Emery's First Day of School...Taking K3 by Storm!

 

Emery's first day of school went off without a hitch!  Given her extreme anxiety at the K3 meet-n-greet last week, I was DREADING the first day of school.  However, she was perfectly fine!  A few minutes of hesitation at the very beginning of the day, but that's it.  We left her coloring with her boyfriend, Davis, and I picked her up to all smiles and chattering a million miles an hour.  She's there again right now....crossing my fingers for more of the same when I pick her up in an hour.

 

 A few nerves at the coloring table when Mommy and Daddy said their goodbyes...

 Fortunately, Davis was there to reassure her.

 Very animated conversation in the car on the way home.  She loved the playground and learning a new song about a rainbow fish (anyone know this song???)

 I had balloons waiting for Emery when we pulled in the driveway.  She loves balloons--the bigger the better.

This is the tote bag Emery helped decorate.  She takes the bag and her folder every day.  I think it's a great way for her teacher to share information.  I loved going through her bag yesterday and seeing what she did. 

K3 Meet and Greet

Emery begins K3 next week.  She'll be going to school two mornings per week.  Today was "meet the teacher" day.  We also dropped off all her school supplies, found her cubby, picked up car tags and got to explore the classroom.

 Filling up her paper bag with the assigned school supplies:  paints, colored pencils, crayons, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, paper towels, baby wipes, play doh, etc. 

 The little brothers:  Charlie and Bodie will probably log a lot of hours together while Davis and Emery are at school.  Best buddies!

 This little kitchen area is a big hit with the girls in the class.

 Emery was nervous and clingy when we first got to school.  I REALLY hope she's over that by Tuesday!

Oh geez--that's her trouble-making face.  Please God, don't let her be in the principal's office when I pick her up the very first day!

Clay Walker in Montgomery

For our 33rd birthday several weeks ago, Ben and Brian gifted Alison and me with tickets and backstage passes to see Clay Walker in Montgomery, AL.  Alison and I have been huge Clay fans since we were 15 years old and he released his first single, "What's It To You."  We've seen him in concert countless times and have met him on a few occasions, but this was extra special because we were privileged enough to get a private mini-concert prior to the show.  Clay was charming and sweet (and adorable) as he strummed his guitar, told some funny stories, teased his band members, etc.  He sounds incredible live.  Alison and I aren't sure if we should be flattered or mortified, but Clay remembered us!  He walked into the VIP area and immediately said, "I've met you before, haven't I?"  Swoon.  We're probably banned from future shows and our names put on some stalker list.

 Having a few drinks before the show.  We drove to Montgomery and back from Atlanta all in one day, but it was totally worth it.  The drive was actually fun--no kids screaming in the backseat!

 Me with Clay

 Alison moving in on my territory

Singing "She Won't Be Lonely Long"

Just a routine trip to Publix....

I pick my battles.

It's freezing up here in Grand Haven...

But Emery and Austin were determined to do some swimming. They just had to get a little creative.

Grand Haven for the Fourth

Our family headed up to Grand Haven, MI, for a week at the beginning of July to celebrate the Fourth with Ben's family.  Unfortunately, we seemed to have brought the heat with us.  Usually our summertime trips to Lake Michigan provide a much needed break from the scorching SC heat, but not the case this year.  The temps in the midwest were just as hot as the southeast.  We're going again in August--hoping for nicer weather then!  Despite the heat, we had a great time.

 Bodie loved his first trip to a beach--and looked adorable, I might add.

 If you saw my post about Emery's birthday you know she received a pink Power Wheels Mustang from my parents.  Much to her delight, Grandma Slagel drives a red Mustang during the summer.  Emery and cousin Austin are wild about this ride and insisted on riding in it anytime we had to get in a vehicle.  Although Linda has had this car for years (10????), she rarely drives it and I don't think Emery really remembers much from last summer's trip to MI, so the car was a huge novelty for her.  Of course Ben and I argued over who got to drive it.  Manual, GT, convertible....super fun.

 Even though the air was 100 degrees, Lake Michigan was still brisk.  Nevertheless, Emery and Austin both jumped right in and played in the waves for hours.

 When not swimming in the lake, Emery was a little fish in Grandma and Grandpa's pool....

 Or having ice cream on the boardwalk....

 Or playing in the new splash pad downtown....

 Or boating on My Three Sons....we spent A LOT of time in or on the water during this trip!

Blogger is giving me fits and messing up the order of my photos!!!!  Anyways, Emery also enjoyed playing with a lot of neat old toys Grandma had saved from when her boys were little.  Bodie loved boating--but then again, Bodie loves everything!

 We celebrated Emery's third birthday with a Minnie Mouse themed pool party at Thornblade Country Club.  Such an easy party!  The club did most of the work (the food was delicious) and all of the cleanup.  If I hadn't gone so nuts with the party favors (monogrammed towels), things would have been a breeze.

 My friend Cindy ordered this costume for her daughter's birthday party coming up this weekend.  She offered to let me borrow it if I could find someone will to play the part.  Easy peezy!  I asked our sweet next door neighbor and she found me an available friend ASAP.  Thank you, Joy!

 Emery wasn't too sure about Minnie--nothing like her immediate bolt towards Elmo last year.

 My stacks of finished towels.

 Each kid also got a Minnie cookie.

 Avery, Kristin and Brooke LOVED Minnie Mouse.

 Alison and Kelsey with the large rodent

 Ben started a wrestling match with the Ragsdale kids at the end of the evening.

 The birthday girl and her friends had so much playing ladder golf as the sun went down. 

Happy birthday, Emery!  Mommy loves you more than you'll ever know.