First Day of School 2010

Ashton and his buddy, Corbin.

And what a first day it was. Whew. Wish I had a pic of my sweet little Emory Anne. She was just edible in her orient expressed blue gingham apron dress with a school girl smocked in the center, big, red hairbow and bright red sandals. Alas, no picture. It was too hard to angle the camera toward my left leg. The leg that she wrapped her little body around like a baby spider monkey. Head buried into my pant leg, soft wimpers growing louder the closer we got to her classroom. This is where things got a bit interesting. The school was packed. Not only do the children go to dayschool at our church, The First Presbyterian Church of Houston (it's huge), but there is also a wonderful Private School (PreK-12) that also started back on Monday in the same building. There were a lot of people there. Cue mommy limping toward classrooms, huge belly in tow, toting two backpacks, two lunchboxes, a camera, a set of keys, a sassy girl's "bankie" and a cell phone. You know, because I really needed to carry around my cell phone to ensure that my hands were extra full. So we reach Emory's room first. She is sobbing so hard, it is a "silent sob". I am trying to find an appropriate spot to set down the, umm, 10 things that I am holding. I turn around to tell Ashton to take his lunchbox before I drop all 10 things. Ashton???? Where is Ashton?! I hurriedly step into the hallway. Ashton?! Ashton is gone. Great. After a moment of panic and yelling Ashton's name, a friend down the hall calls to me that he has already run into his classroom. Wow, good thing I just yelled his name repeatedly in a panicked voice down the hallway. Awesome. Emory's teacher is trying desperately to peel her off of my leg to no avail. I finally decide to drop everything and peel her off myself. I am in the middle of consoling her with a big, long hug and kiss, when the teacher prompts me to hand her over, saying that it is time for mommy to go. Very apruptly. Too aprubtly for my taste. I gather my things off the floor and turn to leave with tears in my eyes, as my sweet baby girl is just continuing to wail. I compose myself and head into Ashton's classroom. And in the middle of all chaos that is mommies hugging their little ones, trying not to cry, making sure the teacher understands their children's specifics needs and desires, sits Ashton. Quitely playing.

He looks up and sees me, smiles big and says, "Well, hey, mommy! Can I stay here all day?!" After a little talk about running off and out of mommie's eyesight, I assure him that he can stay all day. My sweet man. He has come a long way since his very first day of school. I know Emory will continue to improve. And I know that I will now be consolidating everything that I need to carry to the classrooms in the mornings. Jeez. I cannot wait to see how much my children are going to grow and learn this year!

sassy

I am so deeply, madly in love with Emory Anne. I love how excited she is in the mornings when I walk into her room. I love how she slides her little purses up her arms and walks to the front door, waving and saying "bye bye!". I love the way she swings her hips and turns her palms outward when she runs. I love it when she claps for herself after she completes a task (which is all the time). I love that every time Ashton announces that he has to go potty, she runs to the bathroom, climbs up on her stool, and brushes her teeth or looks at herself in the mirror while he does his business. I love her wild, beautiful, dark hair. I love how she cradles her "baby" and says, "awwww.". I love how much she loves her nighttime routine. She is just delightful. I could make a living just devouring her little self everyday. Oh wait, I do... ;)

I'm ready for my cupcake

This is what Ashton said when I walked into his classroom yesterday. The birthday boy celebrated his last day of summer school AND his birthday all in one sha-bang. He beamed with pride and could not help but let out a little giggle when everyone sang happy birthday to him.

Mountains

What an amazing week we had in our beloved North Carolina mountain community. Absolute bliss. Last week we left the Houston heat (108 degrees) behind us and jetted off to NC. I have blogged about the mountains a few times before. Mt. Mitchell is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi and where my grandparents have called home since 1985. My "Pema" still resides in her beautiful little mountain home. I have spent every summer since childhood with at the very least a few weeks in the mountains. It is a place that has always been very close to my heart. And to see my children now enjoy and savor this little slice of heaven on earth? Well... it is really wonderful. It was a whirlwind trip with tons of fun activities packed in. As well as my parents and John's mom, (some of) my aunts, uncles, cousins and , of course, Pema were there. We ate, laughed, hiked, breathed deep, and played a lot of cards. Ashton discovered an immense passion for fishing and Emory was successful in leaving very few creek rocks unturned. Ashton celebrated his third birthday on Saturday and, let me tell ya, this mama cannot believe that her baby is THREE.

Amazing how quickly that big, eternal clock ticks when you become a parent.

There were lots of nature hikes and blackberries picked.

The well seasoned fisherman.

The very, umm, refreshing creek. Amazing how undeterred children are by freezing cold water.

Emory stayed this dirty the entire duration of her mountain visit. And I let her.

Ashton picking wildflowers for his mama.

I've felt for awhile that Emory was a "Papa's girl" and that was cemented this trip. She rarely left his side.

Peach picking on the mountain beside Pema's house.

After the second face, her eyes got huge and she exclaimed, "mmmmm!!"

My gorgeous mother in law (memaw) with her Millie and the matching trio!

Ashton's birthday surprise. We visited a farm complete with egg gathering and cow milking! Mr. Louie, the farmer, is one amazing man. He left me with a very profound statement that I can't seem to shake. As we were leaving, he pulled me aside. He told me that John and I were doing a great job with our children and then said, "Keep exposing them to everything you can. Life is hard. The more they know, the better off they'll be."

Wheat being dried out in preparation for weaving and Tony the horse. Tony had the most beautiful mane I have ever seen. Wild and striking. Reminded me of my sassy girl.

Speaking of sassy pants... I love these two images side by side. Portrays the fine line she walks. The pic on the left is her hiking up her dress in annoyance from the high grass itching her legs. The pic on the right is the result of begging daddy to throw her higher in the air.

Sassy tomboy???

Hanging out with Grammie in the hayloft and gathering freshly layed eggs. Grammie is cracking up because Ashton felt like he was so far away from us, he needed to cup his hands around his mouth to talk to us.

Ellie Mae. Ellie Mae produces two gallons of milk, twice a day. Wow! Louie told us that an organic milk company comes by every few days and collects the milk.

Ashton helping Grammie and Memaw shuck corn for the big birthday party. My adorable little cousin, Jared, and THE one and only Pema!

The big bday bash. Emory thoroughly enjoyed Ashton's cake and

Ashton thoroughly enjoyed his all of his millions of presents.

Recapping his fishing endeavors with papa and releasing a trout back into the creek with daddy.

The sassafras with Laura and Jared. Jared is my cousin and Laura is his too, too adorable girlfriend. John and I are ready to buy them one way tickets to Houston to become our live in nannies. Their skills with the kids were impecible. I don't think the Va Tech swim team would miss Laura that terribly much.

We capped off our mountain excursion with a trip up the blue ridge parkway and a hike to the peak of Mt. Mitchell. Well, Ashton and daddy hiked to the peak;)

Counting down the days until we can return to our beautiful mountains...