And Away She Goes.....

The last few days have been pretty busy.  I never realized how much time and energy two little ones took.  I give it up to all the mommys and daddys in the world who are able (or should I say, have the energy) to do this every day for 18 years! 

Last Friday was Luke's 2nd day of school and his first day with both the boys and the girls.  He was super excited to go back to school and we were super excited that he was still enthusiastic about going.  I decided that I wanted to pick Luke up from school that day so I could experience the dreaded "car line" and see exactly what I was supposed to do.  I was prepared and left 45 minutes early.  I wanted to get there early and be towards the beginning of the pick up line.  Well, let me tell you, I messed it up!  (Put it this way - after my day, they sent a map home telling parents exactly how the car line works!!!  haha)  So, basically the car line weaves its way through Tycer Park Subdivision.  I knew where the entrance was to the elementary school, but didn't realize there was a maze I needed to drive through to get to the end of the line.  I drive up to the end of the road that enters into school and pulled over on the side of the road to wait.  All of a sudden, another parent (or aunt, who knows) drives past me and gives me this horrible look.  Bewildered, I look and think what the heck did I do.  Then I see it.... I was basically breaking in line!  The line went on for about 4 blocks and I had conveniently parked at about the 2 block mark!  Ooops!!  I was so embarrassed.  So, I drove around and got at the end of the line behind the mom (aunt, whatever she was) that had flown past me earlier... and man did I get some mean looks in the rear view.  All I could think was Great, now Luke is the kid with the selfish line-breaking aunt that picks him up.  Not the perfect way to start off a new school year! 

After sitting in the car line for almost an hour with all the shame one can imagine, I finally made it to the front of the line to pick up Luke.  He jumps in the car and of course, we do the standard how was your day greetings.  I then notice that Luke is wearing a name bad.  I asked him what his name bad was for.  He replies just as serious as can be, "It's because I'm car insurance."  I laugh and say, "Luke do you mean "Car Line?"  He responds in just as serious of a tone as before... "Yea, I'm Car Insurance!"  HaHa!

Friday night we had a laid back night just hanging out and playing games, reading books, and watching a movie.  Luke had a big day planned for Saturday and we wanted to make sure he was well rested so we went to bed relatively early. 

Saturday was LSU football fan day.  Daddy, Momma, Quincy, Dakota, Ethan, and Luke all decided to go.  (It was just too hot to make Ella stand in line all day plus Aunt NaNa had some plans for the girls!)  Luke was really excited to go with all the boys and Grandma to meet the LSU football players.  You should have seen him getting dressed - he just knew he was going to get to go play with them! 

The three boys posed for a quick picture when they made it to LSU.  The boys all love LSU football and were all thrilled to be back on campus again for the start of another year of football and tailgating.

There were super long lines to get into autograph sessions.  But not to worry, the boys found the perfect way to waste some time. 

Once inside, everyone headed to the "most important" table.  Grandpa wanted to get another autograph from Les and Luke wanted to meet him himself.  Everyone was excited to see him up close and personal.

Then it was time for Luke to get his own special picture with his favorite coach.



Luke sure did have a good time with his Grandpa meeting Les and all the football players. 

After standing in line for such a long time and meeting all those "grown-ups", it was time for a little kid time so Grandma took Luke over to the Mike's Kids Club area for a little fun.

It was lots of fun!  Plus, Luke even got a chance to meet his favorite tiger, Mike, and take a picture with him... well, kinda!  haha

While the boys were having fun over at LSU - me and the girls were having a little girl time.  I promised Erica back in April on her birthday that I would take her shopping and for a surprise.  It had taken some time for the day to come, but when it did, it was a blast!  Erica, Ella, and I headed to Baton Rouge to the Mall of Louisiana.  After going through a few stores and making a few purchases, we decided we needed a break (Ok, Erica decided we NEEDED a pretzel - and Ella and I were down with that decision!)

As you can see in the above picture, while we were enjoying our pretzels, the girls spotted the Merry Go Round and they just had to ride it!  Of course, I thought it was a great idea and after our snack we made our way over to get in line.  Once on the ride, the girls picked their horses and loaded up.  They had a great time riding and giggling as the horses went up and down.

After our ride, we decided to go burn off some energy at the Play land in the Mall.  The girls loved taking their shoes off and running wild with all the other kiddos.  (I was just glad they had free sanitizer for our hands!  haha) 

Ella loved going down the slide over and over.

And Erica did such a good job helping me with Ella.  She was like her shadow, even following her down the slide to chase her to the next obstacle.

After an hour of playing (and lots and lots of sanitizing), it was time to head to Erica's surprise: Build A Bear.  It was so funny, we walked over towards the store and before I even told Erica that was where we were going, she exclaims - Look Aunt NaNa, it's my favorite store!  I started thinking "crap she's been here before - there goes the surprise" and asked her if she had been there before.  She replied, "Nope but its still my favorite!"  Whew!  So, I say, "Well lets go build a bear then!"  You should have seen her smile!!!  Once inside, Erica picked the cutest pink bunny (Future Zeta!) and she and Ella had a good time stuffing, bathing, and clothing her new friend.

Then Erica made her birth certificate.  She named her new friend "Rosie Bell Andrews."

Ella had a good time making a birth certificate as well... or at least pretending to.  :)

I'm glad that we took the time to have this special day.  The girls and I had a blast.  I think we will need to do this again soon... well, maybe something similar.  Build A Bear is expensive!  ;)

Sunday we enjoyed all going to church.  All the kids were there and it was nice having the whole family together.  (Well, almost.  We were missing a few important people!)  We did have all the little ones though and I must say, I have some good looking nieces and nephews!

That evening, Ethan and Erica were both baptised.  It was a special day.  I wasn't feeling well so I missed it, but Grandma said the service was really nice and Luke got to sit in big people church and witness it first hand.  Grandma had a great time explaining to him what a baptism was and that one day when he was a big(ger) boy he could make the same decision.  He thought that was kinda cool.  Plus, he thought it was really cool that Ethan and Erica got to get wet and then change into their pajamas at church!  What a silly little thing he is!  Gotta love that kid!

After church, Ella decided she needed to ride the 4-wheeler alone.  That girl!  We know we need to hide those keys plus the keys to the car.  I really think if she could find them and reach, she'd be off on her own in a heartbeat! 

Monday was Ella's big day.  Her first day of daycare!!!  I had been trying to prepare myself since Luke's first day, but wasn't quite sure how I or she would take it.  I just knew that my little BFF would want me to stay or at least make me carry her in.  HA!  Yea Right!  I guess I had forgotten that this little girl thinks she is grown already.  When we arrived, she confidently walked from the car to the school door.  I guess she remember coming there with her mommy a few weeks ago. 

We did get her to stop for a quick minute for a picture by her school sign.  Ugh, her cuteness takes my breath away!

After that, it was time to go inside.  Again, without hesitation, she headed into her new school.  All I could think was "and away she goes." 

I really think sometimes that with everything going on  in my life right now, I may need her more than she needs me.  But then I remember that she can't pour her own milk or carry herself to bed at night and I know that at least until her Mommy gets home, she at least needs me for some little things! 

Once inside, Ella went straight to playing.  She didn't cry, or even whimper once.  I was proud for and of her.  Now if I can only make it through the day without going to get her.  (I tried to go get her early, but Grandma said No, she needs to meet her new friends and teachers.)  :(

Ella did make my heart smile when I went and picked her up.  She ran to me so quickly I couldn't even get a picture of her leaving her first day.  Sorry, Mommy, but this was as good as I could get!

We left her school and headed to my office.  We didn't even make it half-way to my office and she was out.  I'm so glad Ella's Mommy had the forethought to make her a nap mat to have at my office.  It sure is coming in useful!

While Ella hung out with me at the office (napping), Grandma had to take Luke for his checkup.  He had to get 3 shots!  Grandma said he was a really big boy and the doctor said all looked good with him.  :)

That night, we just hung out, ate dinner, took baths, read books, and went to bed.  Luke got his first yellow apple day so he wasn't allowed to play any video games that night.  We had a talk and discussed why he can't talk in class when the teacher says quiet time or when the teacher is talking.  He said he would "try" but then said "but sometimes I need to tell her something."  haha - I can remember thinking the same thing when I was around his age.  I explained to him that he could tell his teacher what he needed to but that he needed to follow the rules first.  He said, "Oh, like I have to raise my hand?"  I told him that was exactly the right answer and he promised he would do that the next day.  :)

Today Luke and Ella both went to school and did their normal routines.  Luke got a smiley face in his Bee Book but told me he got another yellow apple for talking too much.  It was the funniest thing.  I didn't even ask him.  He just told me.  At least the kid is honest!  We went over the rules again and he had to miss playing video games again.  He said he wouldn't talk at all tomorrow when the teacher said quiet time because he really wanted to play his new star wars video game again.  I hope so.  I miss playing it with him too!  haha 

Ella did well today.  She got timeout once and they said she cried and cried like her little heart was broken.  (She does know how to turn the water works on.  Trust me!)  Otherwise, they said she had a good day and was a really good girl. 

I'm glad the kids are both off to a good start with school.  I hope it continues to go so well for them both. 

Never forget Mommy and Daddy that you are missed and as always, sending love and hugs from little arms and tiny fingers.