first day of school

The kids had their first day of school on Monday.  Ava started first grade this year.  She was excited and loved getting to wear her new clothes she picked out.  She likes her teacher and told me all about her day when she got home.  She and Aiden ride the bus home together.

Dario started middle school this year (fifth grade)! He has been asking awhile for contacts and we finally agreed to get him some before school started. He has done really well wearing them.  Dario was a little nervous to start middle school, but had a good first day.  He was excited that he gets to use a locker this year.  His uncle started teaching at the middle school, and is really nice to bring him to and from school.

Aiden started fourth grade.  He has the same teacher Dario had last year and is excited to be in the oldest grade at school.

beach trip

We took the oldest four kids to the beach for one last trip before school starts in one week.  Where has the summer gone! Aiden found a ton of hermit crabs and brought all the poor crabs home with him.  We had the perfect weather, it wasn't as hot as it normally is this time of year.  We are going to savor the last week of summer before it back to school, homework, and routine.

South Toledo Bend State Park

Last weekend we went on one last vacation before school starts.  We went to a state park in Louisiana and stayed in a cabin there.  The first night we spent killing a ton of daddy long leg spiders that had invaded the cabin.  There were so many it almost felt like we were camping outdoors.  After everyone survived the first night without being attacked by a spider we were able to have some fun.  We went on a hike, went swimming in the lake, made s'mores and all the kids had lots of fun playing together and getting to stay up late.  Dahlia loved being around everyone and really took a liking to her cousin Avery.  Avery was so sweet to play with her.  We never take for granted the miracle that Dahlia is now healthy enough to go on trips like this.