Summer's Ending

Well, another summer has come and gone.  No, I'm not talking about the heat, for that is still here with a vengeance.  No, I'm talking about the summer break for the kids.  Yep, they started back to school today.  It went by very quickly, but I must admit, I was not too upset about it's demise.  It was sure different than the previous summers spent doting, teaching, and frolicking with the boys.  Nope, this one was hard.

Two weekends ago, I was without the kids, so I decided to drive down to Temple to see my mom and my brother.  I got to Temple on Saturday morning about 11:00, and it was sure nice to see mom greet me at the door.  It was really strange visiting without the kids, or Lori for that matter, but I really enjoyed my time there.  We stayed around the house for the most part, but that's what I needed.  We ate well, watched some good movies, and just had fun visiting with each other.  While I was there, mom set aside a few things for me to take back to the new house.   As I was looking at them, I came across this sad sight tucked away in soon to be forgotten drawer......what a shame....  :-(

I did end up with some really nice things though, and I  added them to the ambiance of the house once I got home Sunday afternoon.

On Tuesday I had a tough choice to make.  Unfortunately, I was torn between taking Christopher to his first baseball practice, and taking Aidan to "meet the locker" night at his Jr. High.  Well, I figured there were going to be many baseball practices in the future, but there was only going to be one "get your first school locker" night.  I decided to take Aidan, and Lori was nice enough to agree to take Christopher to practice even though it was my night for the boys.

It was really funny seeing all of the new 6th graders getting so excited about their new lockers.  They really make a big deal about it, and allow the students to decorate the inside of their locker however they wish.  While the vast majority of the boys just threw their books in their locker and called it a day, the girls were an entirely different story.  Wow, you would not believe some of the elaborate setups that I saw.  I'm talking fully carpeted walls with tiny chandeliers hanging from the ceiling elaborate.  No, I kid you not.  It was crazy!

And of course, Christopher "slugger" Thornton ready for action!

Look at that form!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I said in my previous post, Thursday was my baby boy's 6th birthday.  We had a party at JUMP STREET for Christopher, and a few of his friends.  JUMP STREET is an indoor trampoline park, and it is really cool.  All sorts of trampoline rooms.  Dodge ball trampoline rooms, huge foam pit trampoline rooms, mechanical bull trampoline rooms........etc.   You get the picture......Just really amazing.  Everybody had a great time.

Christopher with his friend Conrad, explaining the finer points of rope swinging into the foam pit.

Blow baby Blow!!

Not just happy......Skylanders Happy!

Just his color.

A little brotherly love.

Senor Aidan!

Great fun was had by all that attended.

After the party, we had just enough time to go to our homes and relax for about an hour, and then it was on to Christopher's "meet the teacher" night at his school.

I met Lori and the boys at Allen Elementary, and we went over to the "classroom" board to find out who Christopher would be tormenting.......uh I mean....to find out who Christopher would have as a teacher.  Mrs.  Childress was the answer, and Christopher was really happy.  He knew her from last year, and it's who he was hoping to get.  YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After "meet the teacher", we left the school, and headed to the baseball field for Aidan's scrimmage.  Whew, it was a busy day and night.  After two hours of watching Aidan play baseball, it was finally time to call it a night.  I hugged the boys bye, and off they went to Lori's house.  That's always hard........

I had the boys for last weekend, and we had a really good time.  Aidan had two friends spend the night over here, and everybody played great together and had lots of fun.  4 boys and just me.......what was I thinking?  Actually, it was great, and was surprisingly easy.  I smoked a 3 lb. rib filet on the smoker for about 3 hours on Friday night, and the boys devoured about half of it.  It turned out great!  We had pancakes and eggs in the morning, and everybody went home happy and full.

Although I was supposed to have the kids until Wednesday morning, I decided to let Lori have them on Sunday night.  This morning was their first day of school, and I thought it would just be easier on the first day if they rode the bus.  Lori was happy to get them, and each called me from the bus stop before they left.  Oh how I wish I could have been there.  I'm sorry I had to miss that.  It's always exciting watching them on their first day back.  Maybe next year.......

Here is our big 1st grader looking a little apprehensive.

Aidan looking anticipatory.

 Aidan waiting with his friends Matt (7th grade), and his little girlfriend Maddie.(6th grade)

I say "little" strictly for age purposes.  Maddie just turned 11 and she is 5'7" tall.  Wow, and I thought Aidan was tall for his age. 

Thanks Lori for sending me the pictures.  It helped.

William