First Day of School

Everyone was VERY excited this morning.
Modeling their new backpacks.
Today was Richie's first day of kindergarten! Richie was really excited because there were Legos on his table when he arrived. Also, Richie's teacher, Mrs. Smith (ie. the BEST teacher ever), already knows him well. She had him sit at a table with just one other girl. Sometimes prevention is the best medicine.
Jacob started 2nd grade today. He is in Mrs. Bonner's class. He was excited because about half of his class from last year is with him again. He has some great friends with him again this year.
Can you believe that I have a 5th grader!! Lydia is looking a little too grown up these days. It was sad to realize that this was the last time that she will want us to walk her to class on the first day of school. Lydia has a new teacher to Lakeside this year. She has taught before though. Her name is Ms. Ramirez. She is darling and Lydia is really excited to have her as her home room teacher. She will also have Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Mikovsky. She will only be in her home room for announcements in the morning, math, and 15 minutes at the end of the day to get things ready to go home.

Rachel does not start preschool for two more weeks. She was a little bit sad this morning when I was the only one to play with. Luckily she was able to spend some time with her cousin, Elle. Hopefully she can hang on until preschool starts. She wants to do everything the other kids do. She too is growingup too fast!

The Rainforrest Cafe

Today we had a great time at our 3rd Annual Back to School Lunch at the Rainforrest Cafe with the Youngs.




I received a coupon in the mail for a free lunch and dessert for the the birthday child in our family. I thought that we might as well use it. So, they had Lydia stand on her chair as they sang "Happy Birthday" to her and brought her a Sundae for dessert. Lydia was a good sport--especially since this was totally unexpected and her good friend just happened to be sitting at the table next to us.

POTTY TRAINED!

Rachel with her new baby doll.

Rachel is finally potty trained! We have now had almost a whole week without diapers in our house. Until last week we have had at least one child in diapers every single day for the past 10 years! Rachel picked out this baby doll as her reward for reaching her goal. We are so proud of her and we are really going to enjoy the next few months of diaper freedom before we start all over again.

Happy Birthday Lydia!!

Hapy Belated Birthday Lydia! Lydia turned 10 on August 6th. She is such a joy and a wonderful blessing in our family. We love you.

Lydia and Grandma Foote.
Aunt LeeAnn and Anna came over and took Lydia out for breakfast on her birthday. She was so surprised!

Georgia, Lydia, Ryanne, and Laura went to IHOP to celebrate.


After eating at IHOP, the girls went to get their nails done.

Fun with cousins

Georgia and Lydia by the fire truck.

Digging for dinosaur bones in the sand.
Richie sat mesmerized for a long time watching the balls go around.
Jacob loved making the balls float.
Making bubbles was a highlight.
Jacob and Richie dressing up by the fire truck.

We have had fun this summer with cousins. It has actually been the highlight of our summer and has made it go by so much faster. With the Vallerys visiting for a few weeks and the Foote's living in Flower Mound for a month we have been very spoiled. We have had lots fo fun activities to do with everyone. One day we went to the The Dallas Museum of Nature and Science. It was great!

Woodbadge July 2008

This is a picture of all who attended Woodbadge.

I am the one on the end. This was taken during the first flag ceremony.

This picture is of my patrol and the next one is from a flag retiring ceremony.

This is a picture of the rocket that my patrol made. It flew at least a couple of hundred feet in the air! It was awesome.

My troop guide helped me put on my woggle. YES--I made it myself. Be impressed!

In July I attended Woodbadge. This is a Scout leadership training camp that lasts a full six days. I have been being asked to attend this camp for a few years now because of my calling at church. I finally decided that I had put it off long enough and that this year would be as good of a time as any. I will be honest--I was less than excited to attend. However, I also knew that I had never talked to anyone who had attended and regreted going. So, I figured that it could not be all bad. However, the thought of leaving my family for so long to camp with a bunch of other scouters and wearing a scout uniform all week did not thrill me. Now, after having gone I am changed! It was truly one of the best experiences of my life. It is life changing. I am truly grateful for the experience--uniform and all. The food was actually very good, the sleeping arrangements were not the Marriott, but they were not in a tent either. Everyone there was awesome. I learned so much. And, Rich's mother made it all possible by coming and helping with the kids all week. They had an even better week than I did by getting spoiled by Grandma. Thank you so much for your sacrifice Mom. We love and appreciate you. We are already looking forward to seeing you again at Thanksgiving!

So--I would highly recommend this experience to all of you. Honestly!

PS--"Back to Gilwell....."