Look out 3rd grade!

J had his first day of school today. He was more nervous than usual to start this year. For one, the 3rd grade classrooms are in the "big kid" wing. K-2 halls are on one side of the building, and 3-5 on the other. We used to have to fight those big kids walking through the BK wing down through the halls into the small fry wing. Well, now he is one of those big kids. In more than 1 way. He grew about an inch this summer and is 1/2 size away from wearing men's shoes.

He was also apprehensive about his teacher. This year he will have his first male teacher, and the only one that I know of at the school. I must admit I was secretly hoping he would be in his class just for a nice change. Third grade was my favorite year of Elementary school, and I want his experience to be positive. He came home today with loads of enthusiasm. In fact, his first words were "I LOVE 3rd grade!".

J just outside school

J with BFF Brendan

3rd grade rocks!!!

(Thanks to Amanda for the pics!)

America's next top model!

Check out this pic taken by Auntie Shell. Proof positive that she needs to be a professional photographer, and E needs to be on the cover of magazines...

Scenes from a 2 year old's birthday party

The cake

The B-day girl

Ready for swimming!

Cute pic!

Josie wants little bro!

One of E's favorite gifts was this picnic basket set from friend Nate.


And these!!! I'm a movie star!

E's bff Josie

E's first princess doll

Let's sing "Happy birthday" to me!
Mmmmm...green frosting

Can we make it through the 'terrible twos' now???

Look who is 2!!!

Well, today we have graduated from having a grade-schooler and two toddlers to having a grade-schooler, a pre-schooler and a toddler. I got the email a few hours ago from babycenter that says "Your pre-schooler: Managing emotions". I thought...wait...I don't have a pre-schooler!
We had a few pre-birthday festivities that mostly involved family since there are 3 August B-days in our family. It started with pizza at Peter Piper. Then the girls went to the American Girl doll store. If you haven't seen this fad, it's pretty hysterical. Today we took E to her first spa day at the place she gets her haircut. They painted her toenails in a shade of bright pink that E picked out on her own. Then they did a nice expensive updo, that E quickly ripped out the moment she got home. I think she loved being the center of attention, and getting all pretty. She flashes her nails any time she sees someone new!

Her real party won't be until this weekend...how fun ill that be? Odd that we will be facing a rain-out in the middle of August in Texas, but he temp is supposed to be below 100. What more could we ask for???

Getting polished!

I love this chair! Can we take it home Daddy??

Hey lady! You are interfering with me driving this plane!

The updo

Happy B-day to me!!!!

Girls at church for E's Bday blessing.

Yummy donuts!

On our way to the American girl doll store.

As you can see they both have AG dolls.

Hannah outside the American Girl Doll store

E putting her baby in her own stroller. (Nana bought a doll stroller at the AG store so now we don't have THAT problem)

E eating pizza last Friday

Iz can't wait for pizza!


Nana and Papa with their girls

Cedar Rapids Mission Trip

I never got around to telling you all about my Mission Trip. Sorry, the Olympics are on and school is just around the corner. I am trying to clean out the old, bring in the new, and organize despite it all.

A dear friend of ours, Ted, grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There was a big flood, and thousands were displaced. Families, businesses, organizations, churches...the entire downtown area was affected. We went to help with the gutting portion of the rebuilding phase. They actually call it "mucking". There is a good reason for that. Most houses up there have basements....ick!

Our team of 11 gutted two houses over 2 days of work. I have tons of pictures, but don't have a lot of time to post, so I will let you watch the video I made of our trip on your own time.

I was astounded by the devastation. There are no words to describe the feeling of seeing the magnitude of loss and destruction. Most of these pictures are my own, and some were shared from the other group. Ted has promised to take pictures of the restored homes on future visits to his home town. If I can remember, I will share them with you when that time comes!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

GO TEAM USA!!!!

I am a HUGE Olympic swimming fan. I used to swim in high school, but also my brother was on competitive swim teams as long as I can remember.

Last night's Men's 4x100m free relay for the gold was the single most exciting swimming event I have ever seen in my life!!!! We rock!!!!!!!!

And now J wants to swim "like they do in the Olympics". Sweet! That is a sport I can handle him playing. Pretty low n the injury risk!

I'm getting a little verklempt...

I returned home late last night from a mission trip to Cedar Rapids, IA to work on the clean up efforts due to the devastating floods. More about that will follow later...along with pictures.

When I walked in, I was greeted by 3 happy children, drawings from each one, a "Welcome home mommy" sign, and a dozen red roses. Hmmmm, I should go away more often! The girls had to quickly go to bed since it was after 9pm, but they were eager to hang out this morning with their mommy.

E was sitting on my lap facing me, just patting my face and said (crystal clear), "I missed you Mommy!". I nearly teared up. How sweet was that? I missed you guys too!