July and August Catch-up Blog

I haven't blogged in forever. Yes- I am busy, but I am guessing you are too. My biggest issue is that I don't download the pictures off of my camera and iPhone except for maybe once a month. Anyway, we have had a fabulous summer and I am truly sad that it has come to an end. Our lazy days of sleeping-in and choosing amongst a variety of fun things to do for the day are over. I think that is one of the reasons we sent Grace to a 1/2 day Kindergarten last year- I just loved our freedom and I wanted to be with my kids as much as I could before real school life started. And so it has. Up at 7am (big BIG deal for the Mitcheners!) and Grace is home by 3. I miss her terribly. She is the leader of the pack and such a huge helper. But now is Isaac's time and he is fulfilling his new role well. He adores Leah, and she him, and they play well together. Honestly, they play better than when Grace is home. So I guess that is one of God's ways of letting me know that this new stage in life is going to be okay. His other way of making this transition better is that Grace loves her new school and has had absolutely no problems adjusting. It's as if she has gone there her whole life. She does know 3 other girls in her class and went to VBS their for a week over the summer, so the campus is fairly familiar. Anyway, I am blessed and though mourning my old responsibilities of a stay-home mom with three kids am looking forward to embracing life with only two at home now.
The photos below are not in chronological order- so beware.
This was taken on Friday. Leah grabbed a kiddie shopping cart at Harris Teeter before I could scoop her up. She was so excited I couldn't take it away. We only had a few things to buy, but we were in the store for about 45 min. She was by far the cutest shopper there!

Sid's 20th class high school reunion was last weekend during Hurricane Irene. The reunion was in Atlanta so the weather was fine. Interesting is all I can say. I was feeling a little intimidated. I knew a lot of these people from our 5 years of living in Atlanta. And back in those days I had a good job and was climbing the ladder...and now I stay home with my 3 kiddos (which I love) which is technically a job that anyone with children can do. Of course I would like to think that I am very good at my job, but that is not something that you explain to old friends. Anyway, turns out that reunions really are as superficial as everyone thinks they are. No one cares if you used to have a job or not, they care about the surface level things...I'll let you figure that out.

Also taken last week, Isaac and his best friend Evan, and another friend Chase all flex their muscles at a local park. Oh and of course they had to take their shirts off too. Lord help us.

So the week before Irene we had a terrible storm that took down major branches from our neighbors tree. If you could only see the hundreds of old, tall trees in our yards, you would know it is a miracle that there was no damage. Oh and then two days later we had an earthquake in DC and the aftershock was felt all the way down in Raleigh. My first earthquake ever. Then a few days later Irene was headed for the Carolinas. Phew! We are blessed that we are all safe with no damage.

August 24. Grace is headed out for her first day in 1st grade. She was so excited that she hardly slept. This is her uniform, khaki or navy skirt or shorts and a solid color polo style shirt. Easy! Thank you Jesus! I WISH our public schools would wise up and do this. So cheap. I bought 4 skorts at Old Navy and 6 polos. Total cost was $40. Seriously.

On August 13th we did Leah's Baptism at Janice's church in Albemarle. Here Janice is with her cousin Jane, Grace and Isaac. Leah is in the row behind them.

Aunt L and Uncle Craig were there too. Pastor John did the ceremony and just did an amazing job. Leah was actually perfect, but by this point just tired of pictures.

Here I am with crazy Isaac and sweet Leah.

Proud Nana with her grandbaby. Leah wore the Lentz family Christening gown. Perfect since Leah's middle name is Lentz. Grace wore it as well about 5 years ago.

Here she is in her gown with her fruit snack.

Leah and Grace love dressing up.

Leah and her sweet pink bathing suit with tummy and her Nana.

Grandpa was in town in July for Grace's birthday. One day we headed down to the lake at Blue Jay Pointe.

Isaac and Grandpa had a grand time throwing objects into the water and getting their shoes wet. Well, maybe it was just Isaac whose shoes were getting wet.

July 13 was Grace's 6th birthday and also the big day for ear-piercing. I, being the overly safety conscious mother that I am, took her to our pediatrician to get them pierced.

And round one did hurt a little. Yikes!