Bring on Fall!!

Well, we are now into the school routine (I think!). Sam is really enjoying kindergarten. I am so pleased he is making friends, although not fast enough for his taste based on our conversation this morning. He apparently feels like he should already be great friends with everyone in his class. I assured him that as each week goes by, he will get to know all the kids better. I love that he has that attitude - that he wants to be friends with everyone. That's just how he is - such a sweetie!

He started his first karate class today. They offer it as an after school program at his school one day a week. I was able to watch for the last 10 minutes and it was cute to see him. He definitely has a lot of room to improve, but he loved it and is enthusiastic! Abby even enjoyed watching and was doing the different poses right along with the class. Too cute!

Abby and I start back to preschool tomorrow, so life will really be crazy! She is going to be in the 3 year old class and I will be teaching the "older babies". We have 4 kids who will be turning 1 within the first few months of school starting.

I'm really looking forward to the school year, but a bit sad about losing some of my free time. I've really enjoyed being able to go the Y this summer to work out. That will be a bit more difficult now, but I feel like I'll be able to get in 1 or 2 Zumba classes and hopefully some weightlifting still. It will just take more planning.

Football season is in full swing. The Gamecocks played their first game last week, so our Saturdays will be occupied for the next few months with football and we'll see even less of Mike than we normally do! :)

And we're just hoping the cool fall weather will come have a nice long visit with us. I am so over this hot & humid summer weather. Bring on Fall!

Back to School

Sam started kindergarten last week. He was a little nervous in the days leading up to the 19th, but when he woke up that morning, he was ready to go! I think I was more nervous than he was.

The day before the first day, I took the kids to McDonalds for an ice cream cone and play time. We met some friends who have a daughter who was also starting kindergarten. Sam and Abby enjoyed their ice cream and had a great time on the playground. (thank goodness for the coolness of the playroom on a hot day!)

That night for dinner we had pizza and did a little back to school party for Sam. It wasn't anything fancy - I just tried to make the table a little more festive than normal. I think he liked it because when he came to the table, he had a big smile on his face and said, "I can't believe this is all for me!" I think we'll have to make this a family tradition.

The morning of the first day went really smoothly. We had my Mom come over to stay with Abby so we'd be able to focus on Sam at school. I was feeling pretty good and even thinking I might get through the morning without crying. We got to the school and were walking in and one of the administrators welcomed Sam and he said so proudly and excitedly, "I'm going to Kindergarten!" That's when my tears started. I was just so proud of him! My little guy was going to school and he was ready and excited. It was what we had been preparing him for. I pulled myself together and got him settled in his classroom. He walked right in and made himself at home. I think he would have been just fine without a good-bye kiss and hug from us. Thankfully, they were having a Boo Hoo Breakfast in the media center for the kindergarten parents. We stopped there so I could wipe my tears.

That first day was pretty tough. I had no idea what the routine for his day was or when he had lunch or anything! I found myself thinking about him wondering what he was doing and then I'd start missing him, so then I'd try not to think about him and would then feel guilty for not thinking about him! It was a tormented day for me! I was about to crawl out of my skin while waiting in the line of cars that afternoon. I don't remember ever being so anxious to see him!

Then I got worried that he wouldn't want to tell me about his day. I was so happy when he jumped in the car and was talking a mile a minute sharing his day with us!

So today, we finished up day 4 and he seems to be adjusting really well. I'm so proud of him and so happy that he loves school and his teacher.

Happy Anniversary

Mike and I celebrated our 11th anniversary on August 5th. Well, we didn't actually celebrate that day, but that's the date anyway. The 5th happened to be the night of Sam's kindergarten orientation meeting, so that took priority. To celebrate, we took the kids to my Mom & Dad's for the weekend. We pretty much do this every year on our anniversary. It's fun for us and fun for them.

This year we decided to head up to Charlotte. We took in a movie here Friday night. Mike chose Dinner for Schmucks. It was funny at times, but the overall story line was kind of dumb. Definitely not worth the $20 it cost to get in. Come to think of it, not many movies are worth the price of admission anymore!

Anyway, we got up Saturday morning around 8 (which is sleeping in for us - the kids are usually up at 6) and left for Charlotte around 10:30. We stopped at a Ruby Tuesday for lunch in Rock Hill on our way up and headed for Concord Mills Outlet Mall. Mike's not usually much of a shopper, but I think he had a good time. We found some good deals and he got 2 new pairs of shoes, couple pants, and 4 shirts from Polo. He did pretty well!

We headed back to the hotel around 4. Our crazy GPS took us what had to have been the long way, but we did get to see a lot of Charlotte and about every red light on the way! The hotel was nice and we rested for a bit and then got ready for dinner. Every couple of years Mike likes to splurge and go out to a really nice dinner. We debated over which restaurant to go to and decided on Sullivans. We went to one in Denver with his parents once and it was really good, so we thought we'd try it again and we were not disappointed! Our server was so friendly and down to earth, not stiff and uppity like you often get in nice restaurants. We had an amazing fried calamari appetizer - the BEST I've ever had, steaks, au gratin potatoes, asparagus, and a slice of key lime pie for dessert. They even comped the dessert when they found out it was our anniversary. As you can imagine we were stuffed when we walked out and had enough leftovers for lunch the next day!

It was so nice to sleep in again on Sunday. Overall, it was just fun to reconnect with Mike. We often get so busy in our daily lives, that we don't get to just hang out and have an uninterrupted conversation. I can't believe it's been 11 years! Time sure does fly, especially since having children. I love him more now than I did then and look forward to spending forever with him!

Happy Anniversary Babe!

Growing Up

Ok, I know - it has been just about 2 months since my last posting. That tells you what a busy summer we've had! I am working on a post that will recap our entire summer.

This morning I took Sam to his elementary school for his kindergarten screening. He was a little nervous (or so he said), but sure didn't show it! He walked right in and made himself at home. I wish, wish, wish I could have been a fly on the wall! I can't get him to really tell me what she asked him, but I think its general stuff like does he know his name, address, birthdate, the alphabet, numbers, etc. I was sure he'd do fine and he did!

It just has me thinking today, how did the little baby I once held in my arms, suddenly get to be old enough to go to Kindergarten? When did this happen? As I looked at him in the mirror this morning while we were brushing his teeth, I suddeny saw him in a whole new light. He is no longer a baby, toddler, or even preschooler. He looks like a kindergartener!

I love both of my children equally. My whole heart belongs to each of them, I just love them differently. Sam is such a good, sweet, smart and fun loving boy. We are so blessed to have him in our family. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the gift that he is to me. I really feel so unworthy to be the Mom of one of His sweetest little spirits. We often hear from people that Sam is a joy or a delight. Just yesterday someone told me he was a treat. I love that other people can see his enthusiasm for life. And I hope beyond hope, that his is always the case.

I think Abby and I will be sending a piece of our hearts to school with him each day. I hope he knows how much we love him and how proud we are of him!

Vacation, how I love thee

Can I just say that I love, love, love a good vacation with my family? We are so lucky that Mike's Mom, Dianne, lives at the beach. We pretty much spend a week at Isle of Palms every year around Memorial Day with her. Her condo is in Wild Dunes right on the beach and with a pool.

This year we got there on Friday evening. The kids had McDonalds in the car for dinner and were way excited about their Shrek Happy Meal toys. (that may well be one of the highlights of the trip for them - collecting 3 new Shrek toys!) Mike helped us get unloaded and settled in and then he left us to go deep sea fishing for 2 days. His group was leaving at 4 am on Saturday so he left to spend the night with the friends he was going with. I got a text from him at 4:44 am on Saturday saying they had just crossed under the Ravenel Bridge. I was a bit nervous about him going 60 miles out on the ocean, but he assured me the guy who has in charge really knew what he was doing. He finally rejoined us early Monday morning having caught a ton of Mahi Mahi. He brought home several gallon bags full for us to freeze. We made Mahi nuggets one night for the kids and they really liked them. I'm not a big fish eater, but those and the grilled filets we had were delicious! This was something he had been wanting to do for quite a while, so I'm glad he got to do it. And thank goodness for Dramamine - he didn't even get seasick!

While he was out on the open seas, the kids, Dianne, and I set our sights on the pool. This was the first time we had been to a pool this year, but Sam and Abby were like fish to water. They got their floaties and hopped right in. Before long they were both jumping to me from the side and having a blast. They totally wore themselves out. Sam was even asking me if we could go home - you know he's tired when that happens!

We went to the beach for a few hours on Sunday so they could play in the waves. Abby couldn't quite decide if she wanted to stay in the water or collect sea shells. She was back and forth and squealing every time the water hit her. She was pretty funny. Sam was totally dedicated to the waves. He had his little board and spent his time "surfing" or jumping in the waves. I'm really proud of him. He is so outgoing and friendly and made a friend at the pool and the beach. I love that he can do that!

Tuesday we decided to go to the water park, Whirlin' Waters. It was an over cast day but we hoped for the best. We had been there about 10 minutes when it started raining and thundering & lightening. So we hunkered under a covered area for 1 hour when we were able to get a pass to come back. As a consolation, we took the kids to McDonalds again and Sam got the Donkey from Shrek, which he had really been wanting. We tried again Wednesday with much better luck. It was a beautiful sunny day and thankfully not crowded at all. We all had such a great time!

They had this giant tree house with several levels and things to run through with water falling every where. There was a giant bucket at the very top that constantly fills with water and then tips over dumping water out. We were very careful to avoid the dumping area. Sam loved the tree house. It had 4 different slides and he and I tried them all out. There was a toddler area for Abby with sprinklers and slides for her. She thought the slides looked like fun but chickened out when we got to them. Her favorite things were the lazy river and the wave pool "when the waves were off". Sam and Daddy enjoyed the wave pool with the waves on. Sam and Mike climbed to the top of a very tall water slide (like the huge kind at the fair). Sam got nervous at the top and decided he didn't want to slide down after all. Mike went down and then Sam got brave. He and I (who wasn't feeling so brave) climbed back up and went down. Turns out it was a lot of fun, so we went a few more times. All in all, it was a great day and so much fun to be together as a family. It's not often we get to do that and we all enjoyed it.

We returned home around 7 pm on Thursday to a freshly cleaned house. My sweet friend cleaned my house for me while we were gone as a thank you for helping out with her son. I've never had someone clean my house for me and I have to say, I could get used to this!

We're all home, refreshed, rejuvenated and nicely tanned. Our busy month has begun! I go to girls camp next week for 2 1/2 days, the week after Sam, Abby, and I are going to VBS at Shandon Baptist, and then we leave for Utah at the end of the month. Throw in 8 swimming lesson, a visit from Josh and Amanda and their girls, birthdays, and Father's Day, I think June will just fly by!

Graduation Day

Today Sam had his graduation from preschool. He looked so cute! I made him wear a polo shirt (which for him is a huge deal since it required him to wear buttons - oh, dreaded buttons!) and these shorts, which he liked, surprisingly. The biggest surprise is that he wore them all day. Maybe we are making strides. But I digress. Anway, the kids all wore graduation caps and they had ribbons draped around their necks which said "2010" on one side and "Gradaute" on the other. They came marching out single file with"This Little Light of Mine" playing. They looked so adorable and grown up. There are 2 four year old classes so both classes sang a song. Sam's song was to the tune of "I'm a Little Tea Pot" and went:

I'm a little star shining bright
Growing bigger every night
When I finish preschool I will shout!
I'm a star so ya better watch out

Then each child's full name was called and they went up front to receive their certificate and a little box of things to help them go into kindergarten. They had baby picture up on a big screen as their names were called and they said what the kids said they want to be when they grow up. Sam said he wants to be a Dragon Trainer when he grows up! (Later today he told me he really wants to be a deep sea diver.) It was cute to hear what the kids all said. A few girls want to be princesses; one boy wants to be a Mario Brother. Sam's friend, Rachel, wants to be a golfer like her dad!

Then they played a slide show of pictures from the year. It was really nice. They played one of mine and Mike's favorite songs - "Let Them Be Little". I was starting to get weepy! I can't believe how grown up he is getting. I kept thinking, before I know it he'll be graduating from Kindergarten, then elementary school, and then high school. It makes me want to just treasure every day more than I have been lately. They grow up so fast!

Afterwards we went to Red Robin with our friends the Gillettes (their daughter is in Sam's class)and my Mom and Christy. It was a fun lunch and we had gotten the kids a few small gifts. All in all a pretty good day.

Tomorrow is our last day of preschool this year. I have to say I have really enjoyed being a part of the preschool program. I have loved teaching and it has been a great experience for Sam and Abby. It's bittersweet. On one hand I'm glad for the break and summer and am ready to slow down a bit. On the other, I think in a few weeks we're really going to miss it. We have a pretty busy summer (at least the first half), so I'm sure it will go by fast and he'll be off to Kindergarten before I know it.