{& then there were 7..make that 8.}

We would like to welcome to the family...

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Lightning & Swimmy.
no, no!!..we are not expecting... we just got fish!

My parents took Maddox & Presley to a pet store today & bought the boy's fish for their rooms with all the neccisary fixings for a fun first pet. Maddox helped as Opah put it all together & placed the fish in their bowls.
When the boys got home from school they were surprised & pleased.
Tre has taught his fish several commands already he has told me.
After bedtime songs & prayers & before stories the fish were fed. They are a big hit.
Omah & Opah scored big cool points on this one!

{river}

Our city has a historical attraction & just beside it is a beautiful city center piece. The river is lined with unique architecture & restaurants. Fountains & bridges & history everywhere. After day one of the school year we took a boat tour of the river followed by mexican food for all. Maddox drank salsa, business as usual.

{red apples}

we have 3 days under our belts for the 2011/12 school year.
The boys love their teachers & gave them each a red apple.
(although Britt's teacher was confused & thought it was for britt's lunch. oh well, we tried.) The boys are making friends. appartently Tre rolls with the guys.Girls are gross this year, or so I am told. They have had a bit of hot lunch & a bit of lunch from home.
T plays tag at recess, & britt drew a picture of a happy vampire.
yeah...Im not sure where he learned about vampires either. He did mention a library book. Both boys have friends from church in their classes! Britt rides a bus to his school to & from T's school. It scares me to death! Britt & Tre have been fighting like cats & dogs after school. I wonder if any other parents are expieriencing this. Its so strange to me. they used to be buddies. Maddox has been getting lots & lots of pool time with Omah & Opah while the brothers are at school. Presley is a bit under the weather...& with all 3 boys occupied I have been able to snuggle my darling for much of her awake hours.

&....drumroll please...the goofiest fake smile award goes to... BRITTON! & the fakest fake smile award goes to....Tre!I love those silly faces!I also love my littlest ones--so I through in some pictures of those cuties too.

{the end.}

urgh...

Its over.

New school clothes & sneakers laid out, back packs ready to go.
Tomorrow Tre & Britton are leaving home to be with teachers & friends.

everything has fallen to the sidelines as we have been soaking in every last second of summer vacation.

honestly? I dont feel much like writing about the past 2 weeks of summer, because I am still in the mourning process. I havent had my cry yet...but I can tell its coming. Because I HATE H-A-T-E HATE when my kids are not near my side. I worry & fret & panick like a CRAZY person. at this very moment I can see Britt just wondering off at school never to be seen again...

& that is the thought that will most likely keep me up tonight.

I am glad my parents are here to help distract me from my craziness! Yay for parents!

watermellon pool side...

omah is pretty good on the trampoline...

texas style BBQ...

{preparing}

Its august already.

I am NOT at all itching for school to start, but my rascals sure are, Maddox might have a heart attack when he is left behind while his big brothers head to school with back packs in tow.

It wont be a pretty adjustment...but he will have a schedule of his own with therapy & some other things in the works involving momma & a gym & a fun kid watch.
a few weeks back I took these here pictures of my little brainiacs at work. I forgot they existed until I was cleaning up my desk top. Every day for about 90 minutes (while the little ones nap) Britt, T & I take a seat at the kitchen table & do work sheets, spelling tests, hand writing, math flashcards, alphabet bingo, reading, cookie eating etc etc etc...call it school prep if you will. Its obvious to me that they enjoy the "school" time, but to be honest..I think they just do it for the stickers & the prize that is awaiting them when they finish a section in their work books. Bribes are a marvelous thing in our home. No shame here!

I so need curtains!!