Dear Shane,

How can you be a kindergartner already?  It seems like just yesterday that we brought you home from the hospital.  You broke Mommy's heart today when you refused to let go of Daddy and I.  You were like a little octopus, holding on for dear life.  Everytime we took off an arm, another would grab us.  It made me feel so good when your teacher, Mrs. Schindler, took you in her lap and cuddled you. After we took Sarah to her class, Daddy snuck back down your hallway to make sure that you had settled in.  You were coloring at your table.  :) 



You have always been slow to warm-up to new situations, so I wasn't too surprised that you didn't run into the classroom without abandon.  As you grow up, even of you maintain your cautiousness, I hope that you will never let it hold you back or miss out on a great, new opportunity.  Even though it takes you time to try something new, once you jump in, you do so with both feet! 

At the end of the day today, you were all smiles.  The line for kindergarten walkers was SOOOO long, but we could see your little hand waving from the back.  (It's cool to be tall ;) ) You were happy and told us all about your adventures in school.  You explained that you were nervous when we dropped you off and that is why you cried.  The best news is that you had a good time and are willing, even excited to go back tomorrow.  (You did inform me, however, that you would rather not get up early.  (That's my boy!) 

You will never again have a FIRST day of school!  I hope that you will always be open to learning new things, that you will make great friendships, and enjoy school as much as I always did.  An education will take you so far, and will give you AMAZING opportunites. 

Love, Mommy

Blink

                                                                                  

Where oh where has the time gone?  How can I be old enought o have two school-aged children?  Shane started kindergarten today.  Decked out with a Star Wars backpack and a Perry the platypus shirt (a character from Phineas and Ferb).

Not very excited about heading to school!

            

Sarah, of course, had to wear something PINK!! She chose a backpack and lunch box from Target with a cute little monkey on it.

She was excited to start 3rd grade.  Here she is with her homeroom and LA teacher, Mrs. Austin.

SPROWLS Family Reunion

We flew to Pittsburgh, PA the last weekend of July to a Sprowls' Family Reunion.  It was in a tiny town of Claysville, which is about an hour SW of Pittsburgh.  We stopped and took a picture in front of this little hardware store that bears our name.  We had never met any of these people, (who pronounce their name (SprOWLS, like the bird) and went with the anticipation of tying our family to theirs.  They all come from a brother, Arthur Sprowls.  We think we may come from another brother James or John.  Steve can only trace his family back three generations to Benham, Kentucky.  He is hoping the family historians that we met can help him connect the lines.  The family was amazingly hospitible and we had fun seeing our name around town.  Sarah was excited that there were 2 other Sarah Sprowls in the family! 

God's Splendor

Beautiful sunset from the 34th floor of the Venetian Hotel in Vegas.  Breath-taking!!

Viva Las Vegas!

Our good friends Renee and Lee got married this past weekend in Vegas.  Renee's daughter, Kate, is Sarah's best friend.  It was a fabulous wedding; Elvis actually married them.  The wedding was creative and funny!  Here are some pics of Lee and Renee McDowell.

Blackmail

So, these are from last April, but oh so funny.  Some day I will have proof of his crazy-five year old moments.  And I am sure I will miss them. :)

OR, even bettert are these from Dec 2008...

I took these!

Well, most of them anyway.  Sarah took the one of me by myself.  We went out to Nash Farms and Botanical Garden in Grapevine to get some new photos!  Both of these great, beautiful locations are on Ball St.  Exciting to be able to capture these and to use my camera!