Tales from Mommy Merrill: 2017

Just the 4 of Us: Marco Island Memories

We just wrapped up our family tradition of Marco Island for Labor Day weekend. It's such a fun wrap up to the summer, and transition from summer to fall. We look forward to it ALL YEAR. It's a gorgeous beach - very quiet with a kid friendly resort. We feel like we have the entire place to our selves each year... it's such a secret little gem in S. Florida.

I am not going to caption most of these pictures - because they all say enough.......

Just the 4 of us.

Ok - gotta jump in here. There is a "Fire Guy" that is a Polynesian style performer that does a route each night with real fire. Drew loved him last year... but REALLY loved him this year. We have been home for about 36 hrs. and I have seen at least 4 "fire guy shows" from him already (using a baseball bat, shovel, broomstick.. )

The Fire Guy - aka Drew.

Our Marco buddy Jeb - we met them last year and they are back again! We took Jeb for a few hours so his mommy and daddy could watch the Okie State opening Football Game!

Yes, this happened.

Until next year, Marco Island!

Buh-bye Summer 2017!

Let the "firsts" begin!

In the madness of the summer, I did manage to get all the kid's school supplies prepared AND... pick up a CHALKBOARD. Because what mom is really a mom without a "First Day" chalkboard??!!!!

Of course I was up until 11:30 the night before the first day writing it all out... but we did it!

Aside from the jokes of the chalkboard...I have mixed emotions of these two growing up so quick. Drew is off to VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten, the name of the program in Florida). Next year he is going to be going to kindergarten, riding the bus to school and off all on his own each day. As I am writing this I know it's all less then 1 year away and it gives me butterflies! Happy, sad, excited for him.. all the normal mom anxiety. Will he be ready? Will he make friends? Will he be happy? Will he have a good teacher?? How will I know what to do to support him?? How will I get involved with the school?? AAAHHHH!!! I have to stop. I have an entire year to worry. I should really save it until next summer :-)

BOOM.

So I dropped him off... and not even a hug! He raced off when he saw his buddies from his class last year and mom didn't matter!

He has a wonderful teach, Ms. Sherrie and he is loving school! He talks about it every night and I love hearing his little stories and all about the new stuff he learned. Getting him to practice his letters and numbers isn't always easy but we are figuring out new ways to motivate him every day :-)

Then there is this little peanut! She started her 2 day/wk pre-school this year at the same school Drew is at (same place Drew went to preschool, and the same teach he had at two!)

Baby... you are getting way to big :( But thank you for always being so happy!

She shed a few tears on the first day - but mostly because there were about 6 other kids bawling! The teacher said she calmed down quick and had a great first day! She has been having fun ever since!

Love these two beyond words - so blessed they are such happy and healthy kids!

August Shenanigans..the summer fun continues!

After Reese's birthday... we were near the home stretch of our crazy traveling summer... but still things were busy! I had a business trip the first week of August and parlayed it into a trip to visit my bestie Alison Evans... Ronnie was coming home, then a visit to friends in Orlando... the list goes on. Busy but loving it all!

Fishin'!

Fishing in the back yard with Grandpa Merrill

I'm ready!

Mom was off for a few days to see the Evans and for a work meeting!

Brunch with this Iowa (now Houstonian)... and yes, Izzy is hiding under the table! HA!

Me and Izz - love this chic!

Then back to Florida for a bitter sweet good-bye to our favorite girl Aliyah as she took off for college. She is such a blessing in our lives and we are going to miss her dearly - but so happy for her very bright future!

Daddy's back - so what do we do on a Friday night??!! Go to a baseball game!

New favorite purple Nike's. Can't get enough.

Work.

Play.

Bathing beauty!

Bikin' in the hood! Look who is leading the way...

Ball players.

Neighbor girl... Cy-Hawk Challenge??!!!

Big hits!

Big throws from daddy!!!!!

Check out these studs!

Why not??!!!

Date night selfie?! Yep!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Blow 'em out!

Off to Orlando to visit the Rodriguez's -- Alex and Jennifer had their first baby back in March and it was time for us to make a visit! I'm sure her life will never be the same after meeting Reese -- LOL!