School begins again

First and 4th grades,
here we come!

 Meet the teacher - ready to rule the school

This is the last year
the girls will be together
at the same elementary school.
It is also Lexi's last year
at sweet Walnut Grove.
As a result, the first day
was a little bittersweet,
at least for this mommy.

We took the mandatory
pictures outside our front door,
outside the school and then walked
Ryleigh and Lexi to their classrooms.
They were excited and confident
and eager to get the day started.
We tried not to take it personally
when Lexi hugged us outside the classroom
and then marched herself right in.

4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st and kinder x 2 for these neighborhood girls

With Mrs. Sickler and Mrs. Peterson
leading the girls, I think they're both
going to have a wonderful school year.
Can't wait to see how they'll learn and grow
and hear about all the adventures they'll have!

The Jersey Shore

A highlight of every summer
is returning home to NJ
to visit with our extended family.

The girls always have a countdown
as the trip nears,
eager to be reunited with
grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.

This year, some of our favorite moments
were spent at Grandpa Tom's beach,
at the Point Pleasant Boardwalk,
at the Music Man,
visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty,
watching a movie on the beach
and, for the boys, fishing at sunset.

It was a wonderful visit home
and time well spent with those we love.
It was also a great reminder
that for children, some of the simple moments
are often the most memorable.
Lexi loved learning how to skim board,
and Ryleigh grew confident boogie boarding.
The girls raced through my parent's neighborhood
capturing fireflies before bed,
and they walked right up to a baby deer
(two things they don't have the opportunity to do in TX).
They enjoyed biking over to the beach
and into town for breakfast
and simply spending time with all four of their cousins.