Slow down

In case you haven't noticed, time is flying by. 

Owen's last day of school was yesterday.  It seems like he just started.  This year he was a duck and next year he will be a monkey.  We couldn't have asked for better teachers and I really wish they could just move up with him.  The thing is though, all the teachers are great.  We feel so grateful to have gotten him into St. Paul's CLC.  It is a special place and Owen loves going there.  Yesterday was sad but next year will be even better.  The best thing is that Sarah will be the assistant in his class.  If you are a frequent blog reader/stalker than you know about Sarah even if you don't know her.  She loves Owen almost as much as her own children.  He has been going to her house since he was 8 weeks old and she has practically helped raise him.  We were delighted to find out she would be one of his teachers.  Sarah, if you are reading this, I think I caught some emotional sickness from you yesterday.  Moving on...

We booked Owen's first Disney trip yesterday!  We will be going down the last week of September and my parents are coming along for the ride.  It was hard for us to decide when he was old enough, and we aren't 100% sure how it's going to go, but they are offering free dining this fall and we took that as a sign.  Let's hope that a life-sized version of Mickey on day one doesn't traumatize him for the remainder of the trip.  Prior to yesterday, we had decided to hit Magic Kingdom first and let him ride It's a Small World.  We were totally bummed (I just veered off into surfer speak) to find out it will be closed for refurbishment during that time.  Dang!  But on a brighter note, they are having Mickey's Not-so-scary Halloween Party during our stay.  I need more info on that, but it sounds fun.

Wow...this is longer than intended, but isn't it always?  If you are still reading, thanks.  Last topic coming right up...

The past two days Owen hasn't wanted to rock during nap/bedtime.  We always read books, talk about his day, and sing songs.  He still wants to read books, but after that he will say "don't want to rock in chair".  I asked what he wanted and he said "to get in crib".  I knew this day would come, just didn't think it would be this soon.  Although he is growing up really quickly, I see this as a good thing.  He hasn't needed to be rocked since we "ferberized" him at nine months old.  He has been going to sleep on his own since then and the rocking part of our routine wasn't technically necessary.  But if it ain't broke...you know what I mean?

It's just another sign that he is getting older and more independent.  It's inevitable but I do wish it would slow down just a little.

Country living

A few weeks ago, Owen went out to Ruffin and Walterboro with Brig and her mom to visit Granny Bennett and some other family.  They have tons of stuff for toddlers to do. 

He plowed the field rode the tractor with Zoey...

Went fishing...

  Debated whether or not he wanted to feed the chickens...

And eventually decided to give it a try...

And he finished the day by gathering some Easter eggs...

Lights! Camera! Auction!

The 5th annual auction at Owen's school was this past Saturday.  Sarah organized the entire thing (her third and final year) and boy was it impressive.  The theme was new this year and it couldn't have gone better.  We worked set-up and clean-up and except for an hour, I was there from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  It was a really long day.  Here are a few pics of the place decorated.  I unfortunately do not have pics of everything lit properly.  I took the small camera and the battery died shortly after I took these.