Back to School continued.....

Here are Carson's Back to School photos. She started 8th grade- her LAST year of middle school- AAAHHH!

In a couple of weeks she will enter a new chapter in her life-

TEENAGER!!!

How did that happen?

In my mind I still see her prancing around in her Sleeping Beauty gown carrying her blue blanket and playing with all of her "Polly Pockets"!

Then, I look at her in this pictures and see that she is now a beautiful, young lady! Sometimes a little dramatic but mostly sweet, kind, smart, helpful and very talented.

I know that she is going to have a GREAT year!

Smart A@% Teenager!

So happy to be in 11th grade!

This may be the only book Griffin opens all year!

To COOL for school!

Griffin decided to make a mockery of my back-to-school photos but at least he did participate!

It is very hard to get a 16 year old boy to agree to get their photo taken so I guess I should be thankful that I got a few shoots even if my subject was trying to be funny (nice way of describing it).

He is also very proud of his facial hair. We keep trying to convince him that he looks better clean shaven but you know what they say- "Pick Your Battles" and facial hair isn't really worth a big fight to me. I can't believe he is old enough to even have a beard! Plus, he keeps talking about next year and going off to college after that and I tell you I just don't want to hear it or think about it so I am going to pretend that it isn't going to happen- Sounds good. I'll live in denial for now.

Apple(s) of My Eye

I decided to do a little back-to-school photo shoot with the school-aged kids. Needless to say some were more interested than others but they all cooperated long enough for me to get some pics. Here are the elementary school kids. Hadley is starting 4th grade and Brett is starting 1st. He is very worried that his afternoons will be consumed with "SO MUCH HOMEWORK" that he won't have time for his sports- we have tried to explain that 1st graders aren't usually bogged down with work but he doesn't believe us! Hadley isn't worried at all- not a surprise. She is just happy to be going back to her friends. Thankfully one of her very good friends is in her class so that should make for a good year.

Middle-Schooler

My favorite- I caught her as she was about to drop all of those HEAVY books!

Reese is off to the Middle land. The land of in-betweens. Not quite a kid but not yet a teen- those glorious TWEEN years. She was a little worried the night before about finding her way through the middle school halls but she got over it and had a GREAT first day. She was actually excited about it! 

The BEST part-

LOCKERS!!!

Back To Reality

"Twas the night before school

and all through the land

the kids were all crying

because school was at hand

No more fun in the sun

no more sleeping in late

It's back to the books

because the teachers won't wait

So they packed up their bags

and put them by the door

wondering what the new 

year had in store

Lots to be learned

like how to read, write and add

Many new things and experiences

to be had

So, summer is over again,

it is true

put on a smile and try not

to be so blue

For there are only 180 days 

of work to do

Until summer returns

and the fun is renewed

Have A Great School Year!!!!

Reese- 6th grade

Brett- 1st grade

Hadley- 4th grade

Carson- 8th grade

Griffin- 11th grade

Next Top Model?

I found these pics on my camera of Hadley. She and a friend decided to put on some make-up and have a little modeling session. The make-up was a little "Lady Gaga-ish" but hey it has worked for her! Unfortunately, I think Hadley is going to be a little to short for the modeling world.

And So It Begins.....

A return to our "normal".

Meaning:

We will all be traveling in opposite directions at the speed of light trying to get to all of our activities.

School is still 2 days away but soccer is in full swing.

All 3 girls headed off to practice tonight.

The first of many nights over the next few months where my 

family will be spread all over the greater Columbia Metro region.

I am going to take a deep breath because I don't think I will be coming up for air until Thanksgiving!