Getting out while the getting's good

We're headed out today, a little trip to my parents' courtesy of Gustav. I don't think much is going to happen in our area, but I do NOT relish the idea of sitting in traffic for 10 hours in case it turns our way! Some of our neighbors are going & some are staying, the families on both sides of us are staying as of today. Most of our friends are going or have already gone, and apparently traffic is pretty heavy until Mobile. Rod has worked hard to get everything that's not nailed down ouside, moved inside. I've got our files/pictures/scrapbooks packed up & we'll leave in about an hour. Hopefully it fizzles out & no one has to deal with this thing, especially those in New Orleans.

Will update soon!

Going Away/Baby Shower

I always think the term "going-away party" is sort of amusing, as it always sounds like you're sort of glad the person is leaving. Of course that wasn't the case here! Jill, Andrew & the kids were leaving for Colorado due to Andrew's new job, so some friends & I gave her a shower at our house. We had a taco bar & some YUMMY food brought by different people. Rod brought our kids over to the R's house to eat pizza & let the kids play while all the ladies took over our house. Bye, Jill & Andrew! We hope you're settled in CO & are ready for your newest little girl!

First Day of Kindergarten!

It was an exciting day around here: Benji's first day of kindergarten! I must have started taking pictures too early, because after the first getting-ready shots he said, "Mom, please wait until I'm dressed!". Rod kept Sophie at home and Benji & I left for school at 6:55 so I could walk him to his class, and he settled right in at the Lego table. I was a bit teary but managed to hide it, since he was nothing but excited to be there! He rode the bus home and told me that he loved school, that his favorite part was riding the bus and his next favorite part was seeing me when he got off. Sophie hugged him and told him how much she missed him today, and they chased each other with a balloon around the house nonstop for about 2 hours this afternoon. Nothing like a little separation to bring on some sibling love! He was so exhausted when we got him to bed at 7:30, as you can see he crashed out immediately. I think he's going to have a great year.

Boating

Our friends invited us to go boating a few Sundays ago. We had a blast! We went tubing and I think the kids & Rod would have stayed all day out on the tubes. We also swam in muddy, 14 ft. deep water and that's something I never thought I'd do! It was great and the kids were thoroughly tired and crashed out early that night. Hmm, yet another reason to thank the Browns for inviting us!

Sweet Audrey

When we were in Thomasville we were able to spend several hours with my niece, Audrey. She is such a beautiful baby, and has the longest eyelashes I've ever seen! She is *very* attached to Allison right now, and was at her usual naptime location. It's a running joke that I know exactly what Allison's going to say when I call her up & ask what she's doing: holding Audrey! Sophie and Benji love bringing her toys and talking to her, and she seems to enjoy hanging out with other people closer to her own size. They have a good time together now, but I can't wait to see them play in another year or two.