First Day of School 2018

Here we go!! First day! Do I really have a third grader and a middle schooler?? I know it's been said before, but oh, how quickly time passes. This summer was known for being the shortest summer ever, as school didn't get out until the end of June and we are starting school BEFORE Labor Day (first time ever!). While I will admit (also for the first time ever) that I am ready for the kids to be back in school (I am learning how much I like the quiet... the introvert in me is coming out more and more), I do think we got cheated out of our summer a bit. But.. it is what it is.. and today we start school.

I made a gluten free puffed pancake. I actually think I like the GF one better than the regular one. And a puffed pancake fresh out of the oven is one of my favorite things to behold. 

First day of school definitely counts as a "red plate" day! 

 The first day of school has always been a hard one for Matthew. After a long period of being together over summer, saying goodbye is not his favorite, and there has always been tears from him. I am so thankful for Matthew's growth in confidence and courage the past year, and I am so thankful that today there was excitement and NO tears (well, except from mom.. after I dropped him off!)!! 

He is getting so tall!!

Once again, one of his best friends is in class with him, and they both were so happy about that and were full of silliness this morning!

Ready to learn, ready to grow! So proud of this kid and how well he did today at drop off. Seriously.. all smiles, no tears. This is huge... and my heart is so happy!

Middle School. MIDDLE SCHOOL!! How can that be?? Evelyn was understandably a bit nervous this morning. A new school with a lot more kids, 6 teachers instead of one or two, and entering an age that is complicated and has challenges of its own. BUT.. she is ready and was excited to be heading to school this morning. I could not be more proud of my smart, beautiful and kind young lady!

My baby girl is growing up...

Walking to school with one of her besties made the start of the day less nervous. These two make me smile!

She is officially a Raider.. just like her momma!! I love that she is going to the same middle school that I went to. Lots of fun memories here for me, and I hope Evelyn makes some great memories here, too!

Both kiddos had a GREAT first day and had lots to talk about this afternoon. They both like their teachers and have strong groups of friends. I am so thankful and grateful for a good first day!

It's a whole new season for our family, with two kids in two different schools with two different schedules with different activities different nights of the week. We'll do what we need to do to make it all work, and I hoping it's their best years yet!

Last Hurrah

I honestly cannot believe school starts TOMORROW! This is the first year ever we've started school before Labor Day... Doug and I included! We made the most of our last weekend before the big day tho, and made some great memories!

Saturday night we headed to Portland International Raceway for "Saturday Night Drags", the weekly drag racing event. Both Evelyn and Matthew are REALLY into cars... fast cars in particular...and so this event is right up their alley! Doug and Matthew have been a few times before, but it was a first for our entire family together.

So.. this summer Doug and the kids built a gravity car.. cuz my husband is super talented and does crazy fun projects with the kiddos. :)  They have enjoyed it this summer and we took it to the middle school (where there are lots of hills) tonight for one final run before the big day tomorrow. It was a little chilly and misty but we had fun.

I have video as well, but blogger isn't letting me post them. I'll try again soon.

The kids went to bed, nervous and excited for what tomorrow (and the year) will bring!

Thankful for a fun last hurrah!

A Day of Fun

The kids and I went to the Family Fun Center in Wilsonville today as a "last hurrah" before school starts on Monday. We won free passes in a school raffle and put those to use. We had the best time! We had never been before, and didn't realize how amazing this place it! From mini golf to lasertag to a ropes course to a go-kart track to an arcade... they have so much to do!!

Mini-golf was first up for us...

This girl got a hole in one on the third hole!

We see this castle from the freeway and the kids were so excited to see it up close. :) 

I think we spent most of our time riding in the go-karts. Oh my goodness the kids LOVED doing this! My back didn't like it as much so I watched them most of the time.. but the couple rides I did do were SO fun!

This kid can wheel his way around the track, that's for sure!! He loved this so much!

Zip line fun.. Matthew didn't want to do this one! 

We got soaked on the bumper boats.. Matthew LOVED it. Evelyn and I.. not so much..haha!

Love these two wet heads with all my heart!

My adventurous girl LOVED the ropes course!!

.....and Matthew took selfies instead of taking pics of me and his sister..haha!!

Arcade fun.

So thankful for this great day with my kiddos. We will go back to this place again for sure!!

One on One

There was finally time in our schedule to have a "one on one" outing with both Evelyn and Matthew before school starts. It's been a tradition of mine since Evelyn started Kindergarten, and the kids look forward to it every year.

Evelyn and I dropped Matthew off at a friend's house and headed to Jim and Patty's to get some coffee and a GF pastry and to chat. About starting middle school, about starting youth group, about life.

After coffee and stop at Home Goods to look around (she's a fun shopping buddy and has a great sense of style), we did something she has wanted to do since she was FOUR!

There is a vintage dress store in downtown Beaverton that always has lovely things in their display windows. Evelyn spotted it when she was about four and started calling it the "pretty dress store".We have tried to get there multiple times over the years but it never worked out. Today... finally... we made it there when it was open. She was gitty with excitement.. and the store did not disappoint!!

This dress. It's been in the upper attic window for years.. and it is Evelyn's favorite. It is faded in front from the sun and has ripped lace in spots but oh, it is so lovely. It was only $50 too. We both agreed it wouldn't be the wisest purchase but she was thrilled to see it up close. We had so much fun looking around and I loved seeing my girl so in her element and happy. 

Evelyn went to a sleepover in the afternoon so Matthew and I headed off to the mall, per his request. He wanted to go to the Duck store, the Lego store, and get a pretzel from "the pretzel place". :)

He could play with legos all day if I let him. 

I love this tradition and thankful for one on one time with the kids!