Ethan's 5th Birthday Party

We all had a great time at Ethan's party September 14.  Both grandmas were there, too!

Sadly, the party marked the end of our time at My Gym.  We have had a lot of great times there since we first moved to SC six years ago, but both boys have outgrown it.  Seems like they have outgrown everything these days.  Can't believe we have 5- and 7-year-olds.  Sigh. The days are long but the years are short....

So, anyway... sentimental rant over.  Back to the party. It's taken me a couple of weeks to get through all the photos.  There are a lot of ones I love, so I plan to put them into a slideshow sometime.  Here are my favorites, though.

Ethan's 5th Birthday CRAZINESS

Ethan turned 5 on Thursday, September 11. That day was so busy for our family, no one took a photo of the guy. :O(  I took these at bedtime the night before (sigh).  That was the last night we had a baby boy, the then 4-year-old.

The day was busy because I had scheduled Maddie, months earlier, to have surgery for teeth cleaning and removal of two fatty tumors. We knew it would be Ethan's birthday, but scheduled it anyway because it was the first day we could get in. Mom is in town and was wonderful to help us with Maddie drop-off.

Then, I learned that parent orientation at our new school was scheduled for that evening.  Okay.  Fine.  Picture day was also that day.  Will do.  Andrew had requested to bring home Toby the science lab turtle for the weekend and Thursday was the day for that, as well.  Here we go, crazy day!

Also, I wanted to surprise Ethan at his school with a birthday cupcake at lunch.  So I cleared it with my principal and did that, returning back at school in time to teach kindergarten.  It was awesome and I also enjoyed the hugs from former colleagues and students there.

Ethan did have a birthday book dedicated to him again this year, so I will post pictures when I get them.

Enjoying Toby!  Andrew doesn't look like Andrew here. 

Let us in out of the rain!!! (Maddie is wearing a t-shirt at our vet's request so she won't be able to lick/chew her incisions.)

The biggest one.  It was bothering her so we are glad it is out.

The life.  Even in a t-shirt.

Toby likes to play in the backyard.

Dora was REALLY interested in Toby. Yikes!

Andrew has really been enjoying his turtle time.

We have a big party planned for tomorrow to conclude all the birthday celebrations!  Stay tuned....

First Full Week of School for Kiddos

We are tired but surviving! The new school (for Andrew and me) is amazing in so many ways.  2nd grade is hard and he is adjusting, but we will get there!

Every afternoon we get a chance, Andrew and I race each other in our school's courtyard maze. I mostly lose.

Ethan has been amazing, too! We celebrated the first few days back with a zoo trip last weekend.

Grandma Cathy is proud of her reflection/snapping turtle shot.

The climbing wall is getting a little too easy for Andrew!  We will head to the ropes course next, and then the zip-line!

Mellow Mushroom pilgrimage after the zoo, of course.

First Day of 2nd Grade and Last First Day of Preschool

Students Start Tomorrow!

The classroom is set up, bulletin boards are done (in progress, at least), and I am ready to greet the kiddos at the new school for my 16th year as a general music teacher!  Administration, my classroom space, my equipment, the faculty, the staff, and just the general atmosphere of the school is really positive and fun, and I couldn't be happier.  I am glad I was brave enough to apply for the gig and I can't wait to meet my new musicians tomorrow, including 2nd grade ANDREW.

Summer Send-Off

Tuesday, I officially went back to school for my 16th (gulp!) year.  So, the boys and I made sure to spend some fun time at the pool Monday afternoon.  It was awesome; we had the pool to ourselves the entire 2+ hours and got to take in the "super moon" that evening.... Great way to spend my last day of summer 2014.