SAHM No More =(

My days as a stay at home are coming to an end as all my lil' chicks have left the hen house.  I have dreaded this day for sometime but knew it would come.  I now have a kindergartner, and 4th and 2nd graders.  I was completely prepared for the waterworks this morning as I dropped them all off at school. I had already lined up a Boo Hoo breakfast with some friends to cope.  My plans changed though.  Isaac has been running a low grade fever since Sunday night.  I really thought it would run its course and be done by today.  He was hot again this morning so he didn't make it to school today.  I decided he probably should see the doctor.  Long story short, he's on an antibiotic, thankfully.  Not sure if he'll go to school tomorrow or not, so stay tuned on the waterworks.  I think God knew I needed at least ONE kid at home with me today, and it was another opportunity to enjoy being a SAHM.  I did take lots of pictures this morning.  The kids seemed to be very cooperative.

My beauty boat Karson Ann.

Fever boy Isaac who is far from Just a Simple Dude.

The smile that makes my heart happy~and twinkling eyes with excitement for school.

Three children who make me a better person, I'm truly blessed!

Miles was eager to get to school today, he lugged his backpack around this morning.  I'm surprised he didn't complain about it because it was HEA-VY!  All the kindergartners at Plano are required to wear orange vests to and from school to distinguish their age and make sure they are "looked after carefully".  I like that.

Sweet boy hanging up his things and getting ready to begin his day with Mr. Coleman, Ms. Vickie and Ms. Flowers.  He went to school with a huge smile and came home with a huge smile.  I'd say today was a success for him!

Karson beginning her day in 4th grade.  Sheesh!  

Where in the world has this little girl gone?  She's all grown up, sniff, sniff.

We have decided to forgo the dreadful car rider line this year.  We live within a stones throw of our school but walking isn't an option because it's so HOT right now and sometimes wet and muddy on our walking path.  Plus, I can already hear the complaints and me lugging three heavy backpacks for a half mile.  The car rider line has become somewhat of a nuisance.  It's slow, you wait and wait and wait and thirty minutes later, you have your kids.  This year's solution?  We decided to sign the kids up to ride the bus.  They leave right when school lets out (before the car riders) and get home at 3:22.  Quick and easy.  They are on the bus for less than a minute, but it really saves us time WAITING.  Plus, I think they enjoy it, for now.

I just have to blog about this because I think it's funny.  Matt took one for the team and did all the kids school supply shopping this year--he's wonderful!  However, I thought it was hilarious that he picked out these puppy dog folders for ISAAC?  I mean, REALLY.  I held them up tonight and said, "Isaac these are the folders dad picked out for you.  Do you like them?"  I was curious to see what he'd say--he does like dogs.  He said, "Are you serious.  Nuh uh."  I said, "yes."  He said, "those are GIRL folders."  My thoughts exactly.

SO, I made a trip to town to pick up these  BOY FOLDERS.  I made sure Matt knew the difference so we won't make that mistake again, EVER.

Pray for sweet Isaac that he'll kick this fever bug he has and be able to join his classmates at school SOON!

If TEETH Gross You Out...

then DO NOT READ this post!  Miles is following in his sister's footsteps and has decided to go PRO with getting cavities.  Fortunately, we have wonderful pediatric dentists, the Elliott's.  Miles's experiences have been "pleasant" if that's a word you can use where dental work is concerned. He has spent lots of time in the treatment room(s) and has had a total of FIVE cavities filled.

The hygienist in the picture below is a gal I've know my entire life.  She is beyond wonderful at putting my children at ease during their visits there.  You can see by Miles's smile that he doesn't mind being at the dentist office.

This picture was from yesterday where they went in to fill two cavities and ended up finding and filling a third in the process.  Thank goodness for great dental insurance. 

Karson lost her 14th tooth this evening.  It was her silver crown that's been wiggling and loose for some time now.  Her permanent tooth has practically pushed it out.  I believe she is almost DONE with baby teeth, whew!  I am also in the process of getting dental work done.  I broke my nose and front tooth years ago (6th grade to be exact) and have had a fake front tooth since then.  As I've gotten older, I've really grown to dislike the crown that's there.  However, I knew it would take a lot of painful visits and money to change it.  I took the plunge two weeks ago and decided to begin the process of re-matching my front teeth.  I have had everything from gum sculpting to bonding at this point.  On my next visit, they will actually REMOVE my fake tooth.  Yikes.  It will be replaced with a temporary while my new crown gets made.  SO, in about three weeks, I should have a new smile with matching front teeth.  Hooray!

And so it BEGINS...

Plano hosts a Panther Prep Saturday for all incoming kindergarteners.  It gives the kids and parents a chance to get acquainted with the school and "learn the ropes".  I have been part of the Panther family for five years now and have NEVER been as emotional as I am this year.  My littlest man is heading to school.  Sniff, sniff, snort, snort.  I have NO DOUBT he will be in good hands, but it's still hard closing that SAHM chapter in my life.  Me and a couple of friends are heading out for coffee after drop off for a Boo Hoo -or- Yahoo breakfast.  I imagine we will all be on the tender side as most of us are losing our last child.  Miles is ready for school.  However, he left the backpack/lunch box picking out to his dear ol' parents.  We headed to Toys R Us on Friday night (sans kids) to select a pack for our boy.  Nothing says Miles like Super Mario--the choice was easy, and you can tell by his large smile, he loved our selection.

Miles will be with Mr. Coleman this year.  I'm sure we'll enjoy his class, but we sure will miss our veteran kindergarten teacher Ms. Rather.  She has such a special place in our hearts.  BUT, our hearts are large and certainly have room to love another teacher.  Mr. Coleman has been teaching kindergarten for six years at Plano.  I remember Karson coming home from school in kindergarten and talking ALL about Mr. Coleman and how he always played with them on the playground.  She really liked him.  I have a feeling Miles will too.

The kids took off within minutes of arriving at school.  They wanted to go ahead and run them through a typical day while the parents sat through all the orientations and fumbled through paperwork.  I managed to run into Miles's class when I was in the lunch room adding money to his student account.  They were so cute all lined up and coming and getting their milk and cookies.

Miles and Mr. Coleman

Thumbs up for a great year of learning new things and meeting new friends.

Open House for Plano was yesterday.  I was surprised by how excited Isaac got over a boy in his class named Cooper Clark.  His other buddies Nathan, Katie and Colton are also in his class--BONUS.  His teacher Ms. LaSala is going to be the perfect fit for him.  I'm so glad he's in her class, I know she will challenge him.

Karson and her new 4th grade teacher Ms. White.  Karson didn't have quite as many girlfriends in her class, but we did recognize a couple of them.  Most of the girls she's closest to are in the other 4th grade class =(.  I think that was hard for her.  BUT, there are a few boys that she's developed strong friendships with in there so I'm sure those relationships will continue to be strong.  AND, you can always make new friends, right!  We're looking forward to a new beginning at Plano this Thursday.

Chan Chu 2012

Community Camp took place this weekend at Whispering Pines on Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee.  Our theme was "Into the Wild".  Once everyone arrived at camp on Friday, everyone was divided into teams and had to create a flag and come up with a name.  

Our team color was green and consisted of the Hoffman's, Bradley's and Goshorn's.  We started brainstorming 'green' things and came up with frogs and money which became Money Frogs.  Wyatt Goshorn looked up money frog on google and the name Chan Chu was formed.  

We had a food challenge the first night.  The kids tried different baby foods and had to guess what they were.  We lost miserably--the kids thought everything tasted like applesauce =).  The adult food challenge was even MORE tasty.  I ended up eating pickled okra and coconut gel bites.  Matt wasn't so lucky, he ended up with two big chunks of SPAM and a clove of pickled garlic.  ICK.  Our team ate everything on the platter though--GO GREEN!

Decorating our flag was lots of fun, especially for the kids, they painted most of it.  We even came up with a team chant--BAH BLING.

Miles couldn't be any cuter if he tried.  Love his do-rag look.  And, his dad ain't so bad either =).

Canoes are always a good time at camp unless Isaac is in your boat and then you are splashed the entire time.  And, splashing is only BAD if your little brother is directly behind you complaining the ENTIRE time.  

Miles is smitten with his best buddy Trapper.  Miles reminds me of the DoDo bird on Looney Tunes when it comes to Trapper---uh, which way did he go? which way did he go?  He needs a GPS on him at ALL times.  Such sweet friends.

 Spa night is ALWAYS a must a camp.  I made a pineapple enzyme, fruit smoothie mask.  It's was perfectly soothing after a sweaty day on the lake.  We also did Shimmer and manicures.  Love connecting with all the girls.

I usually plan the camp crafts.  I decided to recycle some oldie's this year and did sun catchers and foam visors.  However, Lisa Garcia had the best camp craft around.  We made the coolest necklaces out of washers with scrapbook paper and modge podge

CUTE necklaces are now on the camp agenda for years to come.

Fun in the swimming pool with goggles, a MUST.  Love these sweet ladies.

The future gals of Community Youth.  I see some wonderful potential for leadership here.

The mud pit NEVER disappoints.  The kids are drawn to it.  The adults, not so much.

Shaving cream fight, woo hoo!  We got our practice in before camp so we were ready for the battle.

BEFORE PICTURE....

DURING PICTURE....

AFTER PICTURE!

And that's all the pictures I took this weekend.  I decided to not take SO many pictures this weekend.  It's all I can do to keep up with everything so I was a slacker when it came to pictures.  Plus, the kids get sick of posing.  Our camp was an absolute refreshing end to a summer full of fun.  The school year is rearing it's ugly head so we needed to make the most of it this weekend!