Life these days. . . .

I just opened my blog and can hardly believe it has been a month since my last post.  We are just carried away with running around these days.  Baby G has practice three nights a week for cheer.  They are preparing for competition that is now only two weeks away.  Big10 has been meeting up with friends to practice a little baseball in preparation for middle school try outs that are THIS WEEK! 

I've just been hanging on, it feels like we live out of the car sometimes.  I'll be glad when we can settle down a bit, and enjoy home.  I love fall and everything that comes with it.  Especially decorating and all the cooking and eating that comes with fall. 

We are spending our Saturday's watching the Pee Wee Ram cheerleaders.

It is a nice way to pass time. . .they are all adorable!

This one in particular! 

We managed to fit family portraits into the schedule.  Really, I made our schedule around our appointment that had been scheduled with the photographer of my choice.  He is kind of hard to get time with, but it was so worth it.  Just the "sneak peeks" that he has shown me so far are fabulous!  I can't wait to see them all.

I had a birthday.  The number is getting bigger and bigger every year.  I am to the point that I will no longer say my age out loud. My lovely husband bought me a new lens for my camera.  A 50mm.  I have not actually used it that much just yet, but am looking forward to playing around with it.  All tips are welcome as always!

I think that is all the news worthy of writing down.  Until next time. . .hopefully not a month from now!

The Cheerleader

The first week of school flew by.  But it was a good week for all of us.  The kids are adjusting well to the school schedule, and so far everyone is happy and content.  BabyG has her first test this Monday, and she will start her GATE class this week as well.  GATE is the gifted program at the county schools, and she was chosen to be tested and was accepted into the program.  She is so excited, and we are so proud of her!

This week will also be the beginning of after school gymnastics classes.  This will be the first year that she has taken gymnastics from the coach that comes to the school.  With cheer practice on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights, we just can't squeeze in the time to drive to the other side of town for tumbling/gym classes.

I think she will do just fine.  We are both looking forward to something new.  And, these girls are getting really good with the cheers.  Monday, they will start learning the competition dance.  We are looking forward to another busy and fun week!

First Day of School 2012

Today was the first day of school for my kids.  My Facebook, and Instagram pages were filled to the brim with first day of school pictures of kids holding super cute printed "grade" signs.  Someone went as far as pinning the printables, but forgot to actually PRINT them.  So, I'm including them in my blog post instead.

Big10 started the 7th grade today.  He seemed more nervous today than he did when he was new to middle school last year.  I think it was because he did not get a walk through on schedule pick up day.  We were at the beach on vacation when they gave out the schedules, so we just had a friend pick it up.

I'm not lying when I say he was a NERVOUS WRECK!  A BASKET CASE!!  Seriously.  But come to find out the day went smoothly.  He found all of his classes with no trouble, and he loves his math teacher.  He even ate the Steak Burger served in the lunch room, even though it "wasn't all that good".

My little third grader was the exact opposite of her brother.  She sprung from the bed and was dressed and ready to get out the door in about ten minutes.  It was her idea to ride the bus which is just a total shock.  She is our grumpy morning person normally.  She had a great day as well, and enjoyed seeing some of the friends that she has missed over the summer months.

I am hoping that the rest of this week is just as good as today was for these two.  And now I am off to check out the stack of paperwork that is waiting for me.

One last time. . . .

Monday morning we packed the car and headed to the beach for one last Summer road trip.

We have a condo that we rent from someone in Ft. Morgan near Gulf Shores, and we all just love it there.  It is a little more secluded than the Gulf Shores beaches, and I love how peaceful it is.

 When I uploaded my pictures from the camera, I realize that I only took pictures on one day.  And it was our last day at that!  I guess I am going to have to do and IPhone picture post as well.  

  The last couple of days were Red flag days, so the wind and waves were pretty strong.

Hubby and the kids enjoyed a little fishing.  While they fish, I just relax in my beach chair and listen to Jason Mraz on Pandora, and "people watch". 

 The drive down on Monday is probably the longest drive we have ever taken.  Besides the drive home Friday.  Both there and back, we made so many stops.  On the way home we stopped by The Track one last time for a couple of go cart rides.  We went by the Tanger Outlets in Foley for a little back to school shopping.  Then we stopped one last time in Fairhope to shop at Dick's Sporting Goods and eat at Zaxby's.

How crazy was I to declare "no more fast food" the week before vacation?!

 The weather was really good while we were there.  It drizzled a little bit on Thursday, but just early in the morning.  We all tend to love cloudy days at the beach.  The kids act like putting sunscreen on is a death sentence   So they welcomed the clouds any day.

 I tried my best to get a couple of happy smiles from the kids on camera.  I did manage one from baby G.  

This is what I got from Big10. . . .

When will he learn to just smile and make me happy with a photo?

I couldn't resist snapping a picture of G's torches at the entrance to her sand castle.

So Cute! 

Now we have the weekend to recover for work.  The kids have one more week before school starts.

G will start cheer practice this week, and have open house at the elementary school.  Hair cuts are on the schedule, and we will see what else I can squeeze in there.

Next up for this new blog, a signature!  Until then. . .I'll talk to y'all soon,