July Flies

 This color scheme was not planned!!

 Probably the highlight of his summer.

Its been a busy month and very hot July. Yesterday we climbed into the bathtub pool out back and it was hardly refreshing. The kids played in it like another day but it was almost as hot in the pool as it was out.
We have a few more weeks together before I return so we may sit down together in just a few minutes and make a list of things we would like to do together. Some of those things may have to wait until it cools off a bit, like the zoo, but I'm thinking for the most part we can get it all in.

Chalk It Up

 First Day of Preschool in September

So excited to sing for us this evening!!

School Performance

 Last Day of Preschool in May
(yep! Same outfit!)

Tiny Dancer....beautiful girl.

What a difference a year makes!!

Slow Down

Welcome Home 4th grader....also his birthday!!!

I've taken one of these two together every year on his
 birthday since she's been born

A very different pose from 9 years earlier....

    Sitting on the back porch at "the farm"

Every year when Braxton's birthday rolls around I become sentimental, more so than normal. I'm reminded that both of them are another year older and becoming more independent every day. I try to take each day and even amongst the hustle and bustle and busyness that life throws our way enjoy each moment and remind myself that it's going way too fast. I look through the photo albums and just want to cry.
 But I'm reminded that this is what life is about and no matter "how many" I have I'm going to feel that it's going to fast. I wish that it could all just slow down.....

 "Slow Down"

Here’s to you
You were pink or blue
And everything I wanted
Here’s to you
Never sleeping through
From midnight till the morning
Had to crawl before you walked
Before you ran
Before I knew it
You were trying to free your fingers from my hand
‘Cause you could do it on your own now somehow

Slow down
Won’t you stay here a minute more
I know you want to walk through the door
But it’s all too fast
Let’s make it last a little while
I pointed to the sky and now you wanna fly
I am your biggest fan
I hope you know I am
But do you think you can somehow
Slow down

Busy

This doesn't even touch the surface of how busy we've been or all that we've been into. One of my resolutions to myself this year is to be more diligent to this blog.When I'm asked about it, it makes me feel good that people care what the kids are up to. I love that I can look back and see this, kind of like a scrap book of their lives. But if I don't post the funny things they say or pictures of what's happening it's gone, forever. And that makes me very sad. As I've said many times before life is for sure busy but a day gone is a day I will never get back!

And...We're.....OFF!

 This bike was delivered by Santa almost 3 years. It sat in our garage for 3 years. Occasionally, it would see the light of day but the older Brax was getting the more hesitant he was to ride it when I would walk. He was getting older and the kids from school were most often than not out. Braxton turned 8 in June. I have never tried to rush him to do something so it was according to "average" but I was starting to push this issue just a bit. Actually I shoved it.
The tires were a little flat when we took it out last week and I asked Brandon when he filled them up with air if he wold just take the training wheels off. Braxton didn't like hearing that at first and we explained that when he first started swimming he struggled. When he first started reading he struggled. And riding a bike would be the same way. And absolutely it was. For the first 5 minutes. You read that right. 5 minutes and then he had it down. I went out and took a picture of Braxton before the "struggle" began and went back in to clean up the kitchen from dinner. I looked out the window out back and I saw all 3 of them moving to the left and when I looked back up I saw Mckinley and Brandon running to the right cheering! I went flying out back and almost started crying. I couldn't believe it.  Something he had put off and dreaded so long he conquered in less than 30 minutes. We were very proud.

And naturally because Braxton had his helmet on Mckinley had to have one on too!!! She is her brothers biggest cheerleader.

Chawston

(No thats not a typo. Thats the way my southern duo say Charleston....)

They've fallen hard. In love. With a city. We just returned home this weekend from the beach and a few days visiting Chris and Ali. Much to see and plenty to do and I forgot my camera on the day we went out and about. I had to rely on the men of the group to catch some photos for me.
Brax and Mck had a ball. We hope to return soon so we can walk and tour more and not need a shower. 

Ridiculous

I don't care what anybody says. I have even said it before. Life does not get THAT busy. There have been many many times over the past 6 months that I have told myself I need to put "that" on the blog or I need to tell "that" story. And the truth is I could have. I certainly should have because the moment is gone and all that I have are the pictures. The funny story would have made the pictures so much better. I just get tired. When the kids are in bed at night I think about all that needs to be done. I'm lucky some nights to get lunches packed and the coffee ready to be turned on at 5am.
It's summer now. I am able to reflect these days and one of the most precious things to me are pictures of my family. And the stories that help tell more about them. Again, I am posting pictures just to show you some of the things we've been up to. I am going to start posting again more regularly.

Even if just the 5 of us look at this blog.......