Watch D.O.G.S. Day!

Today was the much anticipated Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) Day for Heath where he got to spend the entire day at Carter's kindergarten. He wore his special shirt which denoted him as a Watch Dog and the 2 of them left for school together at 7:15am. Heath's first job was to help the students unload from their cars during drop-off. Then he spent the morning helping in the computer lab with the 4th, 2nd, and 1st grade students. At lunchtime he got to eat with Carter and then stayed thru the whole lunch period, helping and interacting with the students. Apparently Watch Dogs are pretty popular among the kids! In the afternoon Heath got to go to Music with the class and then helped Ms. Goldman in the classroom till the end of the day. After telling us about his day, Heath fell asleep on the couch--I think he'll keep his day job, but he sure had a good time! What a great program for both the dads and the students.

My Daddy's a Watch Dog!

Texas State Fair

We have lived in DFW almost 11 years and had only been once to the State Fair. So, when Carter brought home a free ticket from kindergarten, we decided we'd go again and see what the boys thought of it. We knew it would be crowded on a weekend, but it was REALLY crowded. We got there early though and were able to do everything we wanted to: "Little Hands on the Farm", petting zoo, car show, dog show, and eating some fair food with Big Tex. The kids were real troopers. It was a fun time with lots of good photo memories.

Carter driving the $76K Corvette

Hayden's turn!

Hayden enjoying a Fletchers Corny Dog

"Little Hands on the Farm"

Hayden got to sit in a "digger"

Birthdays!

Well, Carter has been asking for a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party since the day following his 5-year-old party at Cabela's. So, that is what we did this year. It turned out to be so much fun. We invited 4 boys from his MDO last year and 1 boy from church. Unfortunately cousin Ellen and our friend Cassie couldn't come. Gran and Gramps drove down for the birthday weekend. The boys played lots of games and got lots of tickets. Carter got to go inside the "ticket blaster" and got 500 addtional tickets. He and Hayden were able to get a whole bag of prizes when we left. Carter was so generous in sharing his tickets with his brother.

On Carter's actual birthday I took cupcakes to school. I enjoyed meeting all the kids he talks about. Hayden thought he was one of the bunch--walking with the kids from their classroom to the picnic tables outside for treats.

Of course it's Heath's birthday as well so we ate dinner at a casual burger place (Kincaid's) at his request. Then opened presents and ate strawberry cupcakes (also Heath's request). What a great birthday week! Happy Birthday to my 2 boys!



Mama & her boys


Dad's Dwight Schrute bobblehead--sweet!


Carter eating cupcakes at school

Birthday Star!



Chuck E. Cheese

Birthday Boy! (& ticket blaster)

Auntie Heather and Uncle Dave's wedding

We spent an extended weekend in downtown Austin for the much-anticipated wedding of Heath's sister to Boston native, Dave Goodhue. What a fun weekend it was! Thursday night was the rehearsal in beautiful St. Mary's Cathederal followed by a delicious dinner at Stubb's BBQ. The younger crowd (or should I say those without children) stayed afterward for some good Texas music, but we retired to the hotel with the kiddos. My mom flew in for the festivities and it was so nice to have her there to share the occasion with as well as to help out with the boys. Friday we walked to the Austin Children's Museum which was just perfect for the boys to play and explore. Heath and Carter spent the afternoon at the hotel pool while Hayden and I napped. Friday night we ate at the best crepe place just next to our hotel. After a walk down 6th Street (boys not included), we called it a night. The wedding was Saturday at 2pm. The boys were adorable in their "fancy clothes" and it was fun for our whole family to get dressed up. Heath was a reader in the ceremony and the boys were the ring bearers. Of course Heather was an absolutely stunning bride. The reception that followed was lots of fun. Carter and Hayden really got down on the dance floor. Don't know where they get that rhythm--certainly not from me! We are so happy to welcome Uncle Dave into our family. Best wishes to the newly married couple.

Shakin' a leg on the dance floor

waiting for the trolly to take us to the church

my family

2 handsome boys

Carter at the Austin Children's Museum


Heather and Dave (with best man, Michael)

ringer bearers

T-ball, Preschool, Grandparents' Day

Mr. Hayden started preschool this week. He was really excited to go back to "school" but when the time came to drop him off, there were many tears. He's gotten used to being with Mommy all the time in the summer and it's hard being away from her. But his teachers said he calmed down quickly and had a great day. Look how cute he is with all his gear. :)

Carter is playing t-ball this fall and enjoying it so much. His coaches are wonderful--so positive and encouraging with the boys. There are 7 players on his team. Carter is all smiles at every practice and game. Go Wildcats!!!!!!

Finally, Gran and Gramps were able to come stay with us this Friday and Saturday. They went to Carter's kindergarten for Grandparents Day. Carter got to give us all a tour of his school. It was neat to see all the places they go--gym, art, music, etc. We ended in the library at the Scholastic Book Fair where we got Carter some books from his "wish list". Gran and Gramps stayed Saturday morning to watch Carter's t-ball game. What fun! The boys sure love their grandparents. :)

going back to preschool!

Carter playing 3rd base

Carter batting

First week of Kindergarten!

Our little baby (who's almost 6) started kindergarten on Monday. We met his teacher last week and were really pleased with who he got. Her name is Mrs. Goldman and she's taught K-3rd for 15 years. I cried when I read him a "going to kindergarten" book Sunday night, but Monday morning there were no tears! We all got up early and took him to class. He was the second child in the room and went right to his seat and started coloring. I was so proud! The 3 of us then went to the library where the PTA had put on a "Tears and Cheers" get-together for the kindergarten parents. There were packets of kleenex nicely wrapped up and coffee, juice, muffins, and cookies. The principal came and spoke for awhile and we got to visit with other kinder parents. When I picked up Carter in the afternoon he said, "mom, I want to stay!" His teacher poked her head in the van and said, "Carter was so, so good. He's a model student." Wow--way to make a mama proud! Tuesday I walked him to class again and things went fine. However, the school nurse called me at 11:30 saying Carter had gotten sick in the cafeteria. I felt so bad for him! He spent the afternoon at home resting. He already said he missed his friends. Wednesday he woke up at 7am feeling great and ready for the day. However, I had to keep him home until he was fever-free for 24 hours. Hayden was so excited that brother was staying home to play with him! Thursday and Friday were uneventful except that Carter started telling us more about what they do at school--the routines; how they wash their hands (to the alphabet song); music, P.E., and art class; who he plays with at recess, etc. You know Carter--he doesn't talk much about stuff like that so it's hard to get info. from him. Also on Thursday and Friday we worked with the drop-off routine--Heath will be taking Carter to school on his way to work. It's sure hard for this Mama to watch her "baby" walk into the school by himself and sit with his class. But I know it's part of letting go.

Hayden is adjusting to being home with Mom. He misses brother but also enjoys playing with brother's "forbidden" toys while Carter's at school. He wants to play with brother after school, but this week Carter's been too tired after coming home to play much. I'm sure that will change when we get into this routine more. Today Hayden and I are attending a Kindermusic class to see how he likes it. We are either going to Kindermusic or Little Gym this fall, just me and Hayden.

Mrs. Goldman's room

Parkview Elementary School




brothers

ready for kindergarten!

Pre-Kindergarten Parties

Carter has a busier social life than I do. The week before school starts, he had 2 "going to kindergarten" parties to attend. The first was a swim party at Cassidy Brown's house. There were about 13 kids there and they swam, ate pizza and cupcakes, and generally had a great time. Carter made quick friends with Cassie's 6-year-old cousin, Cole, and they enjoyed playing together. On Sunday Carter and I attended a "Kindergarten Tea" hosted by Ava Wilson, a friend of his from Glenview MDO. They ate finger foods, did a craft, and had storytime. It was really fun to get dressed up and go somewhere with him. 1 week till kindergarten starts!

"Kindergarten Tea"

Carter & Mommy

swimming with friend Cole

Carter & Cole