First Grade!!!!!

Today I have a first grader!!


This morning started out very early. After a long summer of lazy mornings, it was surprisingly easy to get Jacob out of bed and ready for school. He has been super excited about first grade and had counted down the days. After Meet The Teacher night he was even more excited. Another boy from our neighborhood is in his class, and his buddy from preschool is in his class as well. I could see him sigh in relief that he would know someone in his class.

This year is going to be a little different. Jacob decided he is big enough to ride the bus to and from school. Last year, about mid year, he decided he wanted to ride the bus home. I allowed him, but paced the floor every afternoon waiting for the bus to come. My heart would race until I saw him step off the bus. Well, at 7:00am I put him on the bus to go to school. He looked so small, but I could tell he felt SO big. He sat by the window about half way back. I could see his face barely tall enough to see out the window. He wouldn't wave but gave me the tough-guy-head-nod. I could tell he was a little nervous, but he was also very proud of himself.

A Mile High

We have officially had the Denver Experience! Tod and I flew out to Denver to spend a few days with my sister and brother-in-law, while the boys were visiting my parents. Ellen and Jim showed us what living in Colorado is all about. They even had a cocktail party so we could meet all of their friends. It was such a fun group of people.

They live a few blocks from Washington park and we took full advantage of this. On Thursday we all went for a run through the beautiful grounds. There were so many people out using the park with kids, pets, or just out for a run themselves. After our cool down and shower we decided to take a bike ride down Cherry Creek to have lunch in downtown Denver. I believe the total round trip was about 7 miles. I can't believe I survived this!! Here is a picture of our bikes parked outside of the cafe for lunch.

On Friday we took off for the mountains. We headed west to Copper Mountain. Jim and their friend, Nan, took part in the Copper Triangle cycling event. It was a 78 mile bike trek through 3 mountain passes. Grueling! We couldn't be more proud of them. Everyone teared up at the finish line. The good part was the last 10 miles was downhill!!

Here's the view from our condo. You can see the moon just over the mountain. And, yes, we did take advantage of the heated pool!!

Ellen and I out on the balcony.

Tod and Jim walking through the village of Copper Mountain. You can see the railing and flags from the cycling event.

The beautiful creek that flowed near our condo.

Tod and I at the marina in Frisco at Lake Dillon. We went kayaking during the cycling event. Tod had a single and Ellen and I had a double kayak. In the picture you can see the storm coming up behind us, but while we were kayaking it was a beautiful sunny day. We say a hawk dive for a fish and carry it off! Just amazing.

Tod, Ellen, and Jim at the marina. You can tell it was a little cold that day!!

We found a pub in Frisco for happy hour. Here is Ellen and Nan the night before Copper Triangle.

The next morning Jim and Nan started on their 78 mile journey through the Rockies. Tod and Ellen woke up to see them off. (I slept through the whole thing :( ). This picture was taken about 5:30am.

We found yet another pub at the finish line to watch for Jim and Nan to cross the finish line.

Unfortunately we almost missed Jim!! We were paying our bill and getting over to the railing and he saw us! We hooted and hollered at him. Yay Jim!

We did get to see Nan cross the finish line about 30 minutes later. She is actually smiling after 78 miles!

The two champions!

After the Copper Triangle we got cleaned up then headed to the slopes!! Well, we just took the chair lift to the top. It was a little scary on the way back down.

I was shaking with fear while taking this picture. That's why it's a little off center.

Ellen and I on our way down the mountain. I couldn't let go of the bar....I was truly trying to be brave.

We so loved our trip to Denver. Tod and I have never been to a city and said, "I could live here" until we went to Denver. Although, we have never spent a winter there..... Thank you, Ellen and Jim, for such a wonder trip!!!

Firsts

As an adult we don't have very many "firsts". It seems like we have experienced many things, traveled to many places, and eaten many different things. Even if we are doing something for the first time, chances are we have experienced something similar to it. Growing up we have many firsts. First steps. First words. First roller coaster ride. First road trip. First taste of Thai food. Many firsts.

Well, Friday night Jacob had another first. His very first Jell-o shot. Yep, a Jello-shot. Loaded. Our neighbors had a party and the shots were sitting on a table in between the potato chips and the brownies looking very delicious and inviting. Many colors - red, yellow, green. Beautifully arranged on trays in little white cups. So tempting.

It was getting late and Brady was starting to yawn. I was gathering up our things to head back home. Another neighbor witnessed this "first" and alerted me about it. My first reaction was "Oh, No!" I found Jacob and asked him if he had one of the little Jell-o cups. He said he had and shrugged his shoulders. I told him that he didn't do anything wrong but the Jell-o had alcohol in it and they are for the grown-ups to have.

Jacob: "What's alcohol?"
Me: All I could think of saying was, "It has beer in it."
Jacob: "Oh....it kind of tasted sour and yucky."
Me: "Good!"

I told him it was time for us to head home because his brother was getting sleepy. He started to cry. I thought, he must feel bad about taking the Jell-o shot. I comforted him all the way home and told him that he didn't do anything wrong. Mommy should have noticed them there and told him that he couldn't have any of the grown-up Jell-o. I was wrong. He said, "I sure wish I had taken a brownie instead!! That's why I am crying!!"

I'm sure we will have many more first like this one.

My boys

This summer has been so much fun. I'm so thankful that we have such great neighbors that invite us over often to swim. Our friends Minka and Bob had us over and she took these adorable pictures of the boys.

I think Jacob looks so grown up!

Without

For the last week I have been without. Lost. My computer wasn't working properly and the warranty was about to expire. I had to make the tough decision to ship the ol' laptop off to the Dell wizards for repairs. Yesterday, by miracle of FedEx, my laptop arrived home. I should have made 'Welcome Home' signs and hung balloons. I tried to hide my enthusiasm from the FedEx guy, but I think my tear filled eyes spoke volumes.

For three days we were even without cable. Jacob was completely distraught. When we told him that there was a time when TV, computers, and video games did not exist he said, "What did people do?" Tod and I just shrugged our shoulders.

I'm sure Tod was tired of me calling him at work to "look something up." I may be banned from the library computers....two kids and a quiet section don't mix well. I also used the phone book for the first time in two years. (I had to find it first!)

I am now re-connected and completely plugged in. Aahhhhh.

Summertime...And The Living Is Easy

Summer has come to the Carolina's and we are soaking it all in! We have all been so busy that I haven't had a chance to sit down and post anything. I was a little worried the last few weeks of school about planning and scheduling our summer. Making sure we had "things" to do. I have to admit...we have been so busy that we haven't done a single thing that I "planned"!

Jacob had soccer camp the first week of summer. He did great! He even got MVP on two days! At first I didn't think he was enjoying it, but by the end of the week he LOVED soccer camp. The coaches were great and really taught the kids some great lessons on teamwork. Here is Jacob looking very serious before he got his certificate.

After they called his name he ran through the coaches and parents for a huge line of high fives.

And some deserved pats on the back!


Week number two of summer we spent at Pawley's Island. What a beautiful place! Tod, the boys and I spent the week with my parents in a great condo overlooking the ocean. Tod had to go back a little early, but we stayed the rest of the week and had some fun in the sun. My parents played golf one morning so the boys and I took a hike around the complex. We saw some crazy birds and tried to find the alligator they say is on the island. Here are the boys on the hike. Jacob so wants to be a rock star!

We ate at a great restaurant, The Fish House. It had a fun playground for the kids while we waiting on our table. Brady kept saying, "Arg! I'm a Pirate!"

My arm!

As you can tell, the boys were truly on vacation. They had a TV in their room. Every morning they would wake up and turn it on. We wouldn't see them for another hour....until they were ready for breakfast.


Pool time! Jacob and Brady loved floating around in the pool in their new floats.

Jacob in mid-cannonball!


...and Jacob doing his "dead man's float.".


Beach time! After soccer camp.....we had soccer at the beach.


Brady instantly took to the water. He would jump in the waves for such a long time. We swam out to a sandbar and the boys played in ankle deep water for an hour. So much fun.

I believe vacations make brothers turn into friends!

My favorite picture!

Yesterday, my neighbors daughter brought me this strange flower that is growing wild out in the field across from our house. I looked it up and it is a Passion Flower. Such a beautifully odd looking flower.


And finally my summer harvest. I picked all of this today! We have a tomato, a cucumber, a zucchini, some peas, and some radishes. It feels so good to have a garden. This summer has turned into a bountiful one!!

Jacob's Last Day of Kindergarten

I just can't believe that Jacob's Kindergarten year is over. Yesterday his class put on an amazing performance for the parents. And, yes, I cried. We met in the music room where the kids sang three songs then surprised us and played FOUR songs on the keyboards! I was totally blown away!

Here is Jacob and his friend Francisco. So cute together.

Jacob has always said that he wants to be a Rock Star when he grows up. You have to start somewhere!!

The music teacher Mrs. Fuller did a great job with the kids. Here is their Mexican Hat Dance. It made me laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn3ZvZ4yA9o

And this is what made me cry...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta_Zg6gfO8s

We left the music room and headed to their classroom. Jacob's teacher Mrs. Carroll showed us a video that she made of EVERYTHING that the kids did all year. She included every field trip, holiday, project, and even spotlighted each student on their birthday. It was something so special. Each of us got a copy of the video. I can't wait to see it again.

Mrs. Carroll and the teaching assistant Mrs. Brewington made each child feel so special. They all got a special award. Jacob got the Super Scientist Award because he was so into their lessons on dinosaurs and bugs. He is so proud of his award.


Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Brewington made this year so easy for me to "let go" of Jacob. He has turned into such an amazing boy. I am overwhelmed at all that he has learned. I feel like we have all grown up a little this year.