Go Crocs!

C and J started a new activity this summer...the swim team at the country club. They both love to swim but didn't really know any strokes, so I thought it would be good for them to learn (and also a good way to get us out of the house every morning!). They took to it so quickly and after only a couple days of practice, they competed in their first meet and both placed in freestyle.

In true Walnut Creek fashion, we did not have official swimsuits until more than halfway through the season, so Jensen rocked his Pokemon swimsuit during swim meets.

By the next meet, Charlotte was ready to compete in the backstroke as well as freestyle. She was proud to have two numbers written on her arm. :)

Finally they got their official swimsuits and it was just about the cutest thing. Unfortunately I relied on the coaches to tell me what sizes to order and they each wound up about one size too small...despite a bit of complaining about the tightness, they still looked adorable.

The ribbons kept on coming, and both kids were proud of themselves. Going into the summer I knew pretty much nothing about swimming, so it was a learning experience for me, too. And although it was hot, I sure loved watching them practice and compete. I think about that first meet and how scared I would have been to jump in and compete against other swimmers (most of whom had been doing it for more than just a couple days!) in front of a huge crowd of parents. I'm so impressed with them. 

At the last meet of the season, we were all surprised when Charlotte competed in the freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and a relay. And at the end of the season awards banquet, we were all surprised once again when Charlotte was awarded Most Valuable Croc from the beginners' group!

Now that summer is over and swim team is too, we are all actually missing it. Once we get into the swing of things with school, we are hoping to find some lessons and we are looking forward to being Crocs again next summer!

Kinder Kids No More

We have officially graduated from Kindergarten...twice! Since Charlotte and Jensen did kindergarten last year at their preschool as well as this year at their new public school, they are kindergarten graduates twice over. We really thought long and hard about whether to have the kids repeat kindergarten or go on to first grade, but we ultimately decided on repeating kindergarten. And I think we made the right decision. The only real negative has been that there were times that both kids were a bit bored because they were ahead academically and maturity-wise, but it wasn't too bad.

I was in such a rush to get somewhat caught up on the blog that I kind of glossed over the beginning of kindergarten. So I'll backtrack now and admit that it was rough. We made the decision to put the kids in separate classes for the first time, as well as to request that Jensen be separated from his next door neighbor and best friend, Finn. We had Meet the Teacher night a few days before school started, and it wasn't a great experience. Jensen watched Finn and his other neighbor (and friend) Owen walk into the same classroom, and Charlotte ended up kind of knowing one of my friend's daughters. It was also at that point that it finally sunk in to Jensen that Charlotte wouldn't be in his class. So I think he felt pretty alone. To add to it, his teacher was sick and not able to attend, so he'd be starting at a new school still not knowing who his teacher was and knowing no one in the class.

I was scared about the kids being in different classes, scared about starting a new school, and scared about Jensen not knowing his teacher or anyone in his class. So I had quite the meltdown when we got home from Meet the Teacher night. Brian had to text Cristi and have her call me to talk me down! Of course I can now see that I overreacted, but he's my baby...I just wanted to wrap him in a safe little cocoon and make everything perfect for him. School began, I still felt anxious about Jensen's situation, and unfortunately nothing really improved. His teacher had to have surgery and was out for a long time, leaving Jensen's class with a revolving door of substitutes. She also got married in late fall, resulting in more time away from the class. A couple people suggested I request for Jensen to be moved into Charlotte's class if that's what my gut was telling me was right. But although my brain was definitely telling me to move him, for some reason my gut was telling me to keep him where he was. Which is strange, because I was definitely not happy with where he was.

But lucky for us, Jensen is easygoing and took all the instability in stride. In January, his teacher's attendance got better and Jensen's reading level really skyrocketed. I do think his teacher wound up being a great fit for him and he had an awesome year once things settled down. He also made a lot of friends in his class, including a new boy who moved here in January...they became best buds, and who knows, maybe that's why my gut said to leave him where he was. All I really know is I am so proud of Jensen for the awesome year he had.

First Day of School (that unsure face kills me!)

Last Day of School!

Charlotte had a great year, too, but she had the benefit of a teacher who was a loving, soft-spoken grandmother AND Charlotte's best friend Isabella wound up transferring to her class a few weeks after school started. Even with those benefits I am still proud of the way she handled any and everything that was thrown at her this past year.

First Day of School

Last Day of School (wow someone sure changed!)

A few days before school let out, kindergarten had an awards/graduation ceremony. The kids were awarded for reading, participating in running club, and Jensen got a special award from his Computer Lab teacher.

Charlotte received a special Character Award from her teacher. I was super proud of her.

On the last day of school, the kids were excited and I was, too. So ready to not set the alarm every day and most of all to get to see more of Charlotte and Jensen. I'll be honest again here and say that it was tough to get used to them being in school M-F from 8-3:30. I do not take for granted the fact that I am able to be a stay at home mom, but there were times this past year when I felt like I really should get myself a j-o-b. But almost every time I'd start somewhat seriously thinking about it, Charlotte or Jensen would get sick or something would happen that would make me think, "How would we have handled this if I was working?" and although I know it would be do-able, it made me glad that we do not have the stress of figuring out how.

But we made it through the year and the last day of school came. The kids all wore their field day shirts and got them signed by their classmates.

We had a little party at our neighbor's house so the kids (and let's be honest, the moms) could celebrate the beginning of summer. We started this party last year but it has grown...into 18 kids! They swam and had pizza and cookie cake and were quite excited about no more school.

Starting in August we will have two first graders...but for now, we summer!

We are 7!

Seven years old...how can that be? No longer babies, toddlers, preschoolers, even little kids...Charlotte and Jensen are full-on big kids now. Once again, with the year we had, my biggest prayer on April 22nd was just that all of us be healthy! And thank goodness we were.

The kids' birthday fell on a Saturday this year, so we had their party on their actual birthday, which they thought was fun. I booked their party months and months ago at a farm we had visited a couple times. There were a few complaints about the fact that they were having a joint party again, so I think this might have been our last year to get away with not doing two separate parties. We tried to make it as separate as possible with two different themes, two separate invitations, two cakes, etc.

We picked up Ellison as well as Jensen's new friend Luke on our way so each kiddo had one of their besties to ride with...it made them even more excited!

A Moana cake for the birthday girl...who had gotten her face painted at a birthday party she had earlier in the day.

And, of course, Pokemon for the birthday boy.

They had a blast at their party, but it was a bit too crazy for me to get many pictures. I tried to enjoy it knowing it might be our last joint party for a while.

One of the fundraisers at school is birthday posters...you pay and send in a picture of your child and there is a wall where the posters hang during the month of their birthday. Both Charlotte and Jensen were quite excited about this and would not let me send in any existing pictures. We had to take new ones with props...

Pokemon of course for Jensen, and Charlotte wanted to include her BFF Bella, which I loved.

Their favorite gifts this year were Lego Friends stuff for Charlotte (there are Legos ALLLL over our house), and mining and crystal stuff for Jensen. He has become obsessed with rocks, crystals, etc. and now says he wants to be a miner when he grows up! Ha!

Charlotte Anne on her 7th birthday...

Charlotte, you grew SO much this year. Your bravery and independence amaze me constantly. You can be very blunt, but you are truly concerned with others' feelings and have such a kind heart. You are enthusiastic, passionate and dramatic, and pretty much the opposite of a wallflower. :) Every day you surprise us and leave us laughing with the things that come out of your mouth. You love to learn and sometimes get irritated that you aren't learning about more different topics in school. :) Currently you would like to grow up to be a teacher or an actress in the theater (but NOT on television...you've always been a gal who knows exactly what she wants!). We can't wait to see what the future holds for our special little Bug.

Some of your favorite things are: musicals, jumping on your trampoline, Bella, Lego friends, playing (and giggling) with your friends, swimming, performing, sweets!, Grandma, your Aunt Biff, learning about other countries, and reading. You hate trying on clothes, getting your hair brushed, and you think getting your ears pierced is a crazy idea and refuse to do it.

Jensen Todd on his 7th birthday...

Jensen, you had such a great year. You started in a new school, in a class where you knew nobody. You didn't fret or complain, just went right in and made new friends. You are easygoing and likable and sweet. You are still a mama's boy and will hold my hand and let me love on you...you even leave me little notes and presents sometimes. You are funny and SO smart, but it takes a while for people to figure that out...you have so much beneath the surface and you do not let people in easily. You are very reserved but love to make your friends and family laugh. You are a night owl and often get out of bed several times before going to sleep to tell us something or show us something that just can't wait until morning. Currently you want to grow up to be a miner or army man. :) Mommy is hoping for a change in direction!

Some of your favorite things are: Pokemon, being outside, playing with your friends (you would have a friend over or go to a friend's house every single day if we let you), swimming, reading, playing rough with Daddy, your rock/crystal collection, fishing, animals and sitting in your favorite chair with your favorite blanket watching TV. I was sitting here trying to think of things you just downright hate and had such a hard time that I had to text your dad! He came up with Brussels sprouts. I finally came up with that you hate it when Charlotte interrupts you. But clearly there's not a ton that gets under your skin.

To sum it up...we have two of the most amazing kids. Every day we are thankful for Charlotte and Jensen and the kind, smart, and unique people they are becoming. Happy 7th birthday, Stinkers! We love you more and more every day.

All the Spring Things

We had a busy and FUN spring. I'm not sure if it's the kids being in elementary school, or the kids getting older, or ME getting older, but time just seems to keep moving faster and faster. Here are a few highlights of our Spring 2017...

Charlotte lost her top front teeth! They were loose FOREVER, but I wasn't too concerned until I looked at her one day and saw this...

Yikes! Fortunately Grandfather volunteered to pull the top two baby teeth so that the big adult teeth would have room. He came over one afternoon, laid Charlotte down on the kitchen counter, and out they came. It was a bit traumatic for all involved. But she recovered just in time to attend that evening's Sweetheart Dance at her school.

She was really self-conscious of her smile that night but she and Daddy had a great time and looked quite fancy! (Jensen declined to attend the dance with Mommy.)

They did at least hang out with me at Muffins with Mom at their school. Poor Jensen had scraped his face on Tita and Papaw's pool the previous weekend.

I accompanied the kids on their field trip to Legoland. I thought it would be a great idea for their teachers to place Charlotte and Jensen in a group together so I could chaperone both of them. Mistake. Both kids pouted about not being in groups with their friends. I'm not sure how I'll handle the next field trip, but it won't be like this.

Grandma and Grandpa got a cat, Ellie. Jensen is thrilled with this new addition and LOVES the cat. The cat does not reciprocate his feelings.

Charlotte and Jensen both made Valentine's boxes to take to school. And when I say they made them, I mean I made them. They supervised halfheartedly.

Easter 2017. Charlotte spent the previous week sick with a tummy bug, and quite a vicious one at that. Easter started out okay with the kids finding baskets and eggs both inside and out (and at Grandma's, too!).

We drove to Dallas for brunch with Brian's family. Jensen made it about halfway through before we had to leave because he felt so sick. You can kind of tell in the below picture that he's not feeling so hot. Thank goodness he made it home from Dallas before getting VERY ill. He hadn't had a tummy bug since he was about a year old, so it was very sad.

The kids put on their first elementary school program...actually, Jensen was still under the weather, so Charlotte represented the Shelton twins. Jensen was actually fine with missing it...he does not enjoy being on stage. Charlotte is a different story and loved every minute of it (and looked quite pretty too).

We hadn't had bluebonnet pictures done in a few years, so we did it this year. One of these years we'll actually do pictures with all four of us!

Our next-door neighbor Mika turned 40 and celebrated with an adults-only long weekend in Mexico.

Ughhh, the year of sickness continued! I was at a PTA meeting one night when Brian texted me that Charlotte had spiked a 104.8 temperature and the urgent care told him to take her to the emergency room. We spent a lovely (not really) evening at Cook's only to discover that it was just a random virus. This poor girl has seriously dealt with a lot this year. I am praying that next year is healthier.

Our first elementary school field day! I wasn't really sure what to expect here, but let's just say field day is not like it was in the 80s. There were very few events with actual winners, and I counted 11 bounce houses. The kids had a blast but I must admit I was not sad when that long, hot day was over!

This just made me laugh. Jensen's latest career aspiration...

I had such a nice Mother's Day this year. Honestly after so many holidays were impacted by sickness this year, I was dreading the same thing happening on Mother's Day. So just to have all of us together and healthy was so great. We didn't do anything extraordinary, but I wouldn't have changed anything about it.

And is there anything better than homemade mugs?

On Memorial Day, we headed out of town with three of my best friends from College and their families. We had a total of ten kids and stayed in four cabins outside Fredericksburg. It was a little crazy but the kids had a blast.

And after that weekend we returned home and back to school for three more days before starting our summer fun!