First Day Of School

Today was Natalie and Nathan's first day of 3rd and 1st grade. Up to this point every first day of school has been filled with such emotion for me (and them). Natalie's first day of Kinder, then the 'wow- she is already in 1st grade'. This was followed by my baby starting Kinder.
This year has been a new feeling. While I did look at them this morning all dressed in their new outfits and thought- 'wow, they are getting to be so big!' But I was not that scared momma, wondering how will he know how to tackle the lunch line. Or what if he gets lost in the hallway and gets scared. I knew that they would be great. So, I did not have the same emotions. No tears were shed, no butterflies in my tummy. I knew they would have a great day and I was happy for the new relationsships they would make, the education they would gain and the stories they would come home to share with me.
Both were tucked into bed by 8:00. Nate went right to sleep. Natalie stayed up until about 10:00 thinking everything through. She is her momma's child. She was worried about the unknown. Questions of what will we do for the day, who will I eat lunch with, I wonder if we will change classes, etc.. She is my child what can I say?
Nate woke up at 5:30am came in my room and said- It was hard to sleep. I asked why and he said he wanted to go to school already!
So, now a new school year is upon us. I am so excited for Natalie- as she enters into 3rd grade. I am very interested to watch her learn new things and see how she takes on the challenge of testing this year. I am looking forward to watching Nate grow more this year. Last year - it was so fun to watch him blossom socially and watch him as he learned to read and write. I am excited to see their minds grow and blossom this year.
I pray that they both have a great school year. I pray they both make lifelong friendships and I pray that they both grow and learn as much as their little minds can absorb.

Soccer, soccer, soccer....

It is time for Spring Soccer. Nate had his first game on Saturday. He has been so excited all week. I don't think the soccer ball has left his feet since practice earlier in the week. He has dribbled the ball all over the house and the backyard. He has played soccer at kids klub several days this week and from the minute he walks through the door after school he is asking someone to pass with him.

I love that he loves soccer. It is a sport that I understand. As a mom, I don't worry he will get hurt playing soccer. Just wait until he comes home and asks if he can play football. I will say yes....reluctantly! Paul can't wait for that day! I grew up in a house where the boys played soccer. I did, too...but not for long and not seriously. I enjoyed it. But let's face it- I am not the athletic one in my family! Although, I would like to point out that I could shoot a soccer ball like a superstar. I got a huge award for it and invited to meet Pele- one of the greatest soccer players of all time! Okay- I had my moment to brag. Back to the real Blog!

It is funny that I am so excited about Nate getting serious about soccer. Because when I say the boys played soccer- they did not just play the one game every Saturday. They played serious soccer. Traveling. Tournaments every weekend. I remember thinking that it was the worse thing in the world. They played EVERY weekend. All Weekend long - rain or shine. And the smell in the car after they played in the rain all day- UGH!
I think, as one of my friends mentioned, we had enough soccer growing up watching our brothers for two lifetimes.
But I guess it is just familiar to me. Because I could not imagine him not playing! I may cringe if he gets very serious and decides to play on a club league. I have major flashbacks of that nightmare. But as a mom- we just do what is best for the kids. And group sports are great for kids. So, we would hop in the car and spend our weekends following Nate to tournaments and Natalie would be writing this same blog years from now! LOL
He had a great game this past weekend. He played like a super star. He had a huge cheering section, which made him very happy. He scored 1 goal and came close to scoring another. He has a great team and great coach. The kids all really got in and were competitive. He is finally at the age that the skills are working and they get it. They understand the point of the game! I am so excited to watch them progress this season!

A trip of a lifetime

Wow. It is still hard to believe that we are in the middle of January 2011!

So, I owe everyone a blog about Disney, Christmas and a New Year's blog. Yes, I am behind. So, this will be my Disney Blog! I will apologize now. It will be long. It was just so much fun!



Disney World was a dream come true. I will not lie it was exhausting. And we literally would crash the minute we walked into our room every night. But I am not sure words can even explain how much fun we had every minute of every day!!

Let's see it all began nice and early on Sunday morning in the freezing cold and rain- as Paul discovered that packing a car with all of our luggage, two kids, a Dog and the dog's kennel would prove to be a huge challenge. But we got it all in (packed like sardines) and we headed to Austin to meet his mom. We Dropped off the dog and his belongings and headed to the airport. We were bursting with excitement! This was after all the kids first plane ride. The kids went through security and off to our terminal like pros! We expected a long wait at security - which did not happen. So, we had a long wait for our plane to depart. But we watched planes, ate a snack, colored and time went fairly quickly. Both kids got window seats and were excited with the take off. After that- I think flying was really no big deal to them. Not quite the big deal I was expecting. But it was great. We had a few rough spots on the flight. But the kids did not even notice.




We landed in Orlando on time. And just in time for the coldest weather they have had in a long time! And it was VERY cold! We were prepared! Disney took great care of us. We did not have to get our luggage- we just caught a Disney bus to our resort, check in was smooth and we were in our room within an hour! The kids love to stay at hotels and this was a resort- so they were thrilled! Our plans for the park were not scheduled until the next day - so we headed to Downtown Disney for dinner. Along the way it was revealed that I forgot to pack Elle. Natalie's stuffed Elephant that she can not sleep without. So, we made a quick detour to one of the Disney Stores and picked up a Minnie Mouse that would have to do until we got home. So, of course Nate wanted something, too. $50 later - they each have a new stuffed animal! We ate dinner at Planet Hollywood and then headed back to the room. We were Exhausted!

Monday morning was the day I had been dreaming of for a very long time. The day I had played over in my mind a million times since I started planning the trip. Magic Kingdom. And it did not let me down. We started the morning with Breakfast at Chef Mickeys. And that was amazing. Great buffet style breakfast and all the characters came right up to the table and took pictures, signed autographs. It was a great start to the magical day I was planning. After that we headed to Magic Kingdom...Yes- I teared up as we walked in and saw the Castle in the distance and I saw the excitement in the kids. Luckily it was so cold. You could not tell if it was tears of joy or fromthe painful wind :)






While at Magic Kingom- we saw parades, rode rides, watched fireworks and saw the electric parade. The first day there was very cold. Although the park was open late- we stayed until around 10:00 and could not take the cold anymore. It was 28 degrees out and that was just more than we could handle. We bundled in blankets to watch the parade and fireworks. Drank lots of hot chocolate. Took advantage of the short lines for some of the more popular rides. Even rode Splash mountain two times without having to get off the ride to go again. Because no sane person rides a roller coaster that involves water when it is freezing outside. It was a blast. When I planned this trip I envisioned Tea Cups and Dumbo rides. I was certain Natalie would overthink the rides and be scared or Nate would be too young. But that was not the case at all. It was Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and every other big kid ride we could find. Paul and I loved that they were riding the rides we loved, too. We must have rode Apce Mountain 10 times.
The castle is just gorgeous at Christmas time and the electric parade is a favorite childhood memory of mine. So, I was a little emotional as I sat with my children and watch it. This is another moment that I had played in my head. I had such vivid memories of the electric parade. Again, it was just as I remembered. I watched my kids sit and enjoy the parade and they LOVED it. I don't know if it will be a favorite memory they will have. But I thought I sat here 25 years ago and LOVED it. I looked at my kids and thought one day they will be sitting here with kids of their own and thinking they sat here with Paul and me and now they are making their own memories. Such a wonderful moment. The firework show 'Wishes' will bring you to tears. Beautiful display, gorgeous music and such a great story. Dreams do come true. And I was living one of mine with my children!





After two days at Magic Kingdom. We headed over to Epcot. We had breakfast with the Princesses, rode Soarin' (which is a great ride- but very long wait), the kids loved the Nemo adventure, Crush Show, The test track ride and Nate enjoyed going inside the famous Epcot ball. We met up with my Cousin Kim and her husband and we watched the IllumiNations show on the water. We got to see a rope drop ceremony and Nate even hugged Minnie!

Our Breakfast with the princesses is every girl's dream come true. While Natalie met all the princesses. Her favorite was Belle. We started the breakfast with meeting Belle and she was able to get an autograph, take a picture and even got a souvenier photo in a book to take home. I think the trip could have ended there and Natalie would have thought the trip was complete!
We must have walked 1,000 miles throughout the week. But we got to see every park and experience so much that Disney World has to offer.






The next couple of days were spent at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. The biggest thing we learned is our kids are afraid of nothing and they want to ride everything. We rode the Hollywood Tower of Terror. One of the kids favorites. Paul and I thought once was enough for us! They loved Rockin Roller Coaster and we rode it several times. They rode Mt. Everest a few times and we loved the Bug's Life 3-D show. The kids thought the Dinosaur ride (rated for kids) was the scariest ride there. Funny thing is...it was very fake and yet it really scared them Crazy!! We went to the Pixar area and did the Toy Story Mania ride. It was a blast and was one of the rides Nate looked forward to the entire trip. We got to meet the Toy Story characters...even the Gren Army men. We watched stunt show and took a back lot tour. The kids loved it all. I was surprised that they never complained. We even did the Hall of Presidents show at Paul's request. I thought the kids would be bored. Natalie came back and included that in a paper at school as one of her favorite moments! We saw Beauty and The Beast performed and the Fantasmic Show was the best way to end our time at Disney. It was a great show and we all really enjoyed it. Paul had talked about this show on Water he saw. But we could not figure out what it was. FANTASMIC was the show he had remembered. I was so happy we were able to re-live that memory for him. The show was great. Unbelievable is more like it. There was no better way to end our time at Disney! We ate Egg Rolls at the Yeti restaraunt...delicious. Ready to go back for those! The weather warmed up during the last couple of days. So -we even enjoyed the famous Mickey Mouse Ice Creams! We definitely did not go hungry. From breakfast with the Characters at Chef Mickey's, Breakafast with Pooh and Friends, Dinner at Ohana's to snacks throughout the park...we were always well fed!







At 7 years old and almost 6 years old I really thought that the kids would be too old to have a magical experience. That the character would apprear fake or less magical and that they would not be amazed by the beauty in every moment. But I could not have been more wrong. From the minute they saw the characters they were so excited. They entered the park and were just as capitavated by the wonder of Cinderella's Castle and just the buzz of being on Main Street in the most magical place on Earth! I seriously think every day was just as magical as the day before. Every day we were all just happy to be there. We loved every moment and just felt so happy to be sharing in it as a family. Natalie waited as Nate stood in a line to meet Buzz and was so excited for him. Nate sat through a breakfast with princesses and understood that it was a moment for Natalie. I was so proud of the kids and think it was in retrospect the perfect age to take them. They did not scream when they saw the characters like many kids did. And they were so patient and happy through very long days!

While there is so much more I can write about. We had so much fun. The kids had a blast and we are already talking about our next trip! It was so much fun, it really is a magical place. Kids of all ages (including both me and Paul) see the magic. It really was a trip of a lifetime!

Dancing and a Feast

Natalie loves to put together dances to perform for us. This is just a recent one that she did.



Nate had his Thanksgiving Feast at School today. They did several songs and poems for us. But I think this was their favorite because they got to shout "Bears and Buffalo better watch out!"



This one cracked me up! "I am not here for living, I'm here for Thanksgiving!"



Some pictures from the feast

Fall Has Arrived

We mark the start of Fall when the weather changes (slightly) and the pumpkins arrive. Since the kids were babies, we have taken pictures in the pumpkin patch. Some of the first pictures were baby pictures in Halloween Costumes and as they get older- I try to atleast get a cute shirt on them and snap a few pictures. I don't know for how many years I will be able to do this. But I will keep trying until they are old enough to protest, I guess?!?
This year we were excited to have our new puppy join us in the pictures. I was not sure about my sanity when we adopted him. But he is really such a sweet dog and has quickly become a part of our family. There was a cat wondering the pumpkin patch and everyone was giving him attention- so while distracted for pictures...I don't think he minded the trip one bit!

Since moving to College Station, The Aggie Habitat for Humanity Patch has become our place of choice for pictures. The kids get so excited when the pumpkins arrive. And since they are unloaded at the church across the street from the exit of our neighborhood- there is no way to miss them. We always buy atleast one pumpkin...as we think it is a good cause to support!

The kids will be actually decorating their first pumpkins by themselves this year! We can not wait. Paul and I carve pumpkins every year. The kids have helped in the past- but this year- we all have our own pumpkins and the kids are so excited and ready to decorate! Pictures are soon to follow!!

In the mean time- here are our Pumpkin Patch pics:

Aggie Football

I am not sure if there is anything that we love more in the Fall than Aggie Football. It is a tradition in our house if the Aggie's are playing we are watching! We love when we get to go to the home games and we enjoy sharing it with the kids. Maybe it is in part that we want the kids to fall in love with A&M the way Paul and I did. But really, is anything better than Aggie Football?
We took the kids this past Saturday to the game. It was actually the first game Nate has been to since he was a baby. Natalie has been to quite a few games. I hope that they grow up and say - I remember going to the Aggie Football games from the time I was born and just knew that I would be an Aggie some day :) We can hope for that atleast, right!

Nate loves when they Whoop and looks for any occassion to Whoop! Natalie just likes it when we all stand and sing and sway back and forth. She looks forward to that! We all love watching the Aggie Band!

The game was a blast and we look forward to a great Aggie Football Season!! Whoop!!

Sorry, Nancy- I know you are reading this and already plotting ways to convert them- but I think the Aggie genes are just too strong!!

A few pictures from the game

Gig 'Em Nathan



Paul and Natalie enjoying the game



Natalie says Gig 'Em Ags!



Nate and I watching the Aggies BTHO SFA!

New School Year...New Rules!

The first day of school was yesterday and the kids did great. The drop off went smoothly. Both kids were very excited about school. I read Nate the Kissing Hand Book the night before and I think it was harder on me to read than him to hear! I could barely get to the end with out big tears! His teacher read the book to the class, too. So, that was neat- because he already knew the story! He said he did not make any friends. But knows a boy named Jeremy and a boy named Jackson. This morning I got the idea that maybe he made more friends than he thought. Because Jackson would not let his mom leave until Nathan was there:)And when he sat down a few friends immediately said Hi Nathan and were excited to see him. That makes a momma feel good! We love his teacher. Mrs. Henry seems like a great fit for him. He actually reminds me a lot of Mrs. Hayes (My Sister-in-law's mom, who was also a kindergarten teacher). Mrs. Henry seems to have a very calm attitude. She is very sweet and attentive and we love that she is a little more experienced than some of the other teachers. We hope this combination will work well with Nathan! He said Kids Klub was a blast and he was definitely ready for day 2! So, now I just have to adjust to this new big boy I have in the house.
Miss Natalie....the rules have changed!!! 2nd grade is so different than 1st grade! Shopping for clothes was an ordeal. She has an opinion on everything and the days of me buying clothes and mix and match outfits are OVER! Getting dressed for the first day was an ordeal. I learned that 2nd graders do not wear dresses to school. Oh Heavens...What was I thinking. They wear skirts- but not dresses! I must have lost my mind!! She opted to wear capris and a t-shirt. Mostly because her first day of school outfit she decided to wear to meet the teacher night and her 2nd day outfit she wore to Church Sunday! As we entered the school and went to the kindergarten hall- this is a scene I am familiar with- CHAOS!! Kids crying, lots of people, Moms teared up- teacher at the door greeting students! I felt at home. As we left the kindergarten hall and venture toward 2nd grade I was entering a new world- new rules - this unfamiliar calmness! Natalie informed me that I give hugs outside the door and Moms do not go in the room on the first day- and most importantly NO pictures with the teacher...What ?!? No one informed me of such new rules!So, as a good mom- I hugged her at the door, snapped a quick photo (without the teacher) and let my big girl walk in the room and to her desk all alone. Paul and I did sneak a peak as she went in, though! Natalie said her teacher is very Nice and she did feel like the new girl. But a 3rd grader helped her learn her way around and she has met a few people that she thinks might be good friends! She said she likes her new school and thinks it will be a great school year!
So, as a Mom- I guess I have to just put it all in God's hands and let them spread their wings and fly. My baby is a kindergartner and learning so much! He is a Big boy now at a Big School. My Precious little girl is even more independent than she has always been. She is growing right before my very eyes. I am going to embrace this year as a new experience and I guess learn the new rules of being a mom to a 2nd Grader as we go along for the ride! But most importantly, cherish every moment- as time just flies by us all!!