The Weekly Grind and A New Local Spot

I think we are officially in a routine now even though I despise the 6:30am alarm. Daddy is just a huge help taking the big kids to school while Jacob and I can start our day a little slower. 

Jacob and I fill the mornings with errands, playing at the park, going on walks, and Jacob's newest favorite spot: Catch Air. It is the best $7 that I spend each week because it results in a very happy and adventurous boy plus an extra long nap!

I am still figuring out the best afternoon schedule for homework, activities, and dinner. My biggest challenge is helping Tuttle and Maggie while Jacob is awake and getting into everything. Maggie and Tuttle get frustrated with playing anything, especially Legos or dolls, because Jacob does not understand how to participate and ends up knocking down anything they set up. This results in both of them wanting to play in their rooms, and I have missed them all day, so I want to see them. I know this is just a hard season, and it will pass, but I appreciate any tips! :)

This past weekend Jay and I took Jacob and Maggie to a new restaurant in Chamblee for an early dinner on Saturday while Tuttle was at a birthday party. The Chamblee restaurant scene is continuting to grow with amazing options, and BlueTop did not disappoint. 

We ate in the patio area, and the kids ran around in the grass and played with the cornhole and bocce ball games. It was so nice to be able to eat at a restaurant and not try to contain Jacob in a chair! :)

I had a delicious beet salad. I cannot wait to try other options next time!

We are actually returning to BlueTop with a datenight with several couples in a few weeks. I am eager to experience it without children, too!

Jay and I can aways use a night away from the crazy! :)

Chicken and Ribs and Eclipse 2017

We attended the 12th Annual Chicken and Ribs this past Saturday which was also the host's 40th birthday. We look forward to this laid back event every year.

Tuttle is determined to make a crazy face in every picture attempt...

The hot weather is here, but it did not stop the babies from having the best time in the Green's backyard. Although their child is not a junior in high school, their swingset and wagon get used every year by a new crop of kids!

We love to be a part of this event and cannot wait to continue the tradition next year!

Our entire family has been getting prepped with supplies for the solar eclipse on Monday. I bought Moon Pies and Sun Chips for both kids' classes, and Grandmommy made sure we had the special glasses to view the eclipse safely. Jacob and I met Tuttle and Maggie at school after his nap to watch with all our friends.

Maggie had been warned so many times about the importance of the glasses that she was certain that her glasses had holes in them (they did not), but she opted to watch inside with Tuttle's teacher in her classroom. 

While we did not get a total eclipse experience in our location, the temperature dropped, the streetlights came on, and nighttime bugs started to make noises. It was a very cool sight to see! I would love to witness totality- I have heard its describable. :)

Jacob needed a bath immediately after the eclipse since I had been feeding him lollipops in the stroller to keep him distracted from looking up!

I hope the kids keep the memory of the solar eclipse because it was a one in a lifetime experience! I think Jacob was more interested in trash truck Monday.....

Back To The Grind

I cannot believe two weeks of school have already flown by! It has taken some adjusting for everyone to get into a routine of early mornings, activities every afternoon, and homework nightly. We even managed to fit in a trip to the Georgia Aquarium and The Varsity for Maggie's birthday (courtesy of Gram and Grumps) and a successful dentist visit for Maggie and Tuttle. We are now officially back to gymnastics and karate twice a week and piano lessons. Tennis and soccer will be added to the mix very soon, as well. Jacob has been able to get a taste of school the last two Thursdays at OPP with 4 hours of free childcare each week for all the fall fundraiser committee volunteers. Much like this post our lives are all over the place right now as we get back to the grind!

Bring on the weekend! And sleeping in!

First Day of School

We fit in a day at church on Sunday before we sailed into another school year. (I cannot begin to explain how obsessed I am with matching Jacob and Maggie.)

Our day started super early on Monday since I had to pick up coffee and doughnuts for the kindergarten event, Coffee and Kleenex. I got everyone showered, including myself, and we left right on time. After picking up the supplies, we arrived at the school to find one empty parking spot. I thought I had hit the jackpot until I was actually pulling into the spot and hit the car parked beside me! I was completely flustered and decided to return to the cars right after I dropped the kids inside to let the owner know. Unfortunately I came back to the owner and a police officer waiting for me. I was so thrown off with all the emotions that morning that I barely apologized to the other parent, but the police officers were super nice and helpful. In no time the accident report was complete and amazingly I did not receive any tickets! The first day of school gods were on my side. :)

Maggie and Tuttle were both ready to start the school year. Maggie literally hopped out of bed. I was always very eager to return to school, too. Tuttle was a little harder to drag into the shower. 

Maggie requested that we drop Tuttle off first, so we headed to the big kid hallway for his 2nd grade classroom. We met a familiar face on the way!

Tuttle settled right into his desk, and I grabbed a quick hug before leaving him with his buddies.

I did not think I would get emotional dropping off Maggie because she is so ready for kindergarten, but I  had to choke back tears as I held her little hand to walk to her classroom. 

I could not wait to hear about their day, and probably the most exciting part of the day was riding the bus home that afternoon. Tuttle did not ride the bus the last two years, but with Jacob napping later in the day, it made sense to make the transition this year. 

Maggie told me the best part of her day was seeing Tuttle on the playground and playing tag with him. They may have fought all summer long, but they really do love each other so much, and Maggie thinks Tuttle hung the moon. I know this year is going to be great for both my babies! 

I told Maggie that I would walk her to school each day the first week, but she announced at dinner that she wanted to do carpool the following morning. Not only that, but I reassured her that Tuttle would walk her to the classroom, but she confidently said that she wanted to go alone. I was not really ready for her to be so independent so quickly! 

Despite the rain, Jacob and I arrived at the bus stop 30 minutes early today. Jacob even wanted to bring his tiny bus to share with Maggie and Tuttle. Maggie absolutely loves their bus drive, Ms. G. She even told me today that she wants to be a bus driver when she grows up. :)

We are so lucky to be part of Ashford Park Elementary. I could not ask for a better school family to watch my babies grow and learn. 

Bachelorette and Back to School

This past weekend I was able to sneak away to Savannah to celebrate Aunt Peach's upcoming September wedding with a bachelorette party! Jay held down the fort with the three babies at home while I ate too much yummy food, slept in for two mornings, was pampered at the nail salon, and enjoyed the Savannah night life on a rooftop bar. We are now counting down the days until the real party when Uncle Drew officially joins our family! :)

Yesterday Tuttle and Maggie attended Open House at our school to explore their new classrooms and drop off their school supplies. We arrived bright and early to help the PTA with their tables although Jacob was along for the ride, so I was practically zero help. I stood by the front doors and helped guide parents and students to the registration area while also chasing Jacob around the hallways. Everyone was ready for a nap by the end!

Tuttle is now on the older students hallway for 2nd grade. He already knew his new teachers, but it was nice to see his old buddies and organize his supplies. His homeroom teacher is Herr Proschansky, and I think a male teacher will be an exciting change! His English speaking teacher is Ms. Thomas who I already love! It is going to be a GREAT year!

Maggie returned to some familiar faces for kindergarten with Ms. Fleming for homeroom and Frau Miltner for German. Tuttle's experience with both teachers started our love for the German program and the school in general, so we know Maggie is in good hands. 

The summer has flown by much too quickly. School officially starts Monday! 

I hope Maggie and Tuttle are still smiling then!