August 24, 2011

The Last Weekend of Summer

Why no post in a couple of weeks? Life has gotten in the way. In a totally good way but we're really hunkering down, getting homework done, perfecting our name writing, getting to bed early, starting preschool, having yearly pictures made, life, life, life.
The weekend before school started we took off to the lake with some very dear friends. I can't tell you how many times Scott and I have made the comment since about what a fantastic, relaxing, stress-free, relaxing weekend we had. They had a way of making us feel so at home and comfortable.
The kids had an absolute blast!






August 9, 2011

1st Day of School 2011


Here's our back to school celebration meal! I think this calmed some night before nerves!

We woke up sleeping baby, loaded up the Johnsons and headed the white bus to school. Brooks said that he didn't want to go because school took too long.
I think they were all happy once we dropped them off in the car rider long. Pics with teachers will have to come later as we opted not to walk them in. Mary Kate and Lillee assured us they would get those boys to their classes.

Here they are after jumping off of the bus. I asked how the day went and Lillee said, "great!" then Baxter said, "really good!" Lillee had detail after detail to share but Baxter said recess and lunch were fun. We're ready for a terrific year with awesome teachers and sweet friends.

August 4, 2011

Summer is Over!

All of our "events" are not checked off. It must be from pure exhaustion that we couldn't muster up the energy to find the dry erase markers and do it. While I'm looking forward to school starting next week, I'll also miss those two big cats (not kittens as I often refer to them) a lot! We've been very busy until this week. I promised early bedtimes and a resemblance of a routine and we've stuck to it pretty well. It's tough when it's so hot outside until 8 p.m. That's the only time anyone wants to go out to play. Then the lightening bugs run for the hills when they see Ben coming.
We've been inside doing a lot of this...
He really does live in his own world. I'm not sure what it's called but there are many times he is not with us. He'll join our planet for a bit but then it's right back to his land! Ben has really been playing independently lately. The other night Scott was looking around for him and we found him in our bedroom with the door shut. He had shut Piper in and was shooting him with his water gun! Many times he goes to the basement to play with trucks or blocks and if you go downstairs he'll shoo you away and say, "Goooooooooo."
I resisted the urge to put them in matching smocked outfits and opted for the Old Navy Star Wars shirts. I thought maybe Baxter wouldn't be so angry looking back at pictures! These boys are tough. I'm currently thumbing/plowing through This book and this one but I'm not sure I've found the right one yet!
The Methodist church had a great VBS program. Lillee went everyday. Scott, the boys and I enjoyed watching her sing the songs from the week. Is it just me or does my face look like a mortician has tried to "touch me up"?
The Johnson family had box seats and took Baxter to the Braves game. I think from the pictures Lindsay sent Baxter really enjoyed himself!
Lindsay had a group of girls out in Senoia to celebrate her birthday. We went to Founder's and it was delicious. The night before Scott and I had gone with friends to Natalia's in Macon. It was a weekend packed with delicious meals!
After dinner we headed to Creative Canvas in Senoia. To say we had a fantastic time is an understatement. We were supposed to paint a boat and I have to say it was pretty difficult. You could definitely tell who the natural artists were! It took about 3 1/2 hours and it probably should've taken longer! I was ready by the end of the night to slap my paint on and go to bed!
There was another group with ours so it made for lots of fun conversation! The owner was super friendly and helpful.
I'm not sure what I'm doing in this picture below but it doesn't look natural. Maybe the boot is doing something to my facial muscles!
We had a fun time making new friends and memories.
I had to throw this one in - deep, deep focus and concentration.
Moving on....
Lillee, Bethany and I went back to school shopping. We hit Academy Sports, Target and Staples. Oh, and a little detour at Sally's Beauty Supply because after seeing the above picture of myself, I had to do something about my thinning hair.
It's hard to believe Bethany is driving. I have lots of driving skills to brush up on. We were on a four lane road going west and there was a funeral procession going east. Should you stop? Technically, no. However, there were cars in front of us that were stopped so I told B to stop. Then cars behind us came flying around us. I just said go, go, go. Ugh. Can I make time stop so my kids will never drive. Too stressful.
The girls and I did have a fun time shopping. They're growing up so fast so I'm glad to have them hanging out now! We did lots of talking about school, classes, teachers, ballet, jazz and a little about boys!
Speaking of stressful, try taking Ben to a grocery store. He's at the age that he doesn't love being in the buggy. If we get one cookie from the deli we can make it about half-way around the store.
Lillee went to work with Scott. He took her to court and she got to meet the nicest judge ever! She's been asking all summer to go so I'm glad she finally got the chance. She's a sweet junior associate.
We spent last Sunday doing lots of this but this is the only picture I can find!