First Day of School

Well, this morning was very stressful at our house, to say the least! Gage started middle school which meant for the first time in 6 years I was not allowed to walk him into class on the first day of school (his rule not the school's). To make me even more sad, Griffin started kindergarten today. Luckily, he did want me to walk him into class and even let me snap a quick picture. Of course, since I wasn't even allowed in Gage's school I couldn't take pictures:( It just amazes me how fast they grow up. Everyone's always said "enjoy them while they're little", but I'm really beginning to appreciate the meaning of that statement. It seems like they went from babies to young men overnight. After getting the kids to their schools for their first day I then had to go greet my class, which went well. All in all the kids and I survived our first day of school and I managed to make it without shedding any tears.
Someone gave me this poem a while back:
They are little only once, Lord. Grant me the
wisdom and patience to teach them to follow in your footsteps and prepare them for what is to come.
Make me take the time to play, pretend, to read or tell a story, to cuddle.
Don't let me for one minute think anything is more important thatn the school play, the recital, the big game, fishing or the quiet walk hand-in-hand.
All too soon, Lord, they will grow away and there is no turning back.
Let me have my memories with no regrets.
Please help me to be a good parent, Lord.

Party

Gage's baseball team had a pool party Saturday. The kids had a blast playing in the pool. Now we've moved on to another baseball team and we're already practicing. Gage decided not to travel this year since all of the tournaments were scheduled on Carolina home football games. We left the decision up to him but since we have season tickets we were glad he decided against it. He will be playing fall baseball at Polo road which is nice because they schedule their games around Carolina's football schedule for the Thursday night games and they don't play or practice on Saturday.

Cruise Pictures

Family Vacation

My family came to visit us from Tennessee for the 4th of July. We ate and shot fireworks. On the 5th we left to go to the beach for the week. We stayed in a house in Garden City. We had a good time and saw a lot of people we know there. It was nice to spend some time with my sister and her new baby, which I haven't seen since she was born in February. My brother announced that he is engaged to his long time girlfriend, Maggie. I am so excited for them, I love her! They are getting married next year on June 13, which is the day before Gene and I got married. I must say that although we had fun, I am glad to be back home and get my kids back to normal! We'll be packing again to leave for our cruise in 2 weeks. Friday night I took Gage & Griffin out to eat and to a movie so Gene could have his friends over to play cards and Gene played in a softball tournament for our church today so we're pretty exhausted. I think we're gonna try and get some rest if we don't go with our friends to Jammin in July.

Happy Father's Day and Anniversary!

Gene and I celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversary this weekend. Friday, he gave me flowers then on Saturday he took me out to eat at one of my favorite restaraunts, Solstice - we had a private table and a bottle of our favorite wine, it was very sweet!

For Father's Day, I had no idea what to get Gene, so I took the boys shopping with me Friday to help pick something out and they decided Daddy needed a TV for the bedroom, so that's what he got along with a home-made card from the boys (Gene thinks those are the best ones). Since Griffin's not a very good secret-keeper we gave Gene his gift Friday night. Needless to say he was very excited and loved it. He's a great dad to our boys. They would rather play with their daddy than do anything else in the world and even though I know he doesn't always feel like running outside or upstairs when they call for him, he rises to the occasion. He would do anything to make us happy and we love him very much!!!

Away at Camp

Gage went to Look up Lodge which is a church camp in Greenville. He was gone for 4 days and we really missed him. We were worried about him getting home sick since he wasn't allowed to call home unless it was an emergency. He went last year and after the first night he was missing us. This year he had a great time and although he missed us he didn't get home sick. While he was gone we took Griffin to see Kung Fu Panda. We had fun but we felt like we were missing something the whole time Gage was gone. We're glad to have you back home Gage!

Graduations

Griffin graduated from 4K a couple of weeks ago (I know I'm a little late). It was a very cute ceremony. Griffin counted from 1-100 and cited the one vowel rule. He was nervous but he did fine. Now its time for me to get ready for another first day of school. It doesn't seem like its been that long since I dropped Gage off on his first day of kindergarten and I was just pregnant with Griffin. The other picture is from Gage's 5th grade graduation/awards day. He won the presdential award for academic achievement along with some other awards. He's going to be in middle school now and I still can't believe that!