Dates

The start of school means the start of my weekly dates with the kids.  This one-on-one time with them holds such a special place in my heart, and I hope they cherish it as much as I do.

Jackson picked Tuesday to be his date day, and we had our first date last week.

Sarah had a weird band schedule last week, so we didn't have our first date until this morning before school. 

Both of them are my very favorite!

Friday Sweets

In her cookbook, Joanna Gaines writes about baking banana bread for her kids every Friday and having it waiting for them when they get home from school.  I thought that was precious, and I wanted to start that same tradition!

So yesterday after school, I had homemade brownies waiting for kids!

First Day of School Treat

Yesterday after school, we went out for our traditional first day of school treat!  This is one of my favorite parts of the whole day because we get to hear all about the kids' first day of school.

Jackson:

My day was good!

Mrs. Pollard is really nice!

I saw Beckett at lunch!  I liked your note that you wrote!

I just talked at recess because there was no soccer ball.  

It feels like so many things changed at school.

The first day is not hard—you barely do any work!

I went to PE, and it was fun!

Science and math are going to be fun!

Sarah:

It didn’t even really feel like a first day of school.

I really like Mr. Woody, my World History teacher.  The class is going to be impossible, but fun.

I’m looking forward to my English class.

Jaclyn brought a Keurig for journalism.  We all couldn't wait to get to that class!  Then, after school, I interviewed Mr. Bird, the new band director--11 minutes were on the record and 5 minutes were off the record.

I already hate algebra.

My chemistry class only has 9 people.

We missed them, and were so happy to have them home and loved hearing about their day!

First Day of School

Somehow, summer is over, and my babies are headed back to school.

And what's even harder to believe...this baby is headed to 10th grade!

I swear, it was just yesterday that her Daddy and I were walking her to kindergarten, and her princess backpack was as big as she was!  And now, she's a quarter of the way done with high school!

This baby is off to 3rd grade today!  That's the last grade of elementary school!  I just can't believe it!

He's so big!  And I don't know how to make it stop!

I know they're going to have a great first day and a great year!

And even though it's only been an hour since I dropped them off, I already miss them so much and can't wait to hug them and kiss them and hear all about their day!

They're my very favorite!

Little Notes

Last night, I got these little notes ready for the kids' lunches.  This morning when Jackson saw that I had written him a note, he gave me a huge hug and said, "I'm so glad you're still going to write notes for my lunch!"  Always, sweet boy.  Always.

Back to School Breakfast

Yesterday, we had our traditional Back to School Breakfast!

While we were eating, we talked about school obviously getting ready to start and how we can't believe they're going in to 3rd grade and 10th grade!

Marching Band

Yesterday was the last day of marching camp--which was 3 weeks of 14 hour days.  It was also family night!  And at family night, the parents get to march!

Cuties!

Bryan is still a pro!  And Jackson was practicing for when he's going to be in the band!

Adorable!

Getting Ready for School

This morning, I registered this cutie for 3rd grade, and Sarah for 10th grade (while she was at marching band practice).  While I was at Sarah's school, I was given information on her first PSAT and second AP test.  When I got home, Bryan and I talked about how we can't believe how quickly our babies are growing up!

A Bear Hug

The other day, after not seeing Sarah Bear for awhile due to her crazy marching band hours and his crazy work hours, Papa Bear ran over to her in the kitchen and scooped her up in a big bear hug and then he just held her!  It was the sweetest!  I could not grab the camera fast enough!  I just love the way he loves our kids!  

Sidenote: the day before when he was on call at the hospital, both wee ones commented on how much they missed their Daddy!  Precious.

Baking with my Baby

Sarah started marching band on Monday, so it's just me and Jackson this week.  On the way back from the dentist this morning, he asked me if we could make chocolate chip cookies when we got home.  So, that's exactly what we did.

He's the best helper!

Smelling the vanilla we just added--his favorite part...

Oh, my heart!

...that is until it's time to lick the beater!

I hope he'll always love being my sous chef, because goodness knows I love having him in the kitchen with me!