, Chick-fil-A hosted a "Mother/Son date Knight", so me and my 3 boys went for dinner and fun! The boys got to make swords, our food was served to us, and they got to have their faces painted as well. Sweet night!

Last weekend, we found a HORNY TOAD! We kept him for a day and then decided to let him free. He liked us. It took him a while to scurry off. We haven't seen one of these in a long time, sure was neat!

Later that same day, we celebrated Uncle Todd's 35th birthday! Also, it was Ryan and My 6th wedding anniversary! Yes, I did put 35 candles in that cake! 

Tour de Tejas Part 2

Tuesday we packed up and headed to Houston to see Nena and Pops! To say the boys were excited would be a huge understatement! We were excited to spend the rest of the week with them!

When we arrived, the boys immediately headed upstairs (after opening a few goodies Nena had for them) and broke into the toys! They love that they have their own chest of toys upstairs. We decided to go swimming since we had the whole afternoon to play! We went to the club pool and it was closed due to thunder so we went to the LifeTime Fitness pool because it has an indoor pool. Well, we arrived and their power had gone out, so we waited for a while to see if it would come back on, and then decided to head home. Boys were bummed. But, Nena to the rescue! They instead, got dressed and met Pops at Chuck E Cheese. Who loves CEC more than these boys? No one! They played for a couple hours until it was dinner time. They were happy!

That night we had one last birthday celebration. Yes, birthdays around here last a long time and are celebrated many times! Nena and Pops made fried shrimp (Braidy's request) and a cake and presents! He got lots of goodies, but he was especially excited about his racecar set and new EZRoller! 

 The next few days were filled with several trips to the pool, another trip to Chuck E Cheese (Quin is now obsessed!), seeing Turbo at the big movies, a trip to the Dollar Tree, McDonald's, going to the Galleria for some ice skating, and going to see the ASTROS baseball game! We kept our days full for sure. The night Nena and Pops took the boys to the movie, Ryan and I went to his "hometown" to see his house he lived in and visit his favorite restaurant, and saw a couple of his HS friends too! I loved seeing his "roots"! Very cool!

The boys at the baseball game! They didn't win, but everyone had a blast. I think the highlight was the amazing fireworks display after the game! Amazing!

 We had the best time! I know we wore everyone out, but I know these boys will always have the best memories of their grandparents, and I love that! We are blessed! Great Tour de Tejas!