Well I did it – I got through the kids first day at public school!

Alice is in 3rd and Jake is in 1st grade.

We went yesterday to drop off their school supplies – Jake didn’t have too many but Alice, wow her backpack was heavy! – and luckily caught the teachers still there getting things ready. Today when we went they each knew where their desks were and were SO excited to go.

I made it a point to say (on facebook) that I didn’t cry when I left the schools – but I admit I got teary eyed because Jake hugged me twice and said bye. Alice on the other hand, she knew where her desk was and just walked over and sat down. She didn’t even say bye to me! I felt emotional so just walked out of the room, but had to go back to say where I would meet her after school.

Next week they probably will ride the bus. I’m nervous about that because it seems our neighbor kids are bullies. I don’t want my kids picked on the bus, I’m doing good keeping them apart the past few days. School for me starts in a couple of weeks so they will have to do some after school care, but I haven’t decided where yet.

Overall a completely fantastic first day for them. I am SO happy about that, and also amazed that I have an 8 and 6 year old now. Wow.

I didn’t post any pictures of our last days in Texas – or our L.O.N.G. vacation we took during the move. But maybe that was because I never downloaded them off the card onto the laptop! I went looking for the thunderhead pictures and found a few of our last few days in Texas (admitting our vacation pictures are on the laptop, just being ignored for the time being!). We ended up living in a hotel for a few weeks – which was fantastic compared to base housing. We were all glad to get out of that mess.

We swam a few days in a row while being at the hotel, it was hot and of course you can’t hang out in your hotel room the entire time!

The base is closing and I’m not sure if they’ll leave the sign or not, but it’s a huge sign on the edge of town. I didn’t stop to take a picture until we were about to move – I haven’t seen a sign like this anywhere else we have lived.

We stopped in San Antonio and walked along the Riverwalk, saw the Alamo and stopped at both the Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. It rained while we were there, starting out as just a little drizzle but by the time we were walking back to our car, it was a full on downpour. Our time in SA was extended because of car problems, but after a couple of days we finally got on the road.

Alamo

w/ Tom Hanks

Oprah!

& a sub officer

We are back from our South Dakota trip. We left later then usual because we realized that with my Grandma gone, there isn’t a place you can really just hang out and be. Staying at a hotel this time was a new one for me, but it was a good experience!

The trip ended up lasting longer then initially planned because my brother’s mother in law unexpectedly died. She has been sick for years, but I didn’t realize how bad she had gotten recently. I am glad we were able to be there for my brother, for my nephews and for his mil’s daughters.

We left town right before a really bad rain and wind storm, so bad we barely got out of town and stopped at the new grocery store to wait it out. The storms while we were home were AWESOME! There is nothing like a thunderstorm on the plains. I’m glad there were some while we were there, the storms out on the west coast – well, wait – there aren’t storms out here! When it rains, it just comes out of the sky. Thunderstorms are loud, throwing rain and lightening at the ground and hard wind. People sometimes don’t believe you when you say you miss those storms.

Taken when we first got into South Dakota. Huge storm and thunderheads.

Overall the visit was great. I was happy to be able to see my friends and family and Grandma’s Memorial was nice. There was a tiny bit of drama, but I got over it fast. There never feels like there is enough time to see everyone you want to or visit for them as long as you want to.

Summer is coming to an end, I feel like mine was full. We moved, got settled in, went home for my father in law’s funeral, sent Chris off again, went home to SD again and then some.