August

 Besides the start of school and moving Rowan into college, here are a few other pictures worth sharing. 

Cruz, Cora and I saw the Spiderman movie. Row went with Hayden and friends. 

Rog and Row snuck in a round of golf. 

Cora learned choreography for six group dance numbers this month. She auditioned for and made several "difficult to make" small groups as well. She received a callback from Tremaine regarding the Tremaine Performance Company and should hear back about that in September. 

Instead of just big and little dance sisters this year, they added a middle sister! Cora gets to be big sister to Mila (middle) and Chloe (little)

Once again, I attended the High School retreat and had a blast serving in the kitchen with my sweet friends.

Best part was being with Cruz. 

Cora, Rowan and I had a final dinner together at PDQ before watching Hayden play volleyball.

Even without Row, I've continued going to Hayden's volleyball games to cheer her on. Before each game, the girls decorate volleyballs to throw into the crowd. Hayden threw hers to me on the first home game. 

SEU: Year One

Packing up a boy for college seemed relatively easy compared to the stories of my mom friends with daughters!  

The cats were very invested in the packing process. 

The dance room became our holding area. Even though Rowan really didn't have that much, he kept asking "do I really need this?" 

The Volvo was packed plus a few things in the back of Rowan's car. 

We made the hour and a half trek to Lakeland, Florida. 

Rowan and his friends are living in an upgraded dorm rather than the freshman dorm and it's definitely an upgraded! 

Justin, Cristian and Adrian

Two of the beds in the room are lofted and two are not. The boys played video games to decide who got which bed. Rowan ended up with one of the non lofted beds but ultimately traded with Adrian (plus $20) who wanted a non lofted bed. I think Rowan is happy to have a little more space and privacy. 

Outside his dorm. Cruz got to come and help us move him in. Cora had a dance commitment. 

Sweet baby

We had a quick lunch in downtown Lakeland at Palace Pizza. We went home for the night but...... 

came back on Saturday evening with Hayden! Cora was supposed to come back with us but ended up making a dance group that required her to stay. Adrian tagged along for a Texas Roadhouse dinner. 

Rowan enjoyed showing Hayden around campus 

and then we said our final goodbyes for now. 

The house is quiet, its felt like a VERY long week. I'm grateful for sweet care baskets from a group of friends and one from my mom. I know our new normal will just feel normal soon but this hasn't been my favorite transition. Cruz misses his best friend. Cora misses her big brother. We miss our boy. Thankfully he's close and we'll see him next weekend but it's not quite the same! :) 

Proud of you, Row! Hope it's the very best year. 

Back to School

and then there were two. 

Junior Year: 

Cruz has taken over the responsibilities as driver and oldest brother and he's doing a great job. Cora might even vote that he's a little more fun than Rowan as he's willing to leave a little early and stop at Dunkin' Donuts every now and then! Cruz is enjoying the brand new SCS High School building this year. He's getting his art credit done by way of Digital Photography. He's also excited about Environmental Science and Marine Biology this year. After prayer and consideration, Cruz made the big decision not to play Varsity Basketball this year. While we are sad that we won't see him on the court anymore, we just may get to enjoy another Baum kid soccer season. 

Eighth Grade: 

Miss Coco is off to a killer start in eighth grade. She was the most excited to get back to school and be with her friends. She's enjoying her classes and enjoying being the oldest group in the Middle School. How crazy that its her final year!? Cora is enjoying Honors English again this year and chose choir as her elective. Cora had try outs for Middle School cheerleading and will once again be a part of that team in her "spare" time. We are excited to watch her shine bright this year but I truly hope it doesn't go too quickly. My mama heart can't take much more growing up. 

Happy Friday sweet kiddos!