The first days back

When we arrived back in Asheville we had a bit of a delay before we could get moved into the townhouse. We had just replaced all of the flooring with a few delays, then the water heater went out, and trying to unpack amongst all of the boxes in such a small space made it virtually impossible to actually live there at the same time. So we spent a rather pleasant week or so at Skyview-- a house on the conference center campus.

My mom headed over to Asheville with us to help us settle in. I'm so thankful for parents that help us out. Daniel and I both have really incredible parents that will help us with anything at any time.

So thankful for my Mama.

Anyway, here are a few of the things we did during those first days back in Asheville.

We went to Tupelo Honey Cafe, one of my favorites. I found out they have some good drink specials and I am trying to entice some of my friends to come and visit me in Asheville. 

I hit 100,000 miles on my car. And I've added about 13,000 miles since we moved. I'm driving a whole lot these days.

Ice cream at Kilwin's in Black Mountain.

Out to dinner in Black Mountain.

Mom and I took the boys up to Mt. Mitchell. We stopped and ate lunch on the way up. One of my favorite outings in the area.

We found the WNC Nature Center and LOVED it. Mom bought us family passes so we have been going a lot-- the boys adore it.

We explored some at the Conference Center.

And we found a favorite breakfast place, Blue Ridge Biscuit Company.

We finally found some time to resume our projects/crafts at home. Here we were making bead necklaces. 

We found and visited a few playgrounds during those first days and weeks. 

TCBY...they used Angry Birds in their marketing-- he was a bit excited about it.

And found a second yogurt place called YOLO-- love it.

Carson and I spend some Friday mornings at Asheville Gymnastics. They have an open gym for 45 minutes sessions several days a week. Carson loves it and it gives me a chance to be doing something fun with him while Carver is at school. 

Fuddruckers. I ate here about 8,347 times when I lived here 10 years ago (it was right by our house). 

I've been trying out coffee houses. This was a good one, FILO. 

Montreat Morning School

Leaving behind The Little School in Clarkesville, Georgia was a part of the move to Asheville that I really struggled with. Carver had attended for two years and he loved it. Carson was already enrolled to start this Fall. We loved the teachers and the administrators and the connections and community we had established there. Classes were very small, the curriculum was very academic, and we were just so pleased.

It was difficult to quickly find a preschool that we liked in the Asheville area that had room to take both boys. We also struggled with comparing every school to the one we were leaving behind. We finally settled on Montreat Morning School. It came highly recommended and looked great on their website. Not quite like TLS, but still good.

It is still bizarre to me that everyday I get up and drive to Black Mountain, and then into Montreat to drop my boys off at school. After so many of my college summers spent there, and then 2 years post-college, it is just odd to now have returned and be married and raising my kids here.

But, I like it. Every day on the way to school I see such gorgeous mountain views. The boys' school is on the campus of Montreat College, filled with pretty houses, a lake and creek and large, old, stone buildings. It is beautiful there.

We have been pleased with MMS so far. There are some differences of course, and a few things we had to adjust to. I do not have as much contact with the teachers as I did before, but I definitely know them and like each one of them. The classes are really big-- which was hard for me-- Carver's first 2 years in school in GA there were only 6 in his class. But they do great projects and crafts. They seem very academic but still focus on play and multiple learning centers. Carver, especially, has seemed to do quite well in that setting.

Carver did get into a bit of trouble on the playground about 5 days into the school year. It was pretty dramatic and the teachers had to call in reinforcements as he was bodily removed from the playground whilst in the middle of an epic tantrum... That was awkward. But since then all has been smooth sailing and he has made friends and does a pretty good job reporting about his day.

From Day 1 Carson has always walked into his classroom like he owns the place. He seems to love school and has a "best friend," Micah, whom he talks about a lot. He loves going to see "his teachers" too. I've been able to do a few things with his class, a Harvest Festival, trick-or-treating, and a Christmas party and all of that has been fun.

Having Carver in school 5 days a week has been quite an adjustment for me. He has adjusted better than I had hoped. He is only there for 4 hours a day but still---to no longer have him at home with me for any days during the week has been sad. And just a clear preview of what next year will be like when he is in Kindergarten and gone for full school days. I dread it.

Carson goes two days a week and that is plenty for now.

Here are their first day of school pics!