The First Week of School

Wow, let me first say just how difficult this post is for me. I have actually been postponing doing this post because I didn't want to accept the fact that my baby is a Kindergartner.

We were overwhelmed the second week of August when we registered Blaine for Kindergarten. He will be at the Primary school for just Pre-K and K. So after we completed our very large packet of information and had to produce mass documentation proving we live in LV district (remember, we don't own the bldg yet) we were ready.

I must brag on B now. I told him he had to get a haircut prior to school. My only requirements were out of the eyes and off the ears. So we looked through the Sunday ads and found some styles that he liked and met my requirements. We went to Sport Clips and showed the stylist the two very distinct styles - and B picked right then. Without my prompting, he picked the shorter style. He says to be like his Uncle Joe!!

Thursday, Aug 20. Meet the Teacher Night. Let me back up just a bit. Ever since we moved into the back of the shop in 2001 I have dreaded placing my children in LV schools. As this year approached, I have been amazed by how many people were telling us that they knew someone who taught, who attended, who student taught and how much they loved LV. God has not granted us the freedom to move or build a house so obviously we are suppose to begin in LV schools. So given all the positive feedback, we began to pray for B teacher and that they would be the perfect fit for B and all his energy. God truly is gracious and blesses us, despite our fears. Okay back to present day. We walk into his classroom and I realize that we know his teacher...Miss DeNoyelles. What an unexpected blessing after all.

Blaine (love the new do!) and Miss D


Monday, Aug, 24. The First Day of School. LV serves free breakfast for the district. Classes also start at 7:40 - so here we are enjoying some breakfast for the VERY early morning. Choice of pizza or fruit loops - he chose fruit loops.


Outside Miss D's room and the "Kindergarten Corral"

I love this face. He is actually very, did I say very, excited about his first day of school. So we all give hugs and see him to the door.

I must say that I didn't get completely emotional until after I dropped him off in the carpool on Tuesday. He seemed so big and slightly unsure.

This is Friday. It was the last day that parents could walk their kids into school. From here on out it is the carpool lane for us. You can't see D because she is in front leading the way. You would think that she is the one going to school. Note the backpack? B decided that he wanted to use Dad's old hiking backpack. I think he is trying to get used to it since we promised him he could go to CO hiking with us the summer after Kindergarten.


Of course we have to include D first week of school too. On Monday, Aug. 24 we had our annual parent meeting and meet the teacher. D has a new teacher this year and was originally not to happy about being a "Busy Bee", but before the mtg I asked her if I could get her picture with her new teacher. As you can see all is well.

Delaney and Ms. Ginger


Delaney for her first day of "school" - mother's day out for all the rest of you :-) This is as still as she would get to pose for her picture. I again was super emotional as I left the school. I mean really - this is her 3rd year at RCC - maybe it just the overall emotion of the week.


Blaine you are such a brilliant little man. I hope that this first year of school challenges you and encourages you to continue to love learning.

Delaney you love people and enjoy learning new things so you can keep up with your big brother. May you continue to thrive and be loved at RCC. I hope you have a great year continuing to grow and excel.

How We Celebrated the First Week of School...

As we anticipated the beginning of school and the start of a new chapter for our family, we decided we needed to mark the occasion with significant family time. We began with the opening day of the new Asian Forest at the Cameron Park Zoo on August 15. We actually sat through all the dedication speeches and watched as they released Mukah, the most social of the three orangutans, into his new habitat. The kids had a blast.


Delaney hugging the komodo dragon sculpture (much bigger than the real one). Neoma is apparently only 2 years old and still very small. She was threatened by the crowds and spent her day high up in the corner of her habitat at the top of a branch. You can barely make her out in the collage below.




My two little orangutans! Who needs an exhibit to watch these two?


They very much loved swinging on the ropes. Blaine thought he was pretty cool being able to climb the rope swing all the way up and touch the top.

Here is Mukah. He was being fed fruit by the zookeepers. The kids loved the waterfall. The overall exhibit is very nice. Can't wait to go back when KJ and Mei are out in the exhibit.


Then what are the last days of summer without friends coming over to play? This is their "camp site". I promise you ever single blanket, pillow and stuffed animal from all the bedrooms and the living room ended up in the hallway upstairs between the bedrooms (plus a few books and toys). Don't you just love their sweet angelic smiles?? Thanks Amy for coming over - it was a great chance to catch up. Moms definitely need their "play dates" too.


After the kids' first full week of school we decided it was a cause for celebration!! We went to the Waco Water Park on Saturday with the free passes from the church (even better). Except for one incident with two high school lifeguards who thought we would actually let our children drown while we were standing RIGHT THERE....we had fun.








Like Father, Like Daughter...


"Don't forget me...I can be like them"

What an exciting week. Blaine and Delaney you are growing up so fast. We are blessed that the two of you enjoy playing with each other - most of the time. You make Daddy and I laugh at the things you think up and we love playing with you guys. We pray these times are special memories that you will take with you always. Love Mom and Dad

Annual Hiking Trip to CO - part 1

Sweet wonderful Colorado and our annual hiking trip that we take with Sean and Cami Barr. What a great combination every summer. This year the 4 of us climbed Pikes Peak - 26 miles round trip. It began snowing right after we all made the summit, but this quickly passed.


A few days later we stayed in Salida and the guys climbed and made the summit of Mt. Shavano...



...and then across the ridge to summit Mt. Tabeguache...



...and then back across the summit of Mt. Shavano to return to the trailhead where Cami and I were waiting with cold drinks in hand!!

These are the big highlights. I will post more as I go through the more than 400 pics that we took on our 5 day trip.

We heart CO!!!

What Happens When....

Have you ever wondered what your kids do when they go to their rooms to rest for an hour after lunch - note rest not sleep? Have you ever wondered how they process being mad and upset earlier in the day for not getting their way? Have you ever wondered how kids do after being at their grandparents for a week only to then be taken to Houston for a wedding and then home again within 36 hours? Well when you combine these three thoughts you apparently get this....Blaine in his Easter clothes down to his fancy socks, asleep only 5 minutes before he is suppose to get up.