This weekend

It's been a really long week! With school starting and getting back into the swing of things, it was hard to get motivated this weekend to do anything. We went to a birthday party at Pump it up on Saturday, then napped, then to the pool for a little while, then to a demolition derby.
A couple friends met us at the speedway so the boys had a ton of friends with them, which made it even more fun. They had drifting cars (lame) a rollover contest, a boat race, which was hilarious, demolition derby, powder puff racing, a losers race and then the best one was when they put skis on the back wheels of front wheel drive cars. The boys paid rapt attention the whole time and were cheering and very loud! Laurel just clung to me but eventually fell asleep since we were there until midnight!
Today, I had to make it the grocery store since we were out of everything! Carter played his first minor league baseball game as well. While we are not doing fall ball, our park's team was short players due to illnesses so he filled in. He did a really good job, although was nervous about playing up without having had any practice. But he did great!
Afterwards, we went to the creek and then home where we grilled out the best steaks! A friend of mine had given us some mesquite charcoal and wood chips and they were SO GOOD! I made potatoes and corn to go with it. Today at the store I also bought a box of clementines and the boys have eaten half of them already! Guess I need to get more while they are on sale!
This week is going to be a kicker since we actually start homework now. Carter's class also gets to go swimming every day for the next two weeks during PE. I know he will love that!

Soccer Pro

Tonight we also started soccer with both boy teams! Of course, Davis is coaching both teams again AND is the soccer coordinator for the whole park! Shew! He is still at a coach's meeting tonight to figure out practice schedules and the like. It's a lot of work - more than you would think!
John Michael LOVES soccer and says he is a pro. He even practiced with Carter's team as well. He will be in super shape! Carter moaned about going but once we got there, he was also really into it. He says the running was better and he is also working on getting back into shape. As usual though, we had one child just sit down on the field and quit. I would probably force my child to get back up if I was that mother since I paid money for it - plus cleats! I didn't get any pictures of Carter practicing since I had to take Laurel home for a bath and dinner before running back to get the boys. Hopefully tomorrow~
After a quick cold shower, the boys are winding down there big day with a little cartoon, then bed. I bet they pass out before their head even hits the pillow!

First day of school

Last night I put the boys to bed and although we had a full day (yard, swimming, fishing with Paw Paw) - they stayed up for about an hour talking. Carter was telling him all about what to expect in recess and lunch and how the art teacher yelled a lot. It was really sweet and just what I had envisioned for them when we decided they would share a room. I think it will make a big difference in their relationship now that they share the same school and have a similar experience at school.
This morning, JM was complaining that his stomach hurt, but I think he was just anxious. I made a big breakfast with their favorite link sausage and biscuits, fruit and juice. (Gotta keep that vitamin C up now that we are back in the germ factory!) When I dropped them off, Carter went on to his classroom and left me and John Michael just plopped right down like he has always been there. I went to see Carter and give him his school supplies and his teacher had them all sitting there quietly reading a book! Amazing! I think I am going to really like her!
I did not cry. I am a little sad thinking about how much they change each year and how much John Michael, especially, will change this year in his first real school year. And how fast it all goes! When I took Carter, JM was laurel's age and now look! It's fleeting. I would like them to stay this size for a longer time. When I can make them happy by throwing them in the pool and giving them butterscotch haystacks and our worst problems might be difficulty getting them to follow instructions...
Laurel and I did a big bathroom clean this morning - trust me, the tub so needed it! Now she is napping and I am going to finish the laundry and eat a sandwich. It's just so quiet here! I don't know if I know how to have just one child anymore!

Daredevil

John Michael's newest trick..........

Gymnastics

Today we had a birthday party to attend at our regular gymnastics center, the Matrix. It is really a tumbling and trampoline place. They don't have the bars or balance beams or all that jazz like a full out gymnastics place. And don't tell the boys - but it is mainly geared for cheerleading. Anyway, I had signed Carter and JM up for different days since the worker had told me the beginner boys class was full, but when I double checked tonight, they still had slots so the boys can take at the same time, although different classes! Woo hoo! Now I don't have to drive there twice a week!
We finished school supply shopping today FINALLY and hit the pool for a little while before it rained. It's just been a really S L O W moving day.