A note from Madison's teacher...

I just wanted to take some time out to tell you what a wonderful student you have in Madison. She works hard everyday at every task, and she participates in all discussions and group activities. I know that Madison is going to be very successful in 2nd grade! In addition to all her wonderful skills as a student, she is a model citizen as well. She is helpful and kind to all of her classmates. I look forward to a great year with Madison. - Mrs. Simmons

Wow. I'm a proud mom! I think I am going to love her new teacher this year. I knew nothing about her, but it says a lot about a teacher when they take the time to write something like this.

We like exercise around here...

Nathan was entertained with the Wii Fit for quite some time today! He loves to exercise "because it will make him big and strong"!

2nd grade!

How did my baby become a 2nd grader???? Madison wanted an alarm clock so she could wake up by herself this year, and I snuck in and took a picture of her when it went off this morning! My big girl. She was happy and excited that today was finally here. Her first day of 2nd grade - the first year she'll get actual grades!

The last link! Today is the big day!

The first day of 1st grade, and the first day of 2nd grade! The peace sign actually means "2nd grade"! :) That missing tooth changes her look completely!

Check out those wild nails. Nana took her yesterday to get a manicure - she loves them!

Madison's new teacher, Mrs. Simmons. She seemed excited to get her since her friend, Shelby, had her last year and loved her!

I'm trying to figure out at what age I'll finally stop getting sad when I drop her off! It always gets to me because I see how fast they grow, and another year has gone by. Maybe by the time she's in highschool I'll stop getting teary-eyed when I drop her off....yeah, probably not! I think that's a mom's job.

Bye-bye summer vacation...

For MOST of the summer, these kids have been happily attached to each other! There have been moments, and more so recently, that they haven't been the nicest to each other. But overall, they have loved their time together during the break.

Michael and I both have had date nights with each kid several times, we've had family movie nights, family game nights, playdates, sleepovers with each other and with grandparents. We've gone to the library, Hawaiian Falls, Chuck E Cheese, Going Bonkers, Amazing Jake's, Kobe Steaks, the Science Museum, and the Rainforest Cafe. Madison had Girl Scout camp, they had swim lessons, birthday parties, a whole week of cousin fun, several movies, 2 VBS's, ASI camps, roller skating, playing at the club we just joined, our beach vacation, day swimming, night swimming, swimming at the club, swimming at our neighborhood pool, and more swimming! We have had no boredom this summer, and I loved every minute of being with my babies. I'm so blessed to have a husband that works hard enough to provide for his family so I can stay home with the kids.

We have had such a wonderful summer vacation, and I'm so sad to say good-bye! It's off to another year of school. The kids are finally ready, I think, and are looking forward to getting back to it. Praying for a great school year! I can't believe I have a 2nd grader and a preschooler who will no longer be in preschool next year! :( Gotta soak it up while I can!

The Science Museum!

This was one outing I wanted to do before school started, so we went to the Science Museum in Fair Park with Gaga today! The kids had a blast, and it was even fun for me and Gaga!

They dug for fossils...

Then decided it was more fun to bury their feet...

Waiting for the sneeze!

Climbing the rock wall....this is the only rock wall Madison will climb "because it's not too high!"

Crawling through the ant tunnels...

Driving the firetruck!

The water area is one of their favorite parts! For some reason, this holds their attention forever!

Shopping for vegetables!

Milking a cow!

They had a blast with these huge bubbles! Madison had fun trying to get one over her head.

Lego play area...

We saw a ton of buildings and entire cities made out of legos...it was amazing! Although, this picture doesn't quite show how amazing it was!

We love the Science Place and haven't been in forever! I think the last time we went was when Nathan was around 18 months. It was a fun day, and I loved watching the kids have so much fun!

Friends...

We had some friends over tonight, and we all had a really good time. Misty and I went to highschool together - we've known each other since 9th grade! All the kids had a blast tonight, and there were a lot of laughs and giggles! We haven't seen them in a long time, and they just picked right back up where they left off a couple of years ago!

Wherever Kingsley went, Nathan was right there.

He LOVES older girls! He kept hugging and kissing her, and telling her that "she was the best".

Madison and Hannah were attached pretty much the whole night!

Silly girls...they were giggling so hard taking these pictures!

We had a great night with friends. I love seeing my kids so happy with other kids!

A cloudy Saturday...

This morning we woke up to RAIN! It didn't last too long, but it was so nice to see. It really brought the temperature down today, and it was so overcast. Overcast days usually make us think of the mall, so we headed to Collin Creek to do some school shopping and just have a relaxing afternoon! As we pass the jumping area, Nathan begs us to jump! This boy has no fear (except when it comes to loud noises!). Madison, however, was content to just watch him.

He's done this before, but has never gone this high! He was loving it! He had quite the audience while he was jumping!

Then, we went to play in the germ-infested play area. It's hard for me to stomach, but they had fun!

I love afternoons like this. Care-free afternoons with my family. For some reason, outings at the mall remind me of fall and winter, and I'm READY!

Rainforest Cafe!

Nana took us on our annual Rainforest Cafe trip today! It was Madison's 4th time and Nathan's 2nd. After all these years, Madison is still in awe when she sees and hears all the animals! Nathan, on the other hand, isn't very fond of loud noises - still!

I was trying to get a picture of the kids with Nana, and all of a sudden the animals started up. Next thing I know, Nathan had slid down the chair and was hiding under the table! We were laughing so hard.

The balloons are always one of their favorite parts of this trip! Madison got a butterfly, (which is her choice EVERY trip here) and Nathan got a green tiger (his exact choice)!

This is what scared Nathan so bad!

Dessert time! Nana, mommy and Madison share a HUGE brownie sundae while Nathan has his lava mud with worms!

They always have to throw money to the crocodile. Nathan was a little scared at first thinking it was a real one!

We had a great time with Nana and can't wait for next year! Hopefully, Nathan will lose his fear of loud noises by the next time we go. :)