Anthony and Caroline both started their first day of school on August 15th. Anthony started Kindergarten and Caroline started at First Baptist WEE school. This was a day that I have not been looking forward to for the entire summer. I am used to being home with the kids 5 days a week so Anthony to be gone 5 days a week is going to take some adjusting. Anthony was super excited the night before his first day and got up that morning and was dressed in record time. When we got to the school he started getting nervous and by the time we got to his class he was clinging to me and playing with mine and Charlie's hair, which he now mostly does just when he's nervous. I finally got him to stop clinging long enough to get some great pictures. When it was time for Caroline, Charlie, and I to leave his teacher had to pry his arms and legs off me, he cried, I cried, and Charlie cried. LOL. When I went to pick him up from school that afternoon he told me that school was AWESOME and he couldn't wait to go back. The next morning his teacher had to keep him from chasing me down the hall but every morning since then he has given me a quick hug and kiss and has been fine. He tells me everyday that school was "awesomer than the day before" but that he doesn't learn anything and they play all day! At least he likes it!

When we took Caroline to school the first day she was so excited to be going to Anthony's old school. She walked right in and didn't even look back. When I picked her up that day she said she loves school. She gave her teacher a big hug and told her she would see her the next day. When she found out that she didn't go to school the next day she was upset. So when it was time for her to go to school again she was super excited but then we got to her class and she wanted to me to stay with her. As I left she started crying but only cried for about a minute then when I went to pick her up she cried because she didn't want to leave! And that has been the cycle for her everyday at school since then!

Anthony and Caroline ready for the first day of school

Anthony in his classroom. Looks can be deceiving, he was totally not this happy when I left him!

Anthony checking out his desk for the first time

Right before I told him that I had to leave

Aunt Cha Cha and Anthony

Mommy and Anthony

Caroline on her first day of WEE school playing in her classroom

Getting ready to go in her new school

Picture that her teacher took of her playing outside

She loves the outside playground, she says it's her favorite time in school

I am slowly adjusting to Caroline being gone 2 days a week for 3 hours and Anthony being gone 5 days a week. It is much easier to run errands and I am finally getting back in to running when they are in school. I still wish they were home everyday with me but I know it's good for them and they love it. Can't wait to see what the school year holds! Let's just hope Anthony stayes out of trouble, he came home with 2 green cards this week and 3 yellow cards! His teachers say there is an adjustment period I just hope that he come home with more green cards a week than yellow!!!

A Rockin' Good Time

I can't believe Anthony turned 5 years old on Saturday. It seems like just yesterday that he was born although it's hard to remember life before he was here. He is such a sweet and snuggly boy but is definately strong willed also. (I have no idea where he got that from!) He loves to play outside and will stay out there all day if you let him and he loves to do "jobs" with his Daddy, Papa, Papaw, and Grandad. The more jobs he can help do, the happier he is. He is the greatest boy ever. I also tell him that he is my favorite boy ever!

I can't believe how much he has grown and changed over the last 5 years.

This year Anthony decided he wanted to have a Rock Star birthday party. So we went all out and had the most fabulous rock star party ever. We hired a DJ from Sound Extreme and got him the most awesome birthday cake ever. All the kids had a great time and the parents and grandparents had great entertainment watching the kids play and dance.

Adley bustin' a move! He is a great dancer and quite entertaining!!!

Charlie has always wanted to be a tattoo artist but since she can't draw she always volunteers to do the temporary tattoos for all the kids.

Kids playing "guitars"

Anthony can "play" his guitar behind his head. AMAZING! he says. LOL

Charlie and Erin Ashworth dancing (Erin was one of the DJ's for the party)

Anthony getting ready to blow out his candles

The was an awesome guitar cake, it was huge and looked fabulous and tasted even better!

Overall, I think this was his best birthday party so far. He told me it was the coolest party he has ever been too and wanted to do it again next year. I told him next year we will have to hook up the ipod to a set of speakers, lol.

Long Overdo Update

Wow, I didn't realize just how long it's been since I updated the blog. So much has happened this summer that I don't even know where to start. We have spent the majority of the summer at Lake Keowee, it's been super hot and the kids love going to the lake. Anthony has learned to ride the water sled, ski, and tube like a 16 year old boy! He has no fear of anything and the faster and rougher you are the happier he is. Caroline, on the other hand, won't even try the water sled. We have gotten her on the tube one time and she had a good time but she didn't stay on for long. She won't jump of the dock because she hates to go under water and she doesn't like to get her hair wet. She is such a girl in all ways (except when her brother is messing with her, then she beats up on him!) Both of the kids ask me everyday when it will be time to go back to the lake.

Anthony also graduated from WEE school this year, which means he starts Kindergarten next week and Caroline will start her first year of WEE school. I am not sure that I'm ready for both of them to be gone because I'm so used to having them with me all the time but I know when I adjust to it I will enjoy some alone time. Anthony is finally starting to get excited about his "big school". Mom and Dad took him to the playground at his school and let him play and since then he has been ready. I took Caroline to open house at WEE school and she is finally excited also. Hopefully next week they will still be this excited becuase it sure will make it easier on me!

We also had a week long vacation with my family and it was wonderful. I still have tons of fun on family vacations! Can't wait until we can do it again. It was a week long of riding the boat, tubing, and just laying on the beach at the lake.

Anthony learned to ride his bike without training wheels. Mom and dad took him to the baseball fields and he learned in no time! So proud of him and he was super proud of himself. We haven't been back to the bike trail for him to ride for a while because it is just to darn hot but when we were at the lake with my parents he got to ride at the campground. He had just learned to ride and at the campground he was already trying to jump the speed bumps! See, no fear!

I'm sure there are plenty of things that I'm forgetting but that's all for now!

Caroline got her fingernails "professionally" painted for the first time this summer and she LOVED it!

Lacey, Mark, Chad, Anthony, and Colton went to TN and the Dixie Stampede for Colton's birthday. The kids and adults all had a great time and Anthony can't wait to go back.

Anthony riding his bike

Caroline napping on the boat

Just hangin' out on the boat

Anthony on the water sled

Caroline "taking care" of her baby

Caroline's first s'more ever! She liked it but loved eating the Hershey bars better.

Watching Anthony ski

July 4th we decided to stay home and do our own fireworks. Caroline had never seen them before and loved them. Both kids thought they were great and we had a wonderful time.

Playing in a HUGE puddle at the bike trail. Mom and Dad let them play in it forever and they talked about how much fun they had for days after!

Play date at Melanie's house. Super hard to get 6 kids looking at the camera all at one time!

Anthony's new 4-wheeler helmet

Riding his tube

Skiing

Anthony's graduation