First Day of School...

For the past couple of years, I've tried to write the boys a letter on their first day of school. I'll post this year's below. It was a great day!


August 19, 2009

Zachy:

My precious little guy. You have been excited about school starting and seeing your buddies, especially Jeb. You’ve also been talking about playing in the gym & recess (this is really why you are excited about school)! This morning you were very excited to discover both dad and I would be taking you to school for your first day.

You went with us to drop off Nate and then you were very excited about your turn to go to school. You took your backpack to your room and then you and daddy played ball. You were such a cutie pie and looked so happy…. UNTIL…. mommy and daddy told you bye!

Poor Zac, you totally had a meltdown of all meltdowns. I felt so terrible for you (and for all of those who were with in shouting distance). I tried everything that I could to make things better, but the tears and wailing just escalated. You even tried telling us that you were sick and your tummy hurt! Finally, we had to walk away as they pulled you out of my arms. In my heart of hearts I knew you would be fine after we left and you were.

Sweet Zac, you are such a joy and you never do anything half-hearted! You are such a fun and loving soul that brings so much laughter and joy to those you meet. Your little mischievous smile just livens up a room! I know that you are going to have an excellent year in Mrs. Angie’s class and make a lot of new friends. Tomorrow is another day and I know that you will put on your brave face, as you seek out those two little girls that kissed you today that you now claim you are going to marry! I love you Zac Attack, and look forward to all of the cool things you will learn this year! Love, Mommy


August 19, 2009


Nate,

It is time again for me to write your annual back to school letter. Today was a very exciting day and a little nerve-wracking too as you stared first grade at a NEW school! I think I’ve been more nervous about this day than you have been.

After meeting your teacher, Mrs. Burtness, at open house and seeing that Caroline and Logan were in your class, I think you were just fine. This morning you were a little quiet as Dad, Zac and I walked you to class but you marched right in to your assigned seat and never looked back! It was daddy and I who told you bye at least 3 times. I think we are really going to like your new school. It just makes you seem so old now that your are in first grade.

I was so glad that Nana was here today because it kept me busy and from being too sad! I thought that I would be ready for school to start but we’ve had such a fun summer that I really wasn’t quite ready for it to end. Ben missed you and bubba a lot! It will be an adjustment getting used to not having you guys around every day. We are so excited for you but we miss you lots! You are such a big boy now and it absolutely breaks my heart and yet thrills my soul to its very depths! I love you Natarino! Love, Mommy

Down by the Creek Bank by the "Holler Log"...

As I think back over our summer the words to this childhood musical song come back to me....

"Down by the creek bank by the old Holler Log... there's crickets, tadpoles, turtles and frogs... down by the creek bank by the old Holler Log..."

It seems as if all of our summer break has been spent down by the creek or Caddo River with various other adventures. Most of the summer I have been without a camera... but no more! I have taken numerous pics in the past week that will hopefully give a glimpse of what our summer has been like!

The past few weeks have included the following:

1. Playing in the creek across the street from our house.

2. Trips to Arkadelphia to ride on the ride toys and swim! We've loved spending this time with Nanna and Papa Doc and I couldn't imagine our summer without our weekly (sometimes bi-weekly) trips to Arkadelphia. Couldn't have made it without you Nanna and Papa Doc! This month we were so excited because we got to spend some time with my "second sis" Melissa Daily Pitts and her 3 boys! We spent one day in Arkadelphia swimming and riding ride toys. Then Melis brought her kiddos to Glenwood where Tim and the boys showed them how little redneck boys play! They spent most of the day in the creek and river! We even got to have a quick visit with my sis and her 2 precious cuties one afternoon when we were all in Arkadelphia at the same time!

3. We made a trip to Texarkana to visit our wonderful grandparents. (I didn't have my new camera yet so no pics :-( ) In 24 hours were managed to squeeze in golf and swimming at the country club (dinner too); a trip to Spring Lake Park; Chuck E. Cheese; and quality train building time at the O's! The kids had a wonderful time and wanted to stay but I had to get back to Glenwood for cheer! Thanx Grandma and Grandpa O.!

4. We've made a couple of trips to the park when the weather wasn't toooo hot! The boys love playing and Nate love's riding his back around and around and around the trail! As you can see from these pics, Ben is getting so big and is such a little "monkey see monkey do"!

5. The big boys took their 2nd canoe/camp trip on the Caddo (Caddo Gap to our house) with daddy. And of course they had a blast canoeing, camping, fishing and roasting marshmallows and crawdads (actually I think they boiled the later)! On our way to the river we saw the biggest rattle snake ever in the road! It was creepy! Daddy got a pic while the rest of us watched from the car!

6. Pink Shirts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to include this because it is a joke between Nate and Uncle Jim. Background Info: In Florida this summer Uncle Jim had on a pink or "salmon" shirt and Nate gave him a hard time telling him, "only girls wore pink," to which he replied, "nope, real men where pink".... a lot of other "trash talking" (ha) ensued. Well, low and behold a pink shirt recently arrived in the mail for Nate from Jim and Mar Mar! Nate just giggled and replied, "no way"! However, sweet sweet Zachy said, "I'll wear it"! Sorry Jim, this is the best I could do.... he was laughing so hard he wouldn't put it on!

7. We recently took another trip to T-town for a wedding shower for Tim's bud Scott Moore and his fiance. Mom and dad kept the boys and we went to T-town for the festivities. We had a great time (unfortunately my pics didn't turn out well)! We love every opportunity that we have to hang out with these guys!

Well that is kind of the highlights of the past few weeks! Summer is over! School begins in 9 hours! Gotta go get some sleep! I'm sad to see summer end but I'm excited about our new adventures yet to come..... Nate in 1st grade and Zac in K-4!