Pumpkins / Birthday

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the pumpkin patch to celebrate Mathieu's first birthday. 

Happy birthday sweet boy!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We haven't been here in a few years - he's grown since we took these pictures before.  The last time we were there was in 2012 - so he was two. 

 

 

These were both from 2012... Evidently it is still just as hard to get a good picture of both of them...

 

 

Then & now.

 

 

 

 

 

Pony rides!

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet cousins!

 

 

 

Happy fall! 

 

Baseball

Jackson is trying baseball for the first time this year.  It's through the i9 program and they practice and play their "game" all at one time on Saturday mornings.  These boys are little and really have no concept of what's going on - it's not competitive, they are just starting to learn what to do.  They get three chances to hit the ball from the coach and if they don't, they hit from a tee.  Jackson is enjoying it so far, but he's not competitive with it.

Here are a few pictures from throughout the last few weeks.  He looks so cute in his uniform.

Birthday / Family Time

I'm a little behind on posting these days.  Last month, I took the kids up to Charlotte by myself for a long weekend.  Michael was busy with Law Academy and the kids were out on Fall Break, so it worked out.  We were able to visit with a lot of family and I even got to see some friends.

 

This was one of the easier trips we've had in terms of the kids travelling in the car.  I'm so thankful for that since I was by myself up front.  They both had a DVD player and could watch their own movie.

 

 

Hanging upside down with Grandpa.

 

 

A visit with my Grandma Perkins and two of my aunts that I haven't seen in many, many years. That was nice!  Jackson enjoyed playing with the dog...his name was Toby (Keith).

 

 

Lunch with friends...I've known these girls forever.  It was fun to catch up.

 

 

Lounging with Ted...

 

 

 

Fun with Nana...

 

 

Celebrating my birthday with a cake.  Yum!

 

 

 

Group shot at the fish camp.

 

 

Updates

We're over a month into the new school year now.  They are both doing great in their classes.  Jackson has adjusted well to kindergarten and loves it so far.  They had a back to school dance a few weeks ago and here are a few of Rachel with her friends.  Jackson didn't want his picture taken.  Imagine that!

The new soccer season started a couple of weeks ago.  Rachel is playing this year, Jackson is not.  He didn't love it last year and we found a group that does baseball for his age and isn't too competitive.  We offered that to him and he jumped at the chance.  So next week we'll have baseball and soccer games on Saturdays for a while - Michael and I will have to divide and conquer.  Rachel is playing with the 3rd & 4th grade girls this year and is on the bigger field, with a goalie, etc.  She's learning the game more as well.

Last weekend we celebrated Barbara & Dawson's birthdays over at Jeffrey & Constance's house.  The kids always have fun playing with their cousins!

And this week we had the Grandparent lunches at their school.  The kids loved having Grandmama and Granddaddy come for lunch with them. 

A New School Year

School has started!  Rachel started 3rd grade and Jackson started kindergarten this Monday.  We went and met their teachers last week.  Rachel has a younger teacher this year, Mrs. Stevens. 

So far she really likes her.

 

 

And by request, Jackson has Mrs. Reynolds...the same teacher Rachel had in kindergarten.  You can only request a teacher if a sibling has had them before - and she's the only one we've loved since Rachel has been there.  So, we really wanted her for Jackson.   He got lucky and already knew her and knew a few friends in his class!

 

 

Here he is sitting at his desk for the first time.  So cute!

 

 

And ever since we met Mr. Kirby, the principal, back in May when we signed Jackson up for kindergarten, Jackson has wanted to have his picture taken with him.  Here they are!

 

 

We enjoyed our last weekend before school started, even had a back-to-school pool party in the neighborhood with some friends Saturday afternoon.

 

 

And very soon, it was Monday morning.  They had their outfits set out and backpacks ready.  Both woke up on their own and were very excited.  Here they are before the bus arrived.

 

 

 

Being silly...

 

 

 

 

 

They are ready, it's almost here...

 

 

Jackson was excited to finally get to get on the bus.  He's seen Rachel get on every morning for the last three years and he's wanted to get on as well.  This was his day!

 

 

And just like that, away they went.  I didn't cry that morning - too much excitement going on.  But I have to say, I've had my moments... It's not like he's been at home all these years with me or anything, but man, it's been hard on me! 

 

 

They both had a great first day and have had a good week so far.  I'm sure homework will start soon so that will be more of an adjustment (for him anyways)...but so far, so good!

 

Back to the busy/hectic days of getting home, eating dinner, getting to bed on time...we add in soccer for Rachel next week and Jackson will start a new season of baseball in about a month or so.