She made it through a whole week...

So Madison has made it for a full week of school. She's now riding the bus in the morning and afternoon. The third day of waking up early got to her and she was very cranky. Saying everything on her hurt so she couldn't go to school anymore. Once I told her she could ride the bus that morning she was all better of course. She comes home and tells me all about her day and how much fun she's had. Each week a different student gets to be "weather kid" and she got picked first. She gets to look outside and decide what the weather is and hang up the magnet that says if it's sunny, rainy, or snowy (like that one would ever happen lol). Of course everyday this week it's been 100 degrees and sunny but it was still a big thrill for her to be able to go to the board and put the weather up.

Waiting for the bus and still half asleep LOL

Running to get on the bus

Well poor James has been extremely bored during the day without big sister around. He spent a few hours with his cousin yesterday and was so excited about that. He looks forward to waiting for the bus in the afternoon. He starts daycare on Tuesday and seems excited. I've brought him up there everyday this week with some supplies each day to get him used to the staff there. He actually cried today when we left lol.

Waiting on the bus to drop off Madison

Such a BOY!

Well we have hurricane Gustav heading our way, so we're keeping our eyes on it. Hopefully it goes more east and we'll be okay.

There growing up too fast...

Well these past few weeks have been busy getting school supplies and clothes finished up. I took Madison to get some tennis shoes for school since they have PE one day a week she needed tennis shoes for that. Well as we were there James spotted a pair of shoes that he was not leaving the store without. Poor thing, he's got such fat feet that they would not fit him and the only way they would fit is by getting two sizes too big; but he doesn't seem to mind.

James's new car shoes

James has really had a growth spurt lately in more ways than one. He is much taller now and has been losing his baby belly. He has also began to speak even more and now tells us little sentences about what he wants. Of course he is still coping ever word he hears so he can repeat it and learn it so we have to be careful as to what we say around him.

This week my dad, who is a major golfer, decided Madison needed a set of her own. I assumed he was talking the little tykes set or something. Nope, I was wrong. He spent a crap load of money on a real set of golf clubs for her. I was hoping so badly that she would at least seem excited to get a gift but of course she looked at each of them and said "there all pink but what do I do with them" and then she left as if they were nothing. So he is going to take her soon to play and hopefully it will get her a bit more excited. I told him she was too young for them, but he insisted she have them. Well since he got her those he didn't want James to feel left out so stopped and bought a truck for him. James has yet to stop playing with it. He loves it. It goes back and forth and bounces. Every morning he gets up and says "ruck ruck" and takes off. It's too cute.

James and his truck

Madison checking out the golf clubs

Well the day came today for her to start school. I know she was in "school" in Virginia. But that was a school located in the daycare and was only a few hours a day; and she could miss whenever without a problem. Now she is in actual school! She can't miss without a doctor's note and she will actually start riding a bus soon. She was so excited that the day had finally come, but I have to admit...I kept tearing up in the truck. It's just sad to think that she is in school now and there's no stopping until at least the year 2022 LOL. I walked her to her classroom and showed her the way that the bus would drop her off and where she needed to go. When we got there I gave her a hug and she said "mom can you please go, my teacher is right here and you need to leave". It made me laugh and think gosh she's already 4 1/2 years old. Where does the time go? So anyways, we made it there and I'm going to let her ride the bus home (only because it's her grandmother driving lol) and then I'll bring again tomorrow morning and then I'm going to let her go on her own. James starts daycare next week, so I'm sure that will be another teary day for me LOL.

Had to get a photo with my big girl!

Ready and extremely excited!

Finally getting in a routine...

Well we have finally begun getting into a good routine again. Bed time is still not as easy as it was up in Virginia. They are still trying to adjust to being in the same room. I have begun making them get up early since school starts next week. Of course that is helping with them acutally wanting to go to bed at night LOL.

Well my sister finally sent me some pictures from my birthday last week. Madison helped her make me a cake (it was sooooo goood!) and James could care less what was going on, just as long as he got to play outside. However after a very short time outside he realized this Texas heat sucks and came back inside all sweaty.

Madison giving me a great big hug before she told me I was old because I had to candle numbers and not one LOL!

My sweaty boy wanted a picture too; he put his hand under my chin to pull me close - he's so adorable!

This week was also my nephew's birthday. Trenton turned the big 4 and gets to start school this year too. When we arrived you would think Madison had never left his side. They picked back up on that great family friendship as if they never parted. Poor things had to be torn apart to get her leave that day. She is having a blast with Trenton, but still says she misses her Lily and her Stevie. She tells everyone down here about her friends in Virginia.

Madison & Trenton on his Bday

Well, in somewhat exciting news....James pooped in the potty today! He has gotten really bad about taking his diaper off quite often. So this morning when he riped it off, I figured he could run around for a few minutes as I was in the process of picking out his clothes for the day. By the time I turned around he was squatting on the floor beginning to poop. I yelled "Please stop!" so he freaked out and stopped; so quickly I grabbed him and placed him on the potty just so I could clean it up and when I returned he had finished pooping in the potty. He was so happy he was clapping and screaming. Guess I need to get him a little potty and start working with him a bit. Maybe he's somewhat ready? Madison was not ready at that age but maybe he is. The daycare that he starts in September told me that he's in the potty training class so all I have to do say I'm ready for him to start and they will work with him. I think I'm going to give him a few weeks to adjust to the daycare first and then maybe I'll see if they'll sit him on it when they do the other kids.

Anyways, other than that we are doing well. Of course we miss Avery and that really sucks being apart. He's been back in Virginia cleaning the house so he can move out. We get to meet Mdaiaon's teacher on Wednesday and she starts school on Monday. So until I have some more news - Miss you all!

New hair and in the air...

Well we finally got around to that hair cut that was badly needed. Those cute baby curls had to go...they were really annoying when it came to fixing his hair. He did well, only he needed the assistance of Daddy holding him. He was fine until she came at him with the apron but once she gave him a sucker he was all hers and was even able to use the clippers on him.

Getting ready (and before the screaming began)

Warming up to the hair cut

Afterwards - I think the back is so adorable!

So that dreadful day has arrived when Daddy had to head back to Virginia. As Madison put in while he was boarding the plance "stupid army"....she wasn't very happy about him leaving but thinks he'll be back after he's in the "woods" (field) for a few weeks. However, James is taking it hard, he keeps running to the door screaming daddy. Got a few snapshots of the kids playing and wrestling around with Daddy on the morning of his flight.

Pretending that daddy is a horse

Picking them up to throw them on me!

Also we have finally gotten set up here in Texas, so I have my computer up and running. I've contacted many daycares in attempt to find something for afterschool care for Madison. I have about given up on that. So I talked to the law firm and they are so great - they are wanting me to just work 8-3 that way I can be home when she gets off the bus! It's wonderful. James will start daycare on the 1st of September. Madison is very excited about school coming up. We have orientation on the 20th and she'll get to meet her teacher and see her classroom for the first time.

The good and the bad LOL

Well we are for sure in Texas. IT"S HOT!!!!!!!!! I swear on Sunday I thought I was going to dye of heat....until we went into the pool at least. My family all came over on Sunday to get together and then we headed to see his family and have some fun pool time. After about an hour of talking to Madison she finally realized that the floaties would keep her up and after that there was no stopping her. She was jumping in non-stop! Of course little brave James didn't care if he went under, we sure had to keep a close eye on that dare devil.

Daddy pulling James around

Getting Daddy with the water gun

Playing around at Paw Paw's work and making their Christmas list for the grandparents LOL

So today we took Madison for the wonderful last shot she had to get and of course that went smoothly (NOT). Then we headed to the school and finished up the last bit of paperwork and let her walk around the school. She is very excited to be going to this school...all the teachers were decorating theirs classrooms and putting banners up and all that fun stuff. So she's begging to start tomorrow....must wait two more weeks so hopefully they'll go by fast.

We decided to go out to dinner a day ahead of our anniversary so we could let the kids spend their last day with daddy on our anniversary. Paw Paw & Maw Maw watched the kids and pulled out the Wii of course.

Playing some Mario Kart (and James is pretending to play)

Do not disturb my concentration!

We arrived in Texas

Well we finally made our move from Virginia to Texas. We left Friday morning around 3 am; we were set to leave at midnight but Avery didn't want to get out of bed. So we finally hit the road and of course James went right back to sleep and slept until 7 am. Madison on the other hand talked for all dark hours and then fell asleep around 5 am. So after they were both awake we stopped for breakfast and then continued on our trip. The kids did great! James slept almost the entire trip and Madison talked almost the entire trip. We were making great time and had only 30 minutes left on our trip and ran into some construction work so that added an hour on our time but we finally arrived around midnight.

The night before we left we headed to the park for one more play date.

Lily, Madison, Stevie, & Noah

I was instructed to attempt to keep our kids up to midnight in hopes they'd sleep well in the truck. I tried very very hard. Gave them each a bubble bath and played for hours. However about 11:30 they were both sitting in the chair begging me to take them to bed. They were so sweet to each other and ended up falling asleep next to each other.

Madison & James's last night in Virginia!

Madison is out cold for this portion of the trip LOL

James was laughing at the way she looked

Playing Peek-a-boo through the headrest

Madison & James enjoying their first day in Texas...of course being spoiled already!

Time is disapearing in Virginia

Well it's getting close to that date when we leave Virginia and head south. I'm very excited to be going back home and getting settled back in Texas. However, I am very sad to be leaving the best of friends I could have ever met up here. I know they will all be moving soon too and hopefully we all stay in touch and watch our kids grow.

So today we attended our final play morning on Fort Lee. We've been going to play morning since Madison turned 2, so it's been awhile. The kids have loved going and always looked forward to Tuesday mornings and of course Tuesday afternoons when we all went out to eat and play some more LOL.

So instead of going out to eat today we all took the kids to the Play Room and they had a blast. Here's a few pictures from the fun times today...

James & Ava

My little man finally got brave and went in the bouncer!

Madison & Noah playing in the pet shop.

Wonder what the princess is pondering?

One of the many dress up outfits of the day

Stevie, Lily, & Madison

Lily & Madison

Well on Sunday night we tried to get everyone together to do one last girls night out (with me at least LOL). We managed to get four of us and it was a blast. We started the night out with dinner at Olive Garden then headed to Applebees for some drinks and laughter. They have Karaoke on Sunday nights and it is so funny to hear people attempt to sing. I will truly miss some of the most awesome people I've met in my life. Sunday night was wicked awesome! (That's for you Kim and Wendy! - I threw a bit of Yankee in there!)

Me, Wendy, Kim, & Jamie

I will miss you girls!