This is It ~ EEP 2011-2012

My third child is officially entering his last year as a preschooler. Is that even possible? What happened to my nest? My little birds are starting to fly---AWAY. Miles threw a FIT last Tuesday when Karson and Isaac started back to school at Plano. He was ready to go back too. I had to explain to him that his school didn't start back until next week (this week) which made him even madder. A chocolate milk and cinnamon crunch bagel later--thanks Panera, he settled down and accepted his punishment, hanging out with me all day =). Greenwood Park hosted Open House on Monday. Miles already knew his teacher was Ms. Teresa. He's met her many times before, and she keeps a constant supply of Crabby Patties on hand, for HIM.
His actual FIRST day of school was TODAY. I took a duplicate photo of the kids for Miles's first day of school. He was a cheesing machine, and the other kids gave him a thumbs UP for a good day!

The smiles were flowing for my sweet little 4 year old. He was SO excited about school.

Waiting outside with all his buddies.

Sharing some laughs before going to class.

Miles and his friend Reese~all smiles.

Hanging his backpack up on his hook.

Playing with toys in Ms. Teresa's class and catching up with friends.

All smiles AGAIN at the end of the day. We are looking forward to a super fun year at EEP!

A New Year as a Panther

I actually teared up today as I left the kids at school. I know this is a common occurrence for some, but it usually doesn't happen with me. I believe parents and children alike need SPACE from each other, it's healthy for all relationships. AND I am confident that my children are in excellent hands at Plano so my worries are small. BUT today for some reason I just got emotional on the ride home. I think one of the main reasons is because Matt wasn't there for the first time to see the kids off. I'm happy for his new chapter of teaching at South Warren but sad for the moments he'll miss, like this.

The rumor mill swirls at Plano (and every other school, I'm sure) especially in the summer. I heard some teachers were let go, I heard some teachers were moved or shifted around to other positions, I heard there were going to be split classes, this and that, that and this. I was nervous about this school year. My kids academic success is a priority for me--I want them to succeed and do well. I want them in the right class with the right teacher and in the right school. My prayers this summer became more specific than usual on the school-front. Open House was on Sunday. It's a chance to meet and greet your new teacher, fill out enough paperwork to require a hand transplant, see who's in your class and make a mad dash to Staple's for all your school supplies. I am happy to report that our prayers were answered.

Karson is exactly where she needs to be--with her teacher from last year. Her name was Ms. Pridemore last year, but she married over the summer is now Ms. Tinsley. Ms. T knows Karson (strengths and weaknesses and every in between). She told us that the teachers received an edited list on Saturday, and she said I was SO hoping that Karson would stay in my class. She also sent me the kindest email after the first day of school say, "I know you know this, but Karson is so special! She's by far the most well-mannered well- behaved child I've ever had. She kept me going on this rough first day of school. " I told her that this is the compliment every parent wants to hear about their child, and that it's my hope that her brothers follow in her footsteps.
Isaac wanted NO PART of taking a picture with his new teacher Ms. Vincent at Open House. I finally convinced him to get one shot with her, look how he's stretching as far away as possible. I know he loves her because he told us everyone who has her loves her. His heart still belongs with Ms. Rather, but I feel like Ms. Vincent will quickly become a replacement. She's been wonderful so far. I felt like I needed to email her and tell her about Isaac finicky eating habits. For some reason, lunch causes him anxiety or it did last year. Here was her response (which was quick--love that), "Thank you for this email. I ate at Isaac's table during lunch just minutes ago. I noticed that he wasn't eating the hamburger buns and asked him if he didn't like bread. He told me that he was a picky eater. He seemed perfectly fine telling me that and then going right along with eating what he wanted. I'm glad he didn't stress. I'm happy to have Isaac in my class and thank you for the kind words! We are having such a wonderful day!" Love this year and love our teachers!

First day of school photo session out front. I always get the kids 1st Day outfits from my neighbor Jenny. She owns an adorable little boutique called The Polka Dot Door. At the end of the summer, she has 50% sale which is about the only way I can buy clothes =).

There were some new murals in the school and in the gym. I love the Panther eyes that welcome you into the primary hallway.

Hard at work in their classes. Miles will start preschool next week. He was terribly upset that he didn't get to go to school this week. He and Ms. Teresa are looking forward to a fun year at EEP.

An Impromptu Trip to Orange Beach

It has been years since I've taken an impromptu trip to the beach. I remember one weekend, one summer, me, and my friends Summer, Amanda Jones and Lisa Roberts decided at the last minute to take a trip to Panama City completely on a whim. We stayed in a cheap, roach motel and had the best time. I can't say that our trip this week was anything like that besides the part about it being last minute.

Our friends The Vernon's asked us about a week ago if we'd like to join them in Orange Beach for the week at the Phoenix VIII. At the time, I kind of wanted to go but Matt didn't. Then later in the week, he wanted to go and I didn't. Funny how things change...we both decided that it was to good of a deal to pass up. Weston's family has a condo there, and it wasn't going to cost much. SO, we enjoyed some fun in the sun before school begins. After camp last Sunday, we came back home, did some laundry and loaded up for the beach. We arrived in OB around 1 a.m. on Monday and crashed.

The week was perfect. We get along so well with the Vernon's, and our kids are stair steps of each other. We ate out at the Wolf Bay Lodge on Monday night.


At WBL, it's on located on the bay so we were able to see one of the fishing boats come in with all their catch.

I must admit that Orange Beach has some of the best seafood places I've been to. The Shrimp Basket was superb (Karson snapped the above pic. of Matt and I). We ate there on Tuesday night. Prior to eating there, we took the kids over to Air Naval Base that houses the Blue Angels. The museum is completely FREE. The kids had a great time looking at all the air crafts and getting into different cockpits. Karson and Isaac also got ride in a simulator (it actually cost $5, but it supports the museum which is cool). There was a really neat area that we called "The Town" which was set up to resemble what it would've been like to have lived in 1943. The kids also enjoyed being in the living quarters of an air ship. It was simply COOL.




I did a little specialty shopping at The Wharf Wednesday afternoon. I needed to get some gifts for people and scored the perfect gift for my sister's birthday next month. Matt and Weston played golf on Wednesday and Friday. Mostly our days have been spent at the pool and on the beach. One night we went crab hunting. There's more skill required in OB than in Destin to find a crab. They don't cover the beach there, and you really have to look. We found a couple of small ones at first, when all of sudden...

Matt found one of the largest crabs I've ever seen. He was a feisty sucker. Matt trapped him with his net, and I had to take my net underneath and try to wrangle him in our bucket. I didn't have my camera down at the beach but Larie snapped a picture on her iPhone. We called him King Crab. Isaac was extra proud and decided to show it off to everyone lounging at the pool. He would just look at the bucket, look at the person and give them a nod, like "beat that, nuff said." Karson and Tucker were completely panicked by it and had to return to the room with me =).

We have done so much swimming this summer that Karson's best swimsuit is simply starting to fall apart. I got it on sale at Dillard's last year. It's such a cute suit, but seeing her get in and out of the pool this week with sagging, droopy drawers, I decided she needed a new one ASAP. Wednesday, we made an ice cream/candy run and drove down the main strip looking for some shopping. We landed at WINGS and Alvin's Island. The suits were a little more than I wanted to spend, but she needed a new one-- --plus we scored some fun water guns for the pool. Our $4.99 guns lasted a WHOLE day. We got robbed, but hey, that's what happens on vacay right?

Isaac could spend every minute of his life in a hot tub. The only bad thing about the condo was that the hot-tub was at the indoor pool which was more like a fitness pool. There were only a couple of benches to sit on, and the pool was small. The hot-tub was even smaller (looked much like a man-hole). Isaac logged many hours in the tub =).

Matt and I took the kids to Adventure Island on Thursday. A.I. kind of reminds me of The Track. There are bumper boats, an arcade, racing track and mini-golf. Like anything of that sort, we spent a pretty penny. BUT, fun was had by all.

CHEERS to golfing in a volcano.

Karson and Isaac enjoying the CYCLONE.

We decided to go eat at The Hangout for breakfast on Friday morning. We'd heard it was a neat place and that kids ATE for FREE. The breakfast was home style with bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, grits and potatoes. BUT, we really didn't go for the breakfast. We went for the show. There is a pirates and princesses show daily. Pirates run around the restaurant (even on the tables) sword fighting and showcasing. The kids LOVED it. Every kid got a pirate bandanna and gold and even got to go on a treasure hunt.

I especially thought the wish wall was neat. When you walk into the restaurant, there is HUGE wall filled with colorful paper and wishes. I wish I had known what to wish for at that moment because tragedy struck later that day.

We had decided to maybe(?)stay an extra night. We planned to leave on Saturday but were having so much fun, leaving on Sunday sounded even better. Little did I know...I received a phone call later that day from my dad saying that my Papaw Pogue had died that morning. Papaw was at the lake, Nolin, his absolute favorite place, in his truck when a neighbor found him. My mind completely left the beach at that moment, and I was ready to come home. Initially I was sad because of the way he died and thinking of my Mamaw being alone, but honestly, my Papaw hasn't felt well for years. He's been on oxygen, struggled with congestive heart failure, and had trouble getting around and has simply felt bad. In fact, Matt and I spent some time with Mamaw and Papaw at the beginning of the summer. Matt was asked to speak one Wednesday night as part of Okolona church's summer series. My point, when we arrived I went in to hug my grandparents, and Papaw told me, "please don't, please be very easy." He was in so much pain that the physical touch of another, no matter how gentle was still painful to him =(. Poor guy. When the minister (Larry Sawyer) did his eulogy today, he said, Jack has been trying to die for years. As sad as it is for us to see him leave this world, I am confident his salvation is in the Lord. AND, he is in better place struggling NO MORE. That gives me a great deal of comfort. I have been one lucky lady having all FOUR of my grandparents up until this point. SO although our impromptu trip to the beach ended poorly, we rejoice for the times we get to enjoy this life especially with family and wonderful friends. Hug someone you love today very tightly!!!