Saturday was FULL of Excitement!!!

Saturday started out with a BANG!!! Everyone was up around 9ish, and my parents and I went walking....while we were gone Davy started fixing a BIG BREAKFAST for all of us....that sweet little hubby!!!



We took my parents to see Carson's school and Davy's office...and then drove them around to look at a few of the houses we have looked at (we still haven't sold our house yet!!). After we got back...Davy started the grill and we just hung out for a little while. The boys took a great nap...and by the time we got them up - it was time to leave to head to the Cincinnati Reds game!!!




We drove downtown to the game, and all of us walked over to the stadium...as you can tell we were all decked out in our Reds stuff! The boys got mom and dad Reds shirts to wear..






Before walking in - we had to have a picture taken with MiMi and Pop and the boys....aren't they cute!!!




We had a great time at the game...it was a little slow during parts, but the Reds won 7-6 right there at the end~~~ The boys did GREAT!!! We could not have asked them to do any better!!





The best part of the game was when Carson caught (well...got hit with a foul ball). You should have seen his face!!! He was FLOORED!! He was toooo excited to cry about the pain...I think this is the most excited about a bruise I have ever seem him get!! It was priceless......and I am glad my parents were here to enjoy the excitement with us!!!

The Parents Made It....

My parents were able to come up for a visit this weekend since it was a long weekend!! They got in around 10ish last night. The boys were already in bed (watching a movie...just about asleep) when my parents got here....well you can only imagine how fast they were up out of the bed when they heard my parents!!!




As you can tell from the picture taken with Barrett....in one picture he is in the "Arkansas Razorback with Black Stripes"(as he calls it), and then he is in the Spiderman Costume --- all of this is within 20 mins. of each other!!!

Carson has become a Bus Pro....

So much for me thinking that the bus riding would never work. He loves it!!! In fact he wants to ride it in the morning and in the afternoon!!!! It is great that he enjoys it and he is doing soooooo much better with going to school, but it breaks my heart that he doesn't want me to take him or pick him up anymore.


Barrett seems to think he must change clothes every hour on the hour...so people NEVER know what to expect to see my child dressed in when we come to the clubhouse in the mornings and afternoons to get Carson!! He was the Black Spiderman this time....I think that afternoon he was a basketball player!! You just NEVER know with him!!

I will start volunteering at Carson's school next week on Wed. and then will volunteer every Wednesday after that...oh yeah...I was asked to be their class "Room Mom"....can you just imagine how excited I was --- this is one of the reasons I LOVE being a Stay-at-home mom!!!

HE DID IT....HE DID IT...YEAH!!!!

I am sooooooo proud of Carson!! He RODE the bus this morning...and LOVED IT!!! Whooohhh...can you tell I am so excited? This morning started off a little rough, but not as bad as it has been!! It was raining a little, so I drove him up to the clubhouse to meet the bus. He was a little hesitant before hand, but when he noticed Mason (a little friend he met at the pool this summer) he just lite up. The best part was....it was Mason's first time to ride too!! He wanted me to pick him up this afternoon, so I did...and he said the he had a great day!! We are slowly but surely making progress!!! On the way home from school this afternoon, he said he wanted to ride the bus home tomorrow from school....blew my mind!! Tonight, before bed...I asked Carson if he wanted to ride the bus in the morning...and get this....he said he wanted to ride the bus in the MORNING and in the AFTERNOON!!! So, we will see how things turn out tomorrow after school!!!
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Here are some pictures from the bus this morning!!!






The little boy beside Carson on the bus is Mason.

Whoo.....what a wild and crazy last couple of days!!!

We have been in full speed around here!! Between Carson starting school and me driving back to TN for class...our lives have been non-stop. Carson has had a hard time with school the past several days. He isn't real happy with the fact that he is going to school and I am staying at home with Barrett. We have had many loooonnnngggg mornings of tears with him. But I will say - Carson has moved mountains since last Friday. Between his teachers, counselors, and myself - we have developed a wonderful plan that has led to Carson coming home much happier with school. His teacher has paired him up with a "buddy" at school to help him make friends...and I got a report today that he did not cry at all today - THAT IS A HUGE improvement! If you remember, he wanted to ride the bus at the beginning of the year, and many people (in and out of the school) felt like it would be a wonderful thing for Carson - so I DID IT!! I got his information today, and he was approved to ride the bus. Well - guess what?!?!?! He doesn't want to ride the bus now!!!! We (Davy and myself) felt like he should at least ride it to school in the morning...and I would pick him up tomorrow afternoon. If he didn't want to ride the bus anymore - then he didn't have to...but he had to at least try it. So, we will see what happens in the morning. I have begged Davy to go into work late tomorrow, so that he could come with us to take Carson - but I don't think he can:( I will be sure to update my blog asap about the bus experience!!!


Today, Barrett and I had some special friends over for a play date. We had a blast. Robyn (the mother) brought her son over to play - she stayed a little while and then left Ty to play while she went to work in her room. The boys had a ball!! They were our "First" friends we have had over to play since we moved (at least to our apartment). After they left, Barrett took a great nap...and I hit the books to try and keep my head above water with my thesis!!!

The boys loved playing Rock Band and having a picnic inside for lunch!!!




After school today, we went to Wal-Mart to get the boys their Halloween costumes (I know it is early, but we didn't want to wait until the last minute...and they were on sale). And...Carson completed a book series (reading the books out loud to me) so he was able to pick a reward prize (and that is what he wanted). I decided if I could kill two birds with one stone...I should do it (a reward and their costumes all at once).

A day with Barrett.......

Thursday morning after we dropped Carson off at school (by the way....Carson had a great day Thursday...I think he is going to love it) Barrett and I came home. Well....that didn't fly with Barrett. He didn't understand why we were at home with nothing to do, so he found us something to do in the HEAT!!!

First we got the tractor out, and rode around the complex. The people that work here...just laugh at us when they see us...they usually come out and greet Barrett (I think it is to see what he has on today...they love it!!).

When we came back....he wanted to do the same thing on the 4-wheeler, so we did! But I had to run beside the 4-wheeler...it goes faster than the tractor.

If you notice in the picture below, Barrett is wearing baseball cleats. He found them in a box, and has had them on ever since (even during naptime). We met some friends at Chick-fil-A for lunch, and Barrett had on his cleats...everyone was talking to him about it, and his answer was..."I'm a Cincinnati Reds not Barrett!"


Oh...and how could I forget this! On Wednesday, Barrett wanted me to practice letting him bat with the hitting stick. We did that forever, and my arm was hurting....Barrett (with sweat running down his face) wants to continue. So....I rigged up a way that he could continue to practice without me having to hold the stick. He loves it!!!!

Carson's First Day in First Grade....

Carson's Slide Show from the first day....

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Well.....We made it through the day! Carson did sooo well this morning - I - on the other hand - was a basket case!! But as the day went on...the better I got!! Barrett and I enjoyed some time together - we went to Starbucks, Wal-Mart, and then we came back and hung out playing outside. We had a great day!

When I was trying to dig stuff out of him about today...he said he enjoyed his teachers and made friends with 2 little boys. He gave me a note he had written to me. It said - I love you Mommie - I asked him if he wrote the note...and he said no, that a lady in the cafe. had because he wasn't feeling good! I asked him what was wrong, and he said...the note I left him in his lunch box made him sad...and that he was at school for a long time today! I could have DIED!!!!! I had put a little note with a Spiderman Sticker in his lunch box this morning....I never DREAMED it would upset him. I apologized to him, and told him that I wouldn't do that again!!! I think over all he had a great day, but I think it is going to take a little time for him to get adjusted to #1. a new school, #2. new friends, and #3. being away from me!! He was soooo tired tonight...he was still use to taking a 2 hour nap everyday. Oh well - I think that by this time next week....all will be fine!!

After school, we went to Pine Hill Park to let the kids play. They had a ball!!! It was soooo hot (well 88...I know it is nothing compared to TN).

We LOVE Mrs. LOVETT

Whooooo...it is hard getting back in the swing of getting up, dressed, fed, and on the road for school. We all left together to go to Carson's Open House...it was nice to have Davy join us today! I know it meant a lot to Carson for both of us to be there!! The nice thing is - I will not have to get dressed up every morning - unless I will be volunteering that morning - they just want you to drop them off at the door. They requested that we not walk them in - not even on the FIRST DAY!!! That will be really hard for me!!


We all went to Carson's Open House this morning to meet his teachers (yes...he has 2 classroom teachers). Mrs. Lovett is his "main" teacher, and Mrs. Culp is the other teacher. They team teach...their class is considered 80% Open (meaning that they close the divider 40 min. in the morning and in the afternoon. They have been team teaching for 25 years in 1st Grade. This is Mrs. Lovett's 30th year - and you would think it was her first year...they are just so excited about teaching. I was thrilled to death...b/c we all know the experience I had in 1st grade!!!

This is a picture of Carson and Mrs. Lovett....


Along with gym, art, music, and library...they also have a Science Lab once a week and Spanish Class once a week (I hope he doesn't come home wanting to communicate with me in Spanish...here again - we know my skills in that area too!!). He seemed really excited today when we met all the teachers - he seemed excited to see all the other boys and girls. Mrs. Lovett also brought out Star Dog (a stuffed dog that plays a HUGE part in their classroom). There classroom runs like a community would run (I don't know a whole lot about that yet). I am just excited to know that Carson is going to have a great year this year!!!

Here is my BIG 1st Grader!!!


Well, I learned today that Carson was the only Car Rider in Mrs. Lovett's class - everyone else rides the bus! That is still just wild to me that EVERYONE lets their kids ride the bus. Carson really wants to, but I begged him to at least let me take him the rest of the week - and we would think about it!! His bus would only be K-1st graders...not all grades which made me feel a little better, but still a BUS!!! The teachers also asked that we not bring them to the classroom tomorrow - we just let them out at the door. They said there would be plenty of staff members to get the kids where they needed to go. I think I am more upset about this than Carson. I will probably be a basket case tomorrow!!! It has really hit home that I will not be with Carson everyday at school, but on the flip side of that...it is Barrett's turn to have me all to himself!! He needs that time too! Carson has grown up so much this past year...and he is ready to branch out - it is ME that is having trouble letting go! He has started getting in the middle of groups of kids and making new friends...he isn't as shy about it anymore - that really makes me feel better!! Just say a little prayer for him (and me) that everything will go o.k. and that he will have a WONDERFUL 1st Day of School :)

Carson's New School

Carson will be attending Mason Early Childhood Center: http://www.masonohioschools.com/school_cpages.aspx?schoolid=8&cid=138
This school is 2 years old and very nice!!


Today (Monday), we went to Carson's School for New Student Open House. I thought it was a "come-and-go" type deal, so as usually I was running late! We got there about 15 min. late - and the principal was speaking to all the parents. After the principal finished speaking - the students (and parents) went on a scavenger hunt around the school - locating the various classrooms where they would be going this year (I thought that was really neat - but I got VERY LOST - even with a map!!). After each student finished their card - they got a special prize for completing the scavenger hunt. Tomorrow, we will have the real Open House - where we will meet his teacher and the other students in his room. And then Wednesday will be the first FULL day of school for Carson!!! He seemed to like the school, but was a little quite (I don't know if it was because he was nervous or because he was tired).

Carson standing outside the school doors...yes, I was one of those parents I use to make fun of when I taught school....oh well, this is my baby we are talking about now.



Here are some pictures from the scavenger hunt....






In this picture, Carson is standing outside his classroom....


What would my day be like if I didn't have a crazy picture of Barrett in it somewhere?!?!?! Well, today is no different. I needed to run a couple of places after dinner, so the boys stayed with Davy. When I got home....I returned to THIS!!!! He was just as happy as could be running around the place laughing! What will we do with him?

Hummmm....I have a little catching up to do!! Where to begin?

Thursday's Family Movie Night at the Clubhouse Theater...
We were able to reserve the theater this past Thursday night, so the "Family Movie Night" was back at the Clubhouse Theater!! I finally remembered to bring my camera with me to take some pictures. Our feature that night was Transformers...




Fun on Friday....well, if you call cleaning house and doing laundry fun....

Friday, the boys and I cleaned the house...yes, the boys have been given yet another "chore" to help out around the house. We have added the chore of cleaning their rooms to their list! They thought that was a lot of fun....we will see in a couple of weeks what they think. They really did a great job - Barrett washed everything (and I do mean everything) with a wet cloth, and Carson dusted all the furniture - and Barrett helped out too with the dusting. We really had a great morning. I plugged in my ipod to the speakers in the living room, and we enjoyed singing and playing around as we cleaned. I wish I had taken some pictures of the boys singing to Josh Kelley and the soundtrack from Mama Mia...it was priceless!!!

Here are a few pictures to the boys cleaning their rooms:







Now showing....Star Wars - Clone War:
The new Star Wars movie came out on Friday, so we all went to see that Friday night. When we walked out....there were some people dressed up as some of the characters from the movie. Carson wanted his picture taken with them, but Barrett wouldn't do it!! I will have to say....I have seen my fair share of action movies for a while - between transformers and then the Star Wars - Clone War movie...that is just way to much action for me!! But of course my boys and husband LOVE THEM!!!


Our new fun "family game" --- Rock Band!!!!
After the movie, we had some reward bucks and gift certificates to use at Best Buy before they expired, so we went to Best Buy....well, we found "Rock Band"....need I say more? For those who don't know what Rock Band is....it is a game that you play on either your PS2, Wii, or X-Box360. You have a guitar, drums, and micro-phone - and you have various songs that you play with the band. We LOVE IT!!! Davy and I played it until 1ish last night, and then the boys and Davy played it this morning!!! It is addicting!! I am not crazy about video games - unless they require some "brain usage". I love the Wii sports games, and I love Rock Band. Rock Band requires some major use of hand-eye coordination. Tonight, we all joined in....Davy and Barrett were playing guitars, Carson was playing the drums, and I was singing (yes, I know what yall are thinking). We had a blast. Once the kids went to bed....Davy and I played some more!!! But, this is something that we can all do together - and something that Davy and I can enjoy together!!! So, mom and dad....get ready to be challenged to some Rock Band when you come!!!!

Look at my "Rock Band Heroes"! Carson and Barrett thought they were BIG stuff!!!











Saturday, A Day at Coney Island for Davy's company picnic:
We enjoyed a wonderful day at Coney Island with Davy's company. We had a wonderful meal, played some fun games, got some great door prizes, and then spent the remainder of the day enjoying the rides!!! They boys LOVED all the rides. Carson and Barrett are not afraid of ANYTHING!!! I am so glad...they are just like me!! There were some rides that Barrett was not quite tall enough to ride, so Carson's friend (Jordan - a daughter of a co-worker) rode with him. Barrett and his friend (Ashley - the younger daughter of the co-worker) rode some other rides!! We all had a great time. Coney Island reminded me a lot of the old Liberty Land park...well maybe not as bad as Liberty Land - but the same type rides.

Here are the boys playing some games before lunch...Barrett hit the hole the first time, and Carson hit his too!!! They got $5.00 gift cards to McDonald's - guess where we went for dinner?



Here are some various pictures from different rides we rode:





Did you see the yellow cage like picture...that would be Carson and Jordan riding that ride that the cage goes around and around!!! I was sooo proud of him....just like his mother!! We should have a BLAST in Disney World!!!



Wooohhhh....I am going to have to do better about blogging every night!! I didn't realize how much we had done the past few days until I started blogging!!! I will have to say this....I am a very blessed mother and wife!! My husband and boys are the light of my life!! I have really enjoyed being able to spend great quality time with my boys during the day (and Davy when he gets home)...it does get a little hairy sometimes, but it has been wonderful to spend such quality time with them before school starts. Carson will begin school next week, so I am sure that our lives will become CRAZY WILD, but the great thing about it is....I will not have to worry with being a teacher, mother, and a wife....I will be able to just focus on being a mother and wife!!!! Boy, that sounds good - doesn't it!!! God has really taken care of us!!!! Well, until next time....we love you all!!!