Back to School!

AAAAHHHH! It's the most wonderful time of the year. Temperatures are dropping, football is on, our favorite tv shows are coming back, AND...drumroll...BACK TO SCHOOL! Okay, maybe I'm sounding a little too excited about the boys going back, but they were ready and the last week, we all got a bit antsy. So, Campbell started last Wednesday. His Jr. K teachers are Mrs. Frasier, Mrs. Holland, and Mrs. Schmidt. There was not one ounce of hesitation in this child when he walked right in and put his bag in his assigned cubby. He was most excited to see his best buddy, William, and to catch up on the last month since William had been gone all of August. He was so excited that he didn't even hug or kiss me goodbye and when I called his name, he gave me quite the look of "please go and let me be!"



Parker started yesterday. He was so excited to go and couldn't wait to put on his backpack and carry his lunchbox. We got to school, he skipped right in, played in the hall for minute, practically jumped down every step to his classroom, and then...the door. We get to the door of his classroom. He became very quiet (which is very unlike him). Then, when it was his turn to go in, he took three steps back, grabbed my legs and lost it. I will admit, a piece of my heart broke for him, but then I remembered - this is my dramatic child and he loves to get reactions out of me. So what did I do? I picked him, hugged him, kissed him, told him I loved him and let his teachers pry him off of me. AND THEN I RAN! Thank goodness a friend of mine has a daughter in the classroom next door to P's and she emailed me and said when she left, he was already on the floor playing and laughing. That little actor. And you may ask, how was he when I picked him up? A smile from ear to ear and he was doing his normal "happy jump."


So folks, a great start to the 2011-12 school year. I can't believe that this is the last year that C will be coming home at noon. I am fortunate to have 3 days a week with him while Parker is in school til 2:00. I am going to cherish those days.


Happy School Year to everyone else with kiddos. I hope you are like me and beginning to feel some sanity.

Here are last year's First Day of School pictures. My how they've grown!

Bald Head Island

On August 21st, the Spence Fam loaded up the car and headed down to Bald Head Island, NC (just 30 mins south of Wilmington). We had a 5:00pm ferry reservation and were not sure how long it was going to take us, so we hit the road at 7:50am. I guess with careful planning, you get there with too much time on your hands. We stopped two times and the third time was at the Southport Marina at 2:40pm. Awesome timing, but what to do for 2 hours with 2 boys who are beyond excited to get to the beach? Fortunately, we were able to change our ferry reservation to 3:30, and on we went. The 20 minute ride was beautiful and the boys were ecstatic.

After arriving at BHI, we boarded a tram with our luggage in the front and were driven to 637 Kinnakeet Way - home away from home. Our 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom house was adorable and perfect for our little family.

I won't go into details of every minute, but after a quick stop at the market, dinner, and then the beach to let the boys see what they had been waiting for all summer.

Monday, we woke to the news of hurricane Irene that was looking like it was headed our way. So we went full throttle and got as much in as we could.
Monday...beach, lunch, naps, pool
Tuesday...Bike ride, Old Baldy - the lighthouse, exploring the island, lunch, naps, fishing (Campbell), pool (Parker), kite flying
Wednesday...Bike ride, beach, lunch on the beach, boogie boarding (Jason), naps, photo time on the beach during sunset
Thursday...Bike ride, pool, lunch, naps, fishing
Friday...evacuation!

We took the 9:30 ferry out of BHI on Friday morning and arrived at 905 Allison at 6:00pm. Not too bad and it was better to be home than stuck on the island with no power and no way off. From what we can tell, BHI did okay in the storm. We are hopeful that 637 Kinnakeet did ok and that we can go back next summer.

I took over 600 pictures and have whittled them down to just over 100 on our picasaweb. So take a look and enjoy! www.picasaweb.google.com/spencefam2

Ringbearer extroadinaire!

Two weeks ago, Jason's nephew - Derrick got married. They asked Campbell if he would be the ringbearer and of course, the child didn't even flinch! He was so excited to walk down the aisle and most importantly wear a "suit" like Daddy wears to work. He also explained to me that he wasn't nervous since he had been in the fashion show 2 times and was used to it. Can we say someone is a ham!??!?

Campbell did a great job and loved every minute of being included in the big day. He showed off some pretty cool dance moves (even a little breakdancing) and by 10:00, he was done! Such a fun weekend for all. Thanks Derrick and Meredith. xo

Parker turns 2!

Parker - July 7, 2009

Parker - July 7, 2010

Parker - July 7, 2010

Yes, I know...Parker turned 2 two weeks ago. But that seems to be how I am these days...two weeks behind on things. Anyway, we can hardly believe that the little guy is now 2. Where have the last two years gone? Parker is now a complete toddler. A running, jumping, dancing, laughing, talking (non-stop) wild man! The boy barely walks anywhere - always running and trying to keep up with big brother.

Jumping...his latest activity is trying to jump off the stairs like Campbell. This equals heart failure for me. At least he's nervous enough to want to hold on to the rail. If he's near a pool, you can pretty much bet that he's jumping in with all of his might. Again, this is more heart failure. :)

Onto dancing...he loves to dance all around the house, especially copying Campbell when KISS is playing "Rock and Roll All Night." Uncle Mike and Uncle Jeff should be very proud that their nephews are becoming quite the rock'n'roll fans. Sorry Tater! No classical or opera yet.

Laughing...well...this just happens constantly. The child has a laugh that is contagious and brightens up any dull moment. The best time is when Parker starts laughing, then it gets Campbell going, and the next thing you know - all of us are hysterically laughing at who knows what. But it's one of those laughing moments that makes you double over and leaves you exhausted - but a good exhausted. If we could have one of those moments 5-6 times a day, we'd be the happiest people in the world!

Talking...well - is anyone surprised that he talks non-stop? Even the pediatrician commented that she knew where he got it from (and it's not his daddy)! I'll take it as a compliment, as we all know I LOVE to talk and will never stop :)! Having Campbell constantly asking him questions, asking him to say things, and just plain having conversations with him - has made Parker quite the conversationalist. He tells us what he wants to eat, drink, play. Asks for certain books. Asks to go to the gym, swimming pool, Rainbow City (the childcare facility at the club). And knows everyone by name. He wants to see "dane" (Ms. Jane) at the gym, "thelby" (Shelby) at the pool, "Noama" (Norma) at Rainbow city. It's awesome and so helpful.

His stats for 2 years? Height - 341/2 inches, Weight - 28lbs. 12 oz. and PERFECTLY healthy. We couldn't ask for anything more.

Renovation...Mission Accomplished!

It's been almost 2 months since we completed our renovation and we are so happy! The boys love their playroom and I just loved the finished look of each room. Below are some photos of the final product.

Laundry area

Office area

Play room

I LOVE THESE BOYS!

It's hard to believe that the 4th of July is almost here. What's even harder to believe is that Parker will be 2 just three days later. I am having one of those moments where I am having to stop and enjoy these boys because time is flying. I have to admit, at the end of the day, I am done! I'm tired of hearing the whining, coming up with answers to the question of "why?", repeating myself 10,000 times. I put them to sleep, go to bed, then start all over again. I am only human to have these feelings. But then, when I stop to think about what they have done for me, I forget all of those frustrating moments. They made me become a mom. They have taught me to love in a way that I have never loved before. They are so responsible for making me the woman I am now. For that, I will always be grateful.

Lately, the boys have become such good friends. Parker is infatuated with Campbell. And Campbell, he just loves to help teach Parker everything he needs to know. Campbell is also one of the best interpreters of Parker language. Jason and I will be asking Parker to repeat himself over and over again, and Campbell just blurts out what Parker is asking for or saying. It's amazing. I love that Campbell wants to know everything Parker did while he was at school or camp. And just the other day, we picked Campbell up from camp and the first question to Parker (not me, but Parker), "what did you do while I was at camp?" They have a bond that only brothers should have and I pray that it grows and grows. They are sweet, gentle, funny, loving, and what makes it even better, when one of them falls down or hurts themselves, the other is usually right there making sure his brother is okay.

Thank you for letting me sappy for a minute. I am just having my "stop and enjoy the boys moment." Below are two pictures from our trip to NC earlier this month.

Campbell's Spring Concert

Campbell's Spring Concert was on May 20th, combined with Grandparents Day at school. Kiki and Tater came up for the weekend and had a blast seeing him perform. He took it very seriously, as you can see. We are so proud of him and how much he has learned this year. It's hard to believe that he's going to be in JK next year.