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!

Down Where It's Wetter

Yesterday's post was all above-water photos, but I did drag out the underwater camera too. Although, I've been frustrated with my results with it lately. It seems like I used to be able to get nice, clear photos that were fairly easy to color-correct in PS. But this summer they've all been cloudy and really weird colors that are hard to fix. I've tried shooting at different times of day and right after the pool has been cleaned and nothing has helped. BUT, I still love shooting underwater and not surprisingly, the boys love doing "tricks" for me to photograph. They love looking at the photos after. So it's still fun for all of us!

It's kind of hard to tell them apart underwater with their matching suits. Even for me! But Logan is wearing the neon green goggles and Ethan's are blue. 

A Few Swims Left

It's the beginning of August...and actually, last year we were starting school around this time. This summer, we have TWO extra weeks! If the boys weren't getting along so well, I might be more ready for them to go back to school. But, I know that's coming, so I'm content to enjoy this for another two weeks!

We inflated a couple of inner tubes I got at Target and the boys loved them. 

Logan borrowed some of my sunglasses in our pool bag, but Ethan brought his own. They floated first thing when we got to the pool...and it lasted less than 5 minutes! Ha! They can't stay still for that long!

They've been playing games with the Pixar pool toys we have. They bring a chair onto the shallow shelf and play on and around it. Even when I listen in on their games I'm not totally sure what they're doing...but I am totally sure that it's really cute and imaginative!

Of course there's some launching of the toys and swimming out to rescue them...

Ethan almost always claims Woody...it's his favorite. And Buzz is still Logan's favorite too. 

When they started using the tubes as water bumper cars, they could not stop giggling! 

And falling over! 

Then they started trying to jump into their tubes. 

Success about 90% of the time...which is pretty good. Watching them have fun in the pool is SO different than when they were little and attached to me like barnacles. Of course those days are sweet...but so are these.