Hitting the Books - Back to School Party of TWO

Party of two = Back 2 School

Monday was the big first day for two of my favorite people in the world. Kennedy asked me two days before if I was happy for them to start school :-)...she is so my daughter deep down knowing how I feel but also older and smarter now to know that I am going to say something encouraging to not let on that the start of school and the school year TUGS at my heart! I of course told her I was excited for them to learn and grow and watch them shine but also sad because I enjoy my days with them and love having them around! And yes, summer is a time for more fights, whining, boredom, complaining BUT the smiles, joy, fun together always far outweighs the other - we just have to remind ourselves to hold onto that more than the other.

This year was also different because this little miss was starting big school with her sister. Her first and only year they will be together. So you better believe we drug out the big guns speech of how this was a special year together, to enjoy it, take care of one another during the days!

Brooklyn's special back to school dinner meal was the night before school started since she had the first day last year - and much to her sister's dismay she DID NOT deter from her chosen meal - Chicken & Dumplings :-).
Kennedy asked if she could have cereal!

She was excited and nervous - nerves won out the night before since she was up twice not able to sleep or had a bad dream. Lots of hugs, cuddles and reassurance. Lots of talk of sister walking her to class each day after the first and the size of the building. But she was proud and excited too and ready to bring on the day!

My morning person, hence all the pics.

Our resident pancake chef stayed home to make breakfast and celebrate

Kennedy didn't end up having to wear her neck brace but

the classic conspicuous hidden camera aimed at the 5th grade classroom hoping to catch some sort of picture without being "that mom!" A little difficult with a ginormous camera on my arm 

Our beautiful, bright, always moving, funny, kind hearted 1st grader now -
and in the same classroom K spent her 1st grade year in!

And what did this little dude do in between mom & dad talking with other parents??
I turned around and he had hopped up on the ledge outside the library.
Look out school this kid will think he owns it by the time he gets there!
And his cars/planes are never far away.

The Beginning - Summer Week in AZ

The beginning is a good place to start...not only has the summer flown by, but's it is two weeks away from the start of school, and that one little thing on my to do list is still there - the catch up on blog line that ALWAYS seems to be there. I am in major time management jealousy mode of the mama's that have a set schedule and do their blogs regularly...one day maybe I will learn their secret or just learn time management because life will always have stuff and that's the stuff to blog and the stuff is what MAKES this life and the blessings in it.

We are wrapping up a week plus trip out to the desert. Where Carter calls sunsets rainbows because they are so beautiful!! We rarely get to see any in TX because of all the trees. My kiddos are all in awe of their beauty and I LOVE hearing them describe the colors from the backseat of the car. They have gone from the pink, purple, salmon sunset where the sun is a blazing orange pink color - to the one tonight that was more subtle but had about five colors lining the sky from royal blue, turquoise, greenish yellow, yellow and than finishing up the horizon with a peachy color. The kids were describing how they wanted to paint it when we got home to remember it forever and Carter started going on and on about how beautiful it was and how he wanted to paint mountains but he didn't know how to paint mountains (this boy LOVES the mountains here). I truly realize each time we are out here that they are more like there mama = half their heart is in TX and half their hearts live in AZ. It makes me smile though and the memories and weeks that unfold out here that they will cherish and pass on to their families one day. How blessed to call two places "home" and each for its own unique reason.

Just tonight we were talking about favorite parts and they had forgotten the part that started this whole trip - the family bowling night! Strikes galore and they weren't coming from me that's for sure. All I have to say is my 81 year old grandma beat me, actually creamed me and not just once BUT twice. Impressive to say the least. There is something about watching the cousins together, picking up as if no time went by. But then I think of my cousins and how we spend the time catching up and smiling while watching our kids together. Some of the same memories I cherish from my childhood!

Grateful...