first day of school

Open House

Daddy A took the boys to Open House {since I was working at school} before the school year started. Of course, one of the perks of working where the boys go to school is that I was able to slip away for a few minutes and go with them to meet their teachers and see their classrooms.

C has the same sweet teachers that P had when he was in kindergarten. It was nice to be familiar with their expectations, and I think the familiar classroom and familiar faces helped C settle in to kindergarten quickly. And look at his hair! I took him to get it cut before school started, and he got impatient and didn't want to wait for our regular barber. He told the man to cut it "a little short" and it's essentially buzzed. But he didn't mind it, and hair grows back. And, of course, I still thought he looked adorable - even if I AM a bit biased. :)

P's hair just got a trim and the edges were cleaned up, because he was still growing his hair out. He was comfortable with second grade right away. His best friend from church was in his class again this year, and I'm sure that didn't hurt. :)

I think all of us ended Open House with a very positive feeling about the 2014 - 2015 school year!

summer days

C thought he looked sharp in Poppa Fred's baseball cap.

Remember my post earlier this week when I said we keep a routine in the summer? Piano practice continues in our house!

Since I don't work during the summer and the boys are off of school, even with our routine it feels like the "lazy days of summer" is a true adage at our house... in the best possible way!

summer days

Life seems a little more fun and a little more exciting when grandparents come to visit!

I think the warm sun is what encouraged P to take a walk through the prayer labyrinth at church one evening.

Ah, the simple joys of summer!

TKD camp

The boys did Tae Kwon Do camp twice this summer, and we attended the demo at the end of each week.  This session I didn't really capture any good action shots, and this was really the best group shot I got... I must have been busy watching the action instead of looking through the camera screen, which is okay with me, since I'm making an effort to be present.  This was a smaller group of kids than usual, and the boys had a great week!

ordinary days

Morning swim lessons continued throughout August.  P always enjoyed activities in the deep end - especially the diving board!

Someone gave us a gift card, so we headed to dinner at a local restaurant on the water.  Both boys were dressed in their typical summer wear - a Minecraft tee for P and a Frozen tee {featuring Queen Elsa, of course} for C.

Looking at these pictures now reminds me how blessed we are to have so much time as a family, and to be a family that enjoys spending time together.  I hope my boys are able to stay this close as they continue to grow!

date night in

Dinner at home after the boys have gone to bed is an inexpensive date night at our house. For some reason, Daddy A captured this particular evening with his phone.  Most of the time we all eat together, but every now and then we change it up... you know what they say.  Change is good.

pit stop

Daddy A had to have some tests done at Duke, so on our way back from Fredericksburg we stopped for the night at a hotel.  That way Daddy A could head to his early morning tests after {hopefully} a better night's sleep than if he had to get up super early and head to the medical center.  P stayed in Fredericksburg with Grandma Paige and Poppa Fred, so C was the only kiddo on this adventure.  We went to a local restaurant and then went swimming in the hotel pool before drifting off to sleep.

a day in Fredericksburg

The Children's Museum of Richmond has opened a location in Fredericksburg, so we headed there the day after Independence Day.  C headed straight for the dress up and stage area {of course!}.

And in another completely not-surprising turn of events, P headed straight for the art area.

C also spent some time in the restaurant, preparing and serving delicious meals to all manner of guests.

Ultimately, P's favorite place to be was this climbing tower of tires.  He spent most of his time there.

After honing their skills at the museum, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that both boys were found climbing trees in the church yard after the Saturday night service.

We stopped by Carl's after dinner, because we had to be sure to fit in a visit while we were in town.

All in all, it was a fun-filled Saturday!

Happy 4th of July!

After a few photos in the front yard, we headed to Ferry Farm - George Washington's boyhood home - for some activities.  The boys used ink and a quill to sign a declaration.

They carded, spun, and did some weaving with wool.

They took a brief break and headed back to the present for snow cones and temporary tattoos.

Then they stepped back in time again to grind some corn and string some beans.

We got to check out an archaeological dig site and visit several more activities before heading home to cool off.  Somehow a dip in the pool turned into a water fight.  :)

Of course, we all packed up and headed to the local fireworks show.  Some of us enjoyed a second round of snow cones.

C especially enjoyed the bubble gun Grandma Paige purchased.

And a few of us just relaxed and got ready to enjoy the show.

There was a little something for everyone, and it was a great way to spend July 4th!

Braehead Farm and Fredericksburg fun

So, when I started blogging again I accidentally skipped most of July.  These next few posts will be out of order - they should have been the first ones when I started again, but those things happen I guess.  If you want to read chronologically, the next several posts go right after our first day in Fredericksburg and then comes my "six months in review" post.

Back to business:  While we were in Fredericksburg, Tiffany and John came down for a visit.  We spent part of the day at a local farm.

C was more interested in his cousin Tucker than the farm animals, at least at first.

I guess both boys prefer to stick to the familiar, because there was tons of land, tree trunk bridges to cross, and a hay loft in which to play, but they both headed straight for the swingset... the swingset that was very similar to the one in our very own backyard.

Eventually they branched out and did some exploring.

Both boys were unwilling to try out the swing in the hay loft, so Tiffany and I had to give them some tips.

We got P on board, but we never got C to leave the comfort of the familiar.

Then we headed to the hen house.

After spending the morning outdoors, we decided to go bowling at Splitsville.  P was ready to bowl with proper form, rather than rolling his ball down the miniature hill.  I love the look on his face when he realizes his technique worked!

C stuck with his old standby {and a little help from his friends}.

Then we went out to dinner at the Japanese steakhouse nearby.

Of course, some of the most fun activities happened just hanging around my parents' house.  Apparently C isn't the only person who likes to do headstands on his mom's couch.

Ever the performer, C presented a very special show for his aunt and uncle.

And at the end of a day full of fun, both boys felt like it was time to relax, and I think we all agreed!