Tuesday, September 25, 2012

What's Been Going On!

We have finally settled in to a routine with school and work.  The kids both love school!  The first two weeks; however, Cooper was a holy terror in the evenings!  We attributed it to all the changes he was experiencing and I'm just thankful that he wants to go every morning.  I'm sure the fact that he isn't taking a 2-hour nap every day had something to do with it as well.  He has done well in school, according to his teacher, and has only had to pull a warning ticket twice, for throwing rocks on the playground.  I've been assured that he is not the only child doing this and hopefully, it's under control now.  
A few weeks ago, he was king for the day.....one of the things he got to do was play on the computer while all the kids drew pictures of him.  He then got to bring the pictures home in a book and it was really fun to look at all the kids drawings.  This is a new face he is making for pictures now and mom thinks it makes him look shy...
Kamdyn has become a big time animal lover and I'm wondering if I should be calling her "Ellie Mae" now.  A few weeks ago, I picked her up at Aunt Donna's and had to bring home this turtle that they had found outside. 
She had even decorated the box and named the turtle "Baxter."  I'm not a big animal person so there was no way that turtle was going in my house.  We finally talked her into releasing the turtle in our neighbors yard before we went to the football game that night. 
My friend sent me this picture of Kam catching tadpoles at her pond.  She says she wants to be a vet when she grows up and I'm really starting to believe her!
And, because I'm so behind on blogging, here's a few more pics that are totally unrelated to anything I've been talking about here.  This is Cooper (again with that shy smile), Campbell, and Braxton before the panther game a few weeks ago.  Pretty cute fans, in my opinion!
One of the kids in Cooper's class got glasses and his teacher had a pair of glasses (minus the lenses) for each kid to wear on his first day to wear them.  What a great idea! 
Hoping to catch up on posting some pics from the summer.... hang with me!

Friday, September 14, 2012

I Can See Clearly Now

I took the kids to the eye doctor for their first exam a few weeks ago and was shocked (sorta) when Kam needed glasses.  I didn't think Kam would go for it, but she was sold once she tried on a pair with some "bling" on them!
She's only been wearing them a few days and she says she can see "so clearly now!"  I think she looks adorable in them!  She has since told me that now she needs braces....I told her one thing at a time!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Timber Lodge 2012

I've said it a hundred times I know, but Timber Lodge weekend with the Efird's is one of my most favorite weekends of the year!  My cousins and I all grew up close and even though we don't see each other as much as we would like, we all maintain a close-knit relationship.  Our kids are all close in age and have the best time together.   It's a weekend of fun, food, fellowship,fishing, 4-wheeling, no-fuss, no makeup, no rules.... I could go on and on.
  
Getting ready to zip line across the lake....note to self for next year:  a harness over a swimsuit cover up is neither comfortable nor attractive!
Aidan, Braden, Kylie, Kenzie, Kamdyn, and Kamryn....
Kamdyn and Kylie zip lining....
Cooper's first zip line experience.... he was too nervous to do it last year but couldn't wait to do it this year - until we got to the top of the mountain.  He was fine once we got going and said it "was awesome!"
Sitting on the dock of the lake...
It's always extremely hot when we are there but we always get Mamaw and Papaw out to sit on the dock (in the shade, of course!) and watch all 30-something of us zip line.
Campbell, Kason, and Aidan....
Pop and Coop fishing on the bank.... Coop has developed a new love of fishing and has asked several times to go since... a new fishing pole will be in order soon!
Pop and his boys... 
Mark and the girls fishing across the lake...
The guys always have a poker night at one of the houses while the girls take care of the kids.  There was even a trophy this year and Mark won the first ever Timber Lodge "Chumpionship" trophy... I'm so proud!
This year we decided that the girls would get in on the fun and planned our own activities!  We played "Just Dance" one night and Bunko the next and had a blast!  Both will be annual events now.  Thank goodness there were no cameras around for the dance competition.... let's just say the Chastain girls don't really have it going on!

Finding some shade at the playground...
Playing in the game room...
Cooper's birthday usually falls while we are at Timber Lodge or soon after.... he thinks we go there for his birthday and I'm not going to let him think any differently!
Blowing out the candles....
Annual group picture right before we leave on Sunday.... Papaw always likes to say he and Mamaw "started all this mess!"  Cooper's the only one not looking (just like last year!) but one out of fifteen kids facing forwards is success in my book!
We all agreed that this was one of the best years we've had!!  Timber Lodge 2013 is already on the calendar for next year and I can't wait!