First week of school 2012

It was the first week of school this week.  This I feel is always an exciting time.  How could it not be.  New school clothes, lunch boxes, back packs, and all the essential materials to make it a fantastic school year. The kids would never admit it, but I think they were just as excited.  

 Hunter is going into the third grade this year.  Can you believe it??  I hardly can.  I mean he is my baby and I swear I feel like I was in the hospital the other day having him.  He so doesn't seem like he is in third grade, but he is.  Third grade and up is upstairs in the school so that makes him feel big.  He is one of the big kids now.  I think I may cry.  

Oh Emilee.  She is a big fifth grader this year.  She gets to switch classes each school day.  She has three teachers.  One for reading and language arts, one for science and history and on for math.  This will be a different year for her, but she came back the first day loving it.  I hope she keeps that momentum.  I have already heard from one of her teachers how much they just love her.  That is how it always is with Emilee.  Her teachers always stop me in the hall just to tell me how much they enjoy her in their class.  I have good expectations for Emilee the year.  She will do awesome.

Emilee and Hunter are at the elementary school while Megan is at the middle school this year.  It sure is different to see them catch the bus at different times and come home at different times.

This is the one that really makes me crazy.  I just cannot believe that Megan is now in middle school.  She is my big 7th grader.  12 years old and has the attitude to match.  She has grown up to be a beautiful girl, even though I try really hard to imagine she is still little.  It is hard for me to let go.  She seeks for so much independence and I try to keep her from it.  She for sure has found her individuality and even though I may shake my head and even roll my eyes, I love it.  I am so proud of her and I hope she has a wonderful year.

Family Reunion -- Las Vegas, NV

I am so behind.  Oh well, better late then never.  This summer our family drove all the way back home to Las Vegas, NV for a family reunion.  It has probably been three years since the last time the kids have been back.  Normally I save up for about 6 months and fly.  This time, Jeremy was going and he said we were going to drive.  I was not looking forward to that.  Three days there and three days back.  I wish I could say that I enjoyed the drive and I loved seeing the country, but that would be a lie.  I did not like the drive at all.  I found it very exhausting and tedious.  We did make it.  Right before the fourth of July.  

 I usually stay at my dad's house, but we thought it would be too crowded at my dad's and I thought it would be good for the kids to spend some time with there cousins, so we stayed at my brother's home instead.  It was a treat.  My sister-in-law kept saying she is not a very good  host, but I beg to differ.  She was a very good host and it was way fun to reconniect.  We spent the fourth of July with there family.  We went out to the airport and watched the fireworks go off.  The kids rode in the jeep with my brother.  They thought that was the coolest thing ever.  I don't think they have ever driven in a vehicle where the wind blew through their hair.  In the past I have usually been impressed with the firework show that the hotels let off, but not this year.  The music they had to it was weird and it was over in minutes.  But we had fun spending time together anyway.  So afterwards we went and got frozen yogurt.

My brother has a pool, so the kids were in paradise.  They swam everyday all day long.  In Vegas, that is a huge treat.  My brother likes to scuba dive and let the kids bring out the tank and scuba dive in the pool.  He has this cool camera that takes pics underwater.  The kids took tons.  It was a pretty cool.  

Finally it was time for the reunion.  Family was finally getting into town and the festivities were beginning.  One day we spent the day up at Mt. Charleston.  Now I know some around here and Virginia where we were before think there are mountains and hiking here, but they would be wrong.  There are things I like about all regions of the United States, but the West gets it for the best mountains and hiking activities.  It was beautiful and the weather was fantastic.  Emilee made it too the top first and I think she amazed everybody with her athletic capabilities.

Of course there was more swimming, games to play, food to eat and talking, talking and more talking.  It was good to see everyone.  I think I am the farthest away, so of course I am always the last one to know about things and sometimes I think I might even be forgotten about so it was so good to see the family.

One of the last nights we were there, Jeremy and I decided to take the kids down to the strip to see the lights. They were all born in Vegas and Megan was about 5 when we left.  I thought it would be cool for them since I don't think I ever really took them to the strip.   I mean I grew up here.  What's the harm in that, right?  No big deal.  Either I am not desensitized any more, things have changed and not for the better or I just am plain more sensitive with the kids around.  Probably all of the above.  Megan says I scarred her for life.  Also since it had been the fourth of July, it was a madhouse.  I don't think I have ever seen that many people and it made it even hotter then it was.  The kids noticed everything that they shouldn't have and it for sure has gotten worse.  Let's just say, our trip down to the strip was not a good one.  Oh well.  They did get to see some of the lights and attractions like the Mirage volcano, the Bologio fountain show and Caesar Palace, but as soon as we could we left and ended up at 7-eleven for some much needed Slurpees.  

A couple days later we were back on the road.  Again, not my favorite thing, but three days later we were home.  It was nice.  The rest of summer was pretty much just every day life.