Orientation, Sleep-Overs, and Water Fun.

As most of you know, Luke will be starting Pre-K 4 this year.  He is going to be attending Oak Forrest Academy - a local private school which is also attended by his cousin, Dusty, and was once attended by his Aunt Laura.  Luke has been really excited to start "big boy school" and we've been talking about it a lot the last few days to pump him up.  Monday was his orientation and man, was it fun (and maybe a little overwhelming for this non-mom trying to fill the big shoes Luke's Mommy wears.)

We decided to ask Dusty to come with us to Luke's orientation since it is a really big deal to Luke that he is going to be going to the same school as his cousin.  Uncle Quincy agreed to keep Ella at home with him - we really wanted to make this night all about Luke!  After picking Dusty up from his mom's house, Luke was nothing but smiles on the short drive into town.  He was so excited!

Luke's orientation started at 6 pm - so we figured we'd try to get there about 15 to 20 minutes early to get a good spot to park and find a seat.  Unfortunately, all the other families had the same idea!  We ended up having to park almost at the football stadium (ok, so its not LSUs campus or anything - but even 100 yards or so in 105 degree humid heat is horrible!).  It winded up working out pretty well though because we were able to see a little bit of the school campus - including being able to show Luke the elementary gym (which when I told him that he could play basketball in there, he quickly informed me that he wasn't good at basketball so he'd need to play something else - don't worry Mommy - I told him that he would learn and we should have us a pro baller really soon!)  On the way into the high school gym where the orientation ceremony would take place, we saw a pretty cool cheerleader sign.  Luke loved posing for a picture in front of it.

We also got a really good picture of Luke and Dusty in front of the sign as well.

After posing for a few pics, it was time to enter the gym for the Principal's speech and introduction of all the elementary school teachers.  There were soooo many people there!  Luckily we saw some familiar faces in the crowd with a few empty seats nearby - it was Daddy's Cousins Ms. Beverly, Mr. E, and Ms. Susan and Luke's little cousin Pressley.  After a few quick hellos, we took our seats.  Luke sure enjoyed listening to the speeches. 

Luke enjoyed posing for another quick picture as well.

Of course, Luke decided that he needed a picture with me too!

And of course, another with Dusty.

After Luke finished listening to the Principal, we went to his classroom to find his desk and meet his new teacher and new friends.  Luke was so excited to look through the room and find the desk with his name on it.  He was also excited that he already had a picture to color to take home.

He did such a good job coloring his bus!  Already a budding little artist! 

After listening to Luke's teacher talk about all the fun things they were going to be doing this year, Grandma went to talk to the teacher to make sure that she and Aunt NaNa (me) hadn't forgotten anything important.  Luke decided he wanted to go ahead and start making new friends. 

After Grandma got finished discussing grown-up stuff with my new teacher, Luke got a chance to hug her himself.  He really seemed to take to his new teacher, Ms. Rickie (Mullendore).

After Luke was finished meeting his new friends and teacher, it was time to head home for the evening.  On the way out, we ran into Ms. Susan and Pressley again.  Pressley agreed to show Luke the ropes and make sure he would know where to go and what to do.  What a sweetie she is!

On Tuesday, Luke and Ella went and spent the day and overnight with their Aunt Lizzie, Uncle Eric, and cousins Dusty, Dakota, Ethan, and Erica.  They rode on the 4-wheeler and played tag in the yard.  While Aunt Lizzie went to work, Uncle Eric let Luke and Ella help feed and chickens and ducks (and even chase them a little!)  Aunt Lizzie fixed their (and their Momma's) favorite food for dinner, SPAGHETTI, and it sure was yummy!  It sure was nice to have one last sleepover before summer vacation ended.

On Wednesday, Ella had a doctor's appointment with her new pediatrician in McComb.  While Erica and Grandma took Ella to this appointment, Luke stayed behind and played with all the boys (including Grandpa!)  Ella had to get 4 (yes FOUR!) shots!!!!  She cried a little, but was a really big girl at the doctor's office.  She even said "AHHHH" for the doctor to check out her throat and laid still for the doctor to hear her heartbeat! 

When Grandma, Erica, and Ella got home, the kids decided to play in the water outside.  Man did that cold water feel good!!!  Ella sure did enjoy being spoiled by all the "big kids" all day! 

But of course, there is nothing like a little girl time with her cousin Erica.

Ella seems to always find her way back to the washtub!  (Or the dogs water bowl!)

But this time Dakota decided he needed a turn in the washtub as well!!!

Luke and Ella also enjoyed riding bikes today.


After all the playing was done and the other kids had gone home - we all had a little downtime to unwind.  We enjoyed a movie and eating a little popcorn.  Ella decided to throw her bowl all over the couch - but I made her pick it up all by herself.... okay, maybe I gave in and helped a little.

After our cleanup duties were done - Ella thought she needed to give me lots of kisses.  This turned into her wanting to lick me over and over on  my face.  I really think this child finds things that gross me out and makes it her mission to do just those things to me.  When I screamed for Grandma to help me because Ella kept trying to lick me (and at times was successful) in the face - grandma just laughed and said, "that's just what little girls do."  Yuck!!

Before bath time the kids enjoyed a quick game of air hockey.  Ella is getting really good at this! 

We all got a good laugh this evening when we realized that Ella has chosen a career path.  Yes, Yes, I know she is only 1 - but the girl has dreams.  She has decided she wants to be a sumo wrestler when she grows up. 

Check out her pull-up.  She already has the costume.  (She totally did that herself!)  HaHa!!!

BTW Momma - we are doing really really well with potty training.  (Now if we could only get her to do #2 in the potty!!!!) 

Oh Yea - The kids are really really proud of you and your patch ceremony yesterday!  I showed Luke and he said he wants one.  I told him he had to be big like Mommy and Daddy and then maybe he could get one.  Of course he told me he needs one for his soldier outfit.  Maybe we can make him an OFA patch - I think that would make him  happy.  (I mean - Pre-K 4 can be considered a battle zone, right?!?)

Tomorrow is a big day - Luke's official first day of school!  I will definitely be posting lots of pics from tomorrow soon.

Until then - sending love and hugs from little arms and tiny fingers.  :)