The Perreca Post

Brighton Academy...

Each year, Al and his group of college friends get together and camp- this year, they actually rented a cabin! While the guys did this- Megan and her crew drove to us and we had a blast! 9 kids and 2 adults- we actually were asked if we were Brighton Academy- and I think we WILL be that anytime we get together! The kids all played nicely together and the weekend was oodles of fun! We spent time at the pool, the aquarium, the pool, and lots of time playing together!

Sam's Club- where you can feed all 11 of us for under $20!

When Sam's is playing loud music, a dance party just may begin...

Adeline was called on to be the Score Keeper at the Dolphin Show at the Aquarium- she was in heaven!

Picnic Lunch in the Parking garage!

We brought the aquarium to the pool- thanks to discount floats at WalMart!

yummy donuts!

We had a blast- and can't wait to get together again soon! I mean, for the next field trip of Brighton Academy....

Asher's 2nd 1st Day...

Asher got to have a 2nd 1st day! He did so well in his Special Needs PreK, that it was recommended that he attend a regular preschool 2 days a week- and one that is close, and works closely with his current special ed teacher, had an opening! Given my part-time teaching schedule, I could still drop and pick him up! The icing on the cake was that this school, Macland Preschool, hadn't even started- so he could join with everyone else! He was SO excited- and insisted on taking his new teachers all flowers...

Miss Cate!

We have some time in the morning between walking the big kids to the bus and when it's time to drop him off- so often he dresses up to "protect" me- so sweet!

Once he started Macland, he was assigned his own bus! Murphy's Law.... Friday, he finally got to ride his beloved bus to and from school- and once again, he insisted on giving his bus driver flowers! The bus picks and drops him off at our driveway- perfect!!

First Day of School!

Aug 3- it seems like a pretty outrageous day to start school- but that's how they roll here in GA... We have a week off in September, the entire week of Thanksgiving, 2 weeks at Christmas, a week in Feb, and a week at Easter- and are done May 21st- so I guess it's ok.... The kids woke up super early- 5:30am early- which was good since their bus stop is 7:15! It's the first time I ever got to put them on the bus, and the first time they ever had a "real" bus stop! It's just 3 houses away, so it's not a bad little walk!

Reading the traditional letters from Daddy!

Daddy went into work later and was excited to be a part of the First Day!!

Asher and his amazing teacher, Miss Julie! It took 2 weeks, but Asher finally got assigned a bus- but I had to take and get him....

Smiles after his first day!

It was a GREAT first day- here is to 179 more great days!!

Alden is EIGHT!

Somehow, Alden is now eight years old! He is an amazing, creative, math-wiz, hands-on, soccer-lover, swimming-sensation, Minecraft-playing, inquisitive, argumentative, passionate, amazing, kid! (yes, amazing is twice).

Given that his birthday was on Monday, we celebrated all weekend! He got to open a few gifts each day to spread out the excitement!

An added bonus was the neighborhood "icecream" social was on Sunday, the day of his party! Thankfully it's summer, so there is no such thing as too much ice cream!

We had our friends the W's and the L's come over to celebrate with us- the kids all drew Minecraft pictures on the driveway with their party-favor sidewalk chalk. They then squirted each other with their party-favor squirt guns! After that, pizza and watermelon was enjoyed by all! Instead of a cake, Alden wanted an ice cream bar with tons of toppings! Yum! Everyone seemed to have fun- we are so blessed to have such great friends after only being here such a short time!

The kids played in the basement for some time- and Asher came up with this. I simply do not have words- I do think it will make great blackmail some day...

The actual morning of his birthday- Happy Birthday!!