Back to School

I wanted to do something different this year. An old friend of ours had posted something on Facebook about a tradition they started to help get her kids excited for the school year. I thought it was a fantastic idea so I started planning something very similar. It will just be easier for me to copy and paste what I put on Facebook:

The girls are off to school tomorrow. We thought we'd start a new family tradition and held a special back-to-school dinner tonight. Over the past couple of weeks we've talked about possible themes or family mottos to use for the year. We had a hard time narrowing it down to just one, but in the end we all agreed on: "We Can Do Hard Things." Tonight we set goals for the year (individually and as a family). We talked about how each one of us is faced with trials and challenges .... but we can overcome those things. I saw a quote the other day that said, "One of the hardest decisions you'll ever face in life is choosing to walk away (from your fears, insecurities, challenges etc.) or to try harder." We will choose to try harder ..... because "[we] can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us]." (Philippians 4:13)

 

The first day of school for the girls was August 31st (which means they go until the middle of June).

Both girls had a great day and both are happy with their teachers and have great friends in their classes! Allie was most excited to have her best friend in her class. Avery was most excited to know that she can look out her classroom window and see her old teacher in her classroom. I think they will both have a great year.....their last at Feltwell Elementary (and the longest they've ever been in one school!)

Blake's first day of school was September 3rd.

He went back and forth between being excited for school and definitely NOT excited. All this week he was definitely not excited. He looks fine in the pictures but he was so nervous, did not want to go and was begging me to let him stay home. It was soooo hard to take him. He was crying and I just kept thinking that he doesn't really need to go, there is no need to put him through this if it's not something he wants to do. Derek thinks I baby him too much, which I do.....because he's my baby. And deep down I know that Blake needs some social interaction with kids his own age and, at the same time, I need some time on my own. It was hard to leave him as he was crying and again begging me not to go. I told him I would walk in with him and stay for a little bit. One of his teachers tried to get him to sit with her and put together a puzzle, she could tell he wasn't to keen on that so she suggested to play with the trains. He immediately shook his head yes and walked over to the trains with her. He kept looking back to make sure I was still there. He seemed content playing and she gave me the nod to go, so I left. I thought about him ALL day! I was hoping that he was having a great time. I was so happy to see him when I picked him up and even happier to see that he was happy! He was so excited to tell me all about his day and about his new best friend who's name he still doesn't know. He asks to go to school everyday! He is only going twice a week. I'm starting to think I might send him another day for 1/2 a day. (we get 15 free hours and are only using 12 of them right now) Some days he will ask why I didn't pick him up at lunch time, but I think that is just because that was when I would pick him up last year. Technically the kid is supposed to be at the big school going to Reception (British Kindergarten) but I couldn't fathom sending my barely turned 4 year old to all day everyday Kindergarten!!

Happy Birthday, Blake!! {4}

Oh my handsome! Cannot get over how adorable this boy of ours is! And his personality is pretty amazing too! Just love him to pieces! Also cannot believe that he is FOUR!

This was the first year that Blake has had a birthday party. I probably should have let him invite more people now that I think about it. We'll be somewhere new next year and won't know anyone so probably no party again. He did get to have 2 of his best buds and their families over though. And I know that he had a great time!

The Andreasens actually stayed all day while their Mom & Dad had a date! They were away for most of August so my kids were thrilled to see them and spend so much time with them. Because it had been so long since they had been together and we had a big pirate ship obstacle course in the back yard everyone was very easily entertained.

So much so that Derek was able to take a quick nap.

Happy Birthday, Blake Emerson!!!

 

August Shenanigans

We went to a wedding......

 

The aftermath of a nearly 4-hour Mrs. Kautz/Sammi playdate.

The weather finally turned nice this month. We had a lot of gorgeous days, which meant lots of outdoor play time!

A couple of trips to London -- taking advantage of our last opportunity for the 'Kids Go Free to London Shows in August' deal. 2 days of shows, turned into 3 because one was at an outdoor theatre and got rained out. (First day of shows in previous post -- we went on Avery's birthday)

Day 2 shows:
Dinosaur Zoo -- we were able to get up close to the dinosaurs after the show, but all of my pictures are sooo blurry.

 

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

We had dinner that night at Rainforest Café and celebrated Blake's birthday.

Our monkey on the train

It rained off and on all day this day so we spent a some time in the British Museum, the Science Museum and the National History Museum. I think the kids enjoyed playing in the rain more than the museums though.

Day 3 show:

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Our new favorite! It was so good! The kids were very excited for it and were singing "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" most of the car ride down. They were really getting into it. I did take a video of Blake and Avery singing it but they were kind of camera shy. They were spoiled at the show. During the 'Barn Raising' part one of the actresses came up and gave them cookies as she was singing. So fun! During intermission the people behind us gave them a bag of sweets! I think it was pretty apparent how much they were enjoying the show! :)


Walked in to find Blake reading to one of the baby dolls one night. I said, "Blake who are you reading to?" He said, "My baby. She going to sleep." Then he quickly added, "It's a Dad book!!" I think he was afraid I would think he was being too girly for reading to a baby. :)

Blanket sniffing twinsies

Spent a couple days down south. Went to Beachy Head to see the White Cliffs.

Avery working out as she walks. :)

We spent the rest of the day in Brighton. It was a cool city. Reminded us of California with the boardwalk and all.

We didn't ride any rides, but they had a lot of fun in the arcade.

Hotel fun

How they slept. This wasn't the worst either. There was one point where Blake was turned completely around and Avery was all the way up against Allie. She always takes up the entire bed!!

The next day we started making our way toward Rye. There is a beach in that area called Camber Sands that looked really nice. Lots of sand (which is hard to come by here) and even sand dunes! It was a HOT weekend and perfect of the beach. Only problem was, I think EVERYONE else had the same idea --- and same plan for the same beach. We were stuck in traffic for hours and were barely moving. Last minute we decided just to go home. Kids were not happy because the beach is what they were most looking forward to. I pulled up my phone and just searched for a beachy looking area on the map and made that our destination point. Ended up working out perfectly. Hardly anyone there, super shallow so the water was warm. We actually got to swim!!!

Lastly, some family pictures. It was Sunday and I was so tired so I took a nap after church. Well, Derek woke me up because there was some beautiful lighting out on the freshly plowed field behind our house. He knew how much I had been wanting to get a photo with the rolled hay bales. He also surprised me with a new tripod!