Week 39/52

Dearest Boys,

I know our life was full during Week 39.  We had school like normal.   We had practices for soccer and baseball like normal.  We had weekend games like normal.  But none of that made it onto my phone's camera.  Instead, I have crazy pictures from this app (Snapchat) that makes you look silly.  I just downloaded this app and we love to play with it during down time.

The family that acts ridiculous together stays together!

Week 38/52

Dearest Colton and Jax,

Week 38 was all about soccer!  You two now play for the same select soccer organization.  You've been practicing for the past few weeks, but this week brought your first games.  Jax, your team stayed almost the same from the spring season - with only one new player.  Colt, you didn't know anyone on this new team so this was a great chance to make new friends!

Lunch with teammates after a win is one of the best parts of sports!

School really got into the swing of things too and these scenes became the norm around the house:

 Sports and homework make it seem like it's officially fall now!

Week 37/52

Dearest Jax,

Week 37 was big for you!  You started select baseball this season and this was the week of your first game.  Not only are you playing select, but this is also the year that pitching moves from coach pitch to kid pitch.  The cherry on that crazy cake it that you were picked to be the first pitcher of the first game!  My nerves were shot as I watched you take the mound but you stayed as cool as a cucumber!

Hitting off of a kid pitcher completely changed the game!

Another change was the you left 1st base after playing it for what seems like years.  

In this game, you played pitcher, catcher, and 3rd base.

You are so much fun to watch and we remain your biggest fans!!

Weeks 35 and 36/52

Dearest Boys,

We always spend the first few weeks of every school year just hanging on for dear life!  On top of adjusting to a more strict schedule, we also have parent orientations all over the place and the normal calendar fillers like various practices and appointments.  This year we threw in another fun wrench when we sent y'all to Grandpa and Grandma's house for a long weekend and we flew to Indiana so I could be a bridesmaid in my college roommate's wedding!

Time for a quick story that still tickles me even as I type this many months after the fact...
Lindsey got engaged in Paris and I wasn't surprised at all as I know she and Salam really enjoy traveling.   After she asked me to be in her wedding party, your dad and I brainstormed some luxurious locations where we thought they might get married.  When she told me that they decided on French Lick, Indiana, I was surprised!  I thought your dad would be a bit bummed to find out that we wouldn't be taking some tropical getaway.  When I told him, he lit up and said, "I've always wanted to stay there!" and he was completely serious!!! 
So, boys, let this be a lesson to you -- you can always learn something new about your spouse!  : )

As soon as we drove through the hotel's main gate, I was reminded that Dad has pretty decent taste!

Our room was just as impressive as our drive up to the hotel!

The real stunner was their atrium!  We spent a long while just relaxing on a comfy chaise admiring the architecture.  #thingsoldpeoplesay

Our hotel's grand wrap around porch made for the perfect rehearsal dinner spot!

And the nearby casino made for the perfect "Last Hoorah" for the bride!

I spent most of the day getting ready for the wedding while Dad hung out with the guys poolside.

 Have to write a speech for a wedding?  Ask your dad for help!

See!?  Dad was there!! ;)

We flew out of Indianapolis so we headed back there earlier than necessary so we could spend some time with Dad's cousin, Darren and his girlfriend.  We ate a yummy lunch together and explored Monument Circle.  (Just one of the many places I didn't appreciate until I moved away from Indianapolis!)

 We resumed with your martial arts lessons when we returned but this was the end of your taekwondo road.  The month long trial was over and, when I asked you if you wanted me to extend the lessons, you were quick to decline.  On one hand, I was bummed -- just because I want you to find something you love.  On the other hand, I was relieved as those lessons were FOUR days a week!

You were adorable while it lasted though!!

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