Proud Mommy Moment #1...of the new school year!

Austin and Jordyn,

So today was day two of school.  While mommy is at work I am always thinking of you guys and hoping that you are having a good day and learning as best you can.  My day today was long (working until 6pm is never fun) and I am driving to Dee's to pick you up I am thinking of all the stuff I needed to do when I got home.  As I am sitting at the kitchen table going through the bookbags, I find myself taking a time out and letting the proudness that I feel inside take over at what I find.

Jordyn:  In just one day the spelling of your name went from a bunch of lines and circles to actually looking like your name.  Mommy is so proud of you!

Day One of School

Second Day of School

Austin: It seems just yesterday that you were so proud that you could now write your own name. Then much to my surprise, I find this in your folder today:

In case you can't decipher - Walk at all times, Raise your hand to talk...

Mommy does not know how she will contain herself as you grow and learn more. I look forwar to your first tests and big projects. I find myself being very proud of what you two are becoming.

Love,

Mommy

Where Have My Babies Gone??

So today was first day of school.  Austin of course in 1st grade.  This is scary than kindergarten...he seems a little more grown up...like this is real school.  Don't try to figure me out.  Jordyn on the other hand should be i pre-school this year but did not get accepted...yet.  So Barb and I have decided to work with her.  So all weekend we have built up the fact that she would be going to school at Dee's. 

Barb had all kinds of school papers for her and then we had homework to do when we got home.  Barb even had a take home folder for her.  She was excited.  They both had to pack lunches today which meant four lunches to pack last night. 

When I got home, Austin was in the pool so didn't tell me much about his first day but Jordyn wanted me to see how she wrote her name.  It looked like a bunch of lines and circles but she was proud.  So I was proud for her.  Austin has to read for 10 minutes each night so tonight we read Dr. Suess.  I am glad that Austin loves Dr. Suess as much as I do...thanks Mom!  So all in all the first day of school was good.

A Great Night with Old Friends...and Family

So tonight we had a special singing at the church with our great friend, the Walkers.  It was nice to see them again.  All of our families had grown since the last time that we saw them so it was neat to be together again. 

It seemed to be a night for reunions, Pop-Pop was there tonight and we got some great pics with him.  It is times like these that brings a smile to your face to remember the "good ole days."

Christmas in August

So we have all heard of Christmas in July.  Well we had Christmas in August today.  Our Aunt Dee, who lives in West Virginia, has been up this week and we all got together for dinner and gift exchange since she did not make it up last Christmas.  We had a great time visiting with her.  Picture taking was a little crazy.

Thanks for visiting Aunt Dee...it was fun as always.

School...here we come!

So we promised Austin that when he went to first grade he would get to pick out his very own LL Bean bookbag.  So when the magazine came over the summer, he picked out what he wanted and forgot about it.  Well today, he received a UPS package while at Dee's house.  How excited was he when he opened the box and saw his Shark bookbag with matching lunchbox.

Jordyn did get upset though because she was not in the picture, so I gave her some time in the spotlight too:

And so it begins...

So last night we, Josh and I, took the kids to Walmart for school shopping.  Trip was to include supplies and clothes.  As we are going through the store, I look at the carts...yes, I said carts.  Each of the kids had to have their "own" carts for thier school stuff.  No mind you, I only have one going to school but I can tell you that Jordyn got all the same school supplies as Austin along with clothes.  So after two hours and $200 later, Austin is now set for school and Jordyn got new clothes.  I can't believe that next year I will have two in school.  They grow up way too fast!

Never Too Late and Off, Off and Away!

Okay, so for a while now I have been wanting to do a blog to document daily acivities and things (I can't remember to water a plant but I am going to try and keep this updated...).  So I figured no better time to begin than to start with our annual vacation.  WORD OF CAUTION:  THIS WILL BE A LONG BLOG - grab a drink (I promise there will be a few potty breaks) and I hope you enjoy! So this year (even though Josh and I did not have the nice cushion of leave - due to Josh's knee surgery and the removal of my tonsils) we still decided to take a much needed week off and take a few day trips.  Of course, my vacation started last Friday with a trip to Ravens Training Camp for Ravens Rookies Day.  Josh had to work so it was just the kids, Uncle Devin and me.  Got there too late for Autographs but the kids still had a blast.  We met Birdman, took pics with is car, met Poe and Austin participated in the football camp. 

Sunday started the "real vacation" with the fam.  We headed to Fenwick Island, DE to the beach.  We stayed the night at little hotel on Coastal Highway.  Once we got to the hotel and checked in we headed on the one block walk to the ocean.  We walked up the sandy hill to get to the beach and low and behold, we saw...DOLPHINS!  Swimming really close to the shore.  The kids were excited to see them so close.  So we pick our spot on the beach (not crowded at all!) and headed down to the water.  So go back a little - all year Jordyn has been begging us to take her to the beach - we get to the edge of the water and she runs from the water.  Silly girl!  So Jordyn and Austin played in the sand.  After an hour of Josh and I just standing at the edge of the water, we decided we were going to leave and go mini golfing.  Of course, by the time we decided to tell the kids, Jordyn decided she now liked the water and made us sit in the sand as the water hit us.  Josh was being silly and a few waves knocked him over, which the kids and I found quite amusing.  So we left the beach and headed back to the hotel.  We took a quick shower at the pool shower and a dip in the pool hoping this would get rid of the half of the beach sand we brought back with us.  Much to my surprise we all had sand in places I did not know could hide sand.  Needless to say, our bathtub looked like a beach when we were all down taking a shower. 

Josh and Austin digging for sand crabs!

Anybody need a potty break?  I told you this was going to be long.  So then we headed out to mini golf.  So how many mini golf places do you need?  We decided on the lost adventure.  At about hole number 7 Jordyn was done and by hole number 15 Josh was done.  We got back to the hotel in time for me to catch Scroundrels and The Gates.  All in all it was a good day.

Two day (my birthday) found us still in "Ocean City".  We stopped for breakfast at a place called Hall's.  I have to say that this was the best thing I could have for my birthday.  I LOVE BREAKFAST FOOD - a buffett nonetheless.  After breakfast we traveled down to Talbot Street to catch our pirate ship.  This was a little on the expensive side but totally worth it.  The kids has a blast.  The "pirates" on the ship told tall tales, the kids fought off and won thier treasure from the "bad pirate" and they got tattoos.

Everyone still OK?  OK!  Day three found us headed back to Ravens Training Camp with Josh this time.  Austin got in for the autographs and that is about the end of that story.  Really nothing to write home about. :(

Day four we headed on an advenure with mom this time to Camden, NJ to the Adventure Aquarium.  The kids (and mom had a blast), Josh reminded me of my dad - can't stay is one spot too long - must keep moving, and mom was just like our own personal photographer (and chauffer).  It was nice to share the experience with mom - I think it took her back to times when Devin and Heather were young. 

We left the aquarium ready to get home and STARVING!!!  We finally stopped at Christiana and ate at Don Pablo's.  Food was great!  I don't remember much of the road trip but I am sure that mom and Josh had a blast.  LOL!

So today found us at the Science Center at the Inner Harbor.  Poor Josh had to drive down there for that, come home, meet the guys and then travel back down for the Ravens game...do I sound jealous? Maybe just a little.  The kids had an absolute blast at the science center.  There was so much for them to do and it was not crowded at all.  The loved it so much I am seriously considering buying a membership pass.  They could have spent a lot longer there.  We went to the planeterium which was awesome.  Josh I think had a much fun as the kids did.  We left and walked the harbor and then ate at the Hooters. 

That brings us to the end of today, kids in bed, first blog post done and watching the RAVENS...so glad it is football season.  Hope I did not bore anyone too much.  Can't beleive vacation is over already!!!