It's Baaaaaaack...almost

Ahem.....I have an announcement to make. Tomorrow is the first day of September...which means I can officially start my early annual celebration of Fall. Giggle with me, you know you are excited too. I've said it before, I will say it again, I love Autumn.



I love the crispness in the air, and I glory at the sight of leaves that set the tree lines ablaze with their shocks of red, orange and yellow. I love being able to break out my sweatshirts and jackets. I love apple cider, and Mums, and everything else that goes along with this amazing season.

Of course, September ALSO means that a very special five year old will be turning SIX. Time flies so quickly, and I am always amazed at how big "my little peanut" has gotten. We haven't quite finalized plans for birthday celebrations for family yet, but we're going to the kiddy party on the afternoon of the 21st...I wasn't brave enough to try and corral children without my husband who has to work in the 19th and the 20th. So if you are family and would like to visit on one of THOSE days, then you're welcome...I am pretty sure I can handle YOU.

I will also be saying "Good-bye" to my best friend this month (sad sigh). She is packing up all her belongings and moving far away to Illinois to be with the love of her life. I can't say I blame her, I wouldn't want to be away from the love of my life either. I will miss her though, even though I will still talk to her EVERYDAY...but you know how it is, it just won't be the same. So everyone wish luck to Deanna....and donate boxes if you can :o)

And now, I am going to say goodbye to YOU...just for a little while. The sun is setting and my two favorite guys are outside playing, and I am anxious to be playing with them...I'm sure you understand. Much love to you all. And don't forget to get out there and start looking for signs of Autumn to enjoy, for after all, “Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."

Tanner's Puzzle

Tanner wanted to show Grandma and Grandpa this "puzzle" he made at school. He was really excited about it so we made a video. Enjoy!!

Our Favorite Student

I finally took the time to upload the pics from Tanner's first day of school. He has just finished his fifth day as a kindergarten student and is loving it! So far, I have nothing but great things to say about the school. In the mornings when I drop him off, he is greeted at the door by some overly cheerful teacher. During the day I can check in on their schedule online, so I know what is going on at that exact moment. Then at the end of the day, they walk Tanner out to the car and off we go. He is learning lots already. I am a very proud Mommy!!

And here's a picture of Tanner and Scooby playing Tug-o-War...just for fun. It was supposed to be a video of Tanner batting...I really do have one, however, blogger is not cooperating. So I'll have to try again later.

I'm ready...sort of.

Thursday is the big day!!! Tanner is very excited about starting Kindergarten. Mommy is excited too, but it's also mixed with the bitter-sweet knowledge that her baby is not a baby after all. We got an information packet two weeks ago giving us all the information we needed for the first day of school. His teacher's name is Mrs. Verch, and we're going to the open house tomorrow night to meet her. His buddy Tyler has a different teacher than he does...actually ALL the boys in his preschool class have different teachers, courtesy of Miss Crystal. Apparently, they give her a call when picking classes. I am thrilled that we have found such an excellent school district. I have heard nothing but great things about it. I just know that Tanner will continue to blossom this year. All of his school supplies have been purchased, along with his new school clothes. I bought the ingredients for Tanner's choice of dinner Thursday evening and chocolate chip cookies (which will be waiting for him on the table when he gets home Thursday afternoon). One night this week we're going to make the head of a "book worm" to put on his wall that will help us keep track of all the books he reads this year (for each book he reads we will attach a body segment). And last night he went to his first "Back to School" sleepover.

Every year, Miss Crystal hosts a back to school sleepover at her house for all the kids at the daycare center that are in Kindergarten and older. I think this year she had about twenty attend. She is a MUCH braver woman than I am. I dropped Tanner off last night and came home to a quiet evening alone. When I picked Tanner up this morning he was bursting with excitement about the things they had gotten to do. He really had a good time. Besides watching movies and having popcorn, the played on Miss Crystal's slip and slide and got to play in the hot tub and pool. They also took a little walk to the creek. Tanner's shoes were soaked and I had to dig them out from underneath 30 other shoes this morning. I was a bit jealous when I found out he got a soak in the hot tub...instead of a vacation next year, I may just go to Crystal's house. Right now, Tanner is taking a nap. I was informed that he was the last child to fall asleep...some time after midnight, and they were up this morning at 6:30. He's sleepy.

Tomorrow, the preschool is having Lil' Angels photography come in to do some pictures. They bring costumes for the kids, and they photograph them all dressed up! Some of the packages are really high, but we chose to buy one anyway. After all, we're not paying for childcare anymore (YAY)!!!!

I.O.U....

....some T-ball pictures. Tanner has been playing T-ball for two weeks. On Monday night, we head to the ball field here in town and watch the hysterics as this amazing group of 3-5 year olds do their best to get the basics of the game down. They are all so cute. Tanner is AWESOME...and that's just not Mommy talk folks! Every time he bats or throws the ball, I hear people whispering things like "Whose kid is that?", "Wow, he's got an arm", or "Look how far he just hit that ball!" Last Monday I was so proud when the ball he hit went sailing over everyones heads and into right-center. That's my boy!!!




Next week I will remember to get a video of him batting and running the bases so you can share in my pride!


We had a much better week here at Casa de Bradshaw. Rocky was sick for a few days and we were pretty worried, but it turned out to be doggy flu and he has made a full recovery. Tanner also has a new dog named Scooby (guess who named him) who we rescued.



Scooby is a Golden Retriever/Australian Shepard mix. He is seven months old and potty trained, although he has had a couple of accidents in the house when I missed him prancing at the door. He is a 27 pound baby!!! We don't think he will get much bigger and have decided to keep him inside. I am too scared to send him out into the yard...I'm just paranoid. Scooby LOVES squeaky toys and Tanner loves throwing them to him. Truffles loves her new playmate, so everyone is happy. And speaking of Truffles...isn't she adorable?? I love her!