Back to School

The inner nerd in me LOVES back to school: school supplies, new shoes, new clothes, fresh haircuts and the promise of fall.

We have had a busy first two weeks of school.  Luke got us kicked off by starting on Monday.  True to form, Luke had his own opinion about posing with the chalkboard.

Luke's chalkboard--Loves: Food, PBJ, "uh oh", swimming, Cars, legos, Gatorade, Star Wars, James and Natalie, riding bikes and cannonballs.  We he grows up he wants to be Anakin Skywalker (true story).  He is 34 lbs and 36 inches.

Luke's "no" face

The best we could do: 

We love Mrs. Jenny and are so happy that she will be Luke's teacher this year.  Jenny had Natalie in the nursery and again as a three year old.  She works her magic on a daily basis.  

James and Natalie started on Wednesday and both were ready to go Tuesday night.  James said his clothes looked like a person.

It rained all morning Wednesday, but that didn't damper our spirits.  We were thrilled that Grandmama stayed in town to be here the first day of Pre-k4 and First Grade.

 Sleepy faced, pancake loving kiddos

Natalie's chalkboard--loves: lipstick, PBJ, yogurt, bacon, jewelry, knick-knacks, dresses, purses and pink and purple.  When she grows up she wants to be a Princess.  She is 34 lbs, and I forget to measure her height.

James's chalkboard--loves: tacos, donuts, pancakes, Star Wars, legos, movies, pizza, Alabama football, baseball, riding bikes and chocolate.  When he grows up he wants to be a "famous author".  He weighs 48 lbs and is 51 inches tall.

Natalie has been with the same 5 friends at Ascension since she was 6 months old, and I have been a bit nervous all summer about her switching to Second Baptist.  She never checked up......

Natalie's precious teacher, Mrs. Partridge.  This is her first year as a pre-k teacher, and I think she and Natalie are going to hit it off.

James's first grade teacher is Mrs. Bradley, and when we walked up to her class she knelt down and asked to give James a hug.  She was so warm and kind that it made me tear up.  James wouldn't let me take a picture with Mrs. Bradley, but Grandmama luckily snuck in these shots.

Natalie had half days the first week (W-F) of school, so she got to go to Brad's office for lunch on Thursday.  Could this sweet girl be any happier?

Natalie also started a new ballet and tap class this week.  Look how much she has grown since her first ballet class.

 

silly faces

My friend Gentry (her daughter Olive is the sweet girl on the left in the top pic) sent me these from her class.

This past Friday was the first home football game and therefore Spirit Day at school.

singing SBS's fight song before the football game

Sprit Day happened to fall on Brad's Friday off, so he joined us for morning carpool--my favorite time of the day.  Family carpool selfie, complete with Kitty.

We are all loving this school year!

High Tea at the St. Regis

One of my favorite traditions has become tea with Natalie before starting school.  This year Grandmama happened to be in town, and the three of us had a magical morning tea time at the St. Regis.

This sweet girl is still a little girl: as adorable as she looked, she still sat cross-legged.  And as well behaved as she was, she was still chomping at the bit to bypass the sandwiches and scones and eat the desserts.  And she is without a doubt the girliest of girls.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

The harpist was just delightful to Natalie and the other little girls.  She explained the workings of the harp and even let Natalie feel the music vibrating through the harp and strum some of the strings (apparently the strings closest to the harpist are made of sheep intestines and are very delicate).

As I said last year, I love having a girl....especially this girl.

The Biggest Boy is 7!

James's birthdays always seem to hit my the hardest.  I mean, I can hardly believe that this sweet boy is 7!

This sweet, affectionate child is full of life and personality.  He LOVES his siblings--Luke: every waking moments, and Natalie: most moments.  He is the best morning cuddler and gives, without a doubt, the best hugs.  We love him to pieces.

James celebrated a few days early with a Star Wars pool party at our neighborhood pool.  Pool parties are definitely becoming easier as the kids get older.

The closest thing I got to a picture of all of us.

Piñatas these days don't use bats, but rather pull strings.  The same chaos still ensues.

And you know that this boy enjoyed the party and his cake.  I do believe he is eating the cake off his stomach in the picture on the right.  :)

On James's actual birthday we celebrated with the usual "birthday donuts", per his request.  It was Brad's Friday off, so the two of them enjoyed a trip to Target for Legos and dinner at Chick-Fil-A.  We finished the night with family Monopoly!

We love the birthday boy so much!!