first weeks of school

The first few weeks of school flew by and both boys loved it. Matix knew just where to go and what to do since this was his second year at school. He was very confident, but still wanted us to walk him inside for the first week and 1/2.

Paul had a good schedule and got to do drop offs a couple days too, which of course, they loved.

We wrote them love notes in their lunch boxes. :)

Hawken was pretty confident too, but more nervous than Matix was about kindergarten. He wanted to know the exact schedule and routine of everything. Once we got there, all worries left, he found some friends and loved it.

After the first week, he preferred to WALK IN BY HIMSELF, which was more distressing to me than him. He is such a big boy all of a sudden!

Matix wrote us a love note back. :) Sweet thing.

Play dates with an old preschool friend AFTER starting kindergarten was really funny to Hawken.

More school time means Solace and Lullaby and I have lots more play time. It's really nice being able to spend the time with them and give them all the attention, but still sad and missing my big boys. We went to the Children's museum, and let me tell you, it was SO EASY with only two kids. Like, I could have taken a nap. It was wild.

Lullaby started preschool (at home with me and 6 of her friends) and is loving it! Here she is on the first day of school.

Extra time means potty training and FaceTiming with Grandmas! Sometimes both at the same time… :) Solace isn't really potty training yet, but he has started to show an interest, and I'm humoring him. Nothing structured or encouraged at this point. He's just barely 2, and I'm in no rush.

Here are Lullaby's sidewalk preschool pictures. Cute!

fun

These are the last pictures from Grandpa Lee's visit (back in August). We went up to Dale's house in an attempt to go swimming, which didn't happen. So we played at the park instead, which was fun until it started raining. :)

For some reason, Paul didn't have a shirt. I'm thinking he gave it to one of the kids because they got wet?? I can't remember. But he wanted to get something from Home Depot quickly on our way home… So he wore my swim cover shirt/dress… Awesome. I super love Paul.

first day of school!

Matix and Hawken go to two different schools, thanks to the ridiculous Houston ISD and their magnet program. Both boys are in good schools, although Matix's scores a lot better and has better quality kids there. They both have the best teachers in the district, which is where I think it counts. They were SO excited to start. Hawken, who I thought might be nervous without his brother, was happy and ready to go after he met his teacher a few days before.

Matix didn't want his backpack from kindergarten, and instead chose use one of Bradley's old backpacks. We some of their old ones, and the kids LOVE having things from their cousins!

Starting the year with 2 wiggly teeth, equal parts distracting and exciting!

Hawken chose a new backpack from the store, and it took him trying them EACH on before deciding on this one. Very brightly colored and fun.

I cannot believe this guy is big enough for kindergarten! Although, he's been reading for almost a year, and is more than ready!  Also, he has three friends (1 from preschool, and 2 from church) who are in his same class! Can't beat that!

Showing me how fast he will run at recess...

1st grade

And it happened. Matix went to 1st grade! Such a BIG boy. I was happy that he wanted to hold my hand still, and that kissing him good-bye was expected of me. But I still can't believe how grown up he is getting. 

gasoline

When gas is only $1.29 per gallon, I get a full tank for just over $21… Yes please! Regularly, gas is $1.75-ish, but I had fuel points. Either way, I love low gas prices in the fall.

pictures

Laurel and her family had me come up and take pictures of them while everyone was in town for their family Christmas cards. I seriously love this family. :)

play day

Logan and Summer got to come over for the last before school started play date. Logan and Hawken went right back into preschool mode and started making Color Clix creations and bringing them to show me. Matix made some creations too, and Sully just wanted his picture taken. So funny.

Summer and Sully watched some Nick Jr. on the iPad and had a little milk date. They switched cups about a million times, so I stopped trying to get them to keep their own.  They were happier sharing...

And now kindergarten and 1st grade have taken over my life again and I have very little amounts of interaction with adults anymore… So sad.  Have I said how much I dislike kindergarten and 1st grade for that reason?

princess boy

Meet my princess boy. Although he loves all the "typical" boy things, he also loves babies, and playing dress-up in dresses. He makes a very cute Elsa. :)

neighborhood splash pad

This summer, our splash pad made the perfect location for friends to meet up with us! The kids stayed entertained and the mommies got to chat. This was right before a storm, so we made it right on time! We called a couple different friends to join us, so fun!

friends

Hawken's friend Jeff moved this summer and we sure do miss him.  He still lives in Texas, but pretty far away now. I'm glad we can still see them every once in a while though! :)

goggles

Seeing Sully wearing goggles is even funnier in person. He's very into costumes and dress up. Especially hats and glasses of an kind. Such a silly boy.