A Fun, Low-Key Weekend

Saturday morning was a bit crazy, but since then we have enjoyed lots of low-key time at home!  It's been such a blessing to work on my Isagenix sales and to catch up on items from the week including PSE PTA stuff . . all while the kids have enjoyed lots of friends!

I have a new running buddy who is training for a half marathon so I've been running with her.  This Saturday we were supposed to do 9 miles, but we ended up running 10!  I got home just in time to take a quick shower and get Preston ready for his Y-Guides adventure and Savannah ready for running club.

Hackberry Braves at their airport meeting

So the boys took off for a fun morning of watching planes take off at the airport (which came complete with stories of craft planes stuck in trees and dad's climbing trees to get stuck planes).  After running club, while the boys were still gone, Savannah and I ran a few errands.  Then we hit a consignment sale and came home with an extra neighborhood friend to play with Savannah.

Saturday school with Savannah & Grace

The kids played outside most of the afternoon (along with several other kids) and we grilled out for dinner.  Then as a reward for my long run we hit Baskin Robbins for dessert.

I think they enjoyed their chocolate ice-cream

Today after church we've enjoyed a lot of at home time too.  There is still a very long list of to-dos, but with two big kids in school I might make a dent in that list this week. :)

Bus or Bust . . . It's Official Now!

This morning my baby entered big school full time!  No more turning back when sissy gets on the bus, no more sleeping in, no more play dates while school is in session . . .

Preston & Kai, the kindergarteners

First time on the school bus!

It was a big day as Preston officially became a kindergartener.   He was a bit anxious about getting on the bus, but super excited too.  Savannah was her usual sassy self and refused to help him get to class, but thankfully I knew that there would be mommies on campus specifically to help the new kindergarten kiddos. 

It was a very odd feeling watching the bus pull away with BOTH kids, but the day filled up fast and before I knew it, the bus was already back with them both. :)  Here's to a wonderful school year with lots of learning and many new friends too!

The Long Awaited BACK TO SCHOOL Day (and night before)!!

Savannah's special back to school gift for Preston

After over a year of waiting the night before kindergarten was finally here for our Peanut!  He had a top secret letter to open from his teacher with confetti to put under his pillow.  We read Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come and he was fast asleep.  

This morning came bright and early and both kids were super excited!!  Of course we had to take lots of pictures before we could go through car pool at PSE.

I'm not sure how they grew so much, but it just baffles me to think that I have a kindergartner AND fourth grader!  Soon enough it was off to PSE!

Still thrilled to be going to big school

 And just like that, in the blink of an eye, they are both off for their first day of school!  It was a VERY strange feeling leaving them both at big school . . . I couldn't figure out if I wanted to cry or jump for joy.

Thankfully I got to sign up for kindergarten lunch help today (usually they don't let mommies in until after the first two weeks of establishing a good routine) and saw my little guy, still smiling, at school.  His teacher is already amazing in my eyes and once we sat down she just said "you were right, he is very ready for school."  It's going to be a fabulous year for them both.  I can't wait to see how much they grow, both academically and physically.  Lord, I release them to you and trust You have them in good hands.

Meet the Teachers!!

PSE Meet the Teacher day is finally here!!  

We started the fun at 1:00pm in kindergarten!  Preston was SO excited to see his classroom, where he would sit, his cubbie, if there were any familiar faces in his class, and of course meet Mrs. Bridges.  He did a great job reading around the class, finding the items on the scavenger hunt and also really enjoyed digging through the treasure box.

Preston and Mrs. Bridges

I think he feels a bit settled now that he's seen where he's going.  Oh and his teacher, she seems like the sweetest woman ever!  I can't wait to get to know her better this year.  Preston is still asking A LOT of questions as the excitement about kindergarten builds!  It's going to be a great year for our peanut in kindergarten!!

Since Dave couldn't come this year (just got back from CO late last night) I took both kids with me.  On our way out we stopped by the newly updated plaque by the library to take a quick picture.  Savannah is so proud that her name is displayed on the AR allstar list two years in a row. :)

Then we ventured home for a quick rest before heading back to PSE at 3pm for Savannah's meet the teacher. We are equally thrilled about his woman, Mrs. Columbus, who clearly has a passion for writing. I remember from curriculum night that she was so animated and excited about writing . . just what our girl needs!!

Savannah and Mrs. Columbus

unpacking her school supplies

 I was super impressed with both of my kiddos teachers.  They seem very organized and sweet.  I pray this year is a fabulous one for both kids . . . and can't wait to see how much they grow academically and socially.  Now there are only 2 days until my baby goes to big school.  Let's hope my excitement continues!

A Week at HOME

So now that we are back from the beach with school starting in just one week I have had A LOT of things to catch up on and get ready for.  The kids have been amazing troopers this week as we have done many, many errands and spent a lot of time in the car.  They have found a new appreciation for playing together and have created many fun lego masterpieces.  They've also been to Noah's Art camp one afternoon and had play dates all morning another day.  Today after the gym we're going to the park and plan to do dinner out tonight since Dave is still in CO.  This weekend is filled with fun events to get ready for the big first day of school on Monday!!

A Long Overdue Family of 4 Beach Trip

We were all so excited to take a vacation as a family of four to the  beach this year!  It has been several years since we vacationed with just the four of us at the beach and it was LONG overdue!!  We left on my birthday and traveled to our favorite place, Hilton Head.

 Unfortunately, there was a mix up with the home owner and when we arrived the condo was not clean.  So we had to switch up our plans for the week.  Not a big deal, and we ended up getting our dinner out reimbursed, so all is well. :)  We decided to go ahead and head into Sea Pines to explore the shops, get new Salty Dog shirts, and have dinner.

Savannah participated in a hula hoop contest.  She almost won but got eliminated once they said you had to stand on one foot and spin in the opposite direction.  I was SO proud of her for even trying in front of so many people. :)

When we were finally back to our newly cleaned condo we celebrated my birthday with some peanut butter pie.  Yummy!!!

We got up the next morning and went on a family run/bike.  One of our favorite parts of Hilton Head is all of the shaded bike trails.  The kids easily biked while Dave and I ran.  Then we went back, packed lunches, and walked to the beach!  What a blessing to be on our own relaxed schedule.  We spent over 4 hours at the beach both days we were there.  The weather was absolutely perfect the entire time.

Dave spent a LOT of time in the water and digging in the sand with the kiddos.  We started and finished a read a loud book, Mr. Poppers Penguins, and just loved being able to watch the kids play together.  They were completely content to sit on the boggie board and dig/splash/kick in the small water pools.

Of course we had to fit in some mini golf before dinner one night!  It was a super hard course, but fun to do together.  All in all it was a fabulous trip and a great way to wrap up our summer.  It's hard to believe that school starts in one week, but I think we're all ready!

Our First Nighttime Visit to Carowinds

Quick selfie as we were leaving, but all still smiling!

We decided to try something new tonight and ventured to Carowinds after dinner!  Dave had a mystery shop at Cinnabon so it was a good excuse to go.  I have to say it was by far my favorite visit . . and we've been going for years!  The weather was perfect, cooler with a breeze blowing, the crowds were non existent, we parked close to the front, and everyone got to ride something new tonight!  Savannah finally agreed to ride the Windseeker and the rest of us tried the Ariel Chase for the first time (super exciting, I know!).  It was a very late night as we didn't leave the park until after 9:30pm, but what a fun trip!