First "Kindergartner Homework!"

On the second afternoon of school, Carter got his VERY first REAL homework assignment in his "take-home" folder, of course, due the very NEXT morning. I'm not complaining for fun and creative projects but when it involves having to call CVS to beg them to take your on-line photo order after 6PM for one hour service when their website clearly says, "any orders after 3PM will be ready at 10AM the following morning, I have to laugh at what the next fourteen or so years are going to be like in this house!!! I felt like this very first one was worth remembering.

Carter's assignment was a "Get To Know You Bag." I handled the outside and Carter was in charge of the three objects he was to put inside that describe him and the things he loves.

I covered one side in the outdoor sports Carter loves to do and he chose to put in his goggles, a small basketball and a fishing lure to depict the activities he really loves at five years old: swimming, sports and fishing. He gets to introduce himself to his class, so of course, we practiced his presentation a little.

The Kindergarten Verdict...

At 4PM, it was clear he was going to like this Kindergarten lifestyle. He described his favorite thing of the first day was exercising in the gym where they played music, rolled a dice and got to do draw cards to see what exercises they would do. (I'm guessing P.E.!?!?) It made my heart jump up and down inside hearing how much he loved everything about it. The only negative the first day was just what I thought would be an issue... he and Cash had to be separated while sitting on the rug.... surprise surprise! 

Carter's Very First Day Of Kindergarten!

And shockingly, it couldn't have gone any better! (Besides the insane traffic and parking over a half mile away due to the chaos.)

 One last picture before walking into his Kindergarten class! Nothing but excitement!

 Especially when he found play dough to play with!

 His sister making sure he was nice and comfortable! I think she is definitely ready for Kinder as well!

 All his school supplies ready to be put to work...

 One last hug and it was time to go.

All weekend prior and Monday long, I got calls from friends and family asking how I was holding up and if I cried?

Nope, not one tear was shed from this momma. I was talking to one of my best friends, Alli, about this late Monday, wondering if something was wrong with me. She said it best when she said, "Stop it Megan, don't you doubt yourself for once second! You have raised a strong, smart and confident son who is more than ready for this step in life and you BOTH know it!" She was right, Carter is so ready for this and I am thrilled to finally give him an environment where he can be challenged and surrounded by such new and wonderful experiences that stretch his sponge of a brain at this amazing time in his life. When I reflect back to Carter at two and three years old and remember how shy and afraid he was of new places and environments unknown, I am shocked to see this confident Kindergartner who is so sure of himself and this huge new step called Kindergarten. So maybe the tears will come with Addie but I am kinda doubting it with her abundance of confidence herself.



The Morning Of Kinder...

Dear Carter,

(written Monday, August 27, 2012)

Dear Carter,

Happy first day of Kindergarten. It's 5:15AM, an hour before your momma's alarm is set to go off, and I can't help but lay here and think about YOU and your BIG day. I can't help but reflect on my own kinder experience that started twenty-seven years ago. Saying that takes my breath away because I remember parts of that year so clearly. That is the single point that has really resonated with me this past weekend, the eve of your real school journey beginning. We are right NOW at the point in your precious life where you will actually remember things for the rest of your life.

There's no tears, stress or sadness on my part for you starting Kinder. When I see a few other moms so emotional recently, I start to doubt my confidence but then I go spend time with you, share a little bit more of what Kinder will be like and after you listen to me so intently, you say, "Okay mom!" with a HUGE smile across your face and all my doubts are erased, yet again. See Carter, you are this strong and confident kid who is not afraid of new experiences, this is very different than when you where three. You SO LOVE learning, in fact last night I asked you, "What's your favorite thing about starting Kinder?" Expecting the answer of getting a new backpack or seeing Cash, you made me smile when you said, "I am going to learn a lot!" THAT you are, my precious son!

I love you!

Mommy

Carter's Kinder "Meet The Teacher"

He was nothing but smiles as we loaded up all the school supplies we have had ready for a couple of months.

 We had found out less than 48 hours earlier that of the three classes, Cash and Carter landed in the very same class. (Another reason for the HUGE constant smile across Carter's face all night.)

 Exploring the halls together in search of their new Kinder room.

 Nothing about this HUGE and MAJOR event seem to be stressing Carter out...

 As soon as we entered the very busy classroom, Mrs. Mori came and talked one-on-one with Carter. I couldn't be more happy with her, she has such a warm and loving personality that I know Carter will be drawn to immediately.

 Carter and Cash finding the traditional pencil sharpner on the wall and working together to get a new pencil sharpened.

 For those of you that don't know, Carter is doing a special Dual Language Spanish Kindergarten. In fact the program is all of elementary. It's a pretty intense initial experience but teaching my children Spanish at a very early age had been top of my bucket list for a number of years. It has been a very stressful and emotional roller coaster ride, for me, since we started the process of just trying to get him into the program back in January of this year but once we made the lottery back in May, it has been smooth sailing and something I haven't doubted for a second.

 Carter was nothing but excited for this big day and even more for Monday, his very first day of his formal education!

 How cool is it to have your best friend of three years by your side!?!



Not Quite Schlitterbahn...

...but THE perfect place for a four and five year old! We had a blast with the Volz family this past weekend at Flying L Ranch Waterpark. I couldn't have dreamed up a better designed water playground for these ages, if I tried. The beauty was the four of us adults could sit under a pergola and talk and see all four kids in almost any part of the park. So until pre-adolescence, this is as close to Schlitterbahn has mine will be getting!

Mutton Bustin'

I can't tell you how much fun we had at Tejas Rodeo this past weekend. We had been talking about going for quite a while and finally we just made it happen and what a night it was! It started with a delicious dinner at their steakhouse.

Once their bellies were full, it was time to line up to get their gear on! 

 Not once did either of them pause with any hesitation... even in the chaos of getting the helmets and jackets on. I was impressed.

 I loved seeing them hold hands waiting to leave the corral.

 Walking over to the sheep.

 Carter was first...

 Addie was next up.

 We were so proud and excited for them. Carter got a 72 and Addie a 76!!!

 Afterwards, it was time for the "calf scramble," all kids were welcomed out to chase the five calfs that had a ribbon tied to their tails!

 But first the clowns had them all rolling around in the dirt. It was so funny!

 Then it was time for the rest of the real rodeo. I can't say enough great things about this rodeo. It's so small you can't help but feel part of it, yet so professional and well run.

Thank you to Lolli and Pops for such a fun, fun night out that we won't soon forget!!!!

Addie's First Dance Class At A Studio...

After spending most of her free time dancing to music in her room, putting on shows at the beach for who ever will stop and watch and even busting out with "Vogue-like" moves in CostCo, Addie had started an official dance class at a nearby studio. Here, their outfits have to be perfect and hair in a classic bun but she gets to learn tap and tumbling unlike her previous class that came to her pre-school. I love how class starts outside the room when they line up and march on their tip-toes, hands on hips, chins held high to their spots in their studio room.

HHI Day 5, 6 & 7 - Playing & Beaching

On Wednesday, we woke up to rain so we pulled out lots of fun arts and crafts I had packed, which kept everyone busy for an hour. Notice how my children put their bathing suits right on at 7AM.

 Then, they moved on to playing in the elevator in our house... I know... CRAZY!!!!

 Scott fried us up some lunch and we got a morning of relaxing while watching some Olympics. Being on vacation for seven days during the Olympics couldn't have been planned any better!

After lunch, the eight of us loaded up on our bikes and headed into town for ice cream and shopping at Coligny Plaza. Then, the sun came out and it was time to enjoy the beach and everything that goes along with it...

 There were dozen of giant turtle nests all around our area of the beach. We got to talk to the people that take care of them and find out all the details. It was neat to be there during nesting season. That neon green flag meant they were going to hatch within 2 weeks.

 Addie and Maddox playing in the water.

All in all, our seven day trip to Hilton Head, couldn't have been any better. The kids were on their best behavior and I think just speaks to how relaxed and super comfortable the trip was. Also, having Cade (age 9) and Maddox (age 6,) along with the other four kids, kept everyone well entertained. 

That night, we hit the pool and swam all night until the pizza and subs arrived from a great place called FatBabys. That night, Scott, Cade, Maddox, Blake and Carter had a blast playing put-put at Adventure Cove, where Blake couldn't stop talking about what a cool course it was as a par 34 putt-putt!

Day 6:

Another laid back day, where I didn't even bring the camera out. We got up to fish on the shore early and were excited to see over 30 dolphins playing less than 10O yards off shore, since it was low tide. The wildlife was out in full force with pelicans constantly diving for fish right around Carter's cast.

The 4 boys hit where it cost their age for the little ones to play plus they got a free t-shirt. (I think they may have lost money on Carter at $5.) Carter was ready to continue playing after the 18 holes, that he mostly walked, and Blake said he is officially ready to start playing full rounds with him now. Us gals lunched at the super good cafe WATUCIS, napped and swam in the pool until the boys retuned and we hit the beach one last time before leaving for Charleston in the morning.

We had an hour to explore Charleston Friday, so we took one of the largest cable stayed bridges in the U.S. , the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.