Riley's 9th Birthday

Riley turned 9 on August 30. We first celebrated at Sunday dinner at the beginning of his birthday week. Nola and Nopsi made meatballs per his request and had rainbow sherbert for his birthday dessert. They also gave him his birthday present, a new Ninjago Lego set, which he had built by the next day. He was so happy.

His birthday fell on a Friday this year. He woke up to birthday balloons and streamers and his requested breakfast. We even had time to give him his present before school: another new Ninjago Lego set.

He took frosted sugar cookies to share with his class as his birthday treat, and then we went for Tutti Frutti after school. Claire and Colin came too. All the sugar!

The next day we hosted his party at our house. Grandma and Grandpa came over early to give him their present to him: a programmable Lego robot. Super cool!

After much debate and indecision by the birthday boy, we rented an inflatable waterslide for his party. We also did an ice cream bar again in lieu of cake, which everyone loved. There were about 15 kids in attendance; they had a great time.

Once the party was over, the Krewe, Lynn, and Jeff and Erin stuck around for the LSU game. Kenny smoked a brisket and a pork butt, and we had baked beans and potato salad, as well as salsa and cheddar bacon ranch. The kids played inside and the adults watched LSU handle Georgia Southern.

Happy happy birthday, my Riley-bean. We love you!

School Days: First Days of 1st Grade {Rory} and 4th Grade {Riley}

A new school year is officially underway. Back to School Night (a.k.a. Parent Orientation) was Thursday, August 8. Kenny and I met their teachers, saw their classrooms, and learned about their upcoming years at SCR. First and fourth grades!

We came home from orientation with LOTS of books to cover. This year, Riley got to help Kenny. He was thrilled.

We also came home with something special for Rory from his teacher: magic confetti, which he had to sprinkle under his pillow the night before the first day of school, to chase away all of the nervousness about starting a new school year. Rory chose to leave his in the little bag so it wouldn't get all over his bed. That's my boy.

The first day of school was Tuesday, August 13, a half day. This was also the first year the boys started on the same day. It was a little chaotic settling both of them into their new classrooms (in different buildings) at the same time, but we managed.

We went to Riley's room first. He was ecstatic to get Mrs. O'Neal as his homeroom teacher (and for science and social studies). He also has Ms. Tefarikis for ELA and religion, and he has Mrs. Devenport again for math. And Claire and Ansleigh are in his class this year. He was so excited.

Then Riley insisted on coming to his brother's classroom with us. This was mostly because he wanted to go see Ms. Paulin, whom he still loves.

Rory has Mrs. Macaluso and Mrs. Tanner this year. (Interesting sidenote: Mrs. Mac's mom Terry taught me kindergarten at Ecole!) Sadly, both Colin and Brennan are in the other first grade class. But I know Rory's going to have a great year as a firstie. He got to share a special "All about Me" bag on the first day, which he filled with Tiger (naturally), a picture he drew of Super Mario Brothers power ups, a Lego star that he made, and a Hot Wheels car. He also brought home a special treat from Mrs. Mac.

They're both ready for awesome years!

The Last Summer Days

Well, here we are in September, and I'm just now getting around to wrapping up summer. That should be a good indication of how busy things have been around here. I mean, good Lord, we're already a month into the school year!

Once we got back from California, we only had about a week and a half left of summer break. But we found lots of fun things to do. The boys finished up their summer workbooks, came to Jazzercise with me a few times, made Play-Doh snakes on the kitchen floor, and went to get Tutti Frutti with their cousins and Alcee.

We also had friends over to swim a couple of times. And Riley went to a birthday party across the lake for his VBS friend Joseph, while Rory and I stayed home and sorted through a massive pile of Legos for the right pieces to build a Lego Super Mario Brothers star. We finally did it!

Kenny and I also enjoyed a night out by ourselves. We went to Gris-Gris for dinner (SO GOOD) and then stopped by Miel on our way home. Alex was there, as well as a lone guy sitting at the bar drinking a beer and reading a book. Loved it. Oh, and we also saw a very funny set up in a big pothole near the brewery. Too funny.

Sadly (or not, depending upon who you ask), summer came to an end on August 13. That was the boys' first {half} day of school. First and fourth grades! It's gonna be a fun year.