Simon's First Day of KINDERGARTEN!

Yesterday was Simon's first day of Kindergarten.

Kindergarten ... that word has a melodic, magical ring to it.

How much do you want to go to Kindergarten?

THIS MUCH!

This is in our front yard.

The school is just down the 'hill.'

You can see it from some part of the yard.

I've been a bit sentimental and was definitely misty-eyed yesterday morning .... and this afternoon when Simon gave me his artwork, etc.

Simon leaving the back porch at 7:40 and school starts in the gym at 7:50 for announcements!

We're blessed to be so close to the school!

Even though Matt can take him in the mornings and still be on time for work, it is nice to have the option of walking to pick him up when it is weather-permitting ... especially since we are a one-car family at present.

TRANSFORMERS!  More than meets the eye!  The autobots raise their battle to destroy the evil forces of the deceptacons.  TRANSFORMERS!

Walking to school on Simon's first day.

"Simon was walking to school.

He was very excited.

He wanted to see what it was like."

(This is Simon's caption in his own words.)

"You are very good, Simon," said Mom.  

(Simon's caption again)

And around the corner ...

(mommy's words)

A little bit more walking ....

This was a very special family event!

Matt was ready to just drop him off, no big deal.

Simon was ready, too.

Mommy was a little reticent, but she hid it well from Simon.

"Simon was happy to get in a line with friends."

-- Simon

His teacher is Ms.Brandt - a first year teacher so we'll be praying for her this year that her first year will be an encouragement to her in her career.

"Simon was saying 'I miss you' from school to Evie."  -- Simon

When Simon came home, he and Evie were super-hyper and INSANE giggling and being silly for almost an hour.  They really missed each other!

Evie and I walked to pick up Simon even though I realized later that we actually had the van .... It was almost 100 degrees, or maybe it was, so I made some smoothies for all of us and for a special first-day treat for Simon.  It was yummy with fresh watermelon, oranges, strawberries, frozen pineapple ....

Simon graduated to Mommy's smoothie, too.

Simon was THIRSTY!

His little container of milk in his lunch box wasn't opened.  He couldn't figure out how to open it, even though we had practiced, so he was really thirsty at the end of the day!  Poor guy!  His shorts were also unzipped and he DESPERATELY had to go to the bathroom -- he'll be adjusting to less bathroom-privileges like all kids eventually do!

I've told him that the first day he comes home with NO stains on his shirt that I will give him a green dollar.  This might not be until after Christmas ...

I packed Simon a meal in his lunchbox the weekend before, and we had taken it to Target with us for back-to-school shopping.  Then, we stopped in their 'cafeteria' for Simon to eat his meal and practice opening up everything himself ... I'm glad we practiced because he didn't know that certain things weren't trash, etc, and should be returned home ...

My sweet Kindergarten-All Star!

Coming Along!

It's coming along!  We need to trim out the top of the cabinets with molding, trim out the windows, trim under the cabinets and put in under counter lighting and pick out and install ceiling lights and a vent a hood ....

Pictures over Wedding Weekend

Cute Smile!

Maybe she needs a bigger bathrobe now!

This is still her newborn one!

Evie playing in my parent's backyard.

She was wearing her butterfly wings ...

Simon and his cousin Alex.

We were able to see lots of family and friends in town for Scott's wedding.

These pictures were on August 5th which is my parent's anniversary ... and I think it is GFA's Bridge of Hope Birthday(?), too?  The Bridge of Hope Child Sponsorship program started in August of 2004!

Simon turned 5 on August 4th!

The rehearsal was on Thursday night.

Scott and Tania's wedding was at the Old Red Courthouse, a famous historical landmark in Dallas.

Evie was imagining life as a juror ..

Simon and the flower girl Sabrina.

I told them both that they better not behave that way on their first dates one day ... she was pulling down her dress and he was just playing the ipod touch ...

Simon and Alex were both intended ring-bearers!

My handsome hubby who had a birthday last week!

rehearsal

This is what Matt would look like as a lawyer ...

Those are some tough jurors!

The room across the hall from where the wedding was to be was set-up to be 'true' to the 1800s courtroom.

"All rise for the honorable Judge McDaniel"

Corey, Matt, and Scott

Our family walked from the courthouse to the West End for the rehearsal dinner.

We thought the walk would tire out the kids, and that that would work in our favor.

Um, that didn't quite happen.

Secret Service Simon

On Friday morning I took the kids to the park, hoping to get them worn out so they would nap (Evie) and rest (Simon) and that they would be in good spirits for the wedding which started at 7 and was to last until 11:45!  It worked!

Sally, I really did wear your shoes.

There was a lot of running around with the kids, though ... and it was easier barefoot!

It was nice to have a reason to get all dressed up!

Well, at least I thought so!

Matt might have traded in the tux-shoes for some sandals!

My cousin Steph who was married earlier this summer.

Our South Carolina girl cousins Jessie Leigh and Stephanie share the reflection with Matt.

This was the Persian table which was part of the ceremony.

A view from the window.

One of the turrets on the Ol' Red

My grandfather from georgia

Scott double-checking his fly ...

Actually, Scott was getting prepped for his microphone.

Tania and Scott wanted to be miked (well, she spoke into the floor mic) so that everyone could hear their vows.

A series of 'crowd' shots from over my head.

We weree sitting for a few minutes , and I was photo-happy.

my grandparents from georgia

My mom's dress was beautiful!  And she looked beautiful in it!

I'm sorry I don't have a better picture of her!

Scott's face as Tania walked down the aisle..

Sitting at the table ...

Simon did a great job!

He wasn't as silent as he was in Bethany's wedding ...but in her wedding he didn't know any of the bridal party or groomsmen ... and he was so close to all of us!  I was literally two feet from him and this is what he said:  (and he did whisper)

When Tania was walking down the aisle with her father and then standing with him:  Simon:  "I THOUGHT TANIA WAS MARRYING SCOTT."  He said this quite a few times and seemed quite worried that she was marrying someone else ;)

Simon also had to let me know he was hungry as he eyed the Persian table with food.

He was also worried about why his ring pillow didn't actually have a ring!

 You can see my dad's hand prodding these two crowd-struck kids.

They weren't sure where to go!

One of the turrets that was near our table and closed off.

The kids had a little playroom/tv room set up.

This room worked out perfectly!

Except for maybe the couple who was caught in a semi-compromising situation in there!

Ahem, that would be Matt and I!

Kind of embarrassing!

The view from our fabulous table

Tania's mother and grandmother

Mom and Scott

Tania was beautiful, of course!

And Scott had his handsome-moments :)

This picture was not one of them!

All the red-heads...makes a brunette feel leftout

I loved my sister's dress!

yes, we have floss in our van

the kids were tired!