Riding Bikes!!!

D and Nana located another great yard sale find!!! They found Madilyn her first tricycle...and she loves it, especially the bell!!! She is still a little short to reach the pedals, but it won't be long! She's getting so big! Austin was excited he will have someone to ride with soon!

Tyler Dawson

Tyler Dawson finally made his arrival yesterday!!! We are all so excited! What will he call me...we have DiDi (D), GiGi, KiKi, BiBi....who knows?? We haven't discussed it yet. Austin is very excited to have another boy cousin. I'm sure Austin will teach him lots of things (some Kiera may wish Austin wouldn't pass on...but I guess that's what cousins are for!). I'm terribly going to miss him not growing up here with Austin and Madi, but I guess it isn't my decision...and we'll make due! There will just be alot of traveling between Florida and North Carolina.

I overhead Austin on the phone with Kiera asking her if Tyler would be walking when she came down to visit (which will be in October). He was quite disappointed that he wouldn't be running around the yard with him yet. That time will come soon enough. Madilyn calls him "Tys." It is absolutely adorable. We cannot wait to meet Tyler!! Way to go Kiera and David!!!

Say Cheese!!!

Austin lost his first tooth today!!! GG said she wanted him to "show" it to him and she yanked. "Ouch! GG that hurt!" was his reply. Much to Austin's surprise the tooth was out!! He was so excited and Madilyn has been talking about teeth all day! When he called Kiera to tell her, he asked how much does the tooth fairy give you? I held my breathe...questioning whether Kiera would reply with something along the lines of $20, but instead she told him that the tooth fairy always left her $1. Thank you Kiera!!! I owe you one!!

I wonder if the tooth fairy will visit tonight???

Check out the video below. P.S. We had a pajama day staying home with Gustav...

Fishing...again!

Austin has the BEST Nana and D!!! Nana (and D when she can talk him into it) started a ritual of taking Austin fishing once a week (more if Austin is particularly persuading). He absolutely loves it and now, with out a doubt, Austin knows that he has the best grandparents EVER!!!

Thanks Nana and D!!!

First Day of School

Austin is now in first grade!! Austin started first grade at a new school this year. He is now at Rhodes with Nana. His teacher is Mrs. Rinehart. Mrs. Rinehart is a very patient, calm, nurturing teacher and I can already tell we made the right choice!

Austin was a little nervous this year. During "Meet the Teacher" he leaned over to me and asked how was he suppose to know if he did good on a paper in first grade. In kindergarten he would get stars or smiley faces...but what about first grade? He was very concerned.

The first day went well. When I went to wake him up for his second day of school, he was a little more reluctant. We sat down and talked about what was wrong and he said, "Mrs. Rinehart said that everyday was going to be harder...yesterday was like Kindergarten and I could do it, but today is going to be harder." Much to his surprise, he came home from school with a big grin and stated that today wasn't harder!

Austin's backpack (with the BASS patch from KiKi and David)

Ok, mom...enough pictures!!!

Another funny story before I go. Austin came home from school after his first week of school with a certificate that he was awarded for being able to spell his color words. This came much to my surprise because I know for a FACT that he doesn't know how to spell all of his color words. He has discovered that on his name tag on his desk, there in black and white are all the color words spelled out for him already!! He sure fooled Mrs. Rinehart (wait...I probably shouldn't be bragging about that!)!!

My Silly Kids

Austin and Madi...I couldn't get them to look at the camera at the same time to save my life!! They looked so adorable, but I never caught that perfect picture!!

Madi is wearing the dress the Temples got for her from Panama. Isn't it adorable?

Can anyone tell me why Austin is pointing #1?? And notice the leftovers from lunch on his shirt...oh well, maybe we'll have better luck next time!

My how time flies!

6 years ago today, I was blessed with Austin. He is growing into such a fine young man that I am very proud of! Austin, I love you!!!

The day started with breakfast in bed for Austin. He chose waffles...yummy!

Then came the best part. The surprise...he was going on a shopping spree at Bass Pro Shop. He was so excited he was shaking! This day was all about Austin. He got to choose the songs we listened to on the radio and all the other details that came along with a "family day!" We spent 2 hours shopping for various fishing items. It was such a hard choice!

Austin also got to pick our lunch location. He wanted seafood (surprise, surprise!!). So we went to a fun restaurant, Anglers. It was a great start to a 6th Birthday!!!