Week 34/52

Dearest Colt and Jax,

Daddy tried to take my mind off of my "Back to School Blues" (I think this is a real thing!) with an awesome date night and you two got to spend the night at Grandpa and Grandma's again.  I don't suggest you ever marry someone who works in education; but, this distraction technique is one to take note of, boys! 

Not long after leaving the gorgeous Winspear Opera House, it was time to revisit our school house(s).  As always, I missed the chance to see the two of you off on your first day.  Getting this picture from your dad in the middle of my morning was just what I needed!

 

 First day of 1st and first day of 3rd

Pass me the tissues, quick!

Karate lessons continued (you in the orange shirt) but you seemed less interested than the previous weeks.  I blamed this on being overly-tired from rocking it as a 1st grader!  ; )

No blame here, son -- we were all t.i.r.e.d!

Week 33/52 (Summer finale!)

Dearest Boys,

I went out with a bang on the final weekend of summer break.  I joined friends on a cruise ship and set sail out of Port Canaveral for a trip to the Bahamas!  It was all for Lindsey's Bachelorette Party but I'm a fan of concluding summer in this fashion from here on out!

While I was enjoying a ton of laughs, yummy food, and gorgeous ocean water, you two were having the ultimate boys weekend with Daddy (not pictured).

Unfortunately, I had to wake up the very next morning and head to work.  That means that y'all spent a lot of time with Grandpa while I attended meetings and trainings galore.

To prepare for the quickly approaching school year, you two went to Floyd's and reminded me that haircuts take you from "Everyday-Cute" to "Holy Handsome!"

Meet the Teacher ended our week and that seemed to be the last nail in summer's coffin.

We went to your classroom first, Colton.  You nervously checked out your new classroom and shyly spoke to your new teacher.

 Jax, we checked out your classroom too and also waited to introduce ourselves to your teacher.  No pictures though as 3rd grade boys seem a bit "too old" for that sort of thing.  ::mommy eye roll::

Finally, the Vaughn's had us over for the grand summer finale, which was bittersweet.

So long, my favorite time of year!  #tears

Week 32/52 (Summer, Week 10)

Dearest Colton,

We celebrated YOU this week as you turned six years old!

For quite a while, you'd been asking to have your party at Chuck E Cheese.  We finally caved in this year...and I'm glad we did!  Your party was so simple and easy yet fun! 

We told y'all that you couldn't play games until you posed for a group shot.  

 

Chuck E himself came out to sing with you before you took your turn in the ticket blaster booth.  

 

The week ended on a new note!  We signed you up for a trial run at a nearby martial arts studio.  You looked awesome in your new uniform and you gave it a decent effort!

Week 31/52 (Summer, Week 9)

Dearest Jackson and Colton,

Your summer indoor soccer season came to an end this week....which proved that summer itself was also winding down.  <cue sad music>

Coach let you play at goalie and I was a ball of nerves the entire time.  Your "uniform" was cute but your "smile" tells me you were a little nervous too!

 One night that week, you boys spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa while we went to Mike & Deanna's wedding. 

It was fun to have most of our 3rd grade team reconnected for such a special occasion!

We beat the heat another day by checking out a new release at the theater.

On August 4th, we let you pick anything you wanted to do.  Colt, you decided that you wanted to turn SIX at SIX Flags!  ; )

The hot weather must've kept people inside because the crowd levels were the lowest I'd ever experienced!

Y'all drove these cars almost a dozen times!  You would jump out at the end and get right back in the tiny two-or-three-person-line to drive again!  After a few rides, Dad and I just sat nearby on a bench and let you have at it!

The longest line we waited in was for our favorite - the Justice League 4D shoot out -- but it was only about 20 minutes and it was all inside so we didn't mind a bit!  This is another one we rode more than once!

And, just like that, you were a 6 year old!

Week 30/52 (Summer, Week 8)

Dearest Jackson and Colt,

In full disclosure, I'm typing this in late September and my memories from late July are blurry, at best.  But it was another week of summer vacation, so I know there was a lot of happiness!  :)

If I remember correctly, our week was pretty unplanned and we loved it!

Here are the pics on my phone from that week:

I had the best helper as we shopped for canning supplies... 

 Then we spent the afternoon in Grandma's kitchen making strawberry jelly!

Later in the week we used our Hawaiian Falls passes.

The Vaughns hosted us at their house one night for our annual slip n' slide party.  The slipping and sliding only lasted a few minutes and us parents realized that y'all are out growing its simplicity :(

 

 The trampoline was way more popular!

Colt, you officially joined a new soccer team and y'all started practicing together to prepare for the fall season.

Even the grass looks sad that summer break is coming to a close...