Happy New Year!!!

 Why hello 2017... I'm so glad you're here.  We have been counting down the days.  Why you ask?  This is the year that I don't make a fuss because only 2 kids agreed to take pictures today.

 It's the year of pink bunnies and mismatched shoes.

 It's the year for serious pictures and

 hopefully the last year that I post last years Christmas pictures in January.

It's the year, I get to spend more time with my kids and maybe build a snowman.  It's  the year that I may finally get around to updating the blog banner ...maybe.

Welcome 2017!  You just may be our favorite year yet!

First Day of School

I say this every year but boy are these kids growing up FAST!

 Cardin started the 10th grade today.  Only 2 more years and then she's off to college.  She took driver's ed over the summer and has her driver's permit now.  Did I mention she is growing up too fast?

 It's a good thing she's not in a hurry to grow up.

 This sweet kid turned 13 this summer and started 8th grade today.  In case you can't read the chalk board it says "8th grade the most terrifying grade of them all."  That's because she's not a little kid anymore but not an adult.  She calls it terrifying.  I call it the teen years.

 This kid started 5th grade today.  He's not quite sure how he feels about that.

 But I  would say he's feeling pretty good about it.  He's the big kid on campus this year.  I can't believe next year he will be in middle school.  I need to remind this kid to slow down and not grow up too fast.

 This little guy started third grade today.  He's excited to be at Russell Elementary with his big brother this year.  You can't tell from the photos but he is super excited to start another school year.  He was so excited he couldn't sleep last night or eat breakfast this morning. He's such a sweet kid.  I just hope that excitement last when the homework starts.

 Meredith started first grade today!  FIRST GRADE!  Wow!  She didn't need me to help her get dressed, or walk her to the playground, or tell her where to line  her backpack up.   She's getting so big.

Did I mention these kids are growing up way too fast?

First Day of School

I say this every year but boy are these kids growing up FAST!

 Cardin started the 10th grade today.  Only 2 more years and then she's off to college.  She took driver's ed over the summer and has her driver's permit now.  Did I mention she is growing up too fast?

 It's a good thing she's not in a hurry to grow up.

 This sweet kid turned 13 this summer and started 8th grade today.  In case you can't read the chalk board it says "8th grade the most terrifying grade of them all."  That's because she's not a little kid anymore but not an adult.  She calls it terrifying.  I call it the teen years.  She had to leave early for school before we could get a group picture.

 This kid started 5th grade today.  He's not quite sure how he feels about that.

 But I  would say he's feeling pretty good about it.  He's the big kid on campus this year.  I can't believe next year he will be in middle school.  I need to remind this kid to slow down and not grow up too fast.

 This little guy started third grade today.  He's excited to be at Russell Elementary with his big brother this year.  You can't tell from the photos but he is super excited to start another school year.  He was so excited he couldn't sleep last night, or eat breakfast this morning. He's such a sweet kid.  I just hope that excitement last when the homework starts.

 Meredith started first grade today!  FIRST GRADE!  Wow!  She didn't need me to help her get dressed, or walk her to the playground, or tell her where to line  her backpack up.   She's getting so big.  She was excited to have a few of her classmates from her kindergarten class in her class this year.

Did I mention these kids are growing up way too fast?  I can't wait to hear how their first day of school went.

John Turns 9

John turned 9 today.  He keeps me laughing almost as much as he keeps me on my toes.  Especially this morning when he opened his gift and pulled out a black top hat, then quickly raised the hat above his head and made the sound of  heavenly angels singing. He wore his new tuxedo every where today: to the grocery store, the Dollar Tree, even to help our friends load up all their belongings in a UHaul who are moving a few hours away.  He was hands down the best dressed mover there.

Happy Birthday, John!  We love you!