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.......

Gone Too Soon

And just like that...it was over. Another one of our babies has graduated to a "big bed". It really is a very hard experience.
We started telling Mckinley last year that as soon as she started using the potty that she'd get a big girl bed. Well. That came and went way too fast. She'd bring it up after she was trained and I would push it off. I kept thinking how old Braxton was and told myself that she'd be the same age in November and we'd do it then. Then Christmas came. And I just wasn't ready.
Just like her big brother, the girl loved her bed. She'd ask to get in it during the day. She'd want to get in it after her bath and watch the iPad until bedtime. Never once did she try to climb out. Never once.
Finally we knew that we couldn't keep putting it off. So after she was finished with dance class one week we met the boys. On our way I told her we were going to meet them and what we were going to do. When she got out of the car and saw them she squealed "I'm getting my big girl bed!". All throughout the store she'd say "I'm getting a big girl bed". We knew we were making the right decision. Even as heartbroken as we were, that again,  our little baby was no more.
I think she played in her big girl bed all day. Just like her big brother, when bedtime came and the lights were out, she too  missed her baby bed.
We see everyday in both of our children that they are growing. And fast. When I look back at this blog I'm reminded of how far we've come and how fast it's happened.
And I'm filled with happiness and sadness. 

Constant

The word "constant" can be described as an adjective (word that describes a noun) or as a noun (person, place, animal, or thing). The adjective version defines constant as "occurring continually over a period of time" and the noun definition is "a situation or state of affairs that does not change". Either way you decide to use the word, I am constantly reminded of how fast these two little people are growing.
I am constantly challenged to think because of questions they ask. I am constantly praying for strength to model behavior I want to see from them as they grow. I am constantly laughing at something they say or something they do. I am constantly searching for the right way to guide them. And I am constantly thankful for having them as my own.
Life is busy. Life gets frustrating. But life is passing by and I don't want to lose one minute of time I can spend with them. When I think about all that there is to do in a day, I always try to think of ways I can put some of it off until they are in bed or another time. I know that one day, all too soon, they will no longer need me.
And that constantly makes me sad.

Magical

It's hard to believe that more than 5 years ago we took our 2 year old very excited little boy to ride the Polar Express. We decided that this was the year to return and take our little girl.
We had been talking about it for weeks and Braxton was starting to remember bits and pieces. Mid-week they were both so excited. We left right after school on Friday and went to Blowing Rock for the night. It was c-o-l-d, 12 degrees actually, when we woke up. We bundled up and after a nice breakfast we started the trek to Bryson City.
 This trip we decided to take the later train so we actually pulled out of the station at 8:15 pm. It was cold, and dark, and MAGICAL. Braxton was so nervous we were going to miss it but once we got settled Mckinley was the one that turned nervous. They both watched in amazement as "Ginger Snap" delivered our "hot chocolate" on her head and oohed and aahhed as we looked at the lights. Mckinley was very concerned that the "caribou" had stopped the train. She seriously asked 50 times why the train stopped for them and where they went so we could move again. But they both got quiet when Santa boarded our cart. I couldn't get a picture because someone was attached to me but they loved getting a bell especially from Santa.
 Back at the hotel before bed, Mckinley looked at me and asked "Why Santa gave me a bell, I wanted a doll!".
It was a nice weekend. Definitely glad we were able to make it back.

Twick or Tweat

Here  you have them: Cinderella and "Cam". Probably a bad year for Braxton's costume. All the men had a good time with it though. And Kinley was called "Elsa" I know 5 or 6 times.....
 We went out about 7 and stayed gone for a good hour and a half. It was a little chilly but they had a great time. Once we were back home they got the biggest kick out of people coming to their house to trick or treat.
 The holidays are officially on.......

Sorry

It's been a LOOOONG time. I apologize. It's been a crazy 2 months but I will do better. 

Happy Fall Y'all!