our trip to Dream World--not Disney!

Though summer is technically over from our standpoint, it still feels like summer. So before it officially slips away, I bring you the ultimate budding marine biologist's dream visit. . .our trip to the Georgia Aquarium! We've been hearing about how amazing this aquarium is---they say (whoever "they" is) it's the best in our country! But, I'll get to that in a sec. Fortunately for us, some of our dear friends live in ATL! So, on our trip back from South Carolina this summer, we stopped in to visit with the Stouts, whom we miss dearly, after they moved to Atlanta 3 years ago. They have a daughter older than Luke and then 3 boys who are the exact same ages (well within 2 months of each other) of our boys! It was such a treat to get to spend some time with them, even though it was too short.

Micah, Coley, Luke, Parker and Charlie  --our oldests of the bunch

And don't worry, Knox and Miles got to play too! Thanks for holding them still, Coley!

And as an extra bonus to the trip, after we said goodbye to the Stouts, we headed off to downtown Atlanta to check out this world famous aquarium! The boys had no idea where we were going until we were within minutes of the place. I wish you could have heard the squeals from Luke and Charlie when they discovered where we were going. Priceless! It turns out, the Georgia Aquarium, did not disappoint! To actually see whale sharks live and in person, was by far my favorite animal highlight! I think Luke, Charlie and Chad would agree, though Luke was pretty pumped to touch a hammerhead shark and we all loved seeing the Beluga whales! We also saw their highly touted Dolphin Tales, a show like nothing like you've ever seen. It was essentially a musical light show---as if we were at a theater! Amazing and yes, it made me cry! I'm pretty sure that was Charlie's favorite part of the experience as he named his new lovie, "Star" after a character from the show. I could go on and on, but I realize I cannot do our visit justice! You just have to go see for yourself. I will say though that having little ones so very interested in sea creatures and us having a passion for sea life as well, made it that much more enjoyable. I will never forget the awe and wonder of Luke's face and Charlie's too, as they soaked everything in!

Such an exciting trip for little Miles, that he was tuckered out!

We actually also made it to the National Aquarium in Baltimore this summer too! We went to DC to visit Chad's side of the family and Nana and Poppy thought our boys and their cousins would love to go. They were right. Sadly though, I didn't have my camera. Maybe Poppy will send me some pics! The sharks, and tons of them, and the moray eels, were big hits there! We also learned that the blue whale (the biggest animal in the world in case you didn't know) has a heart the size of a Volkswagen bug! So, don't say you didn't learn anything today! :)

time to lace!

Do you see these? A new pair of tennis shoes (aka sneakers for those of you not in the South), right? Oh sure, but not just any new pair. These are Luke's very first pair of shoe lace tennis shoes. That's right, no more velcro shoes for him. He's big time now! According to his Kindergarten teacher, he and his fellow classmates must learn to tie their shoes before they turn 6, because she won't help them tie their laces after their 6th birthday! Yikes! Lukey has an October birthday! We need to get a move on! I do agree with her, everyone must learn to tie their own shoes and these velcro shoes have delayed the process for many. The last time we bought Luke new tennis shoes, though, was right before Miles was born. He was begging for some "tie shoes" and almost crying for them, because one of his friends had "tie shoes." The saleslady looked at me (keep in mind I was ready to pop) and said, "Honey, you don't need to be buying any lace up shoes at this point! Let him velcro himself and come back later on and get tie shoes!" Best piece of advice ever! :) However, based on the first few attempts of us teaching him to tie his own laces, I'm thinking I should've bought the shoes at the beginning of the summer to practice! So far, teaching one to tie shoes might be harder than potty training. . .anyone feel me??!! Once this milestone is accomplished, Luke's going to be so proud of himself. . .and so will we!!

the time has come. . .

For a couple of weeks now, I've been a little emotional at the thought of Luke starting Kindergarten this year. Who am I kidding? It's actually been since the last day of school in May. Maybe even before that! Don't get me wrong, I love that he is growing up and I'm so excited about all that Kindergarten will be, all that he will learn and how he will grow and change this year. It's going to be a blast! But, what I've been dreading is the five full days a week my little boy will be off at school. This is big time now and off he will be for the rest of his school life. My little baby, in a uniform, off and away.

Luke has been really excited about starting school. His main reason---he gets to have lunch at school and bring his lunch in his new Cars 2 lunch box. I was telling a friend the other day about how my desire would be for him to have one of those cute, classic, simple designed lunch boxes, say in navy. But, I had to give in. It's just something not to battle. It's a way he can express himself and he's excited. Why squash that? Sure, he'll be *done* with his Cars 2 lunch box, but let him enjoy for now.

Something I am looking forward to this year, is some sweet time with Charlie and Miles. Charlie will be at a Parents Day Out for 2 days a week (equivalent to PreK age) but at home with me the other 3 days. I'm looking forward to having Mommy/ Charlie school and playdates together, as well as growing the bond between Charlie and Miles. As Charlie has been at PDO before, it hasn't been as big of an emotional pull. He's still with me and I'm soaking it up!

Charlie has, though, been feeding off Luke's excitement about school--thank goodness. Last year he had a hard time when we dropped him off at school. He definitely did not want to go in the class or have us leave (of course he raved about his day when he got home)! So, the past couple of weeks, we've been building school up. Charlie's main reason for being excited about school is that he will get to play with his friends!

So the big day came! We layed out clothes the night before, packed the backpacks, got the first day of school pics and headed off. Of course, I left my camera at home and had to bring it back today for the second day of school pic. . .as Luke's teacher said, "Hey, at least you got him here!" Amen to that! Getting 3 kiddos ready and out the door early, to fight traffic, is NOT an easy task! Ahhhh, I'm missing our summer sleep schedules already!

(this pic was taken today, because I forgot my camera yesterday)

I managed to say goodbye to Luke and Charlie without any tears, until I was driving home and heard Taylor Swift's song, "Best Day." I think that's what it's called. The boys call it the Mommy Song, because Taylor Swift is singing to her Mommy. She starts out by singing as if she was 5 years old. And so I lost it! This entire summer I've spent looking at Luke like he was SO old and big. And he is. But, when I walked him into his class and he was shy, and learning the ropes, he was little again. We said hi to his new classmates, and they were shy and it was just a precious picture of innocence. Still wanting their moms, still quiet on the first day of school. So, so sweet. And for Charlie it was the opposite. He still seems so little at 3, but on his first day of school, he was big! He walked on in and was elated to be at school! He showed his teachers his lovie, Froggy, and was off to read books. So very different from last year when we had to push him into his classroom. Charlie was all grown up in one sense, though still clutching his lovie and itty bitty and adorable. So I blame Taylor Swift for sending me over the edge. If you listen to that song, you will be over the edge too. Children or no children. It makes you want to be a child again and go cling to your Mommy's legs too.

And so now that the first day is behind us, I'm relieved. I am beyond thankful to our Lord for giving us our little treasures, big and small at the same time. So thankful that He has entrusted us to care for them and love them with all of our hearts. And while our babies won't be in our hands for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week anymore, we are confident that the Lord has them in HIS hands, and that is the safest place they can be!

dreamin' big

Ohhhh how our little 10 month old wants to grow up! To be able to join in the fun and spray the water hose with his big brothers. . .to be able to walk and run and ride scooters instead of just scooting like an inch worm on the floor. . .yes, this is his dream!

But oh little Miles, you are growing so fast and I sometimes just want the world to freeze--just stop, so I can soak up these moments. Because to you and your brothers, it seems that getting older and bigger takes forever, but to us, your Mommy and Daddy, you are bigger in the blink of an eye!

sunflower season

As you can see in our header, our sunflower tradition continues! It may or may not be my husband's favorite photo shoot. I'll let you guess. What, with the 100+ heat indexes and children who are more interested in making silly faces or running wild and free along the sunflowers, while the wife is desperate to get a sweet and perfect shot of her angels. . .what, you don't think it's Chad's favorite photo shoot of the year?

Well, you are right. It's not. But, because my husband is AHmazing and loving and selfless, he indulged me and off we went! This was also Miles first out of belly appearance at the sunflowers! He is 10 months old now. We started this tradition when Luke was 10 months old. Check out these 2 pictures.

I mean are they not identical as babies???!!! I can't even believe it!

Thanks Babe, for getting behind the camera and capturing your biggest fans!! I love you! ;)