First days!

The kids were a little too excited about school this morning. Aidan was up at 2:30 complaining he couldn't sleep. After helping him fall back asleep Cassidy woke me to tell me their was a monster that didn't like her. Then Lacey woke up at 5:30 to tell me it was almost 6:30 a.m. and we would need to get up soon. Then she continued to tell me every 15 minutes how much time left. All the kids somehow ended up in my bed too. Finally we all just got up even though I had 20 minutes until my alarm was to go off. I'm happy they were excited.  They both seem to have good teachers and have at least on of their favorite friends in their class.  It should be a great school year for both of them.

Cassidy has been waiting to start preschool for so long.  She associates going to preschool to becoming a big sister.  When she woke up this morning she asked if she was going to be a big sister today.  Sadly, not yet.  She loved being able to say in her weekly schedule that she had school.  She feels so big.  I can't believe I am sending another one off to preschool but I love to see how they enjoy having something all their own to be excited about and proud of.  She has mostly kids from our ward in her class so the transition will be very easy for her.

Cassidy with her carpool buddy and new favorite person in the world, Mary.

She had songs to sing to us, stories to tell, crafts to show us. and snacks to tell us about when she got home.  She had THE biggest smile on her face. 

Tennis pros

Aidan and Lacey took tennis lessons over the summer.  It was a crazy hot summer but we all endured the lessons well.  We had our camping chairs, snacks, and water for the spectators and then a fan/spray bottle, and water bottles for the players.  After a few lessons we realized the coach was our neighbors son.

Lacey had great form to start but just couldn't connect with the ball.  It would take her five swings to finally hit the ball.  Aidan had great form but too much power.  He was hitting it to the fence each time.  After a few lessons though they both improved drastically.  They played with larger balls that were mostly nerf.  They were called Quick Start balls.  I guess they are all the rage in Europe and the coach claims that is why European tennis players are better than Americans.  The coach was really good with the kids.  He was fun, patient but stern.  It didn't take long for the coach to find out that Grandpa Carter was tennis player and that the kids now felt ready to play against him.  I think that was both of the kids goal, to beat Grandpa.  The last tennis lesson of the summer was exciting for the kids because the coach had put all sorts of prizes on one half of the court.  Stuffed animals, toys, candy, snacks etc.  He had the kids hit the ball over the net and which ever prize they hit with the ball or hit closest to, they would win.  Each kid one like 3 things.  Also this summer they were featured in the local paper.  Lacey was quoted in the article.  It was exciting for them.

Trying to keep up with the big kids.

I was so happy to see them love tennis and that they actually have some skill in it.  Ryan has been good to take them to play tennis to keep up their skills.  Hopefully we will keep with Carter tradition and become a tennis playing family as well.