1st day of school

4th grade here we come!

Meet the Teacher

Today was Meet the Teacher as Laurynn is entering the 4th grade. She has Ms. Nelson as homeroom teacher/social studies/language arts/reading and Mrs. Averitt for Math & Science. We also visited with her previous years teachers and the Birkes staff. Laurynn is very excited and looking forward to Monday!

Laurynn's first solo flight

Laurynn had a big milestone yesterday (Wed, Aug 12th)...She flew to Dallas all by herself! We arrived at Hobby airport around 7:30 a.m. and her flight was at 10:00 a.m. I'd rather be too early versus too late. Once clearing through security, we sat and watched the planes pull up to the gate. She'd ask me "Is that my plane?" And my response was "No, yours will be here little bit." About 9:40 she was able to preboard and we gave hugs and kisses (while Mommy held back tears) and she was escorted down the ramp to the plane. I had to stay at the gate till her plane took off and I didn't mind at all.

Laurynn's plane had arrived to Dallas and she called me the moment I walked in the door at home. She now realized how fast it was to fly versus driving in the car. Gee, I have a feeling this is the beginning of many future flights to come!

Matthews 1st birthday party

The past few days have been days of reflection of the last 365 days. On Saturday, we celebrated Matthew's 1st birthday with a party including family and close friends. I had specifically chose a personalized tee shirt for him to wear on the day of the party. I also had a 1st b-day onesie and bib as a backup.

Those in attendance were:

Mommy, Daddy & big sister Laurynn
John Gray Sr. (Grandfather)
George & Helen Gray (Great-Grandparents)
George Gray (Uncle)
Jeanie Gray (Cousin)
Devon & Glenn Daigle (friends)
Robin, Cheyenne & Colby Storrs (friends)
Kim, John & Sydney Rankin (friends)
Patsy, Nathan & Kayla Romano (friends)

Matthew had a morning nap while I scurried around putting the finishing touches around the house. Devon picked up the balloons and then we picked up the cake & food. I was quite pleased with his birthday cake. It was designed identical to the napkin & plates. The "smash cake" was adorable and perfect size for his little fingers. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Matthew while Mommy held the smash cake and Laurynn blew out the candle. Amazingly he just watched all of us singing to him and never cried. Daddy helped Matthew get him started with the cake by taking his hand and smashing it in the cake. Soon afterwards, the cake was unrecognizable and he began flinging cake in all directions. Those standing around the highchair, watch out! Here comes flying cake! After about 15 minutes, he excitement of the cake was beginning to diminish and he started to whine & cry in protest. Mommy cleaned him up and changed him in the backup onesie.

Next....Opening gifts! All the kids, including myself and Matthew sat in a circle on the floor. Laurynn read the cards out loud while I helped Matthew open the gifts. He received wonderful gifts from all who attended.

It was a relaxing afternoon visiting with family & friends. After the guests left, it was time for a nap and he went right down without a fuss.

Hard to believe it's been a year!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Matthews 1st birthday

Today was a milestone day for the Gray family....It was Matthews 1st birthday! All day I kept thinking back a year ago and saying to myself "This time last year, I was ...." Our good friends, Devon & Glenn Daigle joined us in Matthews celebration. About 7:30, it was cake time! Or, should I say "smash" cake time. We all sang him "Happy Birthday" and presented him with his own blue cake he could eat all himself. This was the first time he'd ever had sugar icing and he made some priceless faces while eating. He didn't know what to do with the cake at first, but then his big sister, Laurynn, helped getting his fingers in the cake. After the mess with his cake, he immediately got a bath and then he opened his gifts. I knew he was working on overtime because it was past his bedtime and was getting crankier by the minute. He received an Elmo play tv remote and fun balls from Devon & Glenn. We gave him colored sorting boxes, rattles, and a play ball. He'll get the other gifts at his party on Saturday. Matthew received an original sock monkey from his Aunt Melinda & Uncle Joe, and cash from his Great-Grandmother Peggy. At the moment he was ready for bed but tomorrow, he'll have new toys to play. Overall, it was a very good day! A big thank you to Devon for making some delicious cupcakes! Happy 1st birthday Matthew! We all love you!