First Day of School

This year was definitely a better experience of the first day of school. It was so great to be at ourcommunity school with all of Brooke's friends. Although she was a bit nervous, she was also super excited. Maddie and Allison are both in her class. Ben came with me this year and it was so fun to walk to school as a family. I was able to hold back the tears just a little bit. They started to come and then I saw some friends and was able to hold back the flow. We all mingled at the playground for a few minutes talking and laughing and then on our way home someone decided to go to breakfast. It was so fun. So we dropped the kids off and then went to breakfast. Definitely a tradition for the years to come.
I know Brooke will love her teacher this year. (She was a teacher when i was there. Although i never had her.) She described herself to the kids as strict and silly today. Brooke said she is so nice. We are excited for this year! I can't believe she is in first grade.

Haircut

Jackson got a haircut late last night by my sister. It is really short. Brooke woke up and was so excited about his haircut. She said, "Mom, now that Jackson has a haircut we have more places to kiss him (meaning all over his forehead)." I chuckled out loud. And then she quickly added, "And besides that, he is super cute!"
Man, I love these kids. I wish i could write down every cute thing they say or do throughout the day that just melts my heart.

Loves

Even though today my body felt like a tone of bricks (it just might be the aftermath of camping for 9 days, being a single mom for most of that time, Ben leaving 12 hours after we got home and i got to clean up all of the camping stuff, the 95 degree weather with no air conditioning, and my body feeling like it is detoxing from all the YUMMY foods we ate over the entire week....to name a few), there were some really bright spots.
Like,
Livy telling me she loves me at least once every hour and giving me a hug or rubbing my back.
Me sitting still for half an hour and letting Livy "braid" my hair. She is really into braiding these days.
All three kids planning a hug attack and then running up to me while i was doing dishes and squeezing my legs all at the same time and saying "I LOVE YOU, MOMMY!" And Jackson just screaming and smiling.
Going to the pool to cool off.
Having Nana stop by just to say hello.
Holding and cuddling Jackson for about 20 minutes before the girls woke up. And watching him dance and try to jump to sesame street music.
Listening to the kids squeal with delight while jumping on the trampoline (even if there was some bickering to go along with it.)
Jackson trying to mimic the words i say (finally). It is so fun seeing his personality come out after being such a quiet, mellow kid. Even if it is a lot of screaming to accompany it.
Having my little sister come over for a little bit and talking to her about life.
Soaking in my kids...even when i am tired.

Annoying Me

Brooke and I were singing a nursery rhyme/song while playing on the carpet. And Livy screams out, "Stop singing. Its ignoring me!"

Brooke and I started laughing and, of course, it made Livy more mad.