SUMMER INTO SCHOOL

August and September were jam packed full of fun, friends & family.  We attended birthday parties; went camping; hung out in our new pool until the twins grew gills!

AUGUST
When August rolls around, that means it's time to start scheduling all of the "back to school appointments":  hair, dentist, doctor, etc.  At their dental appointment it was time for expanders for Delilah and extractions for Jett.  But, first, comes the X-rays:

 Early in the month Rich & I had a day-date with Kevin & Angela.  We spent the day having lunch & hitting up a winery and a distillery or two.  We love spending time with these dear friends!  (While we were doing that, Jett & Delilah spent the afternoon with Grandy!)

Rich took the Twins and his mom, Chris, on a quick, 1-night camping trip to Guadalupe State Park.

August ALSO means back to school supply shopping.  The kids still enjoy going to the store to shop for their school stuff, so we all load up, head to Walmart and hunt down each item.  It also probably helps that Walmart gives kiddos free cookies.

Mid-August in Texas feels similar to living on the surface of the sun.  So, other than swimming, the best way to beat the heat is to find stuff to do INDOORS!  We did a few arts and crafts, watched our favorite baking shows & had family game days.

Since Jett couldn't finish his baseball camp in July, due to the Stingray injury, he attended another sports camp at Revo Sports.

Trying to postpone the end of Summer, we went on one last camping trip, with the Strottners & Carroll's, to Kerrville. We had such a fantastic time lounging in the river, eating al fresco, and enjoying one another's company.  The kids love the Jellystone resorts because of the awesome pools and water slides.  The adults love it because there's so much for the kids to do that it allows a little down time for Mom's & Dad's.

Another birthday celebration for sweet friend, Sylvia Lewis, at Rebecca Creek Distillery.

In great appreciation for all that our school & teacher's do, we "stock the breakroom" full of snacks & drinks!  Jett & Delilah love being a part of this and enjoy helping set everything out.

Such excitement for Meet the Teacher.  This year, 3rd grade, is a little different for the kids as this is the first year that the students switch classes.  So, they ultimately have 3 teachers, but Ms. Dodson is their homeroom teacher.

 Squeezing out every minute of Summer that we possibly could, we had a final evening of Swimming pool fun with the Ruston's.  Water, floating, pizza & friends were exactly what was needed to send off Summer & begin the new school year.

 We have always known that Rich (Daddy) was a special guy.  But, seeing his image on television, after delivering a brand new baby, was quite something for Jett & Delilah!

To celebrate the fantastic Summer that we had had & the much anticipated first day of school, Rich & I took the Twins to Main Event for an afternoon of fun.  We bowled, played games & even faced our fears on the tight ropes.Then, we hit BJ's for a late lunch and an amazing dessert!

THE FIRST DAY OF 3RD GRADE:

After kissing the kiddos goodbye & sending them off for a great day, the parents hit the annual Chick's Boo-Hoo Breakfast for a few Mimosa's.

 A fabulous first day of school means ice cream at Spring Branch Store!

We celebrated my 51st birthday twice this year!  Once, with friends, at dinner in New Braunfels at an Italian restaurant, Genarro's!

We rounded out August with a Labor Day get together at the Harkins home.  Jett & Delilah go to school with their son, Alexander, and they always love spending time with friends.

Some extra photos from August:

SEPTEMBER
September brings Labor day & for us, that equals time by the pool & friends!

BACK TO SCHOOL & back to  home work.  One afternoon, for Math homework, we had the Twins play a dice game of multiplication for M&M's.  Jett won the game but it was fun for all of us!

To celebrate my birthday with family, we went camping in Fredericksburg.  The Strottner's joined us and it was a weekend to remember... swimming, wineries & relaxation!

 

Delilah ran for & was voted in as the Student Council Representative for her 3rd grade class. I always enjoyed my days in Student Council and it looks like Delilah does too!

The days quickly came where Delilah had to have her expander placed in her mouth and Jett had to have his 2 eye teeth pulled. Neither were very happy the day of their procedures but they're both doing great now.

Jett & Delilah attended a birthday party for a friend & classmate, Carter Almaguer.

Jett started Fall ball, baseball & Delilah started her very first season of softball.  They are both enjoying it a lot & especially that they're surrounded by good friends.

At some point last baseball season, a dear friend, Lauren Chick, took a picture of her son, Thomas, & Jett while playing a baseball game. Rich edited the photo just a bit & it made it's way to the hand of someone at the Bulverde/Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce.  They chose that particular photo to be on the COVER of their magazine!  We were invited to the official unveiling of that magazine.  Jett was just beside himself, asking "Am I really famous, Momma?"

Rich & I spent one Saturday afternoon with my dear friend from high school, Paula.  We met at Rebecca Creek Distillery for some live music and a couple of cocktails.

Another birthday celebration for friend & neighbor, Jensen Williams.

It hit me, when we received the proofs for Jett & Delilah's school photos, that my babies are really growing up! While I'm excited to see what amazing humans they're becoming, I'm also sad at the thought that the days are slipping away.

 I always like to include pictures of our fur family... Charlie & Cinder.  And, I'd never forget our "neighbors" on the Knibbe Ranch.

The day for their 9th birthday party finally arrived!  This year the theme was a Luau (or, as Jett says it, "Hulau").  While we spent the morning preparing for the party, Grandy came and picked up Jett & Delilah for a special birthday breakfast.

 PARTY TIME!  We were surrounded by some of our closest & dearest friends, family & the kids classmates.  It means so much that we have people that love and care for our kids as much as they do. The kids had a fabulous time swimming, eating & playing!

This year Jett & Delilah opted to take donations for the Bulverde Humane Society, in lieu of gifts.  They received TONS of dog & cat food, cat litter, dog beds plus almost $300!!  The week following their birthday we went to the BHS to drop off all of the goodies.  we are so very proud of them!

 After their party, although exhausted, we let them open one gift that was brought for them.  Then, it was off to bed for the very last time as 8 year old kiddos!

 9-30-2010:  Our babies are officially 9 years old!!  They had to be up for school but we surprised them with a special breakfast of cinnamon rolls in the shape of a "9", topped with icing and sprinkles.  We joined them for lunch, up at the school, where their choice was McDonalds, complete with a chocolate shake.  We had pizza for dinner followed by ONE MORE celebration song and cupcake!

Their special gift from Rich & I were hoverboards.  They've been begging for them for a couple of

years & we finally caved!  (I've even enjoyed taking them for a spin, myself!)

A few random pictures from the month:

It's been such a fantastic couple of months!  We've absolutely LOVED our first summer with the pool and enjoyed all of the memories made in our very own backyard!  When I was growing up, my parents always made our home a place where the kids were.  I'm praying I'm doing the same for my children.
Well, cheers to the end of Summer and the much awaited Fall!  Next up... Halloween!!