First Day of School!

The long anticipated day has arrived. Owen seemed a little nervous (He was a little quiet on the walk in), but once the teacher gave him a coloring activity, he was all business. Sat down, got out his pencil and started going at it, barely waving goodbye to me. I was probably more worked up than him (I did not sleep well last night). Hard to believe he is so big – I mean, he goes to school with fifth graders!!!!

William reports that Jack did his usual bury his face in the shoulder routine, but once he saw his friend Connor, he jumped down and began playing Legos.

I’ll write more tonight….

Aunt Steph's Birthday

We went to Bham Satuday to celebrate Stephanie’s birthday. A great time was had by all! A neighbor’s friendly kitten was hanging on her front porch and the kids, especially Jack, were thrilled. Ibt he was out there half the afternoon talking to it, petting it, giving it water, “feeding” the cat sticks. Her’s a picture with his friend Tiger….

So long, Ol' Shep

Well we had to put Maggie to sleep this week. I knew it was coming, but I still hated to do it. She was really kinda out of it. The vet said he thought she had dog dementia - she paced a lot and had stop really responding to us, even when petting her. She did crazy things like stare at corners in the room and would try to walk up the stairs even though she could barely walk. Will said he knew she must have really been out of it because she is scared of the vet but when he took her, she didn't even act like she knew where she was. Which was a blessing for her, I guess.

We had been talking to the kids about it over the last week or so, trying to prep them for what was coming. One time we talked about it while riding in the car – I told them I thought Maggie was getting old and she was probably dying and we would miss her, yada yada. Owen had a couple of comments about heaven, but Jackson was just kind of quiet. Owen had also told Gram a couple of weeks ago that he wasn’t sure he wanted to go to heaven “because I don’t know what I’ll do there”. Gram told him nobody knows, but she was sure that Jesus would let us know. I still don’t think he was convinced. Anyway, when we got home we were feeding the dogs and Jack got all excited and said “Look Mom! Maggie’s not dying, she’s right here!!!” Oh boy…

After I told them that Maggie had died, Owen had all sorts of questions: “Is Maggie in heaven with Granny? Is heaven fun?” Of course, both of them said they were sad and missed Maggie. I told them me too, but let’s think about all the fun things she did, like getting excited about Will coming home and how much she used to like for Owen to throw her that tennis ball. Then I said “She’s probably in heaven right now chasing some squirrels”. Owen was incredulous – “There are squirrels in heaven?!” Well, I don’t know!!! I told him that God wanted us to be happy in heaven, so I guess if squirrels make Maggie happy, I guess they will be there (that’s in the New Testament, right?!)

Jack kept saying “Now we only have one dog, not two.” They wanted to know if we could get a “friend for Lewis.” I told them I don’t think Lewis likes any other dogs expect Maggie.

Now every time we come home, they both say “I miss Maggie”. And they are very attentive to Lewis. The funny thing is both Will and I think Lewis is happier without Maggie there – I think in the past couple of months she had been driving him as crazy as she had been driving us… pacing at all hours and doing other crazy things.

Happy Birthday Grandma Reese!

Went to the pool today to celebrate Grandma Reese's big day. Jack and Owen also made a little video for her... I'll post soon.

When we get to bed , Jack says his prays. Tonight he said "thank you for Grandma's Birthday." I though that was sweet. Also, he always argues with me about whether it is pronounced "A-MEN" or "AH-MEN". Naturally, he thinks it pronounced the opposite or whatever I say.

Our summer excitement

I am just getting around to posting some pictures from the Fourth of July and Jackson's bithday party. See below...

Thanks for all the great gifts - including my new race car jammies!

Wow! Aunt Steph should make cakes professionally!

Waiting for fireworks to start!

Having fun at the parade and other activities on the Square....

Swim team material?

OK, Owen went from sticking his face in the water for the first time (just 48 hours ago) to holding his breath without holding his nose and trying to swim underwater today. He kept saying, "I can swim now" and asking if he could swim in the deep end. I DON'T THINK SO!!!

Beach Vacation

We had a great time at the beach this week. And Will and I agreed that it was one of the more relaxing family vacations we've had in a couple of years. Maybe it was the company, but I also think that the kids are both to an age where they are a little less work that they used to be (although I'm sure some of family members without small children would disagree that we looked relaxed... just remember its all relative...)

Owen and Jack had a grand time. Owen got brave and but his entire body in the pool and both of them actually got in the ocean. Here are a few pics...

Jack also turned 3 while we were there. We sang and had sparklers to celebrate.



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Here is a video of Owen getting brave and swimming with his face underwater. I know most 5 year olds may have done this before, but this is a BIG deal for Mr. Cautious. Note the swim technique of swimming with your feet UNDER your body.