The last days of summer

Well our summer has come to an end.  Peyton starts school on Monday.  Well, actually the school starts Monday but she just goes for an hour.  They ease the Kindergartners into it....having them only come for an hour the first day, then Tuesday it is the real deal.....ALL DAY.  School has begun for Peyton for the next (hopefully), at least 17 years!!!!

She is very excited and ready to go.  She will not be a crier or nervous...she will be shoving me out the door.  Which is a good thing, a little less traumatic on mom that way.  When I think about Peyton going to Kindergarten, I'm not really sad about her growing up and going to school (especially since she is excited and ready).  I think I'm mostly sad about not being able to do what we want, when we want.  We are a family on the move, and now we will miss her when we are having fun at our "outings."  BUT I have to remember, she will be having fun at school.  We went to school last night to pick up her uniforms, meet the teacher, pick up our 100 forms to fill out and sign.  Sooooooo......I think we are all ready.

This week we tried to fit all our last minute things in.  We hit up the park with the Alexander's (pictures are below), Purina Farms with Leigh-Anne and Andrew, and joined in with the rest of St. Louis and went to the Zoo with Christina and the boys.  I would have liked to fit Six Flags in one more time, but they are already closed for the season and only open on the weekends.  So hopefully we can do that on a weekend that Mike has off.  Stay tuned for the "First Day of School" photos next week!!!  Until then here are the pics I have.

Everyone making a "wish" the the pennies
Aunt Chris supplied

Checking out the awesome, new Sea Lion exhibit 

They were swimming above our heads int he tunnel 

Checking out the hippos

I think Peyton had the best view

The baby elephant was so cute!

It's just not a zoo trip without a train ride!

Maddie didn't even know she was on the train

Actually, Maddie never really new she was at the zoo

This was toooooo funny.  Jack had HAD IT by the time we were leaving.
SO, Peyton offered to give him a ride and he took her up on it.
We got plenty of laughs as we were leaving.

She had to change positions, he was getting a little to heavy.  By the end of it, I caved
in and put him on my back and Peyton pushed Maddie.  

Driving tractors at Purina Farms

A favorite, the rope swings!

Soft bunny

Waiting for the dog show to start

Cool Tricks

The kids loved this

Jack LOVED this dog!

Delicately petting her tail, similar to the way he plays with Maddies toes :) 

Andrew and Jack checking out the poodle and boxer

Wagon ride.  By photographer, Peyton!