Camping, Back to School and Birthdays galore

Before school started, we had one final outing.  We went camping at Harmonie State Park with friends.  It was incredibly hot as it had been all summer, but the kids had a great time swimming and going on adventures through the woods.

Sydney started 2nd grade at a new school this year.  She has made the adjustment very well.  I think having her best friend, Braylee in the same class as really helped. ; )  They are both just as excited as can be!

A few days after Sydney and Daddy started school, Addison and I started.  This will be Addison's last year at daycare/pre-school.  This is my 11th year of teaching.

We started September with a shopping trip, the Homecoming Parade (both Braylee and I were in the parade) and Papaw Jim's birthday.

Sydney and Braylee on their annual back to school shopping trip.

Papaw, Elaina, Addison, Sydney and Julia





Sydney and several of her friends and family have birthdays in September; which means it can be a very hectic/fun time for us.  We celebrated Sydney's birthday twice this year, with a friend party and a family party.  A couple of years ago, we started the tradition of combining her friend party with Braylee (best friend and cousin) who shares the same birthday.  Pretty special girls!  We had a mermaid/pool party at the local YMCA the week before their actual birthday. 

The next weekend was the family party at our home.  Sydney's grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins helped her celebrate turning 8.

September ended with my niece's 1st birthday party at Grammy and Papaw's.  It was the perfect night for an outdoor gathering of her grands, greats, aunts, uncles and cousins.