Homework

The kids have been in school about a month now but I really wanted to remember what the first few weeks were like.  It wasn't pretty the first week.  Devin had so much homework I thought I was going to have a mental breakdown because it was so frustrating to get him to do it.  No joke I was sobbing to Shawn on the phone on the third day because I couldn't take it anymore.  It can be very difficult to get Devin to do something if he doesn't want to and he did NOT want to do his homework.  It took him an hour to write 4 sentences.  I even wrote out what he should write so he could just copy it but man it was rough.  I dreaded him coming home because I knew it would be such a struggle.  Caroline on the other hand didn't have much homework and being the type A personality she is I never heard her complain about it. (well mostly) I'm just glad Graham didn't have any that first week or I may not have survived.  Fast forward to now and its gotten better.  Its still a long process every night for Devin but now that he's in the swing of things we are in a much better place. This year is going to be very tiring.  All we have is school and then piano lessons once a week and I'm so beat by the end of the day.  On the bright side this year is flying by, only ten more months!

School 2015 Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th

After what felt like the longest summer ever the kids finally went back to school on August 24.  I was very ready for them to get back to a schedule and get them out of this tiny cramped place we are living in. I really thought I would be racing out of the school and crying tears of joy when I dropped them off but I didn't.  I was so nervous about them making friends, feeling out of place, and eating lunch alone that I cried a little after dropping them off.  It was all for nothing.  They had a great first day and it made me so happy!

My "first" baby is in kindergarten!  Graham was the baby for so long I feel like I have two babies.  His teacher is Ms. Fitzsimmons, she's new to the school but so are we so it should be a good fit.  He was literally jumping up and down at kindergarten orientation and I told his teacher he's energetic but a sweetheart.  He is so excited to learn!

Poor Devin had a rough start to the day.  On the way to school he tripped over the terrible sidewalks that are there and because his backpack weighed almost more than he does he feel right on his face scratched up his glasses.  He was fine but I felt so bad for him.  He has Mrs. Bertsch for math and science and Mrs. Batista for reading and language arts.  He told me he made a friend after the first day and my heart almost exploded with happiness. He's so shy I just want everyone to know what a great kid he is.

By the end of summer this girl was so ready to go back.  She was a little nervous but mostly excited to start school.  It was so funny to see the girls on one side of the room and the boys on the other, welcome to forth grade people.  I don't know how she got so big!  I love how much she loves school, wish I could say the same thing for myself.  The girls in her class made her feel very welcome and she loves all her teachers.  She rotates for all different subjects and likes the different teaching styles of each.  I have been told that 4th grade is the best at this school and I'm thrilled Caroline gets to experience it!

George's Birthday

I am really trying to not give up on the blog.  But I can't let George be the only child that doesn't have their first birthday recorded.  With each kid the parties seem to get smaller.  I feel kind of bad but I do not have the energy or desire to plan parties.  Its not my thing, I did make cupcakes and we visited Shawn at the hospital because he was on call of course.  I'm really hoping in the future we will do more but I guess we figured hey he's one and has no idea what's going on if we are going to slack off it should be now.  We do love little George despite not throwing a huge party for him.  He was walking before he turned one and loves to play with anything but toys.  He has so many toys but I usually find him running around with a remote or pencil or something I thought was put out of his reach.  He LOVES Caroline and is so happy when she gets home.  He doesn't really like to snuggle and if he doesn't want something he will shake his head no and say, "un un" which is his word or sound for no.  If its too quiet he loves to scream and make noise to let everyone know he's still around.  He is such a sweet boy and we love having a baby around.

He did quite a number on his cupcake. 

I think he liked the frosting the most.

The four crazies. 

Swim Lessons

Our place here is tiny so I decided swim lessons would be a great way to get out of the house and keep the kids from drowning over the summer, a win-win.  We just did lessons through they Y because they were inexpensive and close by.  I pretty much got what I paid for, the teachers were not organized for the first week but the kids enjoyed their teachers and wanted to go so I'm happy with the results.  Caroline didn't really need much help but she is a great swimmer now.  Devin improved but still isn't as strong as I'd like.  Graham did way better than I thought he would.  He doesn't have the best form but he stays above the water by sheer will power.  It was hilarious to watch.

Caroline learned lots of fun stuff and may want to do swim team in the summer.

George was a champ and played the entire time.

Devin was so sad his lessons were over because he loved his teacher so much.  

Graham was always excited to show me what he had learned. 

Graduation

June was a weird month.  Shawn was finishing up work the kids and I moved down to Dallas then Shawn went back to Nashville to finish his last month and then I flew back to Nashville for his graduation and he and I drove back to Dallas.  I'm so glad I was able to fly back for graduation.  George and I arrived in the morning and once Shawn picked us up we headed to Sam's Club to pick up some treats for the road, then headed to lunch.  Our friends the Millers had let Shawn stay at their place once he needed to be out of the house, which I am so grateful for.  It was much nicer than staying at a hotel and I got to see friends one more time.  After the Miller's headed over to the Maile's house and hung out with them since we would be staying with them that night.  We hung out Heather gave me my first pedicure and she did my hair too.  Frank and Heather are awesome and always make us feel right at home.  Shawn and I met up with his parents and headed over to the graduation dinner.  The dinner was at a new venue and I was a bit skeptical at first but by the end I thought it was the best graduation ever.  Years past the dinner went on so long and it was exhausting.  This year everything was much more streamlined and a lot more fun.  Anyways the food was great and we had a good time and most importantly Shawn was done!!

Just before leaving for dinner.  This is probably the most grown up Shawn and I have ever looked. 

My parents were able to come as well.  We didn't get to hang out before the dinner but it was so nice of them to come.

The graduates Shawn, Travis, Sheyan, and Justin.  

Finally one with all the parents! 

And the 5th years with the guys they helped train.  It was such a fun night, but man I'm so glad its over!

Houston Visits

The best thing about Dallas is being so close to all our cousins here and down in Houston.  We've already been down twice and had a blast each time.  We swam, played with cousins, swam some more.  Its been so great.  We are soaking up as much family time as possible this year.  

George was all too happy to sit and eat pizza while the big kids swam.

The Peterson girls were so sweet and gave George lots of attention. 

Oh and we had donuts at every chance possible.  I LOVE donuts.

Beautiful Siena hanging out at the beach club.

Asher and Devin had lots of fun swimming together. 

Oh and the best part of one of the trips was seeing a movie with my siblings.  I may have fallen asleep during the movie but it was still fun.

Bethany sure knows how to treat her guests!  

And the unexpected buddies Devin and Charlie really hit it off.  Love these cute boys, we are so excited to be at his birthday party this year. 

Summer Fun

In the short two weeks Shawn had off between his board exams and work we tried to squeeze in as much fun as possible.   So we planned a trip to Six Flags and spent the day there.  Since its really not possible to take George on anything Ashely was kind enough to take him for us for the day.  We got there before the park opened and left around 5.  We were all so worn out by the end of the day but had a great time.  Graham was even able to go on a few legitimate rides.  His favorite was the Shock Wave which has two loops, he felt so big and made sure to have his hands up as much as he could.  Caroline and I went on one of the bigger rides there, Mr. Freeze.  Its a short ride and goes 70mph in a few seconds.  It was fun but holy cow my neck hurt so bad the next day from all the rides and getting jerked around all day.

We were already insanely hot when we walked into the park so we got wet on our first ride.  

Shawn and the boys riding around.

We even went big and bought food there.  Holy cow its so overpriced but we had a good time and it had air conditioning.

Devin and Caroline were riding buddies most of the day.  

It was hard to get pictures of anything but I did remember before getting off of a ride.  We were so wiped out by the end of the day but had a great time.

We also went to Clyde Warren Park that is above the freeway close to downtown. 

It was really fun and the kids loved playing in the water and climbing all over anything.

Devin was in heaven.

George was happy a hanging around in the stroller.

Caroline and Shawn played some chess.

And the water was so welcome because holy cow it is so hot here!

We had lunch from the food trucks and enjoyed getting more familiar with the Big D.