1st Days of School

Ben and Sam are both going to be attending Kendall United Methodist this fall, and we could not be HAPPIER! We went in for Ben's open house first and met his teacher Ms. Melissa. He has a class of 16 kids with 3 teachers, one of them is Mr. OJ! After we left Ben told Andy and I that he better not say "shut-up" or his teacher would not like him. (He said shut-up for the first time this weekend and got in BIG trouble!)

I have started back to work at Gulliver, and LOVE it, but unfortunately they were full in Pre-K3. At first I was VERY disappointed, but after meeting the boys' teachers I see now that God's plan is better than mine! (as always)

So Ben goes everyday from 9-12, and Wednesday and Fridays til 3pm. Sam goes Tuesday/Thursday from 9-12, and on Wednesday Gammy takes him to Mommy and Me, and on Friday she takes him to the library class. (I don't remember her doing those things with Jenny and I!)

Sam was excited to see chairs his size!

Even better, no fighting with Ben for toys!

Ms. Dolly, Sam's teacher, helps Sam.

Mommy taking Sam to school.

Ms. Melissa

Ben learns where his backpack goes.

Daddy came too!

He's ready!

Mommy's Birthday Party Week

Mommy's early birthday celebration was just as much fun for Ben & Sam as it was for Mommy! The Forbes's family has had quite the exciting past few weeks with all the out of town guests who came to celebrate her birthday. Many of Mommy and Daddy's friends had never met Ben & Sam before, and everyone got along great!

We wanted to take this time to say a big thank you to all of our dear friends. We love you all very much, and miss you all very much! Ben is now saving money to buy a ticket to go to Texas!

Sam always finds time for Erin!

I don't know if this was a good idea, but Sam had fun at dinner!

Bret brought Ben & Sam popsicles and I think Bret was more excited than them!

More fun with Bret!

Jillian's crash course with the Forbes, and she was a big hit with the Forbes boys!

July 4th, Texas Style!

Mimi always wants to bathe us together!

Every morning Pops took the boys on a wagon ride to feed the ducks!

Four of the cousins playing the piano.

They had a BALL!

So much to do at Aunt Susan's!

Connor running with Ben! I told Jay I would pay to have Connor come and play with my boys for a week!

More wagon rides...

Kiki loving on Sambo.

The best part of all, tractor ride with Uncle Steve!

In the end Ben said, "Mommy that sure was a fun day!"

Dallas Trip

The Forbes Family at Going Bonkers!

Daddy even made it!

Ben's favorite cousin!

Mommy's BFF, and Nolan and Sam are going to be as well!

I don't even know where to begin to talk about our Dallas trip. All I can say is it was PACKED with family fun! We didn't tell most of our Dallas friends we were there because it was time to be with Andy's family as we were all rejoicing Mary's (Andy's grandmother) recovery!

Mimi and Pops still wanted to do something for Ben for his birthday, so all of the cousins and a few special friends came to Going Bonkers to celebrate Ben's birthday, AGAIN! Let me just add Going Bonkers is the PERFECT name for that place! But Ben and all the boys had a BLAST! Andy came Thursday evening and had to leave Saturday night. It was a quick trip for him, but the purpose was to see his Granny.

On Ben's actual birthday, July 4th, we went to Aunt Susan's house with the rest of the family to enjoy the day for some fun in the sun. Ben and Sam had so much fun with all their cousins! It made me sad that we are so far away, but hopefully someday we will be back in Dallas permanently!

Our visit with Granny, the boys' great-grandmother, in the hospital. She has MIRACULOUSLY survived a head injury and we were all there to show her how much she is loved.

Here is all 9 of the great grandsons! Aren't they handsome? They have good genes!

And the line-up, minus Will, he was M.I.A. It was hard to get 9 kids all under the age of 10 to line-up for a picture!

Palm Beach Getaway

This past weekend was packed with activity! After Ben's party Mommy had to pack us up because Sunday morning we left for Palm Beach with Gammy and Ogie. (Daddy came down on Monday afternoon since he had to work.) The boys had a great time digging at the beach and playing in the pool. This is the same hotel we always stay at with a large water slide. This year Ben was able to walk up the steps and go down the slide all by himself! (I am THRILLED he is not a scare-dy cat like his mommy!)

Sam had a blast going down the slide with Mommy and walking around everywhere! When Daddy came all the boys wanted to do was be with him and cuddle. As you can see Sam was worn out by all the activity and fell asleep pool side! I wasn't able to take a good picture of the boys together, they were not cooperative! Maybe soon I will get a better one.

Ben's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Ben's 3rd birthday this year a little early. Carter is Ben's best friend, and ever since the boys were born we have talked about having a joint birthday party. Since the boys are into trains we decided to have a train themed party complete with an actual train, Thomas bounce house, Thomas cake, and train sandwiches. It was EXTREMELY hot and humid that morning, but it did not stop the boys from having a BLAST! Ben was even able to convince Ogie to go on the train!

Andy and I can't believe our baby is almost 3, where has the time gone? We are so proud of him and what a well behaved, sweet, loving boy he is becoming. We will actually be in Dallas on his birthday and able to celebrate it with his Mimi and Pops!

Gulliver here we come!

So it is official I have a job teaching 3rd grade at Gulliver Academy!!! God is so faithful! I had not yet signed with the other school, and my former principal called me and asked if I would like to come back, and of course I jumped at the opportunity. I will only be teaching 10-12 kids, and the higher level students. I will be teaching 7 students whose sibling I have already taught, so it will be a smooth transition.

As of right now they do not have a spot for Ben, so he is currently enrolled at a church not far from my mother's house. Andy will have off Tuesday and Wednesday, so he will be watching the boys, and the rest of the week my mom will have them! Everyone is helping so it will be easy for me to leave the boys. I am very upset that I have to leave, but thrilled it is to a place that I LOVE to work! Ben will go to school MWF from 9-3, T&Th 9-12 with Sam. Hopefully Ben will be able to go to Gulliver with me, but I won't know for a while.

Thank you for all your prayers!!!!!!!