katie-n-company

 

Nerves and anxiety were high after a tough 3rd grade year (academically) but I wasn't prepared for the kind of morning we experienced. As we attempted to take a first day of school picture, Tyler threw the sign at me and charged toward the car in a full-on sprint crying his head off.  I don't even know what happened but things spiraled out of control from there and we all ended up in tears in the car.  (Tyler, me and Hailey)

 

Being a Mom is such a tough job and you can only get "beat up" (as I like to call it) so many times before you just snap.  Rolf isn't home in the mornings so it's all me and sometimes it's just too much trying to get the kids and myself together.  He called to check on our morning and the waterworks started again.  It was NOT our best morning!

 

I don't really care about the perfect first day of school picture but I do care that Tyler enjoys school as much as possible.  I'm sad that he had such a rough 3rd grade year and it has done a number on his confidence. We are working on building that school confidence back up and praying for a better 4th grade experience! 

 

We had about an hour at my work to dry our tears and suck it up before heading to school.  I normally drop Tyler at before care but we always walk in together on the first day (I know my years are numbered for how much longer he'll want me to do that!).  At Tyler's request, we made a pit stop to see our beloved 3rd grade teacher on the way to his new classroom. 

 

I failed to take a picture of Tyler with his new teacher (duh!) but we'll have more chances throughout the year.  Here he is ready to go for his first day of 4th grade!

 

After school we re-grouped and took some "after the first day pictures."

 

 

 

 

I love a good comparison photo!  I swear the years go even faster once these kiddos start elementary school. 

 

It wasn't Hailey's first day of preschool but she was so proud of her backpack and posed so nicely while we waited for brother (pre-meltdown).

  

 

 

 

Hippo pool is still going strong- she lives through another summer!

 

 

We spent one Sunday afternoon looking at possible campers for the deer lease.  Turns out that this is a pretty fun activity to entertain the kids!

 

New splash pad in our neighborhood is a hit with the littles!

 

 

More pool time with Junie.

 

 

Coloring at the creek.  It's especially fun when Mom agrees to let you sit on the island. 

 

Tyler has spent many days in his paddle boat at the farm.  Our creek neighbor gifted this paddle boat to him and he's had a blast!

 

Living it up with NaNee and Pop (and eating a TON- I believe this was breakfast plate number 3)

 

 

It was such a special treat to get to lunch with Amy several times this summer while she was in town in between Mike's Air Force assignments!  I can't wait until she moves back to Texas someday!

 

Hello long legs!  I'm also happy to report that H is fully potty trained!! Preschool here she comes!

 

Hailey had her first official visit to the dentist and she did great!

 

Ms. Jo taught her how to do a thumbs up.

 

Tyler had a good report too- no cavities!

 

Unfortunately, we are also dealing with a lot of this.......

 ...and it's making me insane!!!  Having a 3 year old is no joke. 

 

Cooking with goggles sure is cute though!

 

 

 

Celebrating Poppy's birthday with a very scary "chomper!"

 

"Chomp chomp yours leg!" 

(H says yourS and I don't intend to correct it because it sounds so darn cute!)

  

 

 

 

Classic toddler smile when you ask them to open their eyes and smile. Ha!

 

Fishin' fun at the farm!

 

 

 

This next picture is a wow moment!  My Dad bought "Blue Boy" for Tyler when he was two years old and last week he sent me a picture of Tyler planting milo in the field all by himself. 

 

Tiny Tyler on blue book back in 2011.  I just can't even!!

 

I took last Thursday and Friday off for one last summer hoorah.  The kids, Mom and I went to Splashway Waterpark (10 minutes from the farm!) and had an absolute blast! 

 

 

When we got back to the farm Tyler showed me how he can drive the white truck (F-350). I'm really not sure how he became tall enough to reach the pedals and drive this "monster truck." 

 

"This is my high school truck." 

He drove me down the county road to Dr. Jimmy's pond while we jammed out to Zydeco music.  Fun, fun times!

 

 

 I'd also like to document that Tyler is wearing my flip flops in the picture above.  What the what?!

 

 

Purse is a necessity on the farm!

 

 

Friday evening we made it to the creek in time to drive to the beach and see the sun set- a rare treat for us since we're using pulling in after 9pm. 

We spent the weekend at the creek but I have zero pictures because it was hot, I'm over sunscreen and bug spray at this point in the summer, the kids were being "siblings" and this Mama was just grumpy.  Real life!!  As much as we love summer, it will be good to get back into a school routine again.  I feel like it's inevitable at this point so let's just get that show on the road- ha!