On the Radar

Lucky for us, we live in an area where the public parks are both convenient and lots of fun.  Today we ventured to Leeds Park, which is located about 10 minutes from our house, but we always seem to forget it is there.  We usually hit the parks more "in town" because we are constantly near that area.  But, after seeing how much fun the kids had today, I need to keep this park on the radar to frequent lots this Fall.  Matt has been traveling a good bit, so this weekend was a wonderful "family weekend", (although he does fly out again tomorrow after church--boo!).  I am handling it good though, because to be honest, although traveling is not good for me, it is good for his job and in this economy that is a positive thing. 
Here are some pictures of the kids being kids!

Swirling

Riding

Sliding

Giggling

Climbing

Hanging

Walking

please look at poor Matt---Gray is holding on by his eyes!

Eye-Gouging

Ahead of the Game

We, I have adjusted pretty well to the first few weeks of school.  Gray and Kate have done so great and LOVE it, and I am slowly getting used to some time by myself.  I must admit that it is a strange feeling to be a little ahead of the game!  I am caught up on laundry, my house is pretty clean, and the groceries have been bought.  I even had time to meet a friend of mine for lunch today, so that was a lot of fun for me.  Once all the kids are home, it is back to chaos, which I actually do love.  Gray, Kate and I walk up to the bus stop to get the boys and from there it is non-stop action.  We are getting outside a little more because the heat index hasn't been too bad this week, but for the most part they are just hanging out and playing with their toys. 
We found some of their favorite stuffed animals buried in the landfill of stuffed animals that we had the other day.  I so need to clean out the playroom!!  Hey....maybe I can get that done while they are at school!

Two Peas in a Pod, these two!

Two More

Off go 2 more...I can't decide yet if I am excited or sad.  I guess I am excited for them, and have mixed feelings for me.  I have never had everyone in school at the same time.  It has been 7 years since I have had a day to myself because all are in school!  I must admit, it is a strange feeling.  I go back and forth between relief and guilt.  I have called Matt about four times already.  I know he is thinking, "Oh, no...I am never going to get anything done".  I know I will get used to it and time will fly and I will wonder how I have never had done it up until now, but today was just......

Different.

I cannot think of any other way to describe it!

My baby boy, walking in ahead of mommy...didn't even want to hold my hand!

This is how THEY feel about it!

Love - One

The boys are taking some tennis lessons.  I hope that they can get good enough to start giving Daddy a run for his money!  It was fun to watch their first practice.  It has been since last Winter that they have played.

The heat was miserable.  I am so over this heat wave.  I can't walk outside without immediately sweating.  ughh....I like to sweat when I work out, but not so much when I am walking to get the mail.

So, he we have the next Federer and Nadal!

Well, okay!  Maybe not so much...

we are not looking too "tennis ready" here

Just like her mommy..her hair is matted from sweat!

Let's Go!

Owen sadly told me that ever since he started school (4 days ago), he never does anything anymore.  He never gets to go anywhere...just to school!  Poor guy. 

 He is a lot more like me than I would like to admit! 

I like to be on the go.  I like to go places.  I can get cabin fever pretty quickly. 

So, today after the bus dropped the boys off, we hopped in the car and headed here

The kids each had a $5 gift card, and if any of you have been to one of these new yogurt places, you don't get much for your money.  Needless to say, we used all of our cards and ate some really yummy yogurt.  My favorite is cookies and cream!  So good!

Notice in this picture that Owen has his wallet.  Daddy's old one.  He got his yogurt, took it up to the counter, and opened up his billfold to get out his "card" to pay.  Hilarious.

The B-I-B-L-E

I thought it was so cute this morning when Kate wanted to bring her bible to church, and Gray ran up to his room to grab his bible too! 

He was so excited to hold it and carry it like a big kid.

So proud

Namaste?

I can probably count on two hands how many times I have attempted the discipline called Yoga!  It sounds so appealing to me... the deep breathing , relaxing, de-stressing your body, ridding all the toxins out, beautiful long lean muscles, yadda yadda yadda!  Why, oh why, can I not enjoy it? 
I have a big race tomorrow.  A race I am really wanting to get a PR (personal record) in.  I have been very consistent with my work outs and feel ready to go!   What to do the day before a big race?  Yoga, that is all I need!  It sounded perfect.  Aren't we all the same, in that doing something we are not that good at isn't much fun?!   I mean, I can't even touch my toes.  I have long blamed it on long legs, but lets face it, with long legs usually comes long arms.  I just am not flexible There is not ONE flexible part of my body! 
So there I lay on my mat, with  my eyes clothes, trying to remember to breathe the right way and trying my hardest to quiet my mind, which tends to go a million miles a second. 
This is the by far the second hardest part of yoga to me (flexibility, being the first)...Quieting my thoughts.  If I am not thinking about the gazillion things I have to do at home or for my family, I am thinking random things like, "I wonder if the lady next to me is grumpy or just really serious about her workout?"   And then there is the no talking rule or for that matter, no smiling!  I try to keep my eyes closed because I tend to look around the room at everyone else, but then I am forgetting to breath and then I am off balance...but, with my eyes closed I can't see what were are suppose to do because I am a visual learner!  AHHHHH!

40 minutes into the hour long class, and I can't help it, I am

B-O-R-E-D. 

 I am bored becoming one with my body.  All I think about now is what I am going to eat for lunch and how I wish I would have just done a quick, easy 30 minute run on the treadmill.    But, deep down I know that it is good to "Be Still".

God word says, BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD! 
Among the enya-like music and ocean waves, I lay there in child's pose (which is the greatest pose EVER) and I am still.  I am sure everyone else is in downward dog by now, but my mind has calmed, not because I am focusing on my breathing, or relaxing, but focusing on my Savior who is really ALL I NEED!
So,  Namaste..."I bow to you...my Savior"

RECAP

School today.  Both boys popped out of bed, ready to go

Kate will be doing it next year!

Bye Bye Boys!  We will miss you!

And now, what to do with Miss Kate!?

We headed home, Gray woke up and we headed to the pool!

Before we knew it, it was time to walk up to get the boys off the bus!

I think today went well for us all!

Good night Summer!

 Tomorrow is the big day!  Up at 6:00 a.m.!  My 2 boys will be getting on the bus and heading off for another fun year of learning.  They were in bed tonight at 7:00--the sun still shining in the room, but they didn't mind.  I heard them giggling and talking up there as I cleaned up the kitchen and packed lunches!

  Oh, the excitement of the first day of school.  I remember it so well! 

Here is Wills with his new teacher!  He's already in love!

Lots of familiar faces, which is fun!

And here is my Kindergartner! 

 He was pumped today.  So much energy and excitement....I mean SOOOO much energy.  I am hoping we can channel it in the classroom!

After Meeting the teacher, they had an ice cream party for the kids!  

The boy might have a lot of energy, but he can focus on some toppings!

Therapy

I'm not going to lie...I like legos!  Wills says he likes legos, but he only likes the finished project, not the actual building of it.  I have found some therapy in putting together Wills birthday gifts.  Last night I spread out all the pieces on my bed and put together this fire boat in less than 1 hour!   The kids were sleeping and I was lego building--something is wrong with that! 

Besides lego building, I have been running around trying to get everything ready for my older 2 to start school.  Another confession:  There might be a little skip in my step as I school shop!  Don't get me wrong, I have loved EVERY minute of summer.  We have had so much fun, but I am ready for some structure and I know my kids are.  I am so excited for Wills to be in 1st grade and Owen to start Kindergarten.  They both have wonderful teachers and I know they will love school. 

I took this picture of Wills with my parents and thought it was so sweet, that I just had to share!

They drove over from Atlanta to be with him on his birthday and that was very special.

7 on the 7th

Wills finally turned 7!  To say he was excited, is an understatement.  We had a LEGGO party at the Leggo store, the day before his birthday and it was a blast.  Ten little boys (kate was in there too) and some leggos makes for a F-U-N party!  Here are a few pictures from his big day.  We played in the leggo store and then ate cake and opened presents in the food court.  Wills favorite present that he has been wanting for the past few years and FINALLY got was a DS.  I have made it 7 years with no video games in the house, but the time has come!  I will let you know how he likes it...

but I have not made eye contact with him since he got it!

FreeStylin'

So, Gray got into my gym bag and REALLY wanted to try on my swim cap and goggles.  I think I may have a tri-partner...he could do the swim portion for me anyday!