First Day!

Last Tuesday, Ella and Sam had their first day of third and seventh grade.  It was a shock to all of our systems to be up that early.  Sam's bus picks him up at 6:35 and Ella's bus comes at 7:07.  That is about ten minutes earlier for Sam this year and ten minutes later for Ella.  Sam is riding a different bus this year which accounts for the time difference.  He used to go to another part of the neighborhood to catch the bus with friends but he decided this year he would just catch the bus at our street.  Ella's route and driver are exactly the same but  our district changed bus companies and they changed the times.  
After waking Sam and leaving to get myself ready (so I could take Ella to school) I realized I hadn't heard much noise.  I went to check on Sam and fifteen minutes after I woke him he was still in bed.  He had fallen back asleep.  He rushed to get ready though and we still had time for a few pictures before he headed to his stop.  He would have had even more time if we had known his bus had been hit by a tree and would be at least fifteen minutes late.  He made it to school though and said his first day went well.  He likes his teachers, which is a huge plus and is okay with his schedule.  That is about all we can ask for from a boy who is still complaining about going to school a week later. 
Ella was excited for her first day.  She was ready early and eager to get to school.  We had to wait outside the door in the morning for it to open.  When she got off the bus that afternoon I asked her if she had a good day.  She said, "No mom, (pause)  I had a great day!"  She is still loving it a week later but not getting up as enthusiastically as day one.
  

New backpacks for the new school year. 

Can't believe he is in seventh grade! 

Ready for a great first day! 

Ella and her friend Amelie waiting to go into the building. 

Schedule Pick Up & Meet the Teacher

Ella and Sam's back to school nights fell on the same night this year.  We headed to Sam's first since it started an hour earlier.  There was already a line across the parking lot when we arrived for the kids to get their schedules.  We were able to turn in forms, pick up his schedule, take his school picture, find his locker and classrooms and meet a few of his teachers.  Sam seemed to be pleased with the teachers he had and enjoyed meeting them.  While he is not excited to go back to school he liked his schedule and seemed more at ease after finding everything.
Next, we headed to Ella's meet the teacher.  She has a brand new teacher this year and she was her first choice so she was very excited.  Her classroom looks great!  We were able to visit with Mrs. Kobermann, unload school supplies and find Ella's cubby and book tub.  She was also excited to find out that she is sitting right across from her good friend Amelie.  
After meeting Ella's teacher we headed to the cafeteria.  I helped out at some of the PTA tables so other moms could visit their children's teachers.  Ella ran around with her friends and Sam helped by giving tours to families that were new to the school.  Ella is really excited to start the year and I think Sam is comfortable with beginning again even if he will miss summer.  

Taking photos in the school is "not cool" but I was able to sneak one in the parking lot.  

Ella next to her s'more! 

Finding her spot

Ella with Mrs. Kobermann

Last Days of Summer

The kids enjoyed some time with friends for the last few days of the summer.  We had Ella's  friend Addison over for a playdate and the kids decided they wanted Shakespeare's for one of their last meals before packed lunches.  Then we headed to the park and enjoyed some time outside.   The next day Ella went with Addison to the pool and to see Shrek the Musical at a local theater.  Sam also spent the weekend hanging out with friends at a party at Jacob's house.  It was a nice way to have some fun before the start of school.  

He has officially graduated to two slices! 

Much better than the cafeteria food next week. 

Ella the climber! 

Ready to watch Shrek! 

The boys enjoying some chocolate fondue! 

Siegel Time

Scott came over on Friday night two weeks ago to spend some time with us.  We had fun hanging out with him on Friday night.  We watched some Royals, he played quite a few games of horse with Sam, ate some Shakespeare's pizza and visited.  Saturday he and John went out in the morning to play twenty seven holes of golf.  
Brian, Lauren and Savannah came up on Saturday and Brian joined the boys for golf after their first nine holes.  The rest of us got to hang out with Lauren and Savannah.  We all loved having them here and the kids made it their mission to keep Savannah entertained.  They kept offering her toys, talking to her and doing things to get her attention.  She had a few spells where she wasn't too sure about me holding her but by the end she let me hold her for a while and even give her a bottle.  The kids got a chance to hold her too.  They went home shortly after golf and Scott stayed and hung out with us for another night.  It was so nice to catch up with everyone and have some time together.  

Ella went and found a headband that matched Savannah's! 

Sweet Sixteen

Since we were out of town on our actual anniversary we celebrated it a week later.  The kids were still in St. Louis with AC and Grandma so we took advantage of the time alone.  We went to Murry's for dinner and felt no rush to eat quickly or get home to the kids.  We were also able to sleep in the next morning and get in a good workout all before they returned from St. Louis.  It was nice to have time for just the two of us!  Happy sweet sixteen.  

Run, Jump, Crawl and Have a Ball!

The next morning in St. Louis we went to The City Museum.  It is an old warehouse in St. Louis where they have repurposed things from old buildings to make essentially a four story playground.  There are caves, tunnels, slides and more to climb on and through.  The tricky part for parents or grandparents is once your kids enter a tunnel many times you are not sure where they will come out in the end.  
We started our day on the roof of the building. The roof had many large slides, a school bus that hangs over the side of the building and a ferris wheel.  Ella and Aiden loved the slides and went down them many times.  Emma and Sam decided they wanted to ride the ferris wheel.  They had a fun time on the roof and then we headed downstairs to see what was on the first four floors.  Each kid had things that they liked the best but they all had fun exploring.  
When it was late afternoon I headed back to Columbia.  The kids, AC and my mom went to drive by the arch to get a closer look.  It is under renovations right now so they decided not to go up in it this trip.  They then went back to the hotel for some swimming and card games to end the busy day. 

Ella coming down the large slide.

Aiden's turn

Sam and Emma exploring the caves.

Ella loved running up these walls American Ninja Warrior style.

Drawing on the chalkboard

Grandma spinning in the chairs that all the kids loved!

The Zoo Crew

AC and Grandma planned a trip to take Emma, Sam, Ella and Aiden to St. Louis for three days.  I went with them for the first day and a half.  We left early Thursday morning and headed to the St. Louis Zoo.  We started the day with the Asian animals.  We really enjoyed the elephants.  There were a few reaching to get food in different places that were fun to watch.  There was a baby elephant that Ella really loved.  She could have stayed much longer and watched him but the group was already moving on to the next animal.  Our next stop was the children's zoo.  Emma, Aiden and Ella got to feed and pet the goats which they enjoyed.
Next, it was time to board the train.  It was a bit of a wait but the zoo has a good train with tunnels that the kids enjoyed.  After stopping for lunch and some rides on the carousel Mom, Ella and I went to see the penguins and polar bears while everyone else went to wait in line to pet the sting rays.  The penguin house was fun as always.  We enjoyed watching them swim and pop out of the water.  There was one penguin that kept doing this yelling call that was interesting to hear.  The polar bear was kind of hard to see but it was neat when he would get in the water right by the kids that were watching.  Another fun animal for the kids was the sea lion.  You walk right underneath the sea lions tank and can watch them swim above you.  They have them trained so you can throw a glove and they will follow it.  Sam, Ella and Aiden all got a chance to throw the glove and watch the sea lion swim.  
We got to see quite a few animals but it was a fairly warm day so by the time we made it over to the big cats they were all hiding in their habitat to nap and get out of the sunshine.  After seeing the giraffes and zebras , my mom, Emma, Sam and Ella went inside a 4D movie which Sam says was awesome!  It was his favorite part of the day.    Then after a tour of the insect and butterfly house we headed for the exit as the zoo was near closing time.  We finished the day with some swimming in the hotel pool and AC and Grandma brought us dinner.  The kids had a fun day but were definitely wiped out at the end, not as wiped out as the three adults were though! 

The baby elephant

All smiles riding the train. 

Ella chose to ride on the baby elephant! 

Watching the penguins swim.

The sea lion chasing the glove.