Bunk Beds and More

It was not long ago that I had a conversation with my mom about the fact that Campbell would one day want bunk beds. This conversation was actually a little over 3 years ago before Parker was born when we were setting up his twin bed to make the crib available for his soon to be baby brother. I swore that we wouldn't get bunk beds, why - when we have a perfectly good twin bed? I just keep hearing her say, "well - just be prepared for him to ask for them at some point." Well, he asked and then got his now 3 year old brother on board and the two of them started talking about bunk beds months ago.

Jason and I talked about it and realized that if we were to do it, now is the time - for a few reasons. 1...they are at a perfect age to share a room, 2...it makes Parker feel like a "big" kid, and 3...it makes room for baby Spence #3! Yep, you read correctly. Come February, we will have another little one in the Spence house.

After Jason put the bunk beds together on Friday evening, we announced to the boys at dinner that we are having another baby. Parker is thrilled, especially since he asked me the night before if I had a baby in my belly. I kid you not, he asked because he said my stomach was "sticking out like this" and he proceeded to stick out his stomach to imitate me. Campbell, his face was priceless. A huge smile and lots of shock. He still says he won't believe us until I get bigger, even though we showed him a picture of last week's ultrasound. But, he is really excited and refers to it as "our baby."

The boys have decided that it is going to be a boy and want to name him Alvin so they can yell AAAALLLVVVIIINNN like Dave on Alvin and Chipmunks. When I told them that it could be a girl, they pretty much ignored me and insisted that it will be a boy. We shall see, 7 more weeks and we will know if it's a he or she! Stay tuned.

Goodbye 2's...Hello 3's!

Today was Parker's last day of school/camp. He had a great year in the 2's class with Ms. Kim and Mrs. Clark. Known as the sweet smile and bit of a flirt in the class, he charmed his way through the year! Next year, he will have the legendary Mrs. Becky in the 3's class. We have heard such wonderful things about her and we cannot wait to see what she has in store for this dynamic group of kiddos.

Next week, he will go to a day camp for 2-3 year olds everyday from 9-1 and later in the summer, he will get to participate in his first session of tennis clinics.

Our little baby is no longer a baby and is practically counting down the days until the big 3. Goals for 3? He wants to give his paci's to the ducks (just like his friend Mack did), move into a bunk bed, and WE would like for him GET OUT OF DIAPERS! Fingers crossed.
                   
                     First day of 2's                                        Last day of 2's

Goodbye Jr. K...Hello Kindergarten

I cannot believe that this year is over and we now have a rising Kindergarten student! Campbell's last day was yesterday. While he knows that some of his classmates are not returning, he was quick to remind me last night that there was no more school for a little while. You think he's excited?

He had a great year and incredible teachers. We are sad to tell them goodbye, but look forward to passing their classroom each morning next year, on our way to the big K room. 

For now, it will be a summer of tennis and golf clinics, some trips, swim lessons, and LOTS of playdates with friends.

I promise to get better about posting. Really!!!

xo

First Day of Jr. K                                Last Day of Jr. K

Playing catch up!

Hello world! I know, it's been since September since my last post. What has happened to the Spence family since then? Well, Campbell turned 5, my brother and his wife welcomed sweet baby Hudson in November, we went to New Orleans for our first of 4 trips in less than six months, celebrated Thanksgiving in Charlottesville, rode in the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend parade in early December, took the boys to NYC, had a visit from Santa Claus, celebrated the new year with great friends, had a 2nd trip to New Orleans for Hudson's christening in mid-January, went again the following month for Mardi Gras and my dad's VERY successful heart surgery (3rd trip), and then a week later for a friend's wedding (4th trip), took the boys to the circus, participated in the Toast to Fashion, and now we are here!

It has been a fun and busy 6 months. We are enjoying the down time this month and gearing up for a visit from the Easter bunny!

Campbell is almost 5 1/2 and getting so excited to go to Kindergarten next year. He has had a great Jr. K year with his teachers Mrs. Fraser, Mrs. Schmidt, and Mrs. Holland. He has 21 boys and girls in his class and his good friends are William (who sadly moved away in November), Jack, Declan, and Nathan. He has been taking tennis lessons all year and just started with U5 soccer last week. Their team is the fire dragon players! He will also be playing T-Ball - starting in a few weeks. And so it begins - the late afternoon practices and Saturday games! In May, Campbell and Jason will head to Falling Creek Camp for Boys for the Father/Son weekend. This camp was founded by the former owner of the Greystone - where I spent my summers. Hopefully Campbell will be a camper there in a couple of years. Until then, he and Jason get to have a fun weekend with other sons and dads.

Parker will be 3 in July and certainly keeps us on our toes! He is loving his 2's class with Mrs. Clark and Ms. Kim and his favorite friends are Mack, Natalie, and Margeaux. Parker will be starting tennis this summer after his birthday and cannot wait! He has spent the last year and a half watching Campbell. He will also begin his swim lessons at the club with our favorite babysitters Shelby and Taylor.

I have to admit, I am ready for the summer. It's been a fun year of school, activities, and Jr. Friends responsibilities (my term as Chair ends on May 6th). I am ready to slow down and enjoy the relaxation that summer brings. We have some fun trips planned and hopefully I will be writing more often, especially about our adventures.

Campbell's 5th Birthday

Sweet baby Hudson

Fun in NYC

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Hudson's Christening

Annual Mardi Gras picture with Tater!

Campbell on the runway for the 3rd time!

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