First Day of School 2016

Such a sad beginning of the year this has been for me. Both boys are in school every single day (Carson only half days, but still) and it is like the end of a season in my life. So, I'm not going to whine a lot here, or vent through all the craziness in my head (I'm no longer needed...my boys are in school all day...I have no purpose in life anymore...)

I'll just leave you with a few pictures from start of school. And go cry myself to sleep.

He dropped the frame and broke the glass out. I was tired, stressed, emotional, and lost it. Yelled at the poor child for a simple accident-- not one of my finer parenting moments. He was fine after an apology and tight hug...I still replay the 2 minute episode in my head while I am trying to go to sleep at night. Mom guilt is hard.

No great school pics of Carver this year. But we did have homemade donuts. So there is that.

A little treat for the first day of school (after pick-up in the afternoon).

He adores school.

Shout out to Amanda for the shirt. Love. 

Car line selfie.

Make-your-own ice cream sundaes to celebrate surviving the first week of school.

Kind of a scary face. But the excitement is real.

A Date with Carver

On the last Saturday before school started I took Carver out for the day, just the two of us. He loves this-- and so do I. We started with lunch at a huge Chinese buffet (because Carver has decided he likes sushi), and then we headed to paint pottery at Fired Up! on Wall Street in Asheville. This was the absolute perfect activity with Carver. He likes any sort of craft and it was quiet so we were able to paint and talk and just spend some really good time together.

I adore him. Which is kind of a ridiculous thing to say-- doesn't every mom adore their kids? But, I don't know, there is just something about him. I love to spend time with him and I love that, for now, he really loves when we do things together. He is a precious, moody, complicated, affectionate, gift from God.

I am thankful for every single day.

And a week later-- the finished product! He was so proud of his piggy bank.

August Phone Dump

That time I laid out the boys' clothes in the wrong spots and they got completely dressed and it wasn't until quite a bit later that Carver asked me why his shorts were so tight that we realized they were wearing each other's clothes. So funny. 

A total splurge purchase. But I love it.

I recommend the Yumbox :) 

Carson got a hair cut and asked Mrs. Chris to give him a mohawk. He then requested a mohawk every morning for DAYS.

I go over my rug with a fine-toothed comb every couple of days. Most of this is Winston's but a lot is Roxy's too. I have never understood people that couldn't deal with a little pet hair because it was so worth it to me to have a dog companion that the hair never super bothered me. I don't know what is going on, but Winston's shedding has gotten OUT OF CONTROL. I still love him but geez...

Tried a new restaurant-- Taco Temple.
Shout out to Ellen-- this is in the building where Two Guys Hoagies used to be, right on Charlotte street. I could see our Baird Street house from the parking lot. Those were some fun days :) 

Movie night at Daddy's work. He probably had 3-4 snow cones and at least 3 cotton candies. Oh, and soda. He's cute so he would just ask whatever adult was nearby if he could have something. And they would just give it to him. Every time he ran past me had something new and sugary to eat. 

Same for Carver, except he doesn't like cotton candy. 

Starting the movie. They LOVE Samuel. 

Carson: "Mom, do I look pretty? Carver fixed my hair."

Build-a-bear was on the summer bucket list. We finally made it the week before school started. 

Yearly check-ups. They were INSANE the whole time. 

Carson had to get two big shots and some blood drawn. He did GREAT! He was so brave. Then when we were heading out of the office he very nearly passed out (I caught him). The doctor checked him over and had him lay down for a bit. Then he was as good as new. It was scary though!

Lunch at Cracker Barrel and he was as good as new.

Can you spot the snake. I do not love snakes. Yet they tend to live in my yard no matter where I live. 

Montreat Park with friends.

The last lunch date at Pizza Hut before school started. 

Good times with sweet friends :)

This summer we spent a lot of time with Becky, Ande, and Graham (and occasionally Robert)-- as evidenced through all the pictures with them in the last few blog posts :) The boys adore Ande and Graham and I am so thankful to have a mom-friend that I can share this stage of life with.

We went to Hand's On! in Hendersonville one day (a fun children's museum) and then walked to a cute place for lunch after. I like Hendersonville, it is a really cute town.

Then, a few days later we met up with them again for an Asheville Tourists baseball game. I don't know why we only go to about one game a year-- I really think they are so much fun. We usually choose nights that are not particularly crowded and the boys seem to really enjoy watching the game and seeing the various characters that walk around the stadium. I spend most of my time snacking and taking the boys to the bathroom about eight million times. It was a beautiful night in Asheville.

So weird. 

Who knows what he is doing.

By far this is the boys' favorite part of these baseball games. 

These two were randomly matching-- they're so cute.