The Cheerleader

Mary Blake got to participate in a mini-cheerleading camp at Mooreville. This Friday, we got to view all of her hard work. I dropped my camera right before the performance and didn't get any pics of her on the field. She really did a great job and had fun. So did Collins . . . quite the ladies man . . . he kept wanting to leave the stands to talk to his kindergarten classmates that were cheering too. I am not kidding you when I say that I saw one of the girls swoon over him. We are going to be in TROUBLE!

Trip to Jackson

2 weeks ago, we took a trip to Jackson to visit Lis and Jay and the Brashiers. JJ and Pops took the kids to the Museum where we enjoyed the Animals of the Sea exhibit. Lots of fun! We also got to see Elisabeth and Jay's new house and visit with them. Fun-filled weekend!

Crazy man

Last week I walked in to find Collins' feet sticking out of his homeade tent. He was sound asleep! Brad and I transferred him to his bed. . . around midnight he woke me up very upset that he was not still in his tent. I told him I took a picture of him and that seemed to satisfy him enough to fall back asleep in his bed. The next night when I went in to turn his lights off - I found him asleep on the floor again!

A couple of nights ago, Collins entertained Griffin by telling him about all of his trains. Griffin actually laid there and listened intently while Collins told him the names of every train! Mary Blake loves for me to lay Griffin on her bed at night for her to read or sing to him. Mary Blake and Collins will actually fight over whose bed Griffin will get to lay in for bedtime chats. He is quite a novelty right now. . . wonder how long that will last! Gotta love those rubber band wrists. . . Love my little chunky monkey

The sweatband and stuffed star

Collins very carefully planned his outfit last week. The navy blue shorts and blue tshirt were fine, but he topped the outfit off with this yellow sweatband. Yep, he marched himself into class with his sweatband on b/c he said it made him fast. Who knows, he could start a trend. . . Mary Blake won a drawing for this lovely stuffed starfish from Spongebob. I am SOOO glad we have this salmon pink accessory to add to her room. . .

Griffin, 9 weeks photo session

Fun in the Rain

First day of School!!!

Thursday was Collins' first day of kindergarten and Mary Blake's first day of 2nd grade. Both of them were very excited. Mama was the only one that was anxious, sad, excited - you all know how it feels. Thought these first days of school would start getting easier for me. Anyway, they are both adjusting well - It took Collins a few days to warm up to the all day thing. His report today was that he played Star Wars and Power Rangers at recess - which means all is good for Collins! Give him a buddy to play Star Wars with and he is good to go. I don't get a whole lot of details from him - just what he ate and what he played. He also doesn't remember anybody's name. He refers to them as "the boy in the green shirt", or "the boy in the blue shirt". Mary Blake, however, reports a very detailed day along with tons of names of new friends. She LOVES her new teacher and makes up homework when she gets home - just to practice. She certainly did not get her overachiever traits from me!

Lakehouse fun

2 weeks ago we gathered in Alabama with some of Brad's family. Mary Blake and Collins were in the lake 90% of the time, while Griffin and I hung out on the pier and watched. Things were a bit different this year with all of the babies - 7 children ages 7 years and younger!! Never a dull (or quiet) moment - that is for sure! Thanks again to Madelon and Bill for their gracious hospitality and for the awesome lakehouse!