We Back The Pack!

Well... football season officially starts for the NCSU Wolfpack this Thursday night when we play South Carolina! Since moving, we have met quite a few USC fans... but we, of course, BACK the PACK! James actually called me this afternoon to inform me he was offered a ticket to the game this Thursday - just one, bummer. At least we will be heading to Raleigh for two home games this year (can't wait to see everyone!) James & I actually met at NCSU our senior year... and the rest is history. Here are a few pictures I wanted to share from Halloween last year!

Even Baron knows who to pull for!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

It's official... school is in! Today was Jessica's first day of 3rd grade and Jaycie's first day of Kindergarten! Last night, Jessica was nervous and Jaycie was excited! Yesterday, we packed bookbags and three paper bags full of supplies (they wanted to buy lunch - pizza - so no lunch boxes today)... then I realized there was no way I could carry everything in, get the girls to their classrooms on opposite ends of the school, take pictures (you've got to do that), AND keep up with Jamie & Jacob while 800 other kids/parents were doing the same thing! Fortunately, James was able to go in to work late this morning... so it was just me and the girls, off to school!

Our morning started early... Jessica's alarm went off at 6:15. She was quick to rise and actually quick to get ready (she is usually slow at getting ready)... she wanted to beat Jaycie. Jaycie's alarm went off at 6:30 and she slept right thru it. We woke her up and she would have been happy to roll back over and go to sleep... but once her feet hit the floor, she got ready quickly (which is normal). They were both excited before we left.

The girls chose their own outfits - Jessica had to have a horse shirt!

The girls get a hug and kiss from Daddy.

At school, we took Jessica to her class first... she has Mrs. Fowler. Jessica reluctantly gave in to my photo requests, gave me a quick good-bye (no kiss this year, just a hug), and then gave me a look like... "Mom, you can go already." Jaycie was next... she paraded through the halls like a pro! Her teacher is Mrs. Greenwood. Jaycie happily gave in to my photo requests, I got to help her get situated, and I got a hug & kiss good-bye! When I got up to leave, Jaycie looked a bit worried (for the first time during this process)... I asked her what was wrong and she said "Mommy, I don't know what to do." It made me wish I could sit with her and hold her hand all day. I got her started on the puzzle her teacher had given her and then promised her that Mrs. Greenwood would let her know what she was supposed to do. Then, she worriedly asked... "But mom, what if she asks me to spell a spelling word and I don't know how?" Sometimes, having an older sibling at school doesn't necessarily make it easier! I reassured her that there would be no spelling words today - then she smiled, relieved, and was good to go! What a cutie!

When they got off the bus this afternoon, Jaycie was all smiles and ran home... sharing all the details of her day. Things like... there are 2 slides on her playground, she met lots of nice friends, she shared her pizza with a friend (I told her she needs to eat her own food!), everyone in her class is a little bit taller than her (but we agreed that there were perks to being the most petite!), recess was her favorite, she didn't like quiet time but her teacher told her she didn't have to go to sleep, they read "The Kissing Hand", she brought home homework for ME to do (really), she LOVED the bus ride, and she can't wait to go back tomorrow. Jessica has always been a little more reluctant to give details... she answers only what you ask. But, she likes her teacher, met new friends, and had a great day. I am so glad they both had a great first day!

Fortunately, I think both girls have great teachers... very nice, warm & inviting, and organized! I just hope we don't get too much homework in 3rd grade!

On a side note... I got a call from the twins' preschool teacher today. There are 2 other kids in their class with nut allergies and the teacher is actually allergic to peanuts, too! So... the class will be completely NUT FREE!!! What a relief... the teacher and director completely understand what precautions need to be taken and my little man will be safe!

Our Last Summer Beach Trip

Our last trip for this summer was to visit Geri in Murrell's Inlet, SC. The first day we got there, it was a downpour all afternoon... much to my happiness. It gave us a chance to relax, catch up, and not feel like we had to run out the door to go somewhere! It did clear up that evening & we had perfect weather the rest of our trip. We were able to go to the beach for a short walk every evening...

Ready or not... here we come!

They did sit still for a minute...

Jacob is definitely a character... if he looks like he has something mischievous on his mind, he usually does!

Moonrise over the ocean!

We went alligator "watching" every evening... the twins favorite! Jacob would run around saying "Don't swim that water... alligator bite you!" But he loved watching from the walkway...

We also spent some time at the pool. Jessica swims like a fish, literally... underwater almost the entire time. Jaycie refuses to go completely under but she did learn to tread water and did so for 20 seconds. Jamie spent her time jumping off the edge and "swimming" around in the float. Jacob is not fond of water on his face... or getting in water where he cannot touch the ground. So, every time so far this summer we have gone to the pool, he refuses to leave the steps. He is happy as a clam playing on the steps... but this time we actually convinced him to jump off the edge! Once he realized we were going to catch him and he wouldn't go underwater, he would do it without holding our hands... a big step for him!

Our last day, we went for a picnic and a walk out into the marsh on the board walk. We had a relaxing day!

Geri & Jessica enjoy their picnic lunch.

Geri & the kids on our marsh walk...

We had a nice, relaxing time! Jamie & Jacob slept almost 3 hours each day for nap... and I took a little siesta every afternoon, too! Thank you, Geri, for a fun & relaxing trip to end the summer!

A Week Back Home

The kids and I spent last week back home with family and friends. We had a great time... but we are exhausted. We did VBS at our old church... the theme was Cosmic City and the girls had a blast. Me & Tammy were 3rd grade leaders (Jessica's crew) and had a blast catching up... I miss you, Tammy! The twins were in the nursery and not very happy about it... Mom stayed home on Friday and kept them with her... they were relieved not to have to return to the nursery. Mom did bring them for the closing ceremony Friday afternoon and they loved watching their sisters sing.

Me & Tammy prepare to blast off at Cosmic City VBS!

Madison & Jessica

Jaycie experiments at science lab during VBS!

We also caught up with friends at lunch & met a couple of new babies friends have had this summer (yes, I got my baby fix)! One evening, we were able to go to the rodeo. We took the girls every summer, but this was the twins first time... Jacob's favorite part was the John Deere tractor. He did say he wanted to ride a bull... I quickly informed him that he would never get to do that ;) Donnie & Linda were able to meet us there (my godparents)... it is always nice to see them! Fortunately, we will be able to see them some this fall b/c we will be able to make it to a few home NCSU football games (GO PACK!).

Papaw, Nana, and the kids before the rodeo!

Jacob keeps his eye on the tractor before the rodeo.

We also celebrated birthdays... mine, Shelly's (my sister), and Sydney's (my niece). Sydney is changing so quickly and we miss seeing you guys on a regular basis... for Shelly's birthday, I gave her a frame with pictures of Sydney I took back in May when they came to visit. We babysat Sydney one night and I was able to snap some pictures... I have had a hard time keeping that quiet.

My favorite picture... Sydney at 9 months old (May 2008)

Finally, this weekend was a chance for the girls to spend time with their best friends. Jaycie had a sleepover with Emma... her best little buddy since birth. They really miss each other (Shannon has the pictures on her camera, so I can't post them). Then Madison was able to come have a sleepover with Jessica while Jaycie went to Hannah's 6th birthday party sleepover. The girls had a great time with their friends!

Jessica & Madison strike a pose...

Thank you, Mom & Jim, for taking great care of us all week! Jacob still talks about his monster truck he picked out with his Papaw! I am sure it will be what he talks about the whole trip up next time we visit... so keep it in the prized spot on the toy shelf!

We had a really nice time... but were happy to come home and sleep in our own beds. I am exhausted and trying to catch up on some much needed sleep before we leave tomorrow for our last trip of the summer... back to the beach!

A Fun Day on the Water

We spent a fun day at the lake with our neighbors, Troy, Londa, & Hunter. We all had a great time... all of the kids took turns on the inner-tube (except Jacob), the adults got to ski (James & I are a bit sore today... not quite used to using all of those muscles!), we had a picnic on the boat, and had fun swimming & hanging out. Jacob preferred being in the boat vs. being in the water... but Jamie loved being in the water. Jessica, Jaycie and Hunter had a blast playing together. Hunter spent most of his time doing cannon ball jumps into the water, he is such a cutie! Jaycie ended up falling asleep on the boat and again on the ride home. Thanks Troy, Londa, and Hunter for such an awesome day!

Jaycie & Hunter... getting ready to go "super fast" on the boat.

Jamie waited patiently for her turn... it was worth the wait!

James & the twins on an adventure.

Jaycie, Hunter, & Jessica catch a ride... Jaycie was wiped out!

And she ended up asleep on the boat a few minutes later...

The kids and I are leaving today to spend the week back home with family & friends... we will go to VBS at our old church! We are excited to get to see many of you!!