First Day of School 2016-2017

This year, the boys started school on August 23 - 2 weeks later than usual. So we had 2 more weeks of summer, which we were all grateful for. It seemed a little strange to be starting so late but I really couldn't imagine having started two weeks ago!

Ethan is in third grade and Logan is in Kindergarten. They were both ready for school to start and to see their friends. I am so glad that they have always transitioned fairly well into school each year. They are always a bit tired and not used to the routine for a couple of weeks, but there is no major drama.

I love watching them walk into school together. Usually I'm in my car in the drop-off line, but this time Casey and I were following behind them. 

Third grade classrooms are upstairs and this is Ethan's first year to have a locker. I didn't know about the lockers until 2 weeks before school started. They don't have locks yet, but the kids are just keeping their backpacks and lunches in them. 

We did not do any elaborate decorations (like some people), but Ethan did want a few pictures. We used magnets to attach them to the inside of the locker door. He was pretty thrilled with it and I thought it was sweet that he wanted photos of us in there. His favorites are the photo with him and Logan on Santa's lap and our family photo. 

Ethan was happy to discover that he sits right across from one of his best friends, Koren. He is also #1 in his class this year (they each have a number for organizational purposes). 

His teacher, Ms. Smalley, is new to the school this year, but seems really nice. 

She took a family photo for us. It was pretty quiet in Ethan's classroom when we dropped him off. I don't know if the other families were dropping off younger children first or if they are not going inside the classrooms anymore at this age. I will go in and take photos as long as Ethan will let me!

Sweet brothers saying goodbye before we left Ethan's classroom.

We headed downstairs after wishing Ethan a great first day. Logan was really proud to show daddy the way to the Kindergarten classrooms, which he remembered from last year. 

He is #1 in his class this year too (even with a "C" last name), so his backpack and lunch are in the first cubbies. He knew just what to do to put his stuff away before sitting down. 

Logan is also seated at a table with one of his best friends, Asher. Let's hope they don't get each other in trouble or they won't be sitting together for long!

Logan was all-business, picking up his pencil and getting straight to work on his worksheet. 

Mrs. Huxham has been a Kinder teacher at Legacy for a long time now and we are looking forward to Logan being in her class. 

He didn't even look back when we left. It's always a bit crazy on the first day since the school is crowded with parents and eager students. But we left without any tears this year (from us - the boys have never cried). It felt strange for the Kindergarten transition to be so uneventful, but I'm kind of glad it was. Since Logan went to TK last year full time, this year just wasn't a big deal. 

They both said they had a great day when I picked them up. They were a little cranky - probably tired - but it was nothing that a fresh chocolate chip cookie couldn't fix!

Crazy Sand

The boys got some crazy sand for Christmas, but I tucked it away thinking that it would make a great activity during the summer if it rained or if they were needing something to do. Well, I almost tucked it away too well and forgot about it. Here we are - the last week before school starts - and I just remembered the sand. It IS supposed to rain today, although it hasn't yet, so I guess my original purpose held true. 

This sand feels very much like real sand, but it sticks together well just by itself without water. It's great for molding and building and the set came with a tray and some tools. We had two sets, thank goodness. No sharing necessary.

They brought down some of their cars and Lego mini figures to play in the sand. 

Ethan kept all of his colors of sand separate, while Logan mixed all of his - naturally. 

They both had a great time and played for a long while out there. It was really pleasant weather today - not hot at all, which is crazy. And they were far more creative in their play than I had expected. 

Logan had a bit of trouble with this sand mold, but he finally figured out how to pack it tightly enough that it would retain it's shape.

The greatest thing about all of it was the clean-up. I poured the sand from the trays together into a gallon sized baggie, had the boys collect all of the toys, and then just folded up the black table cloth and threw it away. As for the sand on the boys, it brushed right off. Perfect. 

Logan's 6th BirthDAY

Logan's 6th birthday was last week. We always do a donut breakfast for birthdays and the pink glazed ones are his favorite...

I loved how Ethan was excited for Logan's birthday too. He asked to take a photo with the "birthday boy." Cuties!

Still shy about having "Happy Birthday" sung to him!

Sometime shortly after breakfast, Mimi and Pop called to Face Time Logan and sing to him too. You can tell by his face that he's not thrilled by that at all!

Right after breakfast we headed out to the YMCA to meet up with friends for a quick workout...and then swimming at our neighborhood pool! After we were thoroughly worn out by swimming, we picked up Casey from work and went to Petra together for lunch. They have some of the best queso, which is one of Logan's favorite things, so it seemed appropriate for his birthday lunch. I guess I stopped taking photos after we left the house that morning! But, it was such a fun day with friends and family all celebrating our Logan James turning six!

Summer Stuff

I have some random summer photos that I thought I'd just share in one post. They're all from this week.

A couple of days ago was laundry day. It started pretty early...you can see Casey eating breakfast in the background of the photo. So, this was first thing in the morning.

They've been putting their folded clothes away for me for some time now, but folding the clothes themselves has just happened recently. Logan says he "loves" folding clothes, although on this particular day he was not as enthusiastic about doing it all by himself. Ethan has been less thrilled with this new responsibility, but on this day he was fine with it...since I said boys who fold their laundry get their iPad time. Funny how that works. Either way, it got folded and put away and I didn't have to do it! 

As much time as we've spent outside already this summer, this is summer too...movies and popcorn! 

Wherever there is popcorn, there is Duke hoping for a bite.

They were watching the second Harry Potter movie this time. 

During the Quiddich match, the movie became interactive. They paused the show and went upstairs for their broomsticks.

Then they flew around the living room chasing their golden snitch. Love it. 

Meanwhile in my office...Duke was getting cozy with his mini me. Logan had left his stuffed puppy in my office and on a whim I put it in Duke's bed. He came over and sniffed it...and licked it. Then he circled around his bed once and laid down right beside it. 

This morning, just as the boys were headed outside, they asked for popsicles. Why not? They are a couple of crazies, though...

They've tried the grape and orange flavors. So far, Ethan likes all of them, but grape best. And Logan only likes orange! Crazy kid. 

I don't know what was making Logan laugh (probably something Ethan said), but they sure are cute. Right after this, they had an argument...and then went on to play outside together for almost 3 hours. 

I've pretty much left them to their own devices this summer. I've always insisted that they find things for themselves to do...I am not a cruise director for their free time. They are used to it (and really good at it) because it's always been that way. Even when they were babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Sometimes I plan fun activities or outings, and we have a rough schedule (that includes reading, chores, and yes...iPad time), but mostly they just find things to do.

Summer Goals: Swimming

I took my big camera to the pool this morning when we went swimming. One of my goals for this summer was to swim as much as possible. We are off to a good start.

I love these cuties. And the fact that they swim on their own. It's the best!

They usually start out with some jumping...

I love that the water is clear enough to take photos through.

I can't get Logan to use his arms consistently when swimming...but he sure does get around the pool just fine!

I love this shot of them talking and planning their next move.

Often they look synchronized...

I was watching Ethan swimming off to my right and then Logan called my name to watch him. Then I caught this photo of him getting out of the water. I love it. 

It never fails...ALL of Ethan's "crazy" faces involve sticking out his tongue. 

Ethan said, "Watch mom! I'm going to be Superman!"

We brought the pool noodles this time. They swam around on them and invented a game called "Disney World." They swam from ride to ride in the pool and even said some of the catch phrases they heard time and time again on the rides when we were there over a month ago ("please keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times"). This totally cracked me up because I remember doing this exact same thing when we returned from our Disney World trips when I was a kid. 

Off to another "ride"...

This was part of one of the rides too, but I can't remember which one. 

My favorite photo of the day...