Devo night...

Tonight at church, we had a back-to-school devo for the Kingdom Kids group.  While we were getting ready, Nathan played swords with some friends.

The kids both helped out by preparing goody bags and also stuff for the games!

A little air hockey before it started!

We had dinner/dessert first, and then rounded everyone up for a group picture.  It's a little crazy getting sugared up kids to look and smile all at the same time!

Because he's such a wonderful dad, Michael volunteered AGAIN to lead the devo, and he did a great job!  He talked about putting on the armor of God, so that the kids can be prepared for anything that "attacks" them at school, including anxiety, fear, and doing the wrong things.  He talked about the devil and that we need to be aware of how sneaky he is.  I'm super proud of him, and love that he cares enough to do these for the kids!

Afterwards, we had some games, and I think they all had a great time.

I love seeing friendships grow, and the kids slowly getting out of their shell.  We've got a great group of kids at our church, and I'm thankful!

First day of school...

Well, another school year is here!  Madison woke up early, so I caught her making her bed....as always, she's ready!

Nathan, on the other hand, was NOT happy about waking up this morning.  I took his picture while he was sleeping because he wouldn't get up, and he said, "MOMMY, I'm trying to sleep!"

My little guy has grown since 1st grade...

2nd grade!

And Madison has grown too!

6th grade!  I can't believe it.

Nathan got the advanced class this year with Ms. McDonough...first year for real grades!  Also, he wanted to wear his glasses in to school this morning, so that was a good sign!  I think he's feeling more comfortable in them, and I'm so glad.

I can't take a picture of 6 teachers for Madison, so I don't have anything for her.  Well, plus the fact that she'd kill me if I tried to take pictures....or walk her in.  But, this year, she was placed in the pre-AP springboard math and ELA classes.  Apparently, it's more than advanced, and we're trying to not get too nervous!  Her math teacher said it's hard, and to understand when her A's turn to B's.  We'll see how she does.  I'm sure she'll do great....she loves to be challenged!

My babies sure are growing up.  Praying for a great school year!

Another summer gone...

I can't believe school is here already!  On one hand, it felt like a loooooong summer with two certain little kids fighting so much.  But on the other hand, we were so busy and it seems to have flown by!  Despite the fighting, we had a great summer filled with a ton of fun!  Lots of good memories to look back on.

Madison had Girl Scout camp, we went to Pensacola for our beach vacation, we went to several library shows, each kid completed 2 reading logs, we did science experiments, watched the butterfly life cycle and released butterflies, had a hotel getaway, lots of playdates with friends, lots of sleepovers with mommy and daddy and also friends, and a few lazy days at home.  We went day swimming, night swimming, club swimming, and more swimming!  This summer was the summer for challenges....the kids did the bean boozled jelly beans challenge, along with the Pringles,Goldfish and smoothie challenges!  We went to Kid Mania, the Sci-Tech Discovery Center, Jump Street, Hawaiian Falls, Sea Life Aquarium, Dr. Pepper ballpark for a Rough Riders game, Shenaniganz, lots of movies, Paint 'n' Party, Lunar Golf, ASI camp, Jump Mania, Texas Skatium, the Omni Theater in Fort Worth to see Tornado Alley, Del Frisco's, Magic Time Machine, Kobe's, and the Rainforest Cafe!  We had VBS and a fun-filled week with Lacey and Cody too!

Nathan had a birthday and turned 8, had his first friend sleepover, and he also got glasses!  Madison learned how to do her own laundry (every step), and Nathan learned to empty the dishwasher and clean the table after meals.  I asked the kids their top three best memories of summer and here's what they said.  Madison:  beach, Lacey and Cody, and having friends over.  Nathan:  vacation, Lacey and Cody, and getting a Wii U!

I asked them to show me what their summer was like...and here's what I got!

We were blessed to have so much fun and so much quality family time.  As hard as these summers can get, I still feel so incredibly lucky to be a stay-at-home mom.  I've got a hard-working husband who makes it possible for me to stay home and raise our kids, and be a part of their everyday lives.  God is good, and I'm so grateful!

Rainforest Cafe...

We went to the Rainforest Cafe today with Nana, Papa and Chance...our yearly back-to-school tradition for 7 years (if I'm counting right)!

We got a fish, a butterfly, and a crocodile!

Nathan was surprised to come back to the table to this....yummy dirt cake!  Madison shared the volcano dessert with us, but I never got a picture of it.

And of course, we can't leave without the goofy pictures!

It was a fun afternoon!  I think we've completed our summer bucket list....we are officially ready for school now!

More painting...

We decided to use our last groupon for Paint 'n' Party before school started, but this time the kids painted something different.  You paint it, spray it with glitter, and take it home that day instead of waiting for the pottery to be fired.  They enjoyed it and are both very proud of their art!

Fun with Brynn and Caden...

All summer, the kids have been asking to have Brynn and Caden over to play, but our schedules have not cooperated!  We finally found a day we were both free, 5 days before school is starting!  They started over at their house (while I was up at school helping with a luncheon) and then they transferred to our house.

The girls with crazy mascara eyebrows!

Of course, these video game addicts are playing the Wii.  They can't get enough!

The girls begged me to do a smoothie challenge.  They made a smoothie with peanut butter, milk, lime juice, yogurt, salt and vinegar pringles, fruity cheerios, nutella, and pickles!  Yuck!

Just thinking back to when they first met.  They were best friends in kindergarten...look at these sweet faces!

I love seeing the kids have so much fun with their friends!

Hotel getaway...

We've made our hotel getaway a tradition now, usually at the end of summer.  We went and stayed at the Hilton last night, and we had so much fun!  It was perfect weather, the kids were happy and got along, and it was fun family time!

Nathan thought he looked like Mary (Jesus' mother)...not sure what the pouty lips were for though!

One of their favorite things is room service...they love eating in the room!

Today, we tried getting a family pic with the 10 second timer on my camera.  It's harder than it looks jumping in the pool and posing all in 10 seconds!

2nd time was a success!

I love spending time together, just relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  It was a great night away, other than breaking my toe (for the THIRD time on the same toe)!  Seems like broken toes happen on our getaways, but it's not going to stop us from having a good time!

Sleepover...

Madison had a sleepover with a friend last night, and Nathan had Matias over again.  Ever since Matias left the last time, he's been asking when he could have him over again!  These boys are two peas in a pod...so much alike with their love for video games!

Less than two hours after he leaves this morning, Nathan says, "When can Matias come over again?"  I think he had a good time!