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.

 

Rachel is Baptized

Rachel made the important decision to ask Jesus into her heart a couple of months ago and was baptized at our church this past Sunday.  She was excited and nervous at the same time but ended up really enjoying the experience and was so happy about it!

 

 

It's almost her turn!  She choose to go last out of ten people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, while she was getting ready for church, Mrs. Reynolds, her kindergarten teacher, snuck up to give her a hug and a pretty necklace.  How sweet is that?!? 

 

 

 

It was a great morning!

 

 

Jackson Turns Five

Last Friday was Jackson's birthday.  His fifth!  He got to go get a donut for breakfast, play at Catch Air with some friends for a while, got to pick where we went to dinner (Olive Garden) and go to the pool on  his birthday.  And we celebrated again on Sunday with a little party with the family! 

 

 

 

 

And in the middle of all of our stuff,  he had two of his best friends' birthday parties as well.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I worked on his cake all day Saturday.  We still love the Minions in our house...

 

 

 

 

I think he had a great birthday!