Beautfiul August Afternoons!

I have been trying to really make the most of our afternoons.  Since Henry is in school all day, 3-7 pm is a precious time at our house!  One day this week we took advantage of the pretty weather and went to a nearby park and then took a hike in the adjacent nature preserve.  The kids loved it.  I don't know why we don't do this more often considering it is right beside where we live! 

Pool Party!

 Our Sunday School class had a pool party/cookout at the pool Saturday night.  It was so much fun and so easy!  I think everyone had a great time.

Pre Season Football Party

Some friends at church had a preseason Auburn football party tonight.  We had so much fun eating BBQ and tailgating food, socializing, and seeing some great Auburn games replayed!  The kids were totally decked out and super excited!

Pierce and Henry were taking a water break.  Grace was being silly :)

Movie Night

We had a movie night on the porch this week.  We had to do it super early since bedtime has been drastically moved up to accomodate early school mornings this week, but the kids really enjoyed having popcorn and watching a movie on the porch!

Some Very Brave Grandparents!!

Last weekend Grace, Grant, and Henry went to Cullman from Friday afternoon until Sunday after church.  Nana texted these two pics of them having fun!  They had the best time with their Nana, Papa, and their six cousins!!  All nine grandchildren together can get pretty crazy, so I know we owe a big thank you to grandparents, aunts, and uncles who helped with these kiddos last weekend! 

Grace loved the tire swing, and is now begging for one.  She fails to understand that we do not have a tree that is over 2 years old in our yard (which presents a slight problem for a tire swing!!) 

Grant found a pacifier and according to Nana took advantage of the situation and utilized it as if he were a baby for 48 hours.  Despite staying up until midnight and getting up at 6 am, I think everyone had a wonderful time.  David and I certainly did not know what to do with ourselves at home without kids all weekend!  A big thanks to Nana & Papa for such a special weekend for the kids (and for us too!)

A Fabulous First Day

Henry was all smiles when I picked him up from school, and he had so much to report!  His teacher brought him to the car, and it seemed like their class had a good first day.  He already had his lunch number memorized, and he was full of all sorts of information!  He met knew friends, saw friends he already knew, loved his teacher, and said PE was his favorite!  The first thing he wanted to do when we got home was have popsicles on the porch.  And that is exactly what we did.

 Tonight we met a bunch of families from our neighborhood for dinner.  All of us had kids starting to the same school today, and most of the families had a child starting kindergarten.  It was fun to catch up, and a good way to end the first day.

Emme and Grace had fun going through Emme's purse!

The big boys had their own table!

Grant sat right by David and played on my phone, perfectly content :)

First Day of Kindergarten

And he's off!  Henry started kindergarten this morning.  He was cheering, I was tearing!!  I held it together in front of him and cried walking back to the car.  I know he's going to have a great day.  He wasn't a bit sad.  It's just me selfishly wishing the time wouldn't go by so fast.  How is he already in elementary school?  That said, I'm excited for him, and I look forward to all that school holds this year.  I know he is going to have a wonderful year. 

That Last Bit of Summer

We have been cramming in the fun around our house.  Biking, swimming, golfing, eating ice cream....you name it, we've been doing it lately!!  Henry starts kindergarten on Monday, and Grant and Grace are in school this week.  So, we have used this opportunity to let Henry have some awesome one on one time to do what he wants.  On Monday we met friends at Splash Adventure water park.  Tuesday David took Henry to McWane and then I took him to the pool, and Wednesday the boys went golfing.  Today he is having a fun day fishing with Mimi.  Tomorrow is meet the teacher, and who knows what else I'll do with the little guy!

 I have loved playing with my camera now that I can shoot in manual.  The pictures look SO much better.  I haven't edited a single one.  I imagine if I did that, I could really get some good ones :)

 These two pics were taken on Monday before taking Grant and Grace for their first day of school.  They were so excited!!  They couldn't wait to go see all of their friends, and they are so proud to be in separate classes already.  It is a little more complicated for me, but I know it is in their best interest to let them be their own person!  Their teachers say they are doing great!  I think for us it has been a good decision so far ;)

A Chilly August Day at the Zoo?

We have been squeezing in those last few summer outings before school starts.  Friday was the perfect day at the zoo--almost chilly at times due to the rain that was on its way.  It was sooo nice! 

We got to see the zookeepers feed watermelons to the elephants.  It was fun to watch them just stick half of a watermelon in their mouth all at once!

No Training Wheels!

Henry has been ready to ride without training wheels for a while.  He just didn't want to.  Tuesday we just took them off against his wishes, and he figured it out in no time.  Wednesday night at the Children's Summer Play Party he was riding like a pro with his buddies!

Grace brought a baby to sit in her baby carrier while she rode her bike.

Grant loved the face painting and tattoos.  I had to scrub that child before bed last night.  His arms and legs were covered in face paint! 

Birthday Parties!!

The kids had a great time helping Elizabeth celebrate her first birthday.  I love the look she is giving Brooks in this picture.  I just know she's thinking, "Don't you dare take a bite of my cake, buddy!!"

David enjoyed a big birthday breakfast on Tuesday morning.  He has had a great week full of birthday celebrations!