First Day of School - Middle School!

Today was the first day of school.  Tater Tot is now in the 6th grade, which means Middle School and Small Fry is in the 4th grade.  They were so excited to start school that they had their outfits and school supplies ready yesterday afternoon. 

Tater Tot will be switching classes seven times during the day.  We went to the 6th grade orientation and found all of the classes and let me tell you, they were spread out in that building.  I was surprised how far apart some of them were from each other.  I went to a big school so I thought living in a small town, it would be a little different.  He's taking Humanities classes for his electives, so he's going to have Music Theater and Art.  He's extremely talented in art so he'll like that class.  Next year he gets to take Athletics.  This morning, he had to tell us to just drop him off.  He didn't need us to walk him in this morning.  I'm actually very proud of how independent he's been acting about starting Middle School.  When I was a kid, I would have been so nervous.  He's calm and collected about the whole thing, just ready to see his buddies that he missed over the summer.

Small Fry is moving up in the Intermediate Elementary.  He's now in the 4th grade and no longer the little guy on campus.  Our Intermediate goes from 3rd to 5th grade so one more year and he's one of the big guys around there.  He acted like this was "old hat" and was a little embarrassed that we walked him in.  Ha! We only get another year before he will ban us from the school forever! 

The funniest thing about this first day was our niece, Taylor.  She's an 8th grader which of course, means that she is the oldest in the Middle School.  She called and asked if we would come pick her up so she could help Tator Tot learn what to do when he gets to Middle School.  She said she'd show him how to go put his money on his lunch account and where they "hang out" in the commons area before school starts. I have to admit, it made me feel a little better knowing that she was going to show him the ropes.  He probably thinks having a cousin in the 8th grade helps him not get picked on by the older kids.  She'll protect him!

I'm not sure how I feel today.  I'm sad and happy all at once.  I've spent most of this summer at home with them and it's been so much fun.  I've never been able to just hang out with them and do whatever we wanted during the summer.  And this summer flew by so quickly.  It's also been the hottest summer, which meant the boys hung out in the house during the afternoons.  When the heat index is 114 degrees, we are very thankful for the air conditioner.  I just hope the school air conditioners are working today!

I'm starting the 30 day Shred today.  Staying home with the boys has been bad for my waistline.  I'm hoping to lose some weight so I will look decent in my jeans this winter! HA!

Summertime, Summertime...Sum, Sum, Summertime

The other day, out of the blue, Small Fry came into the room and told me he found a special rock for me.  He was so excited about his find and this is what he put into my hand:

A special heart shaped rock.  I now proudly carry it in my purse everywhere I go. He told me it's going to help me remember that he loves me every second of the day.  Guess its a good thing that he has time to play outside in the summer. He comes up with the cutest finds.

That kid....he can say the sweetest things and just make me melt!

Another thing that makes me melt is a pretty picture of my puppy dog.  My sweet friend Nancy gave Mr. H an adorable picture frame when he graduated with his Master's Degree.  She knew that something showcasing his "baby" Allie would be the best gift ever! 

When I spend quiet evenings looking at blogs, I love to save ideas about easy crafts to make for the house.  I saw a website about Modge Podge and found inspiration to make this cute frame for the living room.  It was super easy with some black-and-white toile scrapbook paper and Modge Podge.  I just bought an inexpensive wooden frame and Modge Podged (is that a verb?) the paper to the frame.  It turned out so cute!

I also found scrapbook paper to frame in this Pier One frame we received as a gift at our wedding.  I love the look of framed scrapbook paper. So easy and so simple.

This summer is a time for celebration.  I recently did something that I've never done in my entire life.  I actually bought a car brand-new and kept it long enough to pay it off.  I'm now officially debt-free.  No car payment.  It's an amazing feeling!  I have to say that my Jeep Cherokee has been one of the best vehicles I've ever driven.  The only problem I've had is a dead battery and that's to be expected after a couple of years.  I really have no desire for a new car and think I'll keep my Jeep for quite a while.  I had to take a celebratory pic on the way home today!

I also found my Barry Manilow Greatest Hits CD-oh heaven!

The boys and I were bored the other night and decoupaged the lazy susan server in our kitchen.  We used striped scrapbook paper in the same colors as the kitchen. Plus, it matches the frame hanging in the kitchen. The boys liked brushing the Modge Podge and getting their hands messy placing the pieces of paper on the server.  I just let them put the pieces where they wanted to and didn't worry about it being perfect.  I think it turned out terrific!

I stopped into Dollar General to get some Diet Coke for the office yesterday and look at this cute purse I found. It was $5 and I don't mind that it's pleather....it's a fun purse!