First day of second grade

Today was Clayton's first day of second grade! Second grade??? My goodness! He was so excited this morning. He came down the hall dressed, ready and smiling by 6:45 a.m.!! His teacher is Mrs. Kacie. Clayton expressed his desire to be in her class because of her unusually high test results and excellent classroom management skills...just kidding...look at her...she is beautiful!! Seriously though, she is a great teacher and we are really excited about the year. Thought we might all enjoy a trip down memory lane...

Second grade (What a BIG boy!!)

First grade

Kindergarten

Five on Friday

1. Wednesday was Fred's birthday, but it was also registration day at Clayton's school. I had a few responsibilities with PTO that day so Fred graciously kept the kiddos at home for me. When I went to get pictures off the camera I found the following pictures. It looks like they were having fun. Fred is not in any of the pictures though...hmmmmm......2. No joke...I canned 9 more pints of dill pickle relish this week. I told Fred to mow over the cucumber plants. Stick a fork in me. I'm done!!

3. Clayton starts school today. We've been working on math facts throughout the summer so that he would not forget anything. He told me last night that he was excited to go back to school to see who had been practicing their math facts over the summer. (i.e. He wants to check out his competition. He is SO his father's child!!)

4. My mom, Janice and Mun came to Paris yesterday to help me get ready for the consignment sale here in Paris. We went to eat at Prater's Taters. Jack got a hot dog. Janice got a salad. Jack said, "Don't you fink I should try everyfing healthy on the table?" I did not know what he was talking about until I saw Janice's salad. She gave him some salad and he ate and ate and ate!! He ate his hot dog, Janice's salad, Mun's potato, his potato chips and asked for a cookie when we left. What are we going to do when he's "bigger"?!?

5. Andrew pulled up. I had a bunch of totes in the living room and he pulled up. Isn't he proud?!?
I think I may FINALLY have one boy that looks a little like me!! Actually, I think he looks like my brother, but if you've ever met him he's just the boy version of me!!

Happy Birthday Fred!

Wednesday was Fred's 33rd birthday!! Since his birthday was on a Wednesday we didn't get to do too much celebrating, but we did all get to go to Dairy Delight with Jerry and Patsy! We even had a cake to celebrate!
Knowing that his actual birthday was on a Wednesday we went to dinner at Paris Landing for Crazy Chicken night (on Tuesday) as a special treat. We had a really good time! If you're ever in Paris on a Tuesday night give us a call and we'll meet up for a crazy night with a lot of chicken!!
On a side note...I asked Jack a few days before Fred's birthday about the kind of cake we should make Dad/Fred, meaning chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, etc. Jack quickly responded with the following:

Spiderman...no the Hulk, yes the Hulk. He'll like that!

Fred's Triathlon

We headed to Memphis this weekend for Fred to run in the Showman Shooter Triathlon. Corey and Melody were there, along with Stan and Stephanie Dunagan. It was hot...no, it was H.O.T.!!! Melody and I had a contest to see how big my hair got throughout the morning. It was awesome. Maybe she'll post the pictures later. You'll notice a haze on all the pictures. Yes, it was that hot and humid. Here is my superhero emerging from the water. He said it was full of fish and he kept reminding himself not to open his mouth...gross!!
Running and still smiling after a long, hilly bike ride. (Chip, notice he's shirtless instead of sleeveless. Did I mention it was HOT?!?)Packing up after the race.
Andrew got to go with us while the big boys played at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's house!!

Here is Stephanie running across the finish line with her sweet kiddos--that'll bring a tear to your eye.

Congratulations to Fred, Corey, Stan and Stephanie! Way to go!!

Five on Friday

1. Fred has a triathlon this weekend. He is continuing to train for the "big" one in a couple of weeks. As part of that training he and Corey rode their bikes to Carroll county...32.2 miles...no thank you!!
2. In case you were wondering...I am still canning pickles!! I will happily trade anyone any vegetable for cucumbers.
3. Clayton will turn seven next week. Part of (Renee) Shackelford tradition is that you get to pick your favorite meal for your birthday supper. We will celebrate Fred and Clayton's birthdays this weekend. When I asked Clayton what his favorite thing that Mawmaw made for him, he looked at me really funny and said that Mawmaw doesn't make him things. She buys them.
4. Sweet Caroline came over to play. When she walked in the door Jack greeted her by saying, "We don't have any gurl toys here." After an hour or so we had her walking around with a sword in one hand and a plastic gun in the other...sweet girl!!
5. Andrew LOVES cereal bars. He grins really big when he sees me coming toward his high chair with one.

Camp Linden

Our church had the opportunity to go to children's camp with my home church. My boys and three other kiddos from church made the trek to Linden for camp. I went to Linden as a fourth grader (so did my mother) and it was a full circle experience for me to see my own children experience some of the same things I did. All in all it was a fun filled week: Bible study, worship services, crazy games, staying up late, swimming, giant mud pits, painting, etc, etc!! Jack even had a class of his own, that after several hours of coaxing, he attended. You can see the precious young lady below was the only girl from our church. I was so proud of her! Next year we are taking more girls and partying in the girls dorm!!

Five on Friday

1. Fred preached at his home church last Sunday. He left camp a day early to spend time with his dad before Sunday. They apparently stayed up late watching a movie. His dad woke him up Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. I think he was 20 the last time he slept that late!!
2. I do love clean, put away (organized) laundry. Monday I did six loads of laundry after we returned home from camp. I thought we would be good for a while...no...I did six loads today as well. I think I am going to have to adopt this as the new normal!?! (Please note that I have done one load a day since Monday. It hasn't just built up.)
3. Clayton and Jack have been in Jackson this week for one final hurrah before school starts. We went to Jackson to take them to Dollar Night with the Diamond Jaxx. Clayton was so excited when we got there, telling us every detail of their stay. What fun!
4. When we were leaving Janice's house Jack pointed to himself and Clayton and asked, "Are you going to leave these guys here?!?"
5. Since the boys have been gone this week we have gotten to spend a lot of one on one time with Andrew. As a matter of fact we are pretty attached. This would have bothered me with Clayton...not so much with the last one!