Camping?

The other half of Labor Day weekend we spent camping at the lake. Was it really camping though?

We did pitch a tent.


Keaton was happy as could be.


The kids played in the tent.


No need for the spa, the girls gave themselves mud baths.


Here is the incriminating picture that proves we weren't really roughing it though! We were at Kevin's parent's new place and had real baths and showers, and a kitchen.


Still, we cooked over an open fire.




And we roasted marshmallows for S'mores.












And we ate all our meals outside. (There was no furniture in the house yet anyway!)


The very best part was the sunrise kayak rides in our pajamas! :)

We had promised the kids we would go camping over the summer, but we didn't get around to it. So this is how we fulfilled the promise. It was fun family time. :) Hopefully once it warms up again we will really rough it somewhere.

One of these days I may catch up on my blogging and you will actually know what we are up to these days. ;) I uploaded these pictures weeks ago. I need to get myself excited about blogging again.

Carnival

Every labor day weekend there is a carnival downtown.


We decided to go on Friday night to kick off our long weekend.


Being near Lowe's Motor Speedway there are always race cars at these kind of events.


This time there was a pig car too.




Of course we sampled the fair fare for dinner. Footlong corndogs for the boys.


A smoked turkey leg for the girls. I had a delicious Greek chicken salad and Kevin had a cheesesteak.


And being in the South apparently means people like Hillbilly Bob will be at the carnival selling homemade soda in tin cans. Gotta love the South! Isn't he cute in his overalls?


We all drank our weight in fresh lemonade. Yum!


And the kids road a couple rides.



We had some ice cream before calling it a night. We were so lucky this year to have beautiful weather for Labor Day weekend. Usually it is almost unbearably hot and humid. I think this is the first time I really enjoyed the carnival without melting.

The Second First Day of School

That Friday Tate finally got to start school too. He had been walking to school all week and finally got to stay!


One of our stories the night before. Can you see how excited this little guy is?


His first lunch, packed and ready.


Picked out his own outfit.




Tate was around the school all year last year. His speech therapy was there and he was coming to class parties and helping me in the classrooms with things. It made for a very easy transition this year. Tate stopped in front of the school to talk to the principal. They have been anticipating Tate's start in kindergarten since last year. Our kids are well known around the school and Tate was very welcomed there. He is a really sweet and funny kid and all the teachers and staff love talking to him. He was feeling the love and asked me to take his picture with the principal. :)


See that little guy marching down the hall in front of everyone? That's Tate! The same kid who 4 months ago sobbed at the thought of anything out of his normal routine marched ahead of our whole family (including Kevin's parents) and called out, "C'mon guys! Follow me!" So happy for him with this new found confidence. Made it easier on everyone. Lily's class is a few up the hall from him so we had practiced walking to his class all week when we took her in.


Pausing for one last picture before the big moment. :)


After his first day of school. He had a great day. His paper ribbon says, "I survived my first day of kindergarten!" So cute. He also brought a paper home that said his favorite part of the day was "playing outside." No surprises there. He made an adorable painted turtle out of a large stone too. Tate is lucky because his teacher used to be the art teacher a few years back and she loves to incorporate art and cooking into her lessons. Makes kindergarten so much fun!

A few other picture from the first week of school. These were from the 3 older kids 2nd day.

The First, First Day of School

At the kids' school they start kindergarteners in a staggered schedule so while the other three had their first day on Tuesday August 25, Tate didn't start until that Friday.


If they look half asleep that is because they are! This picture was taken at about 6:45. I threw caution into the wind and let them choose their own first day outfits. I am a Type A so it took everything in me not to pick for them. Sophie has a hard time making choices though so it is something I am trying to give her experience in. I cant figure out if it is because she had no choices the first 8 years of her life or if it is because she is a pleaser and is always afraid of choosing the wrong one. :( Anyway, this is what they chose. Pretty cute! Tate was there too, but I chose this picture because they look the most awake in it. ;)


Walking to school. Kevin and his parents joined us for our first day walk. Most kids where we live ride the bus. Coming from southern California this concept is foreign to me. The bus picks them up so early! So we leave our house at 7 (school starts at 7:30) and walk. It only takes us about 15 minutes and the dog and I get our walking out of the way too. I pick them up in the car. All the neighbors think I'm crazy to not use the bus system, but I enjoy the time with the kids.


We're there! I always try to block out things like the school name, our address, etc. in pictures for privacy reasons. The school does have a name. ;)




Lily's teacher loved her apple! She is a really sweet teacher and Lily adores her.


Home again and ready for homework. The first week of homework was mostly for me, filling out 10 forms time 4 kids. I mean really, how many times does the school need to know our phone number and who to call in an emergency? And why can't I save paper and do it once for the four kids, or just verify that the information has not changed since last year?

Anyway, the kids had a great first day. I got them their favorite Smencils (Smelly Pencils), animal pencil toppers that are really popular, and these little Japanese erasers that look like food to celebrate. New school supplies are part of the back to school fun!

Night Before School Starts Rituals

T'was the night before school started....


Time to clean up.



Polish up.


Set out clothes.


Settle down to read.


Love letters.


Lunches packed.