Ty's First Day!

Ty was so ready to start school with the others, so when he finally got to go, two weeks later, he was FIRED UP!! I barely had to time to snap this picture before he turned and ran through the door.

1st Day of School!

Wesley's off to Hebron Christian Academy for his first day of 6th grade!
Will and Riley Catherine ready for Mulberry Elementary School.

With Team Jenkins

Giving the Cleft Sign - in case you were wondering.

This picture gives me chest pains every time I see it.

There they go - without even a backwards glance. "Hey, it's Mom back here - Remember me? The one that gave birth to you. The one whose insides were completely destroyed in order to give you life. The one whom you were literally attached to for 9 months?? Don't worry about me. I'll be fine . . . "

Will with his fourth grade teacher, Mr. Cone.

Riley and Ms. McBryde

Back to School Bash!

On the Sunday before school starts we host our annual Back to School Bash. It begins with pizza followed by a run through the banner - youngest to oldest - accompanied by various announcements, stats, and witty comments from the Dads. All of this is followed by the traditional dance off, circle and share time and cookie cake. It is a much-anticipated event in the neighborhood and always a perfect photo op!

Don't they look sweet and innocent?

Ty Warbington - age 4, preschool

Riley Catherine - age 7, second grade

(nice pose, Riley)

Will Warbington - age 9, fourth grade

(even more interesting, Will)

Wesley - age 11, starting sixth grade!!!

(At certain milestones, like starting middle school, we have something extra special for the kids to celebrate. Last year, Ethan got silly string. This year, all of the adults were armed with water pistols, super-soakers, water balloons - well, you get the picture. Wesley, too busy doing a round-off through the banner, was completely unsuspecting!)

We got him GOOOD!

Let the party train begin!

Love this picture of Chuck and K.B.

Now, this was not part of the regularly scheduled program, but sometimes you have to just improvise and go with the flow - literally! It turned into an all out water battle!

Share time in the circle.

Now, who wouldn't want any of this kids in their class?!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!!!

So, Chuck has always told our boys that they could play football when they get to middle school. At the time that seemed so far off, but now we find ourselves enslaved to the Dacula rec league football program. I wanted to share a couple of pictures from Wesley's first night in pads - which, by the way, was only the 4th night of practice. Here he is suited up and ready to play.

Can I just say here that this looks like a very grown up young man - certainly NOT my little boy.

I love this picture. This would be the BEFORE shot. Before the hits, the drills, the tackles, the one-on-ones, the trips, the rips, the face plants. Need I go on?

This would be the AFTER shot. Notice the bruises on his arm and elbow, as well as the scratches on his neck. And this is only moments after practice. You will just have to imagine what they looked like a few days later.

At this point, Wesley was repeating in an almost mindless state, "I just want to play receiver. I just want to play receiver. No more tackling drills . . . please."

And then, Dad settled in for a little impromptu coaching moment.

This is fun. he he! Can't wait to see what happens in the first game.

To Be Continued . . . .