Florida!

For the final hurrah this summer, I took a girls trip to FLORIDA! It was relaxing and refreshing and I had the best time! John hung with the kiddos and had a great time back at home too getting to do all the fun things mama doesn't do ha! 

A night or two before I left, I had a couple cuties snuggling with me!

I'm off and headed to the airport! 

The first morning we took a sunrise walk on the beach

Meanwhile back at home, John and the kids went to see the new Minion movie. They all said they loved it. 

Days spent like this are definitely a favorite!

We listened to live music, ate great food, shopped, relaxed at the beach, napped and talked the entire rest of the time...it was amazing! 

While in Florida, I got word that my Uncle Brian was in the hospital undergoing surgery and that he was diagnosed with spinal and stomach cancer and given about a year to live (gosh that's hard to type...). So, I switched my flights and flew to KC to spend a few days with him and Aunt Missy and the family. Brad picked me up from the airport and we headed straight to the hospital. It was so good seeing them all. It's a tough road ahead, but God is good and the Jones' are about as stubborn as they come, so we've got those two things in our corner. 

While I was in KC, Charlie got to celebrate Griffin's birthday! He had so much fun!! 

After spending Sunday and Monday in KC, I flew back home on Tuesday! It was so good coming home to my crazy crew!!! 

 

First Day of School 2022!

 Summer is officially over and the kiddos have gone back to school. Anyone who knows me knows this is the hardest part of the year for me. I'm the happiest when all my people are home all together so it is super painful when the kids go back to school. (Not to mention that John happened to be out of town yesterday too so the house is WAY too quiet!)

First part of prep is Back to School Night! Charlie has his Kindergarten info night last thursday then the entire school open house was Friday. Charlie was literally living his best life at the info night. He couldn't wait for Tuesday to come! Johnny and Mellany loved walkingthrough the buildings and seeing previous teachers and friends they knew but hadn't seen through the summer. Mellany even got to set up her locker which she loved!! (I will admit, not my finest parenting moment trying to teach her how to open her locker! Whew! Who knew it could be such a tense experience?! HA!)

Johnny was in Mrs. A's class for kindergarten two years ago but because of covid wasn't able to do a lot of "normal" things....including playing with a basket of transformers that Mrs. A had. Johnny would come home so sad every day because all he could do was "look at them from far away". In true Charlie fashion, he wanted my phone to take pictures of the transformers for Johnny, so he could see what transformers were in the basket that he was going to get to play with. haha! Nothing like a younger brother to get you all worked up! 

Charle and Adelaide

It's really hard to get just a regular picture from this kiddo...

Back to school haircuts! 

Back to School Brinner! This has become a favorite tradition for us. We talk about what we think the year will be like, talk about the friends they will get to see, their teachers and we pray for a safe, healthy and amazing year for everyone involved....all while having breakfast for dinner. 

FIRST DAY!!! 

The kids were so excited and ready, which is good because I was having a ROUGH time. I feel like I hid it pretty well....until I came home to an empty house. 

We took pictures in the morning, but because of the blasting sun, we retook them in the afternoon once they got home...

Our Kindergartener with Mrs. A

Our 2nd grader with Mrs. Rider

Our 5th grader with Mrs. Lehman (Her LAST year of elementary school!)

Backpacks!

On the bus!! Charlie looks so grown up! 

I have one year where all of them will be on the same bus together...I couldn't let the moment pass without snapping a picture!

Mellany's teacher sent me this picture Tuesday night...<3

Lastly, their yearly questionnaires....

Here's to an amazing school year for these 3 incredible kiddos! I can't wait to see what the year has in store for them.....and this mama too! :)

More summer randoms

I'm so sad that school is approaching and wish that we could live in a state of summer year round. I just love the warm weather and the freedom from schedules that summer brings and am sad to see it nearing the end. We always do really well getting back into a routine but it is painful making the transition for this mama. In the meantime, I'm soaking it all up; once August 16 comes, all my kiddos will be in school every single day! 

A storm blowing through...

Winston and I taking in a little rest with all the kids gone at Camp Tecumseh.

When sister is gone and there are no friends to play in the neighborhood, you get to play Nintendo on a week day. :)

Woke up with a few visitors in my bed with me...

Mellany came home from Camp Tecumseh completely EXHAUSTED! She laid in our bed and watched tv all day and even napped!

Winston caught up on his Mellany snuggles too

These boys love to help water when the neighbors need it. 

The mornings have been so pretty....and with John gone (or just to have a little extra sleep) it's nice to be able to walk the neighborhood to get my workout in. I even had a visitor this morning.