Day One

Today was the first day of school for Coleman and Andrew. They were both very excited this morning. They woke up just before seven and came in the kitchen together. Andrew was talking away, and Coleman looked a little shell shocked. Hair sticking up everywhere, wide eyed and bitsy still in his mouth. I'm not sure he woke up on his own today. I think Andrew didn't want his little brother to miss a minute of his first day of school.

The morning went very smoothly, and we were out the door a little early. The boys had picked out new shirts to wear, and had their lunches and backpacks. When we got to school, we all four walked in together. Coleman's class has to be walked in and picked up inside, so we probably won't do the carpool line this year. When we got inside, Andrew started down the hall to his room without even telling me goodbye! I called Mr. Independent right back to me and reminded him to give me a kiss. He said, "I guess I was just a runaway boy!" And then he turned and walked to his class. Coleman, Jonthan and I walked to Cole's class next. He went right in, took Ms. Christel her muffin, and didn't look back. No tears from anyone!

When I picked them up, you could quickly tell they had had a fun day. They made some new friends, and Andrew played with some of his friends from last year. They even saw each other in the hall on the way to and from the playground. Andrew said Coleman was doing a great job walking in line, and that they gave each other a hug. I guess that's a pretty good start to the year.

Here they are this morning on the doorstep before we left.

Meet the Teacher

Today was open house at our preschool. Andrew will be in the three day fours and Coleman is in the three day twos! We loaded up and headed out to meet our teachers and see the boys' rooms for this year.

Our first stop was Coleman's room. His teacher is Miss Christel. She is super nice and we've heard great things about her from friends. Coleman was a little unsure of the idea of being in a room without Andrew, but I know he will take off once his jitters get out of the way. The room was a two year old's paradise. Home living area, dress up clothes, blocks, trucks, puzzles, a huge slide and a train table! He was very intrigued, but still wouldn't have his picture made with Miss Christel alone, so Andrew stepped in to help.


Next, we headed down the hall to see Andrew's room. Mrs. Stephanie is his teacher and boy, have we heard great things about her! We were excited to see that Hannah, Ivy, and Emelia from last year are all in his class again! We were also very excited to see that there are three other little boys in his class. Andrew has always been in groups with lots of girls, so it will be good to have some boy playmates this year too.

The four year old program is really pre-K, so they spend a lot of time getting ready for Kindergarten. Andrew will go to Mrs. Louise everyday for a handwriting lesson. They use Handwriting Without Tears, which I am over the moon about. It is a fabulous handwriting program! He'll have Music, Chapel, and Spanish again, and get to go to a Computer Tots class this year. And, on Mondays, he will participate in the Playball elective. He'll be exposed to seven different sports during the year, and they'll focus lots on balance and coordination. I think he will love it! The four year olds also go on several field trips during the year, and next Friday is Water Day! What a great way to start off the year! Here's a picture of Andrew and Mrs. Stephanie.

We stopped in to say hi to Mrs. Sharon while we were there. She said she had a great summer and couldn't believe how big Jonathan is now! Outside, there was a little activity fair going on. The boys played on the playground for a few minutes while I signed up for a few committees and bought some t-shirts. Then, we got a balloon sword made! The clown was offering all different kinds of animals, but Andrew said he would like a sword, please. And of course Coleman said, "Mmm Hmm! Me too!"

We're looking forward to another great year at the best preschool on earth!

A Special Visitor

Last week Uncle Hugh came for a visit from Memphis. We were very excited to see him. The boys made sure to wake up extra early from their naps when he got here. Whenever Uncle Hugh (or Uncle Q as Coleman calls him) comes, he always brings surprises for the boys. Last year he brought a sand table, and this year he brought a tricycle!

Here are the yahoos and Uncle Hugh putting the trike together. This has got to be the sturdiest trike ever made. The wheels are huge, and a sticker warns that 600 pounds is the absolute maximum it will hold. Can you imagine?!


We plan to finish our basement someday, but we're really in no hurry. With the heat lately, the boys have been riding the trike and their bicycles downstairs. It is great for them to burn off some energy, but not suffer from heat stroke while doing so. Andrew could immediately zoom around on the new trike. Coleman could almost reach the pedals last week, but this week he goes just as fast as Andrew! He loves to ride his new red "motorcycle" as he calls it.

We met Brent at Longstreet for supper that night. While we were there, we got a few pictures of Uncle Hugh with all the yahoos.

Uncle Hugh, we are so glad you came. We can't wait until your visit in October! We love you very much!

Movie Day

Lake Winfield Scott

Our Sunday School class has several families who really enjoy camping. We planned a weekend at Lake Winfield Scott for all of us to go camping together. This was our first attempt at roughing it with kids. Overall, it went pretty well, but it was a ton of work. We think we'll stick to cabins while they are small, and try tenting again when everyone is old enough to help and be more independent.

Brent and Andrew headed out on Friday afternoon with a truckload of supplies. Andrew was super excited! They got to the campsite, set up the tent, and had a cookout with the class. Here's a picture of Andrew in his "camping bag" getting ready to go to sleep.

It took until almost 11:30 for him to settle down and stop asking questions. There was also the "I think I have to go to the bathroom" series of interruptions. Coleman, Jonathan and I slept well at home and then loaded up breakfast for everyone and arrived around 7:30. It was cool and overcast all morning, so it was fairly pleasant outside. Jonathan got passed around from mommy to mommy most of the day. Here he is with Tina, and Amy and baby James.

Andrew and Coleman had a ton of fun being outside and playing with the other kids.

Jonathan missed his morning nap for the first time ever, and did incredibly well. He played, laughed, and hung in there like he was a big kid too.

Around 10, we headed over to the lake for everyone to swim. There was a great shady spot behind the beach where the mommies spread out with James and Jonathan. The daddies and yahoos enjoyed the brisk mountain lake.

I know. This picture looks like surely someone's head was busted, but they were both fine. I think it was just the angle of the camera.

One of the other dads brought his kayak. Andrew and Coleman each got a ride, but I only got pictures of Andrew.

Saturday was Brent's birthday, so after our picnic lunch, we all had cookie cake and sang "Happy Birthday."

It started raining pretty hard right after lunch, so Jonathan, Coleman and I packed up and came back home. I was sad to realize that I had left with the camera, so Brent didn't get to make anymore pictures. Saturday evening, they went back to the lake and had a cookout at the pavilion. They had grilled chicken, vegetable hobo packets, and s'mores for dessert.

Saturday night in the tent Brent was asking Andrew about the day and trying to talk to him about what his favorite part of camping was. Brent said that after a few minutes, Andrew said, "Daddy, let's not talk anymore. Let's just go to sleep." Worn slap out, I believe is the phrase. That's a pretty good indicator of how much fun he had on his first campout!

Eight Months Old

"Hey everybody! Look how old I am!" At least that's what it looks like he's thinking as he points to the sign.

Our smiley baby boy is eight months old! These pictures just capture who he is right now. That big smile is almost a permanent fixture on his sweet face. He loves, loves, loves to bounce and jump. The exersaucer, johnny-jump-up, and his jitterbuggy are his favorite activities right now. He's very taken with his spoon, and so when we feed him, we give him his own spoon to hold so that we don't have to wrestle it away after each bite. His little personality is really beginning to shine. He is becoming a little hesitant around strangers, and can make a pretty pitiful face when he gets scared.

We've discovered that his best tickle spot is on his hamstring. He will laugh and laugh when someone tickles him there. He loves the remote control, and anything else with buttons. He's also very intrigued by the buckle in his carseat. Everytime we load up, he reaches down and plays with it while we're fastening him in.

This should be a big month for Jon Jon. He's about to start getting some teeth, hopefully start standing, and get a new carseat. Be watching for his new adventures!

Boat Rides

Most nights, after supper, we all went for a ride on the pontoon boat. Here are the last few pics from the lake.

Jonathan didn't mind his life jacket at all. He is such an agreeable baby. He really enjoyed the boat rides. He stayed awake the whole time and took it all in.

With his hat turned around like that, he looked like a 17 year old boy who used to come to the lake with us.

Coleman absolutely loves getting to drive the boats. It is his very favorite thing at the lake.

Andrew started learning how to really steer this year. He would watch carefully and turn the wheel to go where Papack told him. He took it very seriously, as you can tell by this picture.

It was a fantastic week!