Making a Splash!

For weeks now, I've been promising the boys that we would play in the puddles as soon as we got a good rain storm. We've been waiting and waiting, but unfortunately, we only got a few stray showers here and there. Nothing that would produce any decent puddles.

That is until today.

What a rainstorm we had this morning! It was nuts! For awhile there, I thought we were going to have to build an arc! But, it ended up being the perfect amount of rain for us because we were left with huge puddles on the golf course. Yippee!

And, if you recall this Puddle Jumper blog post back in May, then you probably remember how much fun Charlie and I had splashing away that day, but poor Chase was napping and missed the whole thing. Well, he finally got his chance today!

Here are pictures from our splish, splash afternoon...

Chase had so much fun!

Isn't he so big now?

What a smile!

Brotherly love...

Follow the leader!

"What are you looking at?"

Lots of smiles!

Love this picture!

There's Chase with "the look" again!

Love this photo, too!

And this one!

And this one!

Aren't they sweet?

Ok, so I LOVE this photo!

And this one, too!

I love the big belly and the serious face.

"See ya later, alligator! We had fun!"

You know me. I love pictures from behind. 

"Bye!"

Movie Under the Stars Block Party!

On Saturday, our cul-de-sac hosted the second annual Movie Under the Stars Block party for over 100 friends and neighbors. I had such a great time planning this event. Theme parties are so much fun!

I drafted three neighbors to help me plan and host this crazy shindig. I even convinced my Dad and Colleen to drive 5+ hours from Tennessee to help watch the boys while I ran around, coordinating everything. What great friends and family I have, eh?

We went all out for this party. We decorated the cul-de-sac movie-themed plates, napkins and decor. We had tons of balloons and blasted music to make the atmosphere even more festive. We coordinated several games for kids to play - musical chairs (actually, we used beach towels), limbo, egg races and outdoor twister. (Yes, we spray painted five twister boards on my front yard. Thanks to Dad for designing the template!) We even provided large stars with lots of things to decorate them with so the kids could make their own Hollywood star for our Skybrook Walk of Fame! (And thanks to Colleen for running the craft table!)

After a couple of hours of merriment, we all headed to the back yard to watch "A Night at the Museum" on a large, inflatable movie screen. Such fun! There is nothing better than watching a movie under the stars. Nothing!

Charlie and Chase had an absolute blast at the party. They were finally allowed to ride their big wheels on the street (which was closed to cars), so they got a big kick out of that. They missed the movie, though. That's what happens when your bedtime is 7p! (Oh, and thanks to Oma for coming over and helping to put the boys down!)

I love planning parties. Maybe I should start my own business because I seem to have a knack for it! Then again, I think I like planning my OWN parties - not someone else's. (I would like using someone else's money, though!)

Here are a couple of photos from Saturday's festivities.

It's all about the details. We stuffed treat bags with popcorn and added  sticker that said,
"Thanks for popping by! Hope you enjoy the movie!" Super cute!

Big wheel riding in the street, like an outlaw!

Chase loved decorating his star. Charlie was too busy riding his big wheel.

See what I mean?

Remember the details? I made popcorn cupcakes. Adorable!

Off the bike for a split second. Just checking everything out...

...and then right back on the bike.

Grandma and Chase!

The craft table...

Cute plates, eh?

Our very own walk of fame!

How low can you go?

Outdoor Twister! What a cool idea!

Thanks for the help, Dad!

Decorations!

I would have taken a photo of the big movie screen, but it was too dark by the time it was up and running. Anyway, I think everyone had a great time. And now, on to the next event!

Off to School!

Can anyone tell me where summer went? I don't think it could have gone by any faster, yet, here we are, September 6, the first day of school for the Arning Bros.

This year, Charlie is in the 3-day/3-year old program and goes to preschool on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9a-1p. Chase goes to a different school and is in a "Mom's Morning Out" program on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9a-1p. (He isn't old enough to go to preschool, but he is ready for a program of some kind, so this was our best option.)

I wasn't worried about Charlie at all. I knew he would have a great first day of school. I figured he might miss us a little bit (Mrs. Jacobson said he asked for me only once), but I was confident he would love his classroom and his teacher.

I was, however, worried about Chase. He's never really done anything like this, except maybe child care at church and yoga. Plus, we didn't get a chance to go to the open house because we were at the beach, so I was taking him to school, sight unseen, without ever having met any of his teachers. (Granted, I'd toured the school and met the teachers, but Chase had not.) So, I'm sure you can understand why I was nervous.

Surprisingly, Chase was not in the least bit bothered about anything. He stayed by us until we said it was time to for us to leave, but then he started playing with toys and did not care one bit that we had to go. Not one single tear from Chase! What a big boy! The teacher said he did not get upset or sad the entire day except at the very end of school when other moms started picking up their kids. When I arrived, he was so excited to see me, though. It was so sweet and made my heart jump a beat. What a cutie!

So, that's that. My boys are getting so big and are both so independent. I could not be more proud!

But, is it ok to wish they'd miss me just a little bit more?

Here are some photos from our first day of school.

Getting ready to head to school. Chase follows in big brother's footsteps.

This is Charlie's best attempt at a smile.

Big boy!

We dropped Chase off first. Doesn't he look so confident?

Chase decided to take Bunny to school. I think Bunny was a big help.

Isn't he adorable?

Why is Dad in every picture? I need to teach him how to  use my camera!

Charlie had fun at Chase's school, too!
(A little too much fun. I had to follow behind him, picking up all of the toys  he drug out.)

This is Charlie's school. Charlie was the special helper on the first day.
I think it's because he's super smart and sweet, but it might also be because his last name starts with "A."

So festive!

This is how Charlie will "Check In" every day. He puts his apple on the fence.

Charlie's basket.

He found a flat bed truck right away. That's all he's talked about since.

Mrs. Jacobson explains that we do not play with trucks when you first arrive at school.
First, you must put your backpack away, then you sit down at the table for an activity.
Trucks come later.
(Oh, boy. She has no idea who she's dealing with here.)

This is Charlie's tree. He adds an apple sticker to it for every polite thing he says or does.

Ah, we made it to the table!

I want to go to preschool! It looks so fun!

Teachers are so creative!

I even got into the spirit and put my Back To School flag up. :)

Here's to a great school year!