First day ... no jitters!

Tyler started his last year of preschool this morning. He was so excited, and ready and raring to get on the playground! Don't you love how he insists on wearing his bag like a messenger? I can't wait to hear how the first day went.

Second Grade is GREAT!

That's the word from Abby, our resident second grader! She says her first day of her third year at Roberts was fun, but hard. The first morning they had a writing assignment and a math test, apparently a big change from kindergarten and first grade! But, let me tell you, this little gal was super excited to go to school this morning, and she didn't seem a bit nervous (Until we got in the classroom, then she got really quiet. But no worries, her brother was loud enough for both of them while we were there dropping her off!) She looked so cute all dressed for school ...

Anyone care to guess how long those white, white Keds will stay shiny?!? But thanks Grammy for going school shoe shopping with Abby while she was in Orlando. :)

This year, we reprised our pencil flower vase. Abby and Tyler were both helped put their gifts together for their teachers (we'll take a shot of Tyler's on his first day - Wednesday) ... which I hope they dissemble and use as school supplies. Last year, both Mrs. McGrane and Ms. Tami left their pencil/crayon vases intact all year (Mrs. McGrane's is still on the shelf in her room!) But we're glad they enjoy them. This year, the book Abby donated to the class is about a kid who, get this ... loves books! Know anyone like that!?!

All of these photos (and most I have posted on this blog recently) are from my cell phone. The home computer has been on the fritz for a few weeks now, and last week, was finally taken away by the IT guy to be fixed at his shop. I have my fingers crossed that all is well, and all of our archive photos will be recovered. In the meantime, I don't have a way to get the pictures off the SLR camera and onto this laptop. I've misplaced the cord that allows me to do so (no CF card on this machine) ... so while there are other good pictures from today, including ones from this morning first thing when the kids discovered the "Backpack Fairy" had visited, these will have to suffice for now. Enjoy. More school updates to come soon, I'm sure!

Another Tyler Funny

I've been posting a lot of Tyler's best funny moments to Facebook recently, but this one would be hard to capture in just a few sentences. So, here goes ... hope you find it as humorous as we did.

This morning, as I was thinking about/planning the week, I said to Tyler: "oooo, guess what? On Tuesday, after we take Abby to school, you and I can go vote." A chore to some ... but fun to our kids: cool little booths to play in, neat machine that "eats" your ballot, and lots of nice elderly volunteers that fawn over them!

So, a little while later, Tyler decides he'll get a little ribbing in at Abby's expense (mind you, he's usually on the receiving end). In his best sing-songy, teasing voice, Tyler says, "Heeeeey Abby - when you're at school on Tuesday, Mommy and I are going boating. Ha ha!"

It was all the three of us could do to keep from totally giggling at poor Ty. I'm guessing the sweet little guy thought we were chartering a pontoon boat for the day or renting kayaks. Who knows how that little almost 5-year old brain works!

Here we go again!

School starts tomorrow ... at least for Abby (Ty starts Wednesday).  And I admit, I'm bummed.  Summer is over, and all the regular school year activities have begun ... including all of the volunteering!  It's my fault, I admit.  I have a tough time saying no.  But, as you all know, I do love the challenge of juggling it all.  Summer?  Way too easy!  Here's the "Giving Tree" I made (pulling from my thankful tree tecnique!) at Advent.  Hopefully it won't all come tumbling down as people remove the leaves. 

Okay, thanks for letting me share ... now, excuse me, I'm going to make like a tree and LEAVE this blog so I can head to bed.  School wake-up time is going to come early ... and I've heard rumors that the "backpack fairy" is paying the kids a visit tonight!

Yum Yum!

Nothing beats a post school orientation ice cream!  Waaaaa ... we don't want summer to end!

Headed to Iowa

This was Abby ... right before we got on the plane in Orlando.  She's excited about seeing Grandma and Grandpa in Iowa.  Now if only we can get through the layover in DETROIT!

Cyber-Siblings!

How funny is this?  Tyler is sitting here in Tallahassee before dinner playing on the Webkinz site, and he gets "friended" by Abby who is doing the same thing in Orlando.  So (with guidance from Abby ... because she knows the most about Webkinz!) we helped them meet up in a "chat room" in "Kinzville Park."  It's Facebook for the pint-sized crew!  No worries though, they can only choose from phrases like "hi" or "you're cool" and they went on the virtual see-saw together.  Still, very neat!  When we were young and Aaron was away from home, I don't think we even had phone conversations ... let alone virtual meetings!