American Idol Concert!

Whew! Yesterday, after an already big first day of school, we went to the American Idol concert!! They were so excited about seeing Jason Castro! There was much dancing and singing...

The mommies had lots of fun at the concert too!

After Jason performed, Grace laid down in her seat and went to sleep!
We made it home about 11:00 and the kids went straight to bed. Thomas was fine this morning, but Grace was hard to get moving and had a few breakdowns after school today. We hit the bed early tonight!

Blessings,
Leslie

First Day of School!!!!

WooHoo!! The first day of school is here!! We went to the school last Friday and met our teachers and put our school supplies away. I just can't tell you how much I love Grace Hartman Elementary! Everyone there does such an amazing job at making you feel welcome and included. I just love walking into a new teachers classroom and having her approach my kid like she has been waiting all summer long to meet her/him. I know that they do that for the kids, but it always makes me feel better too!



We left early this morning dressed in our new clothes, and after taking the traditional picture by the front door...

Mandy had to get in on the action too! She was a little put out that she couldn't go to Hartman with everyone else.

Thomas has Mrs. Samples this year for 3rd grade. As it turns out, Gigi was her husbands sixth grade teacher! One of the things I love about being a teacher is watching that cycle!! I did walk him to his class, and hovered while he put his things away. This picture was a close as I could get. There was no picture at his desk this year. We are begining to walk that fine line of trying to be supportive, but not clingy and embarrassing. So, I snapped a quick picture from the doorway...

He did give is each a quick hug as he put his things in his locker!



Grace was beside herself excited this year. Not only did she get Mrs. Phillips, who was Thomas's kindergarten and 2nd grade teacher, but her BFF Gretta is in the same class!! AND, their seats are right next to each other!!! I can't even tell you what a huge blessing that is. I believe that went a long way in helping with her usual anxiousness about school.

After Scott and I got everyone dropped off, I staryed to help with the PTA Boo-Hoo Breakfast fore the kindergarten parents. As I sat in the library wathing the teary, anxious kinder moms, I couldn't help thinking, "You think this is bad? I just dropped off my newborn in THIRD GRADE!!!" Scott laughed at me because I cried this morning as I was getting dressed. For some reason third grade seems different, bigger somehow. Maybe because he takes TAKS this year? I don't know what it is exactly. Just to clarify, it wasn't that I was sad school was startingf...it's been a long summer. Words that as a teacher I thought I would never say, but as the mom of three...it's time for school!

Back to School Blessings,

Leslie

Sleepovers!

We've had so many fun sleepovers this summer. I think this is what the kids will miss most once school starts. Every day they ask if someone can spend the night! Here are just a few pics from some of our Summer Sleepovers.....

The above picture was taken the night of Clay's birthday party. At 2:30 a.m. I busted my son as he was sneaking upstairs with a can of spray whipped cream!

We all surprised Clay at Kyoto. He thought his party was the next day, but Christie arranged for his friends to surprise him the night before with dinner at Kyoto and a sleepover at our house. The theme was Disney Channel, so my girls interpreted that to mean Hannah Montana!!

Mandy cried because she just HAD to sit next to Clay. When the hibachi cooking started she spent most of the time laying down in her chair afraid of the fire! Then, when the chef tried to talk to her and put her food on her plate she wouldn't touch it. A bit of "stranger danger!"

After dinner they all came to our house for a sleepover. I'd like you to pay particular attention to the AWESOME tie-dyed t-shirts they are all wearing in this photo....Christie and Yours Truly did these!! When she told me we were going to do it, I was not the most enthusiastic friend. Hello...high school teacher. I.Don't. Do. Crafty. However, I really did enjoy it! And, they totally rocked!! I would do it again. I don't know what for, because if you're going to do it you should dye a bunch. Maybe if I'm a room mom this year...hmmmm.

We had so much fun. While I wouldn't wish away these sweet grade school days, this made me look forward to when my kids are a little older. Even the whipped cream and not going to bed till 3:00 a.m was fun. Reminded me of my slumber party days. I can't wait till they are old enough to shoe polish cars!! (That was my specialty in H.S.!)

Guess which two were the life of the party...

I wish I'd gotten it on video, Mandy was running around the house yelling, "Let's get this party started!" (I'm sure she'll be more than willing to shoe polish cars!)

Sweet Summer Blessings,

Leslie

Great Wolf Lodge

A few weeks ago we went to the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. The kids all had a blast. Thomas took Clay and Hunter to celebrate his birthday and our friends the Braddocks and Shales were there too!

There were something like 9 water slides and most of them were like a 6 flights of stairs to the top. It didn't slow the kids though, I think Thomas and Hunter did those stairs at least a hundred times!

They had storytime in the lobby, but the boys looked at me like I was crazy when I suggested we leave the waterpark and go. They quickly informed that was a waste of time, they were staying till it closed. The girls however, were quick to say yes.

After storytime, we checked out the arcade...The room was very cool, with bunkbeds inside a mini "cabin." We had birthday cake...

Your room key was made in your wristband and the kids had to try it out over, and over and over...

Mandy enjoyed it too. She stayed in the play area with only about 6 inches of water, but she had her own slide that she did over, and over and over...Blessings,

Leslie