The Boys (and Girl) of Summer

The last weekend before school started, we had an outing with some of Brenna's daycare buds. We all met up at the local splash park and the kids ran around and had water fights. I know, you're wondering "Where are all the girls?" It's either Brenna is popular with the boys or I haven't bonded with any of the moms of her girl friends.

Holding His Own

This is something Grandad was trying to get him to do while we were in Texas. I guess some of it got through! Of course, he gets bored with it after a while and one of his parental units has to take over, but I'd put it in the progress column.

First Day of Kindergarten

Today was Brenna's first day of Kindergarten. She has had her outfit picked out ever since she got it from Mimi when we were in Texas. The challenge was keeping her from wearing it out by the first day of school she likes it so much. She woke up in a good mood, got dressed, brushed her hair and teeth, but didn't have much of an appetite. Oh boy, I was worried that she was so anxious she couldn't eat.

Brenna's daycare, Skool Days, transports kids back and forth to the local schools, so I took her there so she could ride the bus with her friends. Usually Brenna is very reserved when she arrives at school. She likes to have a few minutes to ease into the situation, but not today. She burst through the front door and immediately went to the Director, Heidi, and showed off her new shoes. They are pretty nice shoes - shiny black leather with white stitching and a silver buckle. Heidi told her she wanted shoes like those. We dropped Austin off in his room where Brenna modeled her shoes for his teacher. Next we found her classmates on the playground all dressed in their first day of school finery with backpacks in tow. Again the shoes were brought to the attention of anyone who would stop and admire them. It was almost as if the shoes gave her instant confidence, because she didn't mind kids rushing up to her with their morning greetings. I'm seriously considering buying her new shoes every week if they are that magical!

Angie, the saint who drives the bus, came out to the playground and started gathering up the "school-agers". Brenna turned to me lips puckered for a goodbye kiss as if to say, "You can go Mommy. Your work here is done." I gave her a kiss and made my way out to the car, so I could get a head start on the bus and meet them at school. So far the morning was looking very good. I didn't have to peel her off my leg and make overtures promising I would see her at Elementary School in like two minutes.

The Skool Days bus arrived at the Elementary School without incident and Brenna bounded onto the sidewalk ready to take on the world. All of the Kindergarteners gather on a small playground outside their rooms, so we hung out there waiting for her teacher, Mrs. Elderidge to call them into line.

It was comforting to see so many kids from Skool Days on that playground knowing that Brenna would have an instant group of friends. She hardly even registered that I was there and barely had the time to stand still for pictures.

When Mrs. Elderidge called her class into line, Brenna raced over and got in the queue. I waited in the wings for the crying, clinging and pleading to commence. IT NEVER HAPPENED!

As the kids made their way into the classroom, I looked around wondering what I should do next. I was a little lost in that moment and a tiny bit misty, not because I was sad that our little girl was growing up, but proud that we had somehow managed to raise a self-confident, energetic, witty and smart individual. I'm looking forward to all that being a "school-ager" will bring this year. Thank you Brenna for continuing to amaze us.

A Round of Applause

During our trips to Texas and Arkansas, Austin learned how to clap his hands. It was very out of the blue. It wasn't like we were working on it or anything. He just woke up one morning and thought, "I wonder what happens when I bang my hands together". It was a slow progression - he started out with his right hand stationary and his left hand doing all the work. By the end of the week, his right hand finally got in on the action and there was some serious clapping going on. Here's a sample of his "handy" work:

Texas Trip - Mexican Food at Chuy's

Whenever we travel back to Texas, there are two must do's: eat Mexican food and eat a Whataburger. We met Brent's Dad, sisters, Amie and Kacie, and their husbands, Chad and Jon-Paul for dinner at Chuy's. I first discovered Chuy's in Austin, and Arlington recently got one of their own. Knowing that is almost enough to get me to move back there. To say the food was great just isn't doing it justice! Oh Tex-Mex, how I miss you.




We had lots of fun catching up with everyone.

Arkansas Trip - House in the Woods

A little over a year ago, Maud and George "retired" to Fairfield Bay, AR where they built a little house in the woods with a BIG "screened-in" porch. I use the quotes because the screens are behind functioning vinyl windows, so the porch can be enjoyed in the winter months. It will also serve as a greenhouse as it gets colder. The porch is large enough for a patio table that seats six, a sitting area with two gliders and 2 patio chairs, and a potting table with enough room in between to ride a tricycle! We spent a lot of time on the porch eating meals, doing arts and crafts and just hanging out.




The area around the house reminds me a little of North Carolina (tall trees and greenery) and a little of Girl Scout Camp (natural areas and walking paths), but with much better amenities!

Arkansas Trip - Boating on Greer's Ferry Lake

Our first day in Arkansas, we went boating on Greer's Ferry Lake. Grammie and Papa rented a pontoon boat and we spent a few hours puttering around the lake. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on board.



Both Brenna and Austin got their turns at the wheel. Fortunately, traffic on the lake was very light that day!



Brenna saved some of her sandwich bread for the catfish back at the dock. She loved seeing all those fish jockeying for position and battling over the bread.