Back-to-School traditions

For the past four years, we have taken the kids to the Galleria to go to The Cheesecake Factory and then to Build-a-Bear to celebrate the new school year.  So, we went this past weekend to continue the tradition.  We enjoyed a late lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and then walked over to where Build-a-Bear has always been, only to find an H&M in its place.  I asked one of the vendors and he said Build-a-Bear closed at that mall!  Oh my gosh, the disappointment!  Luckily, the Galleria has a Disney store and  Lego store.  Ellie picked out a stuffed Bambi and Jack got a Lego Movie Lego set. I was kind of getting sick of Build-a-Bear anyway.

Firsts

I am playing a bit of catch-up on the old blog today.  We had a few "firsts" recently that I want to document. 

Last weekend Jack had his first soccer meet.  I wasn't really sure what to expect since Jack can be a bit of a wild card sometimes; you never really know how he is going to act.  Sometimes he is sweet and obedient, sometimes he is off in his own world, and sometimes he just flat-out refuses to cooperate.  He was really excited about his first game, though.  When he first got on the field, he kind of froze and the coach had to literally hold his hand and run him toward the ball. He quickly overcame his fear and got into the game.  The kid is good.  He has a natural instinct for soccer.  I was completely in shock.  He did run off the field in the middle of a play to hug us and another time he was on the sidelines and just took off onto the field to play, but I think that is kind of par for course for 4 year olds!  

Monday was Ellie's first day of 3rd grade.  I had a really cute outfit picked out for her, but she insisted on wearing her Harry Potter tee. 

She had a great first day and was happy to discover that she knew most of the kids in her class and her switch class.  She also informed me that she is making a schedule for who she is playing with each day at recess.  I tried to convince her that she could play with ALL of her friends together at recess, but I guess different groups have different things they like to do.  Um, ok.  

Sunday Best: Photobombed edition

#sundaybest photobombed by white-trash baby

Sunday Best: Brothers editions

I have been leaving Sam at home with Tom on Sundays, but today I decided to bring him with us to church. He looked super handsome.

Jack wore a three-piece suit. I realize it is a bit much for August in Texas,  but Jack dresses himself.  He loves dressing up for church and is usually suited up before breakfast. I don't argue because he looks so handsome in a suit!

Sam the walking man

Ellie and Jack both started walking full-time by 13 months. Sam has been taking a few steps for months now, but he was still mainly a crawler.  I really wanted him to be a walker before Tom and I left for our New Orleans trip because, at 31 pounds, he is too heavy for my mom to carry. Well, it was like Sam knew because he started walking full-time the day we left for our trip.  And a cuter walker you never did see.

NOLA, baby!

Tom and I decided we needed one last hoorah before summer ended and we had to start being responsible adults again. So we took a quick trip to New Orleans and left the kids with family.  When we go to NOLA, we plan everything around the food.  This time, we left with no regrets.  Chargrilled oysters at Acme Oyster House, Ferdi Po'Boys at Mother's, beignets at Cafe du Monde, fried green tomatoes at Daisy Dukes, alligator bites at Oceana, and muffalettas at Napoleon House...they pretty much had to roll me out of New Orleans.

Seriously, though, this trip was just what we needed. I love my alone-time with Tom. I missed my kiddos like crazy, but I had a blast just walking and eating my way through New Orleans with my favorite guy.