Tuesday, August 19, 2014

First day of school!

Florida style!!
Yep, we did it.
Six months ago I wanted time to pass so this day could come!
Gabby started kindergarten, Owen's my big 3rd grader,
and Liam is home with Momma!...
In the Sunny South!
Kids so excited!
Gabby actually let me do her hair and she wore a dress!
My sweet baby doll!
Liam had no idea they were about to leave him for the day!
I love the palm trees!
Owen looks so big!
He told me this morning that Liam is his best friend-
sometimes I feel bad when Liam wants my attention rather than Big Brothers.
But, I guess, it will be different some day...
Roger was there to see us off...

I wasn't planning on walking the kids in, 
but, once I got there, I pulled over, parked...

and walked them up...
Owen knew his way, so he barely turned to say good-bye
and flash me a cute smile...
Gabby, on the other hand...
Let me go with her!
She was so excited and so brave!
She went right to her seat that she'd picked out!

Liam and I celebrated...with doughnut holes...
and a trip to the park!
We took a walk, he fell asleep, and so I had time to update my blog!
One day down and I can say I'm happy...
Counting blessings!

The after school report...

Owens favorite part is that he doesn't have very much homework. The playground was kind of small, and lunch was really loud. He likes his teacher and she's creative about telling kids to be quiet. :-) there's only six boys in his class and there's no troublemakers… Yet. He says he'll be able to keep his desk clean because the top doesn't open. He got to pet and hold the class guinea pig today, but don't worry, he washed his hands...that's all he told me.  :-)

I haven't heard a lot about Gabby's first day… She made a friend. Her friend has black curly hair. She said lunch was really loud and she got to go outside to play. She said she sat in her chair that she picked out at open house… And I think she likes it. She told me this morning on the way to school that her head was getting bigger but she still only five. She must be getting smarter already!

So far I am slightly surprised and unexpectedly pleased with the school. The communication home already is amazing. Both the kids brought home the communication folder and Gabby's teacher is going to have a daily chart where we can write notes back-and-forth.
Roger and I had lots to look over tonight!... After football practice, that is.
Busy, wonderful times!
Counting blessings!

From the Magic Bridge to new adventures!

One of our favorite adventures in MN was to get on our bikes and 
head to Nanny's.

Liam loves the bike ride!
We always would find something to do and 
were never bored or HUNGRYat Nanny's!
The kids would then beg and plead with her
to go to the magic bridge...

Liam just wanted to run around...
But he kept trying to head into the pond...
Crazy kid!

And now that we are in Florida, we don't head to Nanny's.  :-(

But,we try to make every outing an "Adventure"
because that's what it is...when you don't know where you are going--
it's an ADVENTURE!

All in all, the kids are adjusting as well as I could have hoped...
A few of those adventures so far:
Our longest bike ride yet!
Liam and my helmet is still in storage!  yikes!
boat ride around Lori's pond...in her backyard!
rainbow!
out to eat...way too much but so fun!
We even started a list of "kids eat free" for our nights out!

catching bugs and critters!
BEACH!!!
Even in the rain it is fun!  WARM rain!
and the sun always comes out sooner or later!
Way too many ice cream treats...
meeting "Elsa" and "Olaf"...I won't say what Lori said about Elsa...
Face painting!
Swimming! with buckets on our heads?
Children's Museum!!  We became members and have gone twice already!
Structure at Museum showing how rain water trickles down leaves!
Liam seeing how "BIG" he is!
Gabby and Owen playing "Dr."
"I like warm hugs!"
Chik fil a has a play structure!
Slides!
Finding toads in the "almost done" pool!

Rescues all 7 of them!
Got gas...and donuts!
Had a picnic near school and "almost home"
teaching Guinn all about banging pots and pans!
There's an awesome playground at the Children's museum!
cheese!
This is a merry go-round!
Gabby got so brave on the climbing wall!
And there are a few times my camera wouldn't work!
We are keeping busy trying to get to know our new "home."
Strange...it does feel like home.
The next post will make it official!...
The greatest adventure yet!
whew!

Before we left...


I tried to do some our our "lasts..."

At least for now...or as my kids have known it...

It's sad moving but oh so exciting living a new adventure!

My kids are adjusting quite well...as far as I can tell.

But life when you are 2, 5, and 8...is a bit more abstract.

And Owen, as intense as he is, can really go with the flow and

enter a new house, new school, new church, new friends...

quite easily!


I'm sure I will hear the "I miss..." phrases when the excitement wears off.

We climbed trees across the street from our house!

and ran down "BIG" hills

went to parades!

hung with daddy before he left for FL!

learned why parades are fun: TREATS!

went to see Gramma Mae

played in the rain...cold rain  :-)

played at the new splash pad!

went to see Gramma Mimi

and went to see our dear friends...


Jeremiah and Matthew (top two smiles next to Owen)

were 4 and 6 in our wedding...

They are now a freshman and junior in HS!

My how they've grown but are as cute as ever!!!

Jeremiah and Matthew 10 years ago!
We did other things too...

played with Lukas and Landon,

went to the Maple Maze and the biggest park ever!,


did VBS at our church,


stayed overnight and had friends over almost everyday,


had lunch and/or drinks with dear friends,


went to the dam--


and shared a few more precious moments with the people we love




and seeing the places we cherish...


Our hearts are still so full of the love that's been shown to us!