THE START (of the school year)

Halle was up bright and early Thursday morning for her first day of second grade!  (How is that possible??)

She was very sad to be in a different class than her best friend, but she says she likes her teacher ["Mrs Erin is not MRS TEENA, but I do really like her!" -Halle, after school (Mrs Teena being the epitome of wonderfulness in her mind!)]

 

This morning was Cate's first day!  The kindergarten at RES does a staggered start.  The boys all went on Thursday, the girls all go on Friday, and then they all start together next Monday.

 

 This morning I stupidly didn't check any of my camera settings.  We were running late (surprise, surprise), a new kitten was stuck under JD's car (more on our cat carousel at a later time), and I was worried that I had already misplaced my phone for the day.  SO, this strange coloring was the best my editing software could do...  Hence, the black and white ^  Ha!

Cate (and Halle too) asked me to sew them something new for the first day of school.  I can not say no that.  So they picked what they wanted and I did my best to make it happen.  :)

Cate even wanted me to make her backpack (again, can't say no.)  She did an EXCELLENT job of picking the fabrics! I absolutely love this bag- the color, which I know you can't see very well, is reminiscent of MY kindergarten backpack.  :)

Cate, in the car, told me that I didn't need to walk her in.

I told her I did.

She smiled the entire time.

Her teacher seems super nice.  I'm sure it's going to be a great year.

 

I'm praying that this year does NOT fly by.

Is there a way to keep kids in Kindergarten and 2nd grade forever??

 

 *Here is Halle's first day of Kindergarten.

THE END (of summer)

Wednesday night (the 6th) we had our annual Back-to-School Eve party!

The girls picked taco soup (again.) and JD's brownies.

This year the party was for both girls!

(I would say that it included Ty -preschool- but I overheard him telling Cate that HE wasn't going to DO preschool this year... I figure I'll cross that bridge in a week or so.  Ha!)

After supper we made lunchbox notes!

(Preschool is needed.  "YT" needs some practice...)

Cate got back-to-school dates this year!

She chose Olive Garden with me:

And bowling and milkshakes with daddy.

(His phone memory was full- no bowling pics with Cate)

Halle and I will get to go out to eat next Monday.

She and JD went bowling and got shakes, too.

 

As hard as it is to believe our summer is over, I am SO glad that the girls are excited to start school.  And I am thankful thankful thankful for the past two months, and all the memories we packed into them!!

{June} Extras...

The end of Tball:

"The Boys" watching the NBA finals:

(notice Ty mimicking how the older guys are sitting...)

Cate was SO proud to be chosen to hold the Bible in front at the VBS program:

Halle grew her own tomato plant this summer.  Here is the first ripe one she found:

{June} Black Mtn, NC FCA Coaches' Family Camp

We were surprised/blessed/overwhelmed that God (through John Engstrom!) provided a way for us to attend FCA Coaches' Family camp again this year in Black Mountain.  This has been a definite highlight of our entire year for the past two years.  On the way home this time JD and I decided that we will make every effort to sacrifice and save so that we can continue being a part of this camp.  I can not put into words the value we believe this camp has in our lives, and especially in our kids' lives.  We are so very, very thankful.

We were with an incredible group of people this year.  Incredible.

(Including YOU GUYS, Josh and Rachel!)

The girls with their huddle leader, Karis:

The focus of the kids' camp this year was missions/having a heart for the nations.

One (rainy) afternoon was spent watching the kids become much better at four-square!

Thursday afternoon we participated in the Family Fun Olympics again!

The shoe race:

The prize:

  (For everyone!)

This year we also took part in the Family Scavenger Hunt-

(We added a couple of family members!)

*A picture of the entire group in the creek- one person sitting in it:   (Worth 10 points)

*A pyramid on the sand volleyball court: (Worth up to 8 points)

*A picture of your entire group with Coach Sanders (worth 3 points)

...you get the idea.  We did not win (not even close!)  Those teams full of high school kids who can run and drive beat us BADLY.  Ha!  But it was so fun!

 

This link will take you to the camp videos- we make multiple appearances in it in the Olympics and Scavenger Hunt! 

FCA CAMP VIDEO LINK

You'll have to scroll to the bottom and choose to go to the second page (click the little arrow), then choose "Thursday Highlights"  --so sorry I can't figure out the direct link!

 

Once again, Ty did not love camp.  He tolerated it, though.  No screaming fits or "accidents".  Ha! 

Isaac and his babysitter got along great- one afternoon when I ran into them in the hallway (they "explored" a lot!) she told me that Isaac was "really popular"  After that I laughed a little every time a different babysitter (there were about 30 of them assigned to different children) would talk to Isaac and call him by name.  Apparently, Sophie was right!



 

I hope that like a lot of families at camp, we can continue to return year after year, and our kids can grow up with their camp friends.  But if not, then I will forever be thankful that we've gotten to participate for two amazing years.  May God richly bless the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

 

{June} Pigeon Forge, TN

We stayed in the same place as last year- why mess with a good thing??

This year, instead of the Dixie Stampede, we did Wonderworks!

The found JD's car parked at the college (google maps):

Shooting virtual baskets proved very frustrating:

(For both of them!  ha!)

This is supposedly "what our children will look like":

Apparently, JD and I produce creepy people.

The girls spent a ton of time on the rock wall:

 Once again, stopping in Pigeon Forge on the way to FCA camp was a really good decision.  We had a blast, and it made traveling to Black Mountain, and beginning camp on Monday much easier!

{June} Topper Camp!

The tiny Topper basketball camp:

(JD doesn't promote this camp too hard... ha!)

Do you see all 3 of them?

Ty was allowed to attend this year (perk of being the coach's kid) and he did really well!

Isaac was another story...