First Day of School

There's just something cool about the first day of school.  No one is really all that thrilled to go back to homework and waking up early, but the anticipation of a new school year is undeniable.  During dinner the night before school, I had each one of us share something that we had loved about the stage in life that someone else was about to enter.  For example, Lila told Cami all of her favorite things about Kindergarten, like playing in Big Centers.  Jackson told Lila how much he liked changing classes in 4th grade and that PACE would be really cool this year doing Robotics.  I told Jackson that I loved learning Spanish in 7th grade, since he was about to take that class for the very first time.  And Jared told me all about how exciting going to work more often would be!  Ha! In all honesty, I like going to his office and and I like being about to volunteer at both schools.  

I was a little worried about waking up at 6:15, but they all did fantastic!

7th Grade - 12 years old

4th Grade - 9 years old

Kindergarten - 5 years old

Little Miss sported the same bedazzled "Kindergarten Rocks" dress that both Madison and Lila wore on their very first day of school.  Love it.  She chose a puppy dog theme for her lunchbox...

and new backpack.  Adorable.  And so Cami.

We were so on the ball that we were some of the very first people to arrive at the cool signs at elementary school. Yeehaw!

It only took us 8 years to accomplish this goal, but we did it!  Sweet success.

My little stairsteps going into the school...which reminded me of a time long ago...

when we first set foot on the Hunt campus.  Oh my word. 
I remember this day like it was yesterday.

Jackson's kinder class was in the very same room as Cami's is now.  They may have even had the same locker!

It's been a while since that little guy stepped inside the school. 
Now it's time for the Class of 2032 to start their journey!

Mrs. Martinez was so welcoming to all of the kids as they walked into her classroom.
Cameron loved her from the start.  We felt very confident that she was off to a great start, so we said goodbye and walked Lila to 4th grade.

She's almost at the end of elementary school.  How in the world can this be happening?!

We met up with lots of her friends and took a fun first day of school pic, then she walked into class and got to work.

I wanted to take one last peek at Cameron, so we ran back to her class.  She was busy working on her paper and wanted to show me that she had already written her name.  I wonder how many other kids wrote their's in cursive?! #sostinkinsmart

We arrived at Middle School just in time to find Jackson's friends.
These boys are looking so much older to me these days!

They joined the girls for a group pic and then said goodbye to all of us.  I hope they all have a fantastic year in 7th grade!

I had signed up to help out the 6th graders with their lockers, mostly so I could see Miss Madison.  I found her in her classroom and was so excited!  She was smiling from ear to ear and was very eager about the new school year.  I know that she will do great things.

A few hours later, Maverick and I were at the bus stop.  Cami had insisted that I bring Mav and he was super happy about this plan.  His girls missed him...

and he missed his girls!

Jackson and Madison arrived a little later.  We ate the first day of school cake and they each shared something about their day.  First day of school was a huge success!  Whew!

Meet the Teacher

Our summer just seems to be getting shorter and shorter!  Boo!

On August 8th it was time to go meet the elementary school teachers.

Let's do this!

Miss Cameron Nicole has been waiting all summer for this day.

We hoped, hoped, hoped that she would get Mrs. Martinez and she did!  Such a sweet teacher and it absolutely thrilled Cami.

We found her locker, signed a few forms and were off towards 4th grade.

On our way we stopped to say hello to Principal Moeller.  He told Cameron that he was very happy to have another Hays kiddo.  Love it.

Lila has three teachers this year and will switch classes for different subjects.  Mrs. Jeffcoat is her homeroom teacher, though, and seemed really great.  Lila's favorite part was when she showed us pictures of her precious two month old baby boy.

The next morning we met five other kiddos for breakfast at Chick-fil-A.  They are all going into Kindergarten with Cami.  So cute!  Cami wore her sister's old Hunt Elementary shirt and loved meeting new friends.  I'm sure she gave them the run down on what to expect in school and that if they have any questions, feel free to ask her!

Fabulous Friday

Friday morning was a little overcast, but still awesome!  Our friends from Murphy had arrived in Destin the evening before and we couldn't wait to see them.

Mallory is one of Cami's best friends. 
These two squealed with delight when they found each other on the beach!

Long talks and beach walks...love this!

The girls set up a Sand Ice Cream Bar...

While Caroline and I chatted.

Jared, Cami, my dad and I all walked to lunch at the Back Porch and then returned to our beach front chairs.  

Later that afternoon, we walked down the beach to see the Denny fam again. 
Anyone notice the two peas in a pod on the front row?!

Family beach pics were that last night.  Despite all odds, everyone got ready, had their hair dry and smiles on their faces!  I think the pics turned out so good, too.

Hello, sweet Lilliana.

My parents, who somehow never age!

Caroline came to take our family pics.  I was so pleased! 
The backdrop is so beautiful that it doesn't even look real.

These three are so photogenic!

 

We were all tan and loving life.

Cheers to a fun-filled beach vacay with our crew!

We stayed at the beach after the sun had set, hanging out with the Denny fam.

Love these sassy little divas.

We had so much fun, we think we'll go back next year!  Hopefully our friends will be there, too!

Thrilling Thursday

Thursday morning was a little bit slower paced.  We went to the beach for a short while, then came back to our condos and ate lunch.

It looked like the perfect, calm day to rent a boat, so that's what we did!

By early afternoon, we made it to the marina and onto our double decker pontoon boat.

A few minutes later, we were headed out of the harbor.  We passed by a pirate ship and were more than a little startled when they blasted one of their cannons!

Crab Island was our destination and it was everything we had hoped for and more.

The water was a gorgeous shade of turquoise!

And we had such a handsome Captain!

First things, first.  Let's try out the slide!  Lila, Madison and then Cami zoomed into the ocean on this super-fun, pretty high slide!

The water was so refreshing, too.

Everyone took a turn down the slide that afternoon, except Gigi and Lilly.

There was no shortage of big smiles!

For our last hour, the kids did the inflatable obstacle course and had a ball.  This place was so cool!

And this right here is the easiest baby ever.  Four hours on a boat, took a nap in the ocean and wore her life jacket without much complaint at all.  Big smiles from our Lilly Bear after we got back to shore.  I just love her.

That evening, it was our turn for date night.  We went to Louisiana Lagniappe for a magnificent dinner.  We were high on life and then, as if on cue, a fireworks show began not far from our patio seats.  Amazing!  A terrific Thursday indeed!