First Day of School

Not only was this a big year because Gaines was starting school, but I decided to put them in a new school that is closer to our house. We have loved having Woody at Peachtree, but it is far from our house. I just didn't want to fight the traffic five days a week. Not only is their new school closer, but Woody was able to get in the four day a week program (as opposed to five.) I like having one day where we can stay in our PJs a little longer!

Fuuny Story:: Gaines was so mad about his "shorts." I love bubble shorts, but he wanted big boy shorts like Woody. He kept trying to pull them down to his knees. Sorry buddy!

Look how Woody has grown!

After a summer of endless snacks, they were so hungry when they got home! They both cleared their plates and asked for more!

The school wants you to use carpool, so I wasn't able to speak with their teachers. Gaines's teacher called me and said he did really well on his first day. He played well with others and didn't hit or bite anyone! However, she said by the end of the day, he was over it. He wanted her to hold him and he kept trying to go to sleep. He took a long nap on the first day.

Woody's teachers posted these pictures on his class website.

So sweaty after playground!

Also, the face you get now if you ask him to smile. What a natural!

He talks about the Science Station a lot. He says it is his favorite.

I feel like he has been doing really well with the new routine. He is always happy to go to school and happy when I pick him up. I am proud of him for dealing with the change. Last Tuesday was his first "tough" day. One of his teachers brought him to my car during carpool and said there were some tears thoughout the day. He hadn't slept well the night before, so on the way home I asked him if he wanted to talk about it now or later, and he said, "Later." That afternoon, he told me his friends picked up his puzzle before he was ready and some "big kids" (I guess the 5/6 year olds?) came to the playground and made him feel scared and he fell of the swing. He is so innocent and part of me wanted to laugh about what made him cry. It is a constant balance between wanting him to mature and not cry over the small stuff and wanting him to stay so sweet and tender hearted. 

He told me Wednesday that he cried at school again. His teachers are so sweet, and emailed me about what happened. Again, very minor things, so I don't know why he is getting upset. Brooks and I are meeting with them next week about how we can best support Woody. Thankfully, yesterday he happily told me that he didn't cry.

I hope they both have great years. I have prayed so much about this change and their teachers. I just want them to be happy, but I know in the end, it is my job to help them grown into kind, well-rounded children. That means there are some times where they won't be happy. I try to tell them everyday that when they are scared, upset, or mad, they can always talk to Jesus and He understands. They probably have no clue what I am talking about, but maybe it will set in and they won't be like their momma and have to wait way too many years before they figure that out (even though my parents did a fabulous job teaching me!)

Last Day of Preschool

Last Friday was our final day of preschool for K3. It is a bit bitter sweet. I love summer and having a more relaxed schedule. However, we have loved our past two years at Peachtree, and are sad to see this phase come to an end. Next year, Woody and Gaines will be at a closer preschool. As much as I will miss Peachtree, I won't miss Buckhead traffic!

Back to Woody's final day... I tried getting some pictures in our yard, but the boys were busy waving and talking to our neighbors walking by, so we took some at school.

Deep thoughts about spending the entire summer with each other and Momma

Gaines's outfit was only slightly stained from blueberries at breakfast

His room moms are amazing. I should probably sign up one year to be one. (Spoiler: It won't be next year.)

Gaines was going wacko trying to get to the snacks. Luckily,  I knew Woody wouldn't want to eat any of it.

But Peepers did!

Woody's Face...

Maybe he did want his snack. 

Happy with his little umbrella. He thought it was hilarious.

#thelittlethings

Comparison Picture!

One thing Woody didn't master this year was looking at the camera. Good thing he is so smart with everything else. And apologies Woody that your little brother made his way into both pictures.

Cheers to Summer!

What We Have Been Up to Since Disney

I'm so glad I have already failed on my New Year's Resolution to be a better blogger...

Woody returned back to school. He had to miss the first three days due to Disney World. We still don't know if he is going to be right handed or left handed.

Gaines loves the fact that Woody has gone back to school. Only child for the win!

Woody likes to go to sleep with his closet light on, and then I turn it off when I go to bed. He won't sleep under his covers. I love sleep stalking him!

But when he wakes, he prefers to sit on his dad's head

 Gaines and Winnie have become the best of friends

 And Lucy doesn't need friends

It snowed and everyone (except Momma) was happy

 Everyone loves Daddy!

Woody had grandparents' day at his school. My boys are so lucky to have four amazing grandparents. IT was during the week, so Mimi and Papa couldn't make it, but Nana and Gran were there to celebrate with Woody!

Gaines has been obsessed with his leash/harness since Disney World. He really wants someone to hold the leash part and drag him around. I finally had to hide it, because we will definitely need it again when we go on vacation!

So, during our first year of marriage, Brooks and I went to Miami during my Spring Break. We didn't realize it was also during Easter. While we were at the beach on Easter Sunday, I found this rosary in the ocean. I thought it was so cool that we found it on Easter. It always hung by my mirror in our townhouse, but in the move to Patches, I thought it had been thrown away. One night, while Brooks was away on business, I was cleaning out the basement. It had been a very hard day, and I was an emotional mess. I opened a box, and there it was! I love God Winks!

(Me and Laura)

Two of my best friends are twins (Laura and Susannah), and they will be 30 the end of February. Laura's little girl will be having her first birthday the end of February, and Susannah is due with her daughter the end of February too! So Susannah surprised Laura with a surprise birthday party the end of January. It was so fun!

Some of you know that at the beginning of December, we listed our house for sale (using a company that is basically like doing For Sale By Owner.) Our intentions were to back up and head out more to the suburbs where one of Brooks's offices is. After two months, and over twenty showings, we had no offers. I felt very discouraged, because I love our house and neighborhood and didn't understand why other people didn't. Then one weekend, we made the decision that we just weren't ready to leave Patches. 

The next Monday was a beautiful day, and it was like a sign that we had made the right decision. I mean, look what is basically in our backyard!

Yep, Gaines sat in the mud

I was looking up rompers and sunsuits for Gaines when I stumbled upon this gem. I have lots of friends who are having baby girls that might need this!

The terrible Hand Foot Mouth Saga...

The first weekend in February, Gaines started acting really whiny. He wasn't sleeping well and had a runny nose and lots of drool. He had a little bit of a fever, but nothing extreme, so I figured it was a cold. On Tuesday, Woody spiked a fever, but he kept saying his throat hurt. He was really upset, so I took him to the doctor. His fever was 103 degrees, and the doctor said his throat looked infected and thought it was strep. However, the strep test came back negative. Well, when we got home, I noticed that Gaines had a slight rash on his mouth. It almost just looked like dry skin. His feet had what looked like mild acne, and he had just one spot on his hand. 

 Since Woody ran a fever on Tuesday, I kept him home on Wednesday. He was ok as long as I gave him Motrin.

(Playing on Wednesday)

(Now during this week, Lucy broke out of the yard twice! And it was super cold. Once she got into the local middle school, that was locked doors, and was roaming the halls. The second time I went looking for her, couldn't find her, came back home where she was happily waiting. Anyone want a Jack Russell Terrier?)

Wednesday night, Woody started getting a rash. However, he has really bad eczema, and it looked like an eczema outbreak. My sister had told me that if you do have HFM, there is no antibiotic for it, so I wasn't going to waste another co-pay to go in and tell me there is nothing they can give me.

No co-pay? Ha. Ha. Ha....

Thursday, Gaines smashed Woody's fingers in the door, taking the skin off. We went to CHOA, where they confirmed they were no broken, and indeed my kids had HFM. Awesome.

Woody's leg on Friday

While at the ER, I had a break down. This parenting stuff is hard. I felt like a terrible mom and that nothing was going right. I called my parents and burst into tears. They are so sweet, and told me they would be in Atlanta by the end of the day, but I sucked it up and told them I was ok.

Well, Monday Brooks was having to go out of town, and my dad didn't want me to be by myself after the previous week. So he drove to Atlanta to keep me company and help with the boys. Is that not awesome?! We had the best time, and I am so happy he is retired and can come visit more often!

And my boys are obsessed with him. The sobbed when he left!

Whew! Long post! I will try not to wait so long again. I have to go though since my kids are raiding the pantry....

Woody's First Day of K3!

Doesn't he look so grown-up? I love how Gaines made his way somewhere into most of his brother's pictures.

Those loafers! Eeek! Thank you, Sister, for having great style and giving us your hand-me-downs!!

Sorry Gaines, you have one more year until you join your brother...I asked.

Reading the ABCs

"Go away, Momma!"

He was supposed to find his name and put it on the attendance board.

But he also decided to help some buds skip school and put their names on the attendance board. You're welcome, Gray.

Playing with his pal, Hagen. They were in the same class last year and are in the same Sunday School class. Hagen also lives on the other side of our neighborhood, so they are good buds!

Not my best picture, but I sure do love this boy! Hope you have a great year, Woody!