16 years

In August, we ate at a fancy steakhouse in downtown Fort Worth to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary.  The salad bar had 100 items on it and the waitstaff walked around with all different types of steak, chicken, and pork on long knives.  If you wanted some, they would cut you off a piece and put it on your plate.  The knives looked like the ones in the light fixture in the bottom picture.  Our kids would have loved the novelty of this, but it is too expensive.  We used a Groupon so it was only half-price.  I <3 Groupon!

Snow Cute

 

Here's one from kindergarten.  I <3 snowmen!

art

OK, so these are from LONG....ago. 

Shane made this at Heritage Christian preschool sometime in 2009. 

The words say: Shane is a Child of God.

I am 4 years old.

My favorite color is blue.

My favorite food is pickles. 

Not much has changed except that he's older, taller, and has longer hair.

Sarah created her name with bingo-dobber type markers.  So fun! 

They blew through the workbook that went with these cool craft must-haves.

Dress up

Not so cute this time; Halloween birthday party for a friend from school.  It was zombie themed (I shoulda looked closer at the invitation.)  I think I made Sar look a little too pretty.  Shoulda made her look like a dead pirate.  H. looked awesome.  She even had tatooed scars.  Loved her shiny sequin shoes.

SMASH

Sarah is playing volleyball again this season.  We switched leagues so that she might meet some friends that she will eventually go to middle and high school with.  Her friend H. from school is also on her team.  I think they are having a good time.  Sarah is consistent with her underhand serves this year, and there are many volleys back and forth.  She runs toward the ball, and although she doesn't usually get it, at least she's not ducking like she did the first year. :) 

Pack 717

Shane joined cub scouts this year as a Tiger Cub. Each month there is a pack meeting where they receive all of the awards that they have earned that month. Because Papa was a scout master for nine years and Rob and Tim are both Eagle Scouts, we invited them to Shane's first pack meeting. Shane received patches for helping to clean up Christ's Haven and  participating in a flag ceremony.  He was so embarrassed to have to stand in front of the group to get his patches. 

He also received his Bobcat rank.  For this award, Steve had to pin the patch on upside down.  Once he does a good turn, he can turn it right side up.  Tradition WAS that the boy was turned upside down and the patch was pinned on as normal.  This is no longer allowed as it is considered "hazing".  Well, I wanted pictures of Daddy holding Shane upside down, so after the meeting, we took Shane out on the porch and let Steve put it on while Papa held him.  They were all giggling so much, it was fun to watch. 

Back to School

So here is the scoop from the first day of school.  Shane chose a Mario Cart lunchbox and a Lego Ninjago backpack.  His teacher this year is Mrs. Washington and his best friend Camden is in his class again.

 

 

Sarah has Mrs. Jacobs as her homeroom/math/science teacher and Mrs. McAdams for ELA and S.Studies. She wanted peace and camoflauge stuff.

Wish that this had been a better picture. 

We were in a hurry to get to school and I didn't realize that I cut her head off. 

 

This year wasn't fabulous as far as our walk together to school.  Steve was out of town and on Monday, the school called and asked if I would sub.  I was able to walk each of my kids into their classrooms, but it wasn't quite the same as being a parent (only).   I am grateful to their awesome teachers whom them a few minutes early so that I could get back to the door where I was supposed to be greeting students.

Having taught 4th grade for 5 1/2 years, I have always condiered 4th graders as "the big kids."

I cannot believe that my kids are in 4th and 1st.