A little catching up...

OK, so we've been so busy lately I don't know if we'll ever catch up on what's been going on.  Here are a couple of things that might be of interest.

A doe ran in front of me a few weeks ago so I slowed down and a few seconds later a fawn comes walking across the road behind her.  Since then Houston has been crazy over "baby deer".  Coincidentally, my parents neighbors have taken in two "baby deer" who had been orphaned.  We had to take a field trip!

There are no words to describe Houston's excitement.  The animal whisperer himself wasn't at home so we couldn't pet them.  He's the only one they are comfortable with.  They are still being bottle fed.  So very cute.  He's planning to give them to an animal refuge once they are older since they may not have a fair chance of making it in the wild.  These caretakers certainly have a gift from God and a huge love of animals.  Such a wonderful gift.

Houston also had some fun playing in Popa's truck.

In addition to our "baby deer" fun the girls have also had a field trip with school.

They actually didn't go anywhere- it was considered an in-house field trip.  Miss Annie, a special speaker that will visit them 6 times this year, came and spoke to their class about the weather.  Even though they didn't "go" anywhere it is considered a field trip and they wear their field trip attire.  The girls enjoyed it and learned that you can make your own thunder noise by popping a balloon.  I'm sure they learned more than that (I hope), but that was the takeaway they shared with us.  Hopefully more catching up will come sooner than later.

Even though it's sooo hot, summer's over....

We took the kids to the fair for our summer finale.  We all had a blast....

The girls are growing up.  We took them two years ago and they were content on the calm and "baby" rides.  Two years later a different story.  They were all about the thrill rides--still age appropriate of course.

It's a sad moment for parents when you have to persuade your children to ride the once loved and now "too slow and babyish" carousel.

Houston joined in the fun on a train ride.

We ate some yummy and healthy fair food.

Notice the always stylish Houston is wearing a smocked fair scene on his outfit.

Of course we had to take time for silly pictures.

Our big girls fed an elephant and weren't afraid.

This is our elephant friend.

It was an appropriate ending to a wonderful summer.  We're all ready for Fall so we can have some relief from the heat!

Houston's first day of school

Houston has been in school for 2 weeks now and he is really enjoying his class and teachers.

He was very proud to show me his new backpack.  

Complete with his name monogrammed of course--the school provided this treat so his mama didn't have to do it!

He is going two days a week and goes to music and movements classes.  They are already working on his letters--they work on 3 letters a month.  In movement class they are learning balance.  

Catching up

I don't know why I find it so hard to find time to update this blog!  I'll try to do a post in the near future of some random projects that have been taking so much time, but in the meantime.....

There has been some cheering for the Tide....

more fun on the Lake Martin....

and more visits from our "deer" friends.  Hopefully more updates coming sooner rather than later.

In case you didn't know.....

Fruit snacks will always make Houston happy.....

Seriously, they go with him everywhere he goes!

Also, you needed to know that these are the cutest ballerinas ever!

Can they strike a pose or what?  They are back in ballet for the year and loving it already!

A few new neighbors....

All of our children are morning people.  That would totally come from their father.  We've seen some deer in the back yard lately and haven't been able to catch them with the camera until a couple of days ago...

I know it's hard to see from the picture but there were three bucks at the same time!  The kids, even Houston, were so excited.  The last time we saw them the 3 bucks had 6 doe with them.  We'll keep watching for them and hopefully get some better shots of them--with the camera of course!

Are you ready for some football?

Houston is!  He is loving his big boy jersey.  Every time he sees it he says football.

Reality

So, summer for us is over and we are living in the reality of early mornings, the girls being at school all day, and Houston requiring some serious attention all day....

The girls are enjoying school.  It has definitely been an adjustment.  This picture is from meet the teacher day.  They have a fort in their room that is a "boat".  Did you know 16 kids could fit on one fort at the same time?

The girls were very excited about having new books to read.  They visit the school library every Tuesday and they get so excited about it.  Fridays are computer lab day and that is their favorite!

First day of school....

The pics don't reflect the moment well.  They were very excited.

They weren't the least bit hesitant.

We all waited anxiously for the school bus since the girls insisted on riding it home from day one!  

Here come those big girls!

One More Day Until Kindergarten...

We have been trying to squeeze in all of the fun that we possibly can into our last few days before kindergarten.

We spent a day in the blazing heat to go to the zoo.  The water fountains helped with the heat.

We did take a few minutes to see the animals.

We went to Chuck E Cheese...

We went to the Galleria to ride the carousel....

We tried to make some chores fun.....

Houston enjoyed himself although he wasn't very helpful!

The girls had their best friend in the world over to play one day, we went to the library, and we spent some time at McDonalds eating happy meals and playing.  I'm going to miss my fun with those little girls all day, but I'm sure they will have even more fun at school!

Oh What Fun It Is To Ride

Hugh was out of town with work one day last week and the kids and I were having a long day so we decided to celebrate Christmas in July.  We listened to our Chistmas CDs and we watched a Wiggly Wiggly Christmas and Santa Claus is coming to town.  It did make for a fun afternoon and evening.  Hugh was glad he missed it.

We also got to spend a day on the lake this weekend!  It is the first day this summer we've gotten to enjoy my sister's house on the lake!  What a shame, but we thoroughly enjoyed the day.....

We rode on the boat.....

We swam......

Hugh and I skied--which neither of us had done in a long time.  The girls watched for falls.

The girls road in the tube.  Yes, that is them not holding on to the handles!

Some of us were able to take a cat nap.

We had such a great time.  Merry Christmas in July!