Back to School

Thursday both kids had Orientations!  It was a chance to meet their teachers, drop off their supplies, and fill out approximately twenty million forms....  Both kids were thrilled to see their friends, meet their teachers, and get a glimpse of their future!

These two BFF's saw each other across the parking lot and couldn't be happier!!

Under the school sign!

Addie and her new teacher, Ms. Festa!  Addie is thrilled that they both love Fancy Nancy!

A few hours later, it was Alden's turn!  He was so excited!

Walking into the school

First one on the mat waiting for the teacher!

Addie's artwork was on display- she is so talented- no idea where she got it!

All lined up- Alden the line-leader!

Alden and his teacher, Mrs. LaLiberte- she was Addie's teacher last year and we are SO happy she will be Alden's teacher this year!

As we left the school, Alden told me that he made 1 new friend, Mrs. LaLiberte!  He also told me that he really liked how she had decorated her room- he cracks me up!

Both kids have amazing teachers- we can't wait to see what they learn and how they grown this year!

Final Summer Memories

With summer officially coming to an end, here are some pics from the fun we had!

Enjoying a special treat for being perfect for 2 hours while I had my phone and computer fixed at Apple.

Alden (pretending to be a dog) and Kierke- playing with Addie- who snapped this pic

The neighborhood pool we belong to, is literally at the end of our street.  They advertised a Luau- the kids were SO excited- you could hear the music from our house!

Addie showing off her hula skills- she kept coming in 2nd or 3rd place against teenagers!

Goofy kid- so excited to have a snowcone!

This poor kid- he sure tried to hula!  He thought if he shaked his hips realllly fast, it would work.   He is hilarious!

Oh!  Trying with 6 hula hoops AND a funny hat- THAT's how to hula!!

Aren't we tough?

Ice Cream Sundaes at the pools Back To School Bash!

Take Me Out To the Ball Game...

We are happy to have a minor league team in our town- the Mighty Flying Squirrels (don't laugh...)- the tickets are affordable, the atmosphere is low-key, and lots of games end with fireworks!!  So when there was a chance to score tickets for $1 each, I jumped on it!  We went with several of our dear neighbors- all of whom had never been to a Flying Squirrels game!  It was great seeing the excitement on the kids' faces and I think everyone had a blast!

So excited to see a picture of a mascot they had read about!

This boy was prepared to catch a fly ball- and he almost did, too!

We took up a full row- what fun!!

Being so silly!

Alden specifically saved some birthday money- he wanted popcorn and peanuts- and I almost bought Cracker Jacks, just so we could sing the song!!

The boys analyzing the various players stats....

The evening ended with fireworks- it was late, but the kids loved it, so that makes it worthwhile!!

Fun with Friends

This summer has been chock-full of time spent with friends- just what we all wanted!!  The kids say they had a fantastic time- and that is what counts!!

Lots of time was spent a the pool- and shockingly enough, by the end of August, it was actually chilly so more time was spent snacking outside, all bundled up in towels!

Thumbs up for fun times!

Fun ice cream cones with friends!

Someone's #1 goal for the summer was to loose a tooth- she has most certainly tried her dardest!!  Here she has the plastic price tag on a travel brush, hanging on her loose tooth!  It is extreamly wiggly and looks like it could very well fall out before 1st grade starts!!

These two love the diving board- yay!!

Family Photo Shoot

A few weeks ago, my very talented friend, April, came to take some family photos.  I think they turned out splendidly- she is so talented and I am thrilled with the finished products.  The kids are growing up so quickly, I am happy that she was able to capture some of their spunk and personality that I'll cherish forever.

Last Hurrah!!

Our dear friends, the Ws are leaving for the next 6mo, so we were excited to spend a final time with then at one of our favorite spots, The Fountains.  Granted, this was Plan C or D- I lost track....  Despite this, we had a great time!!

SO excited!!

Love this face!!

So sweet!!

What a monkey!!

Friends!!

Loving Each Other!

Lunch!!  Love that there is a CFA there now!!

Me and my sweetie!!

Random Happiness!

When we returned from the Mid-West, we found out some of our good friends would be leaving in 2 weeks, to relocate for the next 6 months!!  Yikes!!  We soaked up as much time as we could with them- doing all kinds of happy, fun things!!

You know that random ride in the middle of the mall?  Well, we rode it!

These two are such good friends, most of the time!  It's kinda funny to think that Alden is actually older....

Of course, we couldn't spend ALL our time with our friends, so we did do some other fun things as the beginning of school was looming closer and closer!!

Lots of time was spent at the pool!  I really to expect to find gills on the kids one morning they love the water so much!

Of course, you can't forget to do your summer reading!  We are blessed with a neighborhood full of brillant kids!  Winston and Addie love to share books!!

One other event that was on my Summer Bucket List was VBS- a local church does an amazing job- and the pastor actually worked with the pastor of the church Al attended in NY, the very pastor that married us!  The VBS feeds the kids dinner, teaches them the Bible, and Al and I get a week worth of date night- everyone wins!

Rockin' the VBS shirt and having a blast!  She is still walking around singing the songs and quoting the scripture!

He had a blast, too!  He still tells me stories from it and corrects Addie if she ever sings incorrect lyrics!

And another scratch off the Bucket List- bowling- REAL bowling!!  This was quite an adventure for the kids as it is drastically different from Wii bowling!  I waited until I had my 2 favorite Big Kids, and we went together- thank you for the free passes, AMF!   Elena taught them how to Granny Bowl, and since that didn't get them their desired results, she then showed them how to correctly hold the ball and they enjoyed that much more!  Addie only bowled 1 round- the ball was too heavy- but Alden loved it!

Thank goodness for bumpers!!  I often thought he was playing pin-ball....  He got better as he played and totally enjoyed it!

Can you see her concentration?  The tongue is out!