Eight Years [Riley}

Better late than never, right?

Riley turned 8 yesterday. He weighs 59.6 pounds and stands about 53 inches tall. Here’s his annual birthday interview!

What is your favorite color? Silver

What is your favorite toy? Legos

What is your favorite fruit? Mango when it's not bad

What is your favorite tv show? Ninjago

What is your favorite movie? Lego Ninjago movie

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pepperoni

What is your favorite snack? Strawberry Pop Tart

What is your favorite animal? Snake

What is your favorite song? The end song of Ninjago Season 9

What is your favorite book? Goosebumps

Who is your best friend? Finn and Blake

What makes you happiest? Having a play date with Finn and Blake and Giraffey

What do you want to be when you grow up? A scientist

What is your favorite drink? Limeade

What is your favorite holiday? My birthday

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play Ghost in the Graveyard with Finn and Blake

What is your favorite game? Pop-o-matic

What do you like to sleep with? Giraffey and Blanket and my other lovable friends

What is your favorite thing to wear? My Colin snake shirt and....that's it

Happy Happy Birthday, Riley-bean. Daddy, Rory, and I love you so very much!

School Days: First Days of K {Rory} and 3rd Grade {Riley}

Today is the last day of the boys’ first full week of school. Their first days were both last week: Rory went for an hour and a half on Wednesday and Riley went for a half day on Friday.

Kenny and I met their teachers on Tuesday evening of last week. Rory has the same teachers that Riley had in kindergarten: Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Ceci. And Riley has the sister duo of Mrs. Devenport (homeroom, math, science, social studies, and religion) and Mrs. Mouney (ELA, reading, and spelling). Rory lucked out and is in class with Colin and Brennan for the third year in a row, but Riley and Claire are once again separated. However, he is with Finn and Blake, which made him so happy.

  

Rory did really great on his first day and had no issues whatsoever. I think being in camp with his teacher in his classroom just a few weeks ago really helped. And this is the first year Rory gets to wear a big kid white shirt and a mass uniform. He looks so grown up!

 

Once we got to school there were some shenanigans with Riley while we waited to be let back, but Rory walked straight to his classroom with no hesitation. He gave cookies to Allison and Ceci, found his seat (a real desk!), and settled in for a fun morning.

 

 

And both boys were happy to see Ms. Paulin and Ms. Cobb Mrs. Rucker. They all just love each other so much.

Rory came home with a big smile on his face and in possession of a new truck, which he got from the treasure chest after completing a fun scavenger hunt. He had an awesome first day!

Riley had a very successful first day as well (except for me forgetting his school bag and having to go back for it!). Like last year, he admitted that he was scared to start a new grade, especially since he moved up to the big building. But I know he’ll be okay.

  

He’s in great hands with these two ladies! Mrs. Mouney, on the right, is the mom of Rory’s PK4 big buddy, Anthony, so we got to know her a bit last year.

 

The kids got out at 11:30, and Dana and I decided to treat them (plus Brennan and Maddie) to lunch at the Grille. Then we went back to Dana’s house to play for a couple of hours.

It’s gonna be another wonderful year!

Let’s do it.

The Last Summer Days 2018

We did it! We survived another summer. And we did lots of fun things. Here’s what happened during our last weeks of freedom.

We did our traditional outing to Tutti Frutti with Ms. Lisa (who, sadly, isn’t coming back to SCR next year!) on July 24. Then the boys and I went school shoe shopping.

 

The next day, while Riley was at camp, Rory finished his summer workbook. So proud of him! I took him to District Donuts the next morning to celebrate.

On July 26 the school crew went to ride bikes in the SCR parking lot. It was really hot out, but they all had a really great time. Riley wasn’t on his bike for very long, but he did give it a try a couple of times. And Rory was in hog heaven; he did not want to leave.

The Monday after our fun weekend in Bay St. Louis, Riley finished his workbook. I wasn’t sure he would actually complete it, so I was super proud of him. To celebrate his accomplishment, we watched the second Harry Potter movie together and then went to see The Lego Batman Movie with some of his friends later in the week.

 

Rory, meanwhile, spent three nights in Mandeville with Grandma and Grandpa. They played LOTS of city. I think he really enjoyed having their attention all to himself without any influence from his controlling big brother.

On August 2 we were back at the Cool Zoo to cash in our vouchers from earlier in the summer. We were there for more than 5 hours and left when it started to rain. Then the boys and I met Diana and Alcee at Casey’s for an afternoon snoball treat. And we finally got to meet their dog, Roly!

The next night, Riley, Rory, Kate, and Luke slept at Nola and Nopsi’s house…..

…..so Uncle Jeff, Aunt E, Kenny, and I could have a fun night out. We went to rooftop bar Hot Tin for a drink first and then had dinner at Restaurant Rebirth. Our waiter Alex was awesome. A fantastic night!

Last week was our final few days of summer. Alcee hung out with us on Monday while Diana was at work. We played at our house for a bit and then went to Nola and Nopsi’s to swim.

  

And we were back in the pool again, with Luke this time, on Thursday.

Rory actually had his first day of kindergarten on Wednesday, but he was only there for an hour and a half. Then both boys went on Friday for a half day.

And today? They are officially back in school, full days, from here on out. Hallelujah and praise the good Lord Jesus.

First day of school recaps coming up next!