Isaac's First Day of Kindergarten and Gabriel is off to 1st Grade

OK. So it's almost Christmas and I'm just now writing about school starting in August. I know...I know...I'm a little late...please forgive me. At least I'm trying to catch up.



Gabriel was the experienced one and had no problem going to his first day of 1st grade. He was also excited about a new tooth growing in as he was asking me to take a picture of it...thus the picture. LOL! He was talking to Isaac all the way there telling him he'd like kindergarten that it was fun you get to play with toys and "Work a little. Play a little." He was too cute. He got this saying from HIS kindergarten teacher. She would constantly tell him "...we work a little and we play a little." Once we got to the school Liah was a little curious about something in the grass and I had to take a picture she is TOO cute!!

Isaac was a little nervous though he tried not to show it at first. He was trying to fight back the nerves and the tears. He kept saying things like he was trying to reassure himself, "Mom, I'm gonna have lots of fun...Mom, it's gonna be SO fun." It didn't take long for the tears to flow when we got to the school and I starting walking him to his classroom door. He was in tears and didn't want to go in...AT ALL. He finally relented and walked in. Liah and I stayed for a little while to let him get use to the new place. The other kids were coloring a picture of a school bus and he wouldn't let me leave his sight. He kept asking, "Mom, are you gonna leave me?" Most of the other parents had been slipping out the door so his or her child didn't see when they left. I told him I wouldn't leave until he felt comfortable staying. He would have to tell me to leave.





Soon his teacher asked them all to sit on the rug and she taught them a song. Liah and I were still sitting around waiting. You see, I promised him I wouldn't leave until he told me too and I KEEP my promises. When the teacher had worked with them on the song a few times, Isaac finally came over to me and whispered, "Mom, I'll be ok. You can go." I almost want to get emotional now writing about it. He sounded so sweet. He was growing up on me. I left but called the teacher after a while and checked in on him. She was quick to inform me that he was fine. I believe her exact words were "He is the life of the party!" Isaac is our little funny man and I was sure the other kids were finding this out as well.

More fun with Grandma...at the Creative Discovery Museum

As I mentioned before, we went to lots of cool places with grandma in Chattanooga. Another place we visited was called the Creative Discovery Museum. It was a museum but completely hands on in every way. The kids had a blast being able to interact with almost every display. Here are some pictures which pretty much show the amount of fun they had...thanks grandma!

Rainy Day...

So for WHATEVER reason...one day it started to rain and Adam yells to the kids "Hey guys, let's go play in the rain!!" First they looked at him and wondered if he was joking...then when he started for the front door they jumped up and headed out with him...to dance in the rain. They had a blast and even little Liah joined in. Due to the fact that I have been having ankle problems, I didn't think it was a good idea for me to take my chances and slip on the water...I know...this is where I would say "Party Pooper". And yes...I was! So here are some pictures from dancing in the rain and a video. BOY did these kids have a fun time!!

My Babies are Growing Up...

Fun Filled Weekend with Grandma

Ok. I have SO MUCH catching up to do!! LIKE months!! So this is my attempt to fill you guys in on what's been going on...one post at a time. Here's the first of hopefully many :)

...despite the fact that we only live 40 or so minutes from grandma, we don't make it to visit her as much as she'd like. She misses her grandkids ALOT...soooo...we decided to take a trip. Just grandma, the kids, and me. We went to Chattanooga and visted some COOL places.




First we went to the Tennessee Aquarium. I really thought this would test Liah's patience but MAN!! She LOVED IT! She was MEZMORIZED!!

The boys enjoyed the aquarium as well. They loved being able to see cool fish among other things.

There was a room in the aquarium that was FULL of beautiful butterflies! It was awesome! They were landing on people and making themselves at home.

There were HUGE jellyfish, small jellyfish, and turtles to name a few more.

ALL in ALL, I think they had a lot of fun!

Among the Cave Dwellers...

Hello to all those who thought the Taylor's had dropped off the face of the planet. Thanks for never giving up hope we'd post a blog again! LOL!

So what have we been up to? Well, around the fourth of July Adam's parents came into town. That week was the week we tried to do too much too fast and as a result we were...well...I should say I was not a very good host. The Saturday before Adam had been at an ultimate frisbee tournament ALL DAY and then I went out of town on Sunday only to return the day before his parents were to arrive. Despite our lack of energy and thank goodness his parents are so great and easy going, we had a great time anyways.

Adam's dad joined Adam on a painting job while his mom joined me and the kids on a trip to the library and somewhat of a normal day in the Taylor household. The next day we went to Mammoth Cave which was the first time the boys had ever been there. Everyone seem to have fun...even little Liah who was a HANDFUL :) I say that with a smile and a grrrrrr! The boys-Adam, Gabriel, Isaac, and Adam's dad-built a rocket and launched it on Saturday which was a blast for the boys as well. Everyone was sad to see them go but grateful for the time we were able to spend with them. We love you!!

Yanni Dance Party

Ok. Our kids apparently are HUGE Yanni fans! We recorded a PBS broadcast of Yanni Live in Concert and the kids love to watch it and just DANCE!! Each one one has their own moment in the video. Liah and Gabriel spin around and get dizzy and Isaac is making his own moves! I just thought this was too cute and wanted to share! (Make sure you turn off the music player first on the left-hand side)