First day of kindergarten

Well, it's here...Landon started kindergarten today!! He did great...He had asked me to set his Lightening McQueen alarm clock so he could wake up by himself but as the alarm was going off I walked in and he said "will you PLEASE turn that thing off - it is too loud - it woke me up!" Couldn't help but crack up as I explained that that was exactly what it was supposed to do!! I am very blessed that my husband travels a total of about 6 days per year, but not so fortunate that one of those days happened to be today...so, my dear friend Rebecca graciously agreed to bring her 9 week old and 3 year old Jake and spend the night so that I wouldn't have to take the little ones with me...I am so thankful...

When we got to school I took a few photos and then we walked in together, holding hands. It will be one of my most precious memories...right up til the moment he slid his hand from mine while giving me a look that said "I hope you understand..." I guess he could sense that it wasn't cool to walk in holding mommy's hand...

He did hesitate just slightly as we walked in his room and did want a couple extra hugs (so did I), but his teacher was very sweet to show him his hook and cubby for his bag and welcome him. As I was leaving I did get a bit teary, but held it together, for the most part, until I talked with Greg...then I lost it! I wanted to get it out and get myself together before I got home so I wouldn't upset the boys and I guess God knew I needed a little distraction b/c as I turned off the school's road on my way home, there, right in front of me was a beautiful, rainbow, hot air balloon! It was so low that when I drove under it on my way home I could make out the people in the basket! Incredible! I called the house to ask Rebecca to let them look, but it must have been too low for them to see...when I got home I threw Tanner and Jake in the car and took of on a wild hot air balloon chase...although I caught one more glimpse over the trees, the boys couldn't see it and we never did see it again. It must have found a place to land...the boys were disappointed (seriously, Tanner said, "I'm so mad" and when I reminded him that that really wasn't something to be mad about he said, "okay, I'm so disappointed" to which Jake added, "yeah!!") it was adorable! I was disappointed for them too, but selfishly felt like it had served it's purpose...when I could have been lamenting the fact that my baby was growing up and in school, God helped me refocus on the fun that I can have with my other two babies at home!

Tanner and Mathis and I headed to the Y for some swimming and basically had the pool to ourselves! It was so relaxing and fun. We packed up and headed home around 1:30, put Mathis down and had time to play some games before heading out to the bus stop to meet Landon. His bus gets here around 2:45 and he liked the ride so much that I literally had to ask the bus driver to tell him that he should get off at our stop! He just kept grinning and waving to me when I was trying to signal him to hop off...oh well, think it is safe to say that he likes it!

All in all, I believe he had a great first day...they did not nap, which I was surprised about, although it made for an early bedtime...which was fine by me!! He shared that he had met some new fun friends and that he liked that there were so many more friends in his kindergarten than had been in his preschool class (21 kids v. 14 kids). I'm so relieved he seems to like it so well!! Hope you all had great first days too!!

Falcon's pre season

Tanner had a dream come true on Thursday...A Falcon's game alone with daddy! Our dear friends Jess and Rebecca called that am with the news that the friends that were going to use their two tickets had to cancel, would we like to use them? After talking with Greg, we decided that since Landon got to go with daddy last year and since he was trying to get on his "school schedule" that Greg would take Tanner. I expected trouble, but Landon seemed to understand the reasons why Tanner got to go and seemed genuinely happy for his brother... Tanner was so excited all day and kept talking about the game...he was jumping around at the Marta station while he waited for daddy to get there, giggling and clapping his hands. The Falcon's didn't do great, but that didn't matter to Tanner...he had a ball!! He was still wide awake when they got home at 11:30 and wanted to tell me all about it...every detail!! :) Truth be told, I think his two favorite things were riding the train down to the dome and the pee wee teams that played during halftime...oh wait, did I mention that he had a hot dog, pop corn AND Dippin Dots...it was quite a night :)

Kindergarten sneak peek

Today we went to Landon's new elementary school to see his class and meet his teacher. It seemed to be a little overwhelming at first, but once he found his cubby with a surprise his teacher had left for him, he seemed even more excited!! I cannot believe how big he looks in these photos...and I can't believe that he will be starting school in just 4 short days. I am excited for him because he is so excited (and more than ready) for school, but I sure will miss having him around all day! We love you Landon and are so proud of the big boy you have become!!

You might be a redneck...

...if Jeff Foxworthy is at your house! :) Yes, that is Mr. Foxworthy with our family on our front steps! In a rather interesting turn of events, we got a phone call from our small group leader who works at North Point. Jeff is helping to sponsor/host a big fundraiser in October called "Backyard Bash" and needed a big back yard to film the promo...Evan suggested our yard, and the rest is history! Actually, they filmed first in the kitchen and then moved outside. I, fearing what three curious boys might do to (with) the equipment, hightailed it when they started setting up lights, cameras and sound booms. After a leisurely breakfast at IHOP and a nice walk, we returned just as they were finishing and got to meet the man himself. Super nice and really fun with the boys...when he met them he shook all their hands and asked "Do you like Mater? Well, he's my friend!" They loved him!! Chalk this one up as random...and sooo fun! Be on the lookout for the "Backyard Bash", coming in October, but the piece will run at NP and on NP online sometime in September. Hope you are enjoying your last days of summer!!

Mathis graduates!!

Yippee!! Mathis graduated from his Infant Aquatics survival swim course! It was incredibly hard to watch, but the very next day we were at the pool and he was splashing and playing and jumping off the side to me...completely unaffected by the testing (I can't say the same...it is still hard for me to watch the video...and I know that he was and is fine!). I have tried to upload the video directly to the blog but for some reason it won't work, so I have uploaded it to youtube. The link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpCEG_pNSBI. Great job Mathis!!