First

Today, August 24, 2010, was the first day of school.  Shea is a first grader! I can not believe it!!  Time goes by too quickly.  First, she had the flu yesterday but managed to get better so we could attend School Year's Eve.  Shawn, the kids and I were able to go to school and see her room, meet her teacher and Shea took Shawn around the school, he doesn't get the opportunity to get there as much as I do.  He also met her music teacher, Mrs. Demming.  We were up bright and early and she was eager to go.  I think going last night eased the fears.  She is sitting by her good friend, Kylie.  They are both super excited about that!!  Here she is, on her first day of First Grade!!

Shea picked out her outfit on her own, she did an excellent job!  She has plenty to pick from after Grandma Godsey, Shea and I went shopping!  There were NO tears today!  WAHOO.  They only thing she asked was this, "really, pictures today Mom"?  I told her to expect her picture to be taken on the first day of school until she graduated.  She'd thank me later!

Here is Shea with her little brother.  Will is almost two now!

She asked me to take her to school on the first day.  Sure, I'd love to!  She was also a little unsure if she remembered where the room was.  Will and I walked her to the classroom, made sure her bag was hung up and then kissed her good bye.  She told me she was fine and I believe her.  See you at 3:30 girlie!!!  Just for the record, I did not cry on this first day of First Grade!

Her seat!

Shea is going to have a super year in Mrs. Beachy's class!!

Traditions

Traditions come in many ways.  Some we really look forward too and others that well... must come... whether we want them too or not.  Traditions can come in all shapes and sizes.  It is tradition to celebrate ones birthday with a party or parties if you are a Huntington child in this house.  Recently, my Grandmother, Pat, turned 85 years young!  Unfortunately, it took a while for me to get with her to celebrate but we finally did.  She loved watching the kiddos play.  Here she is, looking young and vibrant as ever!

We have more birthdays to celebrate.  Aggie turned fourteen years old at the end of June.  I think my parents are starting to freak out that she is getting older.  She was their answer to the empty nest syndrome after I had been in college for a couple of years.  Ya know, I wasn't able to have a dog when I was living there.  Another subject for another time... I guess!  Anyway, here she is in her favorite spot to watch the world.

Mid July brought the party for Nevan as she was turning two. She has a long while to make it to Grandma Pat's age.  Wonder what all she'll do between now and then?  I had trouble getting a decent shot of her opening gifts and eating. Here is the best one of the Birthday Girl!

Wait... More traditions!  One of my favorite Summer traditions is getting together with my long-time girlfriends, Shannon and Laura.  I've known them longer than I've known Shawn!!  Now that we all three have two children a piece, we get them together and play while we girls catch up in person!  Email is great but I love seeing them.  The kids had a really good time running down the slip n slide.  Of course, they didn't like posing for a group photo.  Yep, they've reached that age!

Run Corbin, run!

group shot

Shea and Adrien

Corbin and Will

Our host, the Swank boys, Dalton and Gavin

It was tons of fun and we are never ready for it to end.  We keep saying we'll get together this Winter.  I sure hope so!!  What fun traditions to you have or do in your family?   We have to cram in last-minute things I wanted to do with the kids, summer break is almost over!