Class of 2027

Summer has come to an end!!!! BOOOO!!! Not cool at all. We had a blast though and all summer we have been lazy, and happy, and carefree. One reason there such little stress this summer was because a huge decision had been made and all come together and that was where Hensley years. Read all about that here.

The first day of Kindergarten was a much anticipated event in our home. We were all a little scared but we were all so very excited.We couldn't have been happier knowing Hensley was going to an awesome school but it was also sad that he would be gone so much during the week. It made him seemed so much more grown up. More of a little kid then my little baby. I knew my days would be very different with a lot more alone time but at the same time I felt so confident in knowing Hensley was so prepared for this next great adventure thanks to the hard work of his preschool teachers, a little help from me and Andy.

We started preparing a few weeks before school. Getting things ready, picking out a backpack and new shoes. Getting all the supplies on that long school supply list. Picking out the perfect pair of new sneakers. Hensley had asked way back in March when he woke up on his 5th birthday if today was the day he would start kindergarten. He had always known that 5 was that magic number where preschool was over and kindergarten began. It took a little convincing that it didn't mean it started that very day. He had excelled in preschool and all the websites I read and people I talked to made me more confident that he was academically and socially ready for kindergarten.

Leading up to the big day I decided to take Hensley to the public library and check out a few books to ease his mind and explain the changes that were about to happen. We read them every night before bed and his face lit up each time.

 Speaking of bed time, we were also preparing a few weeks ahead of time about Hensley sleeping in his own bed. All summer and pretty much all the time up until now Hensley had slept in our bed. It was something we were all use to and something that brought us all comfort since bed room is so far from ours. But the time was now that he started to sleep in his own bed. He was getting bigger and the room in our bed was dwindling and he was also going to have to get on a more regular schedule then we were on all summer. Gone were the days where we could stay up til 11PM and sleep til whenever the next morning. 6:30 AM wake up call was going to come early every morning and we all needed to adjust and get
 enough rest to handle this big transition.

He is getting so TALL

We made a few gifts for Hensley's new teachers

They deserve so much for all the work they put in :)

We even made a little chart so Hensley can visibly see what he needs to do each evening. 

Before we knew it it was time for Open House at school. I had went a few weeks earlier for a parent introduction and during that time Hensley had to stay in a kindergarten class with some other students and do some fun games and activities. He seemed to love it and we had no problem with him letting us leave him while we toured the school and learned the ropes. I was very confident after this that we were in the right place and that Hensley would be very successful here. However there were three kindergarten teachers and we were going to find out until Open House who's class he would be in.

He was all dressed up and excited to meet his teacher and his new friends.

Hensley sitting at his new desk with is name tag :) He was in the front of the class and of course Mario had to come along.

We went to dinner and talked about how excited we were and how much of a big step this was going to be. Hensley's teacher, Ms. Spaeth seemed so sweet and caring. This is her first year teaching and even though it was very overwhelming  I was so happy to be there at the place we prayed about for so long :) We filled out a ton of paperwork and packed his backpack. He decided he wanted to buy lunch so I packed him a snack and we were officially ready.

The night before kindergarten. I was a ball of nerves, he was a ball of excitement ;)

The first day of school was August 19th (my birthday) and even after going to bed pretty early this little guy decided to sleep in..........

Well little buddy it's time to get up. A big new adventures awaits you today. I will have to let your wings grow a little more today. I know you are ready....wish I was too

Getting him up, dressed, and fed was easier then I thought it would be. He couldn't wait to get out the door and off to school :)

This picture is a little blurry but here he is walking into school on the first day of kindergarten. 

8/19/14

He is on his way. Down the big hallway. He looked so small compared to everyone else but he didn't shed one tear. He was so ready. A kiss and two hugs and he was on his way. I stood outside his room for a few watching and making sure everything was OK. Slipped right into his desk already chatting and drawing with his neighbor. I made it to the the car before the tears came. Cried all the way home. But now I am choosing to be thankful. Thankful for the amazing.school he was lucky to be a part of and a great teacher he will spend each day with and thankful that I have a happy healthy little boy to watch walk down that a hall who is so ready is so many ways for this great big adventure. 

 

 Today is your day. You're off to great places. You're off and away. You've got brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed. 98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed _ Dr Seuss

 

 My friend Jill and I decided to do a little photo shoot to document this new chapter in Hensley life so we gathered some props and headed out to a farm and took some shots of our big 5 year old Kindergartener. :) They turned out amazing I was so glad we did them and it was bittersweet how big Hensley looked in them all :)

Best Week of the Entire Year 2014

It's that time again.....beach trip time!!!! It took FOREVER this year with Andy's work schedule and stuff happening and I thought maybe our annual beach trip wasn't going to happen!! But, never fear! We made it :) KURE BEACH HERE WE COME!!!!

Peace out Greensboro :) We are beach bound!!! Hensley was an excellent rider we did not hear a peep out of him the whole ride down :) 

Hensley won this little blue monkey at the beach when he was 17 months old and he has been very very loved as you can see. He has been to every beach trip and Hensley wasn't willing to leave him home this year :) So he came along :) 

After a long three hour trip....we were ALMOST THERE!!!

Our view for our vacation :) It's a beautiful site ;) 

We could not wait to get our toes in the water and the sand :) We dropped our bags off in our room and hit the beach :)

I took a similar picture like this last year and I hope to try to take on for many years to come :) You can see last's years picture and beach trip blog here.

The only thing that Hensley asked for at the beach this year was a boogie board...it was a huge success!!

Another annual picture I take each year and I can't wait to look back on these and see how much he has grown :) 

The place we stay at the beach got a new sign this year :) It was awesome :) 

The pool was next on our agenda! As much as we have swam this summer in the pools near home there is nothing like the swimming pool at the beach :) 

Later that evening we went to dinner and to walk on the pier. One of our favorite things to do at the beach is go on the pier. We planned to go fishing this year but with a storm off the coast the water was really rough and not much happening on the piers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watching some fishing :)

We spent the rest of the evening on the beach playing in the sand and enjoying the sunset. 

Kure Beach Pier

The walk from Kure Beach pier to our hotel.

Couldn't have a better view :) 

Kure Beach sunset :)

This place always feels like home.

Day 2:

Is there anything better then waking up at the beach??? I seriously doubt it!!

It was a perfect beach morning!!! Sandcastles, boogie boarding, making friends with little beach birds :) 

Making friends with the shore birds

He was so excited to boogie board and I was so excited that he had the courage too :) 

Later that day we went to a beach very near by at Fort Fisher. I love this beach. It had a lot of shells, it's super quiet, and it has huge rocks to climb and explore on. We also made a lot of seagull friends.

We met up with some great people that evening. Andy's friend from work and his girlfriend Kim. They were so so nice and took us to an awesome Mexican restaurant and over to the boardwalk to play some games :) 

 

We walked the boardwalk, ate fudge and hung out on the beach with our friends while Hensley ran around up and down the life guard towers :) It was the best. 

Day 3: The rain began :(  There was a small tropical storm off the coast and it was bringing lots of wind and lots of rain. We braved it to try a new breakfast place in town and it was sooooooo worth it :) Kate's Pancakae House for the win!

These two made the rainy morning a little more bright!!

A stormy day at Kure Beach!

 Once we realized that the rain wasn't going to let up til the late afternoon, we decided to go do one of Hensley's favorite things....bowling!!!  We once again met up with our friends Brian and Kim and we had a blast inside away from the rain. 

Surprisingly the rain stopped for a few hours and we soaked up every second at the pool :) 

 Since the weather let up for a bit we decided to eat dinner at one of our favorite places in Kure Beach called Jack Mackerels. It was so nice out we ate on the roof top and went for a walk on the pier :)

 

The storm made for an amazing sunset view on a walk back from the beach :)

Of course the rain returned with a vengeance and we spent Friday night inside watching movies, playing with new toys won from the arcade and making silly faces with my sweet boy :) 

One more quick dip before the night was over 

The next day was our last full day at the beach but unfortunately the storm was not letting up it was actually getting worse and after spending all morning inside we decided around 1 pm to head home. As much as we love being at the beach it's no fun being stuck inside. We were missing our pups and going a little stir crazy. Since the storm was suppose to last several days we reluctantly decided to end our trip early and go home :(

This year was so fun. There is nothing like going away from it all back at home and spending the days with my two favorite guys. We soak up the sun, relax and enjoy each other and each year the memories become more special to me. I love these vacations every year and even though the rain tried to damper our spirits it did not succeed. We loved being with each other. Nothing is better. Until next time :)