Second Day of School, 2019/2020

Sure, everyone is excited on the first day of school, but the trio were still smiling on day two. Only 187 more days to go til summer!

First Day of School 2019/2020

We had a fantastic summer. We really did. Although we spent a few weeks dreading the start of school, the trio got pretty excited a few days before the start date. They were so eager they decided to meet for breakfast at CFA at 6am (note the darkness through the windows!). 

This year, we're prepared for the darkness. It took us most of last year to get used to getting up before the sun and watching the sunrise from the bus stop. This year... we're ready for it. They're even smiling!

George is still five minutes from his school so he had a little more time for photos and was feeling a little indulgent toward the camera. He is sporting some new Harry Potter gear from PBTeen.  

And we love his fresh haircut, which is a big change from his longer, summer hair. 

Have you noticed his new smile? He lost his second front tooth about a week after the first. We think it's super cute and cannot wait to see his new smile.  

Lauren has homework central prepped and ready to go.  

We are excited for 2019/2020 and are hoping for the best year yet!

George's Third Grade Registration

Back-to-school is starting to get real with George's registration for third grade. To maintain our denial, we spent the morning at the pool and then rolled into registration smelling of sunscreen. 

George is super excited for third grade and ready to resume playing with some of his best bros. 

Third grade, we have a good feeling about you. 

Dominoes with Grammie

My mom visits our neighborhood "senior center" a few times a week and enjoys playing games with fellow visitors. She loves to play Dominoes and recently bought the trio a set so that they can learn to play as well. 

They are having a great time. 

Open House Volunteers

Our church's preschool had its open house for the upcoming 2019/2020 school year, and we volunteered to set up a photo booth for parents/families to use when they came to meet their teachers.  

Of course, my favorite three alumni also volunteered to help out and helped parents bring in their school supplies. 

Snaggletooth

William George has been telling us his front teeth are loose for a couple of years. One day when he told us, they really were loose, and he diligently wiggled the left one until it was barely hanging on. Then, as with all of the teeth he has lost so far, he pulled it himself. 

We officially have a snaggletooth! 

Swimming with Friends

Yesterday we celebrated one of George's friend's 8th birthday. He's a very cool dude so naturally he had his party at the Aquatic Center, and we had a great time hanging out with him and some awesome friends. 

Happy birthday, C!!!!

Middle School Registration

Today's activity has been looming on the calendar for weeks... middle school registration. 

The good news first: they were able to get the electives they wanted, and they have three classes together this year, which is very unusual. They haven't been in a class together since K3 maybe.  Also, Grace's locker is not in "Timbuktu" like last year. Although she perfected her walk-run to get to the locker a couple of times per day, she's happier to have her locker be on the same hallway as most of her classes. Lastly, Lauren was assigned a lower locker without any issue.  

The bad news: summer is ending. Naturally, they're excited for the new school year, but we will be sad to leave 2019 summer behind. It was a good one.  

After the duo were registered, Lauren worked a shift as an ambassador, which Grace, George and I went to the library, which is right next to the school. We enjoyed having a little more time to read the books of our choice while we are counting down the last couple of weeks.  

Extended Summer

The trio would normally be back in school by now, but our district extended the next two summers to accommodate construction projects across the county. Currently, we are enjoying having all of our favorite summer activities to ourselves.

Who's up for a quiet day at the pool?

Coolest Doctor's Office in Town

William George had a couple of big items at his annual appointment with the allergist. 

First, he had his regular exam. Second, he had allergy testing, which was still super positive for all notes (peanuts + tree). Third, he had blood work performed for upcoming desensitization. Finally, he had an eating challenge with egg. Basically, once an allergy appears to have resolved, a patient tries the food, safely (one bite every ten minutes) at the allergists office, to see how the food is handled.  

George was a total pro about the whole thing, and his allergist's office is the coolest office ever.  

George at Work

There's nothing like being back at home. Skip has returned to work, and we are lining up our last minute summer to-do items. 

George, getting in the spirit of all things productive, just came downstairs and announced, "I have to go to work tonight." 

I feel safer, don't you?

Appalachicola

We spent a lazy morning traveling over to Appalachicola to do some shopping and then eat lunch at the Owl Cafe. William George was especially impressed with the cheese fries with duck confit. Fun fact: George wears swimsuits the entire time we are at the beach. 

Grace and Lauren also stopped by their favorite book store to pick up some good books and visit with the cats who are in residence. Seeing those felines curled up inside the book store is almost making them cat people, and they admitted that dog would not likely laze around while customers shopped.  Cats have a quiet sophistication that dogs simply lack. 

We had a wonderful trip to the beach, and look forward to relaxing and reading over the next couple of weeks until school starts. 

What are your favorite summer reads? 

Cape San Blas

Cape San Blas is one of our favorite places to explore. Although the gulf was at its best this trip, we still enjoy the beauty of the Cape. 

Unfortunately, the State park at the end of the Cape incurred significant hurricane damage. One of the main roads was completely reclaimed by the gulf during surge, and only about a third of the park is still accessible. For example, the cabins and anything just beyond the initial entrance area is no longer  reachable by car. They are assessing repair/rebuilding. However, the area is still gorgeous, quiet and a wonderful place to visit.  

The One That Got Away

We have been having a great week, with lots of pool and beach time.  Skip brought George's fishing gear, and although George didn't have much luck fishing in the ocean, he had a big catch in the bay.  Skip and George went over to the bay side to fish, and two fellow fisherwomen cautioned them that there was a large alligator and pointed him/her out for them to avoid. Naturally, Skip suggested that they try to catch it. Skip cast, and the bob landed a few feet away. George said, "Let me try!" George then cast, and his bad landed right in front of the gator's mouth. The gator chomped down on it, and as they were figuring out what to do with it, the gator opened its mouth and released the bob. 

When we asked George what he was going to do with the gator he said, "Trophy it." 

It would have looked so nice hanging in his room.