Stealing a Kiss

So, Jeb is giving kisses now. You know.. the open mouth full of slobber kind that only a mother enjoys. But here's the thing... he doesn't do it when anyone is around. As you can imagine, this leaves me looking completely delusional when I tell people that he does it... then look at him and say, "kiss", and he looks at me like, "What in the world are you talking about, Lady? I've never kissed anyone in my life." Don't you just hate it when your children don't perform when they have an audience?

But for all you naysayers, I PROMISE HE GIVES KISSES! He just doesn't do it on cue.

Let there be fence

With all the milestones this week in the Slaughter house, I forgot to give my husband props for finishing the fence (with Pat and G-Pops' help). Way to go guys. It looks great... and so functional for sending loud kids outdoors. (I realize you can't actually see the fence in the first picture, but I don't think I ever posted a picture of the house after we moved in.)

Drusy's Big Day

Today is Estella Dru's first day of school. She has been waiting for this day since Belle started k-4 last year and was so excited to leave in Daddy's Barbie truck today. I was so happy for her. The skill we had to master was writing her whole name for school. She was really good at Dru , but I wanted her to write Estella Dru. She can do it well if I'm speaking the letters over her, and she does ok if she does it alone... just leaves a letter out or puts one somewhere random on the page. I'm so proud of my girls. It's just me and Jeb and his two new teeth today. Sigh.

(By the way... those backpacks are specified on their school supply list. I wouldn't voluntarily get my kids backpacks bigger than they are!)

Can't forget Jeb

Yet another milestone was reached in our house today. I can't forget Baby Jeb who turned 6 months old today. Despite his two new teeth, he's the most easy-going little guy I know. Those teeth may come in handy later, but right now, I'm REALLY holding a grudge.

Belle's First Day of School

Today is Belle's first day of school. I can't believe I have a child in kindergarten. She was so excited to go this morning, and no I didn't take her. She LOVES to ride to school with her daddy in his 'Barbie' truck. (aka $500 hooptie) She had to master the skill of tying her shoes before today and finally got it down Saturday night. She is SO proud of herself and wanted to take a shoe to church to show everyone what she can do. (The first picture is of the first bow she tied all by herself.) This year she also has to learn to tuck in her shirt all by herself... we're still working on that one. Estella starts K-4 tomorrow and will go Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. So tomorrow will be a big day, too.

A tooth, almost crawling, and golf

Two blog posts in one night. I know... it's a lot, but the Addis homecoming post was requested by a couple people who couldn't make it to the airport, and I also have some Slaughterhouse news. Three items actually. 1.) Jeb's first tooth is peeking through. (Ahhh, teething. How soon we forget the horrors.) I tried to get a picture but was brutally unsuccessful. 2.) The little guy is 'trying' to crawl... not so easy on hardwood floors. 3.) Drumroll, please....... Matt Slaughter (if you haven't heard) is the new men's head golf coach at Shiloh. Yep, more time on the course for him, and more time for me home alone with three kids. I'm so happy for him. No, seriously... Matt's a great golfer and an even better communicator. They couldn't have done any better. Go golf team! (Do you cheer for golf?)

Almost there....

Addis is home.

They're home. Zach and Erin came home to NW Arkansas today after spending over a week in Ethiopia. But they didn't come home empty handed! Addis is one of the cutest little guys I've ever seen. And yes, I'm partial, but take a look for yourself...

They had quite a crowd to greet them, including family and a ton of friends who have been praying for this day for a long time. We are so privileged to be a part of this celebration. The bottom of the escalator at XNA was most definitely the equivilant to a delivery waiting room today. So much fun.

The waiting crowd....

The kids were so excited. Here's Belle, Dru, and Brooke.

Avery and Finley made a sign for Addis.

Parker and Jeb wondering what all the fuss was about.

Easton waiting for his little brother with both grandpas.

Then they were there.

And the paparazzi swarmed...

He immediately LOVED Catherine.

He literally attacked Catherine with kisses. Hilarious.

Jeb's first meeting with his friend. (Not a good picture but the camera battery died.)