School days

We are having a successful first full week of school. The girls have been happy to go each morning and we're leaving ahead of schedule to be able to do Morning Milers on the track. It's been nice getting out there and walking with them before they start their days. I find it funny that often times they are off walking ahead of me with their buddies and I have picked up some sweet kindergartners or first graders who just want to chat. Precious!

We've also started homework back and it has not been bad by any means. Our school typically doesn't give a lot of homework. Even so the adjustment of getting back into that routine makes me a little blah. It's funny because the girls get right on it and most of the times they don't really need my assistance, but it's just one of those "perks" of school that I don't look forward to. You see who is really having trouble getting back in the routine?! Me!

Speaking of getting back into the saddle, I started teaching my classes on Monday. I'm pretty much gone most of Monday and Wednesday with three sections back to back to back. It's gone well and the timing works perfectly with our schedule. I pack a smoothie to eat in between classes as I only have 20 minutes. That's worked well and my students all seem good so far. The only issue I'm having is not coughing during my lectures as my voice isn't quite back into shape for teaching. Of course, grading for 120 students is going to be an adventure.

1st day of classes selfie!

Patrick has been a busy bee in his new job. I've mentioned it before, but we're excited to announce his new position in the district which began back in July. He was asked directly by the Superintendent to implement and coordinate professional learning for all faculty and staff (excluding administrators) in the 5th largest school district for the state. He is also still teaching one AP Government class at the high school which allows him to be able to speak into what professional learning is successful for teachers. Plus he just loves the kids! So far he's had lots of opportunities to speak to leadership within our district, the SC Department of Education and higher education institutions. It's been a good and challenging fit for him, but he's excited for the work and opportunity. He will also start working on his Administration degree through USC. We're super proud of him!

On top of school stuff, the girls started softball this week. This is Paige's first attempt at any organized sport and I know it will be a challenge for her emotionally. We all know the process of learning a new sport takes time and patience. I'm excited for her as these are great skills to grow in and will serve her well later on! Anna is a bit rusty as she hasn't played in a while, but I know she will catch on quickly. I look forward to seeing her handle the challenge of kid pitch this time around. We'll keep you posted on our ball field happenings!

Take 2-Paige's 1st day of school

Paige popped right out of her room this morning, already dressed and ready to go. She was fever free for 24 hours and talking up a storm so I knew it was finally time for her 1st day of school. Her outfit of choice this year was very similar to last year, except it was a print of unicorns, a favorite in her book.

It was neon day at Patrick's school. 

Anna: umm Mom, are you sure she's still not sick cuz I don't want to touch her, but I'll take this picture because you are forcing me

Change the date!

I was happy to walk her in and she gave her teacher some flowers from our garden. Her day was spent catching up with classmates who missed her dearly and learning lots of new things. Let's just say the conversation on the way home did not lapse into any silence. She got her slice of cookie cake as an afternoon snack which completes the 1st day of school rituals.

Meanwhile I enjoyed my first day at home without the girls. I always love hanging out with them and hate to see summer go, but there are a few perks to having them away. I get to pee with the door open and nobody bothers me! I get to go to the grocery store and nobody is hanging on the cart! I get to watch TV/read/check my email whenever I want! I can go for a walk or run errands at the drop of a dime! I even got a haircut and ate a picnic lunch outside.

So far the rest of us have been well and will hopefully remain that way. Monday will be the start of a full week of school and the softball season as well as my classes. And we're off!

1st day of school, an unexpected start

Alas summer finally ended. We were ready. Ok maybe the girls were ready and I was still clinging on to the last gasps of summer freedom, ice cream cones, slip-n-slides, suntan lotion, etc. We had a fun play date on Monday with Anna's BFF Reese and her little sister.We even managed to get another state park stamp.

Then the girls and I had a low key day on Tuesday. We ran some errands, got as scoop of ice cream at Sonic and then the girls threw water balloons at Patrick. He ended up getting them in the end!

We also measured everybody's height for the year. Anna grew 2 inches and Paige grew 2 1/2. I am glad to report we parents did not shrink.

After a yummy dinner and funny stories read by Dad, we tucked everybody into bed. Outfits were laid out and ironed. Lunches were made. Backpacks were full of school supplies. And we were set....or so we thought. Paige woke me up at 6AM although she said she was up at 5:30 and waited. She wasn't feeling well and I took her temp after feeling her forehead. Turns out she had a fever. Nooooooo! Her fate was sealed and she was MAD!

In the meantime, I got Anna ready and she got Paige settled in a rest nest on the couch. We managed to get 1st day of school pics and Patrick was gracious enough to allow me to walk Anna into school. After all, it is my last time walking her into school, ever.  But who's focusing on that. I thought Anna looked older, mature and ready for 5th grade. I know she is going to be an awesome leader at her school this year. I'm so proud of her and glad to be walking her through life at this stage. It's a sweet spot.

It was fun to see Anna with her friends and I got absolutely no pictures because I was directing new parents, working the coffee pot and informing about Paige's whereabouts. Just glad I could be there to say hi and give hugs.

Paige and I hung low during the day with movies, worksheets and games. By 10am her fever had gone up so I gave her some medicine. She managed to nap at some point and Patrick was able to pick up Anna. Of course, the entire day that's all Paige talked about.

Meanwhile Anna had a terrific first day of school. She met her kindergarten buddy and I just can't handle the fact she is now a mentor to a younger kid! Anna told me her buddy is super cute and it is a lot of work talking care of a kindergartner. Ha! She loved reconnecting with her classmates and by the end of the day everybody knew her sister was sick. She also loved her cookie cake!

By the afternoon Paige's fever spiked to 104.5. I had a call out to the nurse at our peds office and was told I needed to get it down or had to come in after hours. We dosed with Motrin, did a tepid bath and ran the washcloth over her head. Fortunately, within an hour is was down to 103.2 and kept declining from there. Poor Paige commented that her new goal was to aim for Friday to return to school. She had already given up on Thursday. Praying tomorrow the fever breaks! What can I say, except that child likes to start the school off with a bang!

Stay tuned for our second attempt at a 1st day of school.

A summer tradition

Each year we look forward to getting together with Patrick's childhood friend, Daniel and his family. They live in Charlotte and sometimes they come down here, but this year we went to visit them for the day.

I convinced their crew to join us at Andrew Jackson State Park which was just over the border from them. What a cool and breezy morning for August! We got our stamp, bought our state park pass and then set off for a one mile hike around the lake. It was just enough for little legs, but also held the big kids captive with it's plant and animal life. There were lots of pictures taken so the kids could sketch later. Next up we headed the playground for a snack and then we visited the Museum which they opened up early for us. So nice! The kids loved the hands on exhibit and learned a lot about how Andy would have lived back in his time. Paige declared it her favorite state park yet.

We headed back to Daniel and Virginia's for the rest of the afternoon. The kids gladly played in the backyard fort Daniel built and we all loved our picnic lunch. They have a local pool and it was great to be able to swim off some energy. At one point it even rained and without lightening the kids were still able to swim. This was just so fascinating to them!

The rest of the evening was spent visiting, playing and eating a yummy taco dinner. Unfortunately, Ella came down with a fever. We thought it best to head home for the night to giver her space to fight off her virus and to save our kiddos from getting sick before their first days of school. It was a sweet visit and one we always enjoy.

Those lazy hazy summer days

We sure do love summer time around here. It means snuggling in bed and watching cartoons...

Playing with dolls....

Harvesting our garden (which is still doing terribly after the squash vine borer infestation)....

And random slip-n-sliding afternoons...

School is just around the corner, but we will hold on to summer until the bell rings! 

Summertime finishing strong

I'm still in denial that the new school year starts next Wednesday. Ohh summer how I love you and hate to see you go. We're finishing our summer time strong with a trip to see my parents who just moved to upstate SC, a day I never thought would happen! They are currently living in a condo while they wait for their lake home to be finished being built some time in November. With Patrick working, us girls had some free time so we drove up Sunday night and spent the next few days with them.

It was fun to check out their new place which is in a gated community with lots of amenities like a pool and gold course. The girls liked the bunk bed, game room basement and beach access to Lake Keowee where we swam one afternoon. We also got to check out the house and see how it's coming along. The drywall makes such a huge difference!

The next couple of days we checked out some local state parks and got Mom and Dad their very own Outdoor Adventure books so they can start stamping which state parks they have visited. Devil's Fork offered a nice 2.5 mile hike along Lake Jocassee which has really clear water. We did some swimming in the crisp water after our hike which was very refreshing. Then we went back to the condo and did more swimming in the pool!

The following day we checked out Keowee Toxoway State Park. It had a tougher 1.5 mile loop with beautiful waterfalls. There were so many rhododendron plants that I know it will look completely different in the spring. We really enjoyed this one.

After lunch we headed to Lake Hartwell State Park and looked at their visitor center. This is a smaller park so the girls enjoyed some playground time and we called it a day. I love that my parents are just a quick drive from so many beautiful hiking trails in both SC and NC. We'll definitely be doing some outdoor adventuring.

Other highlights of our trip included learning Grammy's crispy chicken recipe, snuggling in bed, dance parties, picnics on the back porch and eating at the club.

It was nice to connect with my parents, especially as it's been a busy summer for them with the move. The 2.5 hour drive was so much easier than the 10 we've had to do over the years. We are looking forward to getting them all settled in to their new home when it is all finished. In the mean time they enjoyed our fun welcome to SC basket.