Grandparents Day

Honestly, I remember this day popping up on the calendar as a kid, but I don't remember doing anything about it. Is that sad?! Anyway, apparently it's a big thing in schools these days. Most schools have some type of grandparents day event and Emory's school is no different. I was just going to let today slide by unnoticed because Emory has been so sensitive about us coming for lunch. Meaning she cries when we leave. Not cool. So my plan was to not even mention it and go about our day. Plus, both sets of grandparents live out of town so that would require a trip for one of them. However, we received a notice asking how many people would be attending and that if no grandparents were coming they would like SOMEONE to be there. Ugh. That meant Chase and I would have to go regardless or I would need to ask a set of grandparents to come up. It was late notice but we asked The Martin's and they agreed to come up yesterday in order to attend the picnic today. 

It was PJ day at school today. She doesn't usually wear polka dot pants!

Being goofy and so excited to have her GiGi and Dudey at her school. 

Love for her Dude.

Love for her G!

And sweet Gavin. He stole a grape from his sissy's lunch and was so proud of himself! In fact I think he ate half her lunch. Little piggy! 

I'm glad we went because I felt bad for the kids that didn't have anyone there. After Emory ate, (we met Chase for lunch afterwards. 10:30 is too early to eat lunch for me!) she played on the playground showing her G and Dude all the equipment and introducing all her friends to her grandparents. It took some extra loving but we got away with no tears! Yay! 

Bash-N-Dash

So of course with school comes fundraisers...this was the part I dreaded the most about Emory starting school! Bash-N-Dash is the first fundraiser of the year and hopefully the last! IF we can raise $45,000 then we won't have anymore fundraisers ALL year!! So if you are reading this...send money our way and I won't have to ask you to buy cookie dough! We've been collecting money for 2 weeks already and we have raised over $21,000...almost halfway! Today was the actual event. The kids run laps in the parking lot of the school, during a designated time. Donators could give a flat donation or give per lap. Emory's grade was running at 11:30 so Gavin and I headed over to the school to watch. Dang it was hot, but kids have no concept of heat or cold for that matter, so they didn't seem bothered. Plus there was a misting station for them to run through. Emory hit a HUGE milestone during this event...see below in the pictures!

 Warming up...Emory's head is just on the other side of that yellow bow!

 Gavin watching Emory and wanting so badly to join in!

 Walking the first lap.

 Running through the mister!

 And she's off...

 They marked the number of laps on the backs of their shirts.

 She did 16 according to her shirt but I'm pretty sure she didn't get them to mark her once or twice.

 The Stoner Creek Bobcat.

 Such a happy girl!

 She wasn't so sure at first...

 But the next thing I know she's sitting in his lap...Gavin on the other hand was screaming! At least one kid is ok with them now!

 Drinking her water after running.

 Part of her class. I believe this was actually 2 classes.

 Gavin was over it at this point!

 Had to pause a moment for a picture with mom!

 The got "bobcat" snowcones afterwards too!

 Trying to keep the little man happy. He just wanted to go play with his sister and her friends!

Eating their snow cones!

I'm still a little shocked that Emory got close to the Bobcat let alone take a picture with him! She claims she will take a picture with Blaze this year...we shall see! I'm sure these kids will all sleep well tonight after running for an hour in the hot sun!

As Summer Draws to a Close

So since I am SO behind in blogging I will do a recap of August. Technically our summer had already ended because Emory started school on August first, however, in my book, until it feels like Fall, which could be sometime mid September, it' still Summer!!

Chase turned 30 this year!! He waited until the last minute to plan anything so we didn't have a party of any kind but he isn't the party type so I think he was ok with it! His birthday was Sunday, August 11th so the Saturday before he went to High Falls to jump off cliffs. How else would my husband celebrate?! He might be 30 in age but he's 18 at heart! One of the many things I love about him!

 Emory helping "clean up" after making the cake.

 Happy Birthday!

 Emory insisted on singing to him.

 Happy 30th Birthday! We love you!

Next on the recap...Christy! Maybe you remember me posting about our friends the Taylors. This past March they left to start a new adveture...they moved to Dubai for 3 years. They will come home periodically during those 3 years but for the most part they will be away. Very sad but we know they won't be gone forever! They came home mid June and stayed until the end of August. We of course had to have a going away dinner for them...well Christy, before they left. We were only missing one girl from our group and it was so nice to all get together and chat for a few hours.

 Christy, Rachel, and Jessica

 Liz, Me, Tara H. (pictured, Ha), Leslie, and Tara W.

The gang! My life would be SOOOO very different and lonely without this group of women! They have been there during the tears and of course the laughter! Love you ladies!

Next...birthdays! Minus Chase's of course...

The first was Kolton's 4th birthday...I didn't take many pictures, In fact I didn't even get one of the birthday boy!

 Little Brooklyn...she is the most laid back child...EVER!!!

 Especially in comparison to this little rascal. He looks innocent hear but don't be fooled!

 SayBay!

 Swinging with Daddy!

The next party was Brianna's 2nd birthday! It was dog themed complete with ears for the kiddos...so cute! 

 floppy ears!

 Goofball!

 Daddy and his babies!

The kiddos with their ears on! Brianna was the birthday girl in the pink tutu! :)

And to end the "summer" was Labor Day in Birmingham. This trip was quite the adventure. More than we bargained for! We arrived late Friday night to learn that my nephew and brother had pneumonia and they had cancelled Sammy's bday party that was going to be Saturday morning. Emory was very upset about this, not because she wanted to go to the party, but because she was afraid Sam would be very upset about not having a party for his birthday! She insisted we have one at my parent's house on Sunday (his actual birthday). Sweet girl. She has such a big heart!

It was probably best that the party was cancelled because Gavin woke up sick Saturday morning. He woke up at 3:45am, fussed and went back to sleep, woke up again at 4am, fussed and went back to sleep until 5am. At 5am I thought it best to go check on him, since he usually sleeps through the night without any issues. The second I picked him up I knew he was sick. I went and woke up Chase and grabbed the thermometer...102! Awesome Mom award goes to me for ignoring my child...sheesh! He was febrile ALL day long and that was with motrin and tylenol on board around the clock. I hate when my babies are sick, makes me feel helpless! Chase gets father of the year though because Gavin refused to go back to sleep after 5 so he stayed up with him so I could go back to sleep! Gavin finally gave into sleep at 8am and slept until 11am but it was a LONG day. Why do our kids feel the need to be sick when we aren't near our doctor?!?! Luckily our home church in Birmingham has a few pediatricians I can call and talk to! 

Moving on...Sunday, Gavin was back to his usual self (thank goodness) and we were able to get out and about! Monday we went to my grandparents house for lunch. Because in the south, when there is a holiday...there is food and family and lots of it!

 Getting out and about on Sunday. At Rogers on 280.

 Singing happy birthday to Claire. Her birthday was September 4th.

 Me and my sister. I miss hanging out with her! Life keeps getting in the way!

My goofy boy! He loved that he could climb back and forth over the 2 couches!

Ok now that I'm caught up with end of our summer I will move on to the school year! Bring on everything FALL!

 

Wilson County Fair

This post is LONG over due but I've been so busy lately that I haven't had a chance to sit and blog! For a stay-at-home mom I stay pretty busy. I think most people think we just sit around with our feet up all day eating ice cream from the carton. And while that sounds lovely, it's far from the truth!! Laundry is never ending, something always needs cleaning, errands always need to be run, and one of the kiddos is always in want of my attention! I'm physically exhausted by the end of the day! Oh and I'm doing all this while pregnant! Come December I'm REALLY going to have my hands full!!

So anyway, at the end of August every year, Wilson County has the largest fair in the state. This is the second year we have gone and we plan on continuing the tradition. I didn't get to ride anything this year for obvious reasons but Emory was all about it. Chase even bought an armband for himself so he could ride a few rides with her. I went for the food!

 This is what Gavin and I did most of the time!

 We met the Edenfields there so that Emory and Kolton would have a playmates!

 Sweet Saylor

 Riding the swings. Sometimes this girl surprises me!

 Told you I came for the food! This corn is awesome. Chase claims his is better...maybe it's the butter they dip the corn into but this stuff is awesome!

 My sweet boy! He wanted to ride with his Sissy so badly!

 I promise she was having fun! Contrary to what this picture might show!

 Giving kisses...they both go at it open mouth!

 Potato Sack Slide. Looked like fun. Wish I could have joined in!

 Travis and Kolton.

  Cheryl, Kolton, and Emory waiting in line for the last ride of the night.

It was a LONG, HOT, evening but we had a great time...spent a lot of money, but made good memories!