The First Day

We survived.

We were dressed and at the breakfast table by 7 this morning. I doubt we will see such eager faces once the routine has settled in, but it was fun to see them so excited this morning. We took offical first day pictures by the front door... new packpacks and lunchboxes from Aunt Patti in hand.

Grady was convinced he was going to school too, and wore his packpack along with Madison and Tanner. I didn't let on that he wasn't going to be staying with sister and brother-just hoped for the best. Todd and I both made the pilgrimmage to each classroom. We dropped Tanner off first, and I just watched as he found his cubby and seat. He plopped down and began working-that was that! Madison was actually a little nervous this morning; I was surprised. I know that excited nervous feeling though-I willed her to have an awesome day.

That's when my eyes began to water. By now you know the sap that is me-and yes, there were tears today. I didn't attend the official Boo Hoo Breakfast, opting for McDonald's with Grady and Todd instead. At first Grady was a little lost without Tanner, saying he needed help-Tanner was at school. I was a little surprised by that sentence in general, and even more surprised when Grady mastered the big steps in the playground. He did it all by himself.

It's just the two of us this year, and while I'm looking forward to that special time, I actually do miss the other Hoodlums. I'm broken. :) I couldn't wait for their reports when they got home, hoping all their expectations were met and exceeded. They had wonderful days and are just as eager to get up tomorrow morning. The Todd bus leaves at 7:35; Grady and I will be here when they get home waiting to hear about Day 2.

we've gotta say goodbye to the summer...

Today was (I guess) the official last day of summer for us. Tanner's been longing for this day all summer long. He might be the only kid in the universe who continually asked throughout the summer if 'this was the last day.' The excitement of kindergarten-never again do you feel that I guess? We spent the day watching Big, and as usual, working out in the yard. That's become our newest favorite past time-or obsession, whichever way you want to call it...We finished out the day with dinner on the back porch, and reflected on some of the summer fun...

Madison reading books to the boys-this is something else that Tanner can not WAIT to do. He wants to read more than eat these days, which is saying more than you know! Grady already thinks he can read, so he's over it.

Growing sunflowers, and anything else we could get our hands on. We managed to grow TONS of grass (the lawn kind, in case that made you wonder!)-which made Todd really happy. We planted 8 trees? I'm hoping for more soon with the cooler fall weather. (hint, hint Todd!) The kids and I spent hours and hours outside planting, watering, and nurturing our babies. They complained some-fear not-but they might have learned a few "playing outside skills" that I think are darn important! They sweat a lot too-always a good thing.

Spending TONS of time at the lake-both Nocona and Bridgeport. This is probably our most favorite summertime activity. We love lounging with our favorite book (notice the bookworm to the left), riding on the boat, the jetski, swimming, and just taking the time out to spend with eachother. We're pretty funny I guess. :)

We spent our Wednesdays with Playgroup going on TONS of fun field trips (peach picking pic here), and sometimes just hanging at a park-all the time building friendships and (for Grady) learning to SHARE!! (big milestone that sharing crap.)

I still have miles and miles to go on finishing my never ending to-do list. There are lists of projects I didn't get to, and right now as I take the time to write and upload, my floors are dirty and there is laundry in the dryer. I have to force myself to stop down and take in the moment-the moments of the summer my kids were 7, 5, and 2. The first summer we were in this new house. The summer before Tanner started school, and Madison moved up to 2nd grade. The summer we started teaching Grady all about the potty. The summer Todd and I celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary. It was just another summer, but these moments made it special.

The backpacks are packed. The lunches are made. School clothes are laid out, and children are sleeping. The bell rings tomorrow at 7:55, and we are off to start the school year.

Meet the Teacher

Last night we met teachers-one for Tanner and one for Madison. We are going to have TWO kids in school this year. I fear the craziness will multiply exponentially. In any case, the kids were beyond excited to take their school supplies to their room, find their desk, and see who was in their class!!!!!!!!!!!! (hopefully all those exclamation points give you an idea of the crazy excitement!!!!!!!!) Tanner has one super good friend in his class-we dutifully warned the teacher of their love/hate best friendship. I'm excited for him. He's so big. Madison was ecstatic to find that she knew almost all the kids in her class, and I was super pumped that those kid's moms-they are friends of mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (that excitement is a contagious thing.) She has real textbooks this year, and folders for each subject. THAT means we get to start ORGANIZING. I'm looking forward to see her move from learning about school to learning from school.

Tons of happiness at this house right now. School days, school days....

Happy Hour

That new On the Border commercial really makes me want to go to happy hour somewhere. They look like they are having so much fun!!

I miss that-Friday afternoon happy hours after a week "in the office." There should be some kind of establishment that embraces "Mommy and Me Happy Hour".

There's Mommy and Me Swim Class-I'm just sayin'.

Perfect

Yesterday was whirlwind.

I gathered my children and courage and headed to Children's Medical in Dallas for Grady's last monthly check-up following his E. Coli infection last summer.

Everything was perfect. His labs were perfect for the first time since the sickness. His attitude was perfect. We were able to not only get the hospital band on his leg, but also get an accurate blood pressure reading. He didn't cry. He didn't ask to leave. He peed in a cup. The Other Hoodlums were perfect during the 2 hour appointment, and didn't touch every piece of medical equipment in the 5 mile area. The Doctor was perfect, and told me only perfect things. Grady is on the positive end of all the statistics. We don't have to go back again for one year. Perfect.

I left that office so triumphant, so high on life. It was such a different feeling than what we had last summer while walking those exact halls. I almost ran out of there before something could break the spell.

Looking at these two pictures-one from last summer, and one from just a few days ago-I'm in awe of what he went through, and where he is now. I worry about what doctor phobias he might have in the future, and wonder where we will be on that long term statistic list. I think about what the experience taught me, and what it was meant to teach all of us. Mostly, I'm so thankful to have healthy, happy kids. I'm so thankful to be here, and to share my days with them.

Hope Floats

Tonight I stumbled across Hope Floats, and just couldn't help myself. This is one of my all time favorite movies, and I know it reinforces that Inner Sap I've discussed at length, but I don't care.

The first time I saw this movie was after ascending from the great Hell most people refer to as the Grand Canyon. Todd and I had hiked 7 miles in, and 7 miles out. By the way-he left me in the Canyon, but that is neither here nor there, and we can discuss it later. We drove away from that Hell, ate dinner at Chili's, SPENT THE NIGHT IN A HOTEL, and treated ourselves to this movie. I think we were in Nevada. I cried like a little girl almost the entire movie. I'm talking snotty-can't-catch-your-breath-bawling. I'm sure my emotions were a little wacky from the recent brush with death, but I still took in each moment of this movie. Each moment that was so heart wrenching from the beginning-all the characters had so much emotion in their hearts, and so much life in their spirits. Soon after we saw this movie, Todd and I started our "real lives" with work, blah blah blah. The hustle of the daily grind tried to take some of our spirit, and we began the dream of living, working, and playing in the same town.

Now that we are here, I constantly reference this movie-I note that I have Hope Floats moments more often than not--I remember telling my sister this story just this last Christmas as we watched the Decatur Christmas Parade on the Square...I know you can just imagine. There was hot chocolate and candy canes for all. I recently posted about the oddity that is Reunion, and I relish in the daily warmth of family and friends. Small towns-they have their way...they have their way of making time slow a little, making your spirit a little lighter, and making you just a little happier to be here...

A taste of the wisdom of Hope Floats:

Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will...

The Gods Were Smiling

There is a special river in Heaven set aside for the sole purpose of floating. I just know it. The Gods smiled upon us this weekend as we set out for a last summer fling before the chaos that is the school year.
















The Crew was perfect, and survived dangerous rapids, crazy waterfalls, scalding sunshine, and a torrential downpour.

The food was great-always important to a gathering, event, roadtrip, vacation. Fried. Bologna. Sandwiches. That's what we had for lunch...new for me, and I have to admit...not that bad...in a little-kid-playing-outside-trip-down-memory-lane-kinda-way. Cheese. That's what Some of us snacked on down the river. Homemade Ice cream. Everyone submerged themselves in the ecstasy that was the homemade ice cream later that night between poker, dominoes, and napping.

A. Perfect. Weekend. Thank you Gods.

Next time we won't let Todd be in charge of the Ipod.