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!

Fun Weekend with Gram & Grandbobby

While we were seeing all of the sites in NY the kids had a fun time with Gram & Grandbobby.  They walked to a Farmer's Market and had snow cones, visited with cousins and other relatives, and took a little road trip to Noccalula Falls.

They rode the train 3 times!

They saw all of the animals at the petting zoo.  I've heard a lot about the deer.

They took some fun pictures!

I don't think the kids missed us much at all.  They're already looking forward to our next trip!