First Day of School 2012

Today was the first day of school for Luke and Whit.  I can't believe I have a THIRD GRADER!  It was a blast seeing Luke at lunch and recess since he's in my grade now (of course, he ignored me).  My favorite part of the day was when I heard his teacher yelling for him to put his shoes on while playing kickball.  I couldn't see who she was talking to, but I knew.  He wanted to wear his "cool shoes" (pictured below) today.  I told him they were going to be hard to run in!  Whit Dit started first grade today and LOVED it.  He said the best part of the day was recess.  Big surprise there!  I'm excited about a fantastic school year for my boys with their wonderful teachers!

Hamp's Birthday

Hampton talked for MONTHS about her Minnie Mouse birthday party.  Every day she asked, "now?" I don't think she could quite believe it when it finally came.  She had a blast.  This baby girl is the sweetest, most lovable child EVER, and we thank God every day for allowing us to be her parents.  Happy Birthday Hamper Damp!

Go Whit!

Mrs. Trice trying to get some kisses!

I can't believe our sweet Whit Dit graduated from kindergarten today.  Time really does FLY by.  He received the perfect attendance award and the art award!  We are so proud!  Luker is especially proud of his little brother since he loves art so much!  Whit Dit, you will be the best ever first grader!  We love you so much!

Go Luke!

Today was Luker's 2nd grade honors day program, and I don't want to brag or anything (well maybe I do a little), but that boy racked UP.  There were two special awards that have FORCED me to blog on this.  The first is having the most AR points not only in the second grade, but in the entire school!  He earned a whopping 145 points!  The funny thing is, he didn't even realize he was competing for anything.  He just loves to read (like his really smart mom). The second was having a perfect score on the reading portion of the CRCT (due to all that reading).  Jeremy and I could not have been more proud of him!  He's had a great school year with fun friends and a wonderful teacher!  

Oh, and to top it off, that little Cub Scout got to lead the program off with the pledge!  This psycho den mom was gushing with pride!

Boys making their own campfire

Skit

This past weekend our scout troop (just call me Den Mom without the typical mom jeans, but with the cool shirt- patches included) participated in our first camping weekend out at Camp Thunder.  Cub Scouts from all around came with their entire families to play games, shoot bb guns and bows and arrows, run an obstacle course, and much more with a very special partner- a handpicked rubber duck.  To me, this is what scouting is all about.  Our den meets at least twice a month to complete certain projects, and to learn about how to become successful citizens, but these types of weekends are what I believe pull it all together.  In just our first camping experience as a den, I feel like our families and scouts are bonded forever.  We made tons of memories in these three days, as well as many inside jokes (belt LOOP, Hilton, “permission to enter camp”, is there a patch for that?).  Our five guys plus two little brothers who will be scouts next year, really stepped up big and made us proud by behaving EXTREMELY well all weekend, and also by taking the initiative to not only perform a skit at the campfire, but volunteering to go first.  And they did an awesome job!  At one point, they even built their own campfire ring, and then actually got a fire started where they proceeded to roast their marshmallows (we are pretty sure we may have been breaking some rules there- probably have to have a patch or something). Anyway, I think we all look forward to many more years of fun trips with our Pack 25 boys.  

The birthday fort addition!

Today my oldest baby turned EIGHT!  He is the sweetest, smartest, cutest, funniest second grader I know!  We are so proud of him!  Just now when putting him to bed, I said, "Luke, just think, in eight more birthdays you'll be driving a car!"  His response was, "Get me a SAXY car."  No people, that was not a typo.  I said, "A what?"  He repeated, "A saxy car!  You know!"  And then he proceeded to pretend he was driving really fast.  I'm happy to see that he's still my little, baby, innocent boy!  I love you Luker Duke!

This Weekend's Home Project

A potting table

Ridin' Dirty

A couple of weeks ago we traded in mini-van number one for a new swagger.  A friend asked me, "So, is it fun and exciting when you get a new (insert pause here) VAN?" Uh, what?  Heck to the yeah!  I mean, this new ride is tricked OUT.  But I have to say my favorite feature is the satellite radio where the kids and I find ourselves jammin' to some 90's or Backspin old school rap.  Seriously, there's nothing quite like the four of us noddin' our heads gangsta style to some G Thang on the way to school.  

We've enjoyed the crazy "winter" weather this February.  The boys even took a plunge in the pool last Sunday.    Don't call DFACS, but it could be the reason Luker missed his first two days of school ever.  That is a myth right?  That cold water causes sickness?  

I will get that chicken!

My name is Tracie Hawkins, and I'm a Pinterest Addict.

Are any of you as addicted to Pinterest as I am?  I've filled mason jars with salt, dipped wine glasses in chalkboard paint, cooked lots of recipes, but this is the first major home project I've stolen.  It's in our bedroom.