Kindergarten!

We officially have a Kindergartner!  Ari has been so excited waiting for this day to arrive.  Meet the teacher was last Thursday and only added to his excitement. That night he received his first homework assignment.  He had to name & decorate a pet rock as well as it's home.  Here's the final product - introducing Hawk, the rock!

Yesterday was "move-up" Sunday at our church when all the kids change classrooms for the new school year.  Ari was so happy to be in the Kindergarten room!  Keira was happy to be in her new 4-year-old class as well.  Asher didn't know what was going on, but didn't cry when I dropped him off at his new class so I can only say it went well for him, too.

And today was the big first day of school!  The first 3 days are 1/2 days for the Kindergartners which is nice.  I really love that we can walk to and from the school and it only takes about 10-15 minutes (depending how fast the kids feel like walking).  On our way to pick up Ari today, we met more families from our neighborhood and it's just so great!  I could go on and on, but I'll get to the pic's instead.  Ari's school colors are red, white and blue so he picked this outfit for the first day.  Good choice!

It's going to be a great year!

Birthday Stars

Both Ari and Keira requested Chuck E. Cheese parties for their birthdays this year.  With their special days only 2 months apart and because we were only willing to suffer enjoy 1 party there, we split the difference and had a combined party in August.  It actually worked out nicely with the move and all since there's not much to do except book the party and show up. There was some confusion from the kids about their birthdays versus the party day, though.  The only other down-side was how crazy-packed it was for a Sunday afternoon!  None of the kids seemed to mind, but about all the adults were overwhelmed by all the noise and chaos.  I'm still recovering today!

 Patiently waiting for the festivities to begin.

Happy kids!

The crowning ceremony.

 

Keira did not approve of Chuck placing the crown on her head.

But, she was content once she did it herself.

Make a wish!

Keira was still mad at Chuck and didn't want a picture with him.

Ticket Blaster!

The kids are into superheroes these days, so I made the cupcakes using this kit.

And I made sugar cookies for the party favors using these cutters.

The kids had a blast and Keenan and I are happy we can scratch this off our list!  Well, I suppose until Asher requests a CEC party...  Great.

Fun With Friends - Part 2

See Part 1 below.

Our second visit came from the Skippers just this past weekend.  The kids and I met up with their family Friday morning at the Legoland Discovery Center (next to the aquarium!).  My favorite part was Miniland which featured lego models of Dallas and Fort Worth landmarks.  The kids preferred the rides and the 4D movie (fans for wind and sprays of water for the 4th D).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The next night we had their family over for dinner.  And, again, no pictures.  Oh well.  Also like our visit from the Bilberries, all the kids got along great and just had fun being kids.  It gave us grown-ups a good chance to hang out, relax and catch up.  So, who's coming to visit next?  ;)

Fun With Friends - Part 1

(Note:  Pictures of the new house are coming soon!  Just a couple more pieces of furniture to put together then a few more boxes before I'll deem it "picture worthy.")

We've been so lucky this summer to have not one, but two out-of -town family friends pay us a visit!  First up were the Bilberries who came in late July (their post is here).  Since summer was in full swing, we took advantage of some indoor attractions nearby.

We went to the new Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine.  The aquarium itself was great, but it was super crowded in parts making us feel like sardines (ha!).

 

 

 

 

The next day the dads took the big kids for a tour of the new Cowboy's Stadium while the moms and Asher enjoyed chatting at Starbucks and back at the house for Asher's nap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only activity I didn't get pictures of was going to our local water park.  I also didn't seem to get any pictures of the grown-ups.  Hmmm...  Despite that, it was a wonderful visit and the kids got along so well.  Mainly they just played and played and we all enjoyed each other's company.