North Carolina vacation and Hazel starts Kindergarten

This year was one of the first years the Moseman family did not go to Kiawah Island for our family vacation. I was pretty sad about that, but we tested out a new location in North Carolina. It was an area near Lake Toxaway and a great house within driving distance of lots of great hiking, lots of great drinking and lots of great swimming and hanging out with family time.

Almost 1 week after we went on vacation, Hazel started Kindergarten at Crieve Hall Elementary.  Although I can't say I was surprised, Hazel crushed her first day at school and continues to do so.  We live sooooo close to the school that we *should* walk to school everyday and true to form, we have not walked (the entire way) once.  Very INFREQUENTLY, I can convince Hazel to walk from Arlo's daycare, in which, a whole parking lot separates the daycare from the school. Hazel's Kindergarten teachers are Ms. McAvee and Ms. Housholder -- each teaches part-time (roughly 2.5 days/week). It seemed a bit weird at first, but Hazel seems to have adjusted to it just fine.

Hazel "graduates" Pre-Kindergarten

 This was the most amazing thing--- a bunch of little 4 and 5 year olds marching down the gym 'aisle' to Pomp and Circumstance for their Pre-Kindergarten 'graduation'. Hazel looked so nervous and serious and then they sang songs and signed their name in sign language on stage.

Hazel's first 'Derby' birthday party

They ride in the trunk??

 We spend a considerable amount of time naked in the back or front yard. I usually try to keep everything in the back yard, but on this occasion -- we opted for nudity all our neighbors could see. It's a little ghetto set-up but the kids don't care. A plastic sandbox as a kiddo pool with our water table for Arlo to pull up on. This easily provides 45 minutes of entertainment -- or at least until Arlo poops in the water.

 Our neighbor plays in a band at a local brewery one Sunday a month. Jackalope has a camera that we use to entertain ourselves during breaks in the music.

The Moseman's come to Nashville

The Moseman's (sans Ashley) came to Nashville as a pitstop on our way to Bloomington for cousin Matt's wedding.There's was a considerable amount of public nudity.

Cousin Mara is in love with little Arlo. This was their first breakfast date. 

Thanks to mom, who pointed out that Arlo does in fact, look like a Moseman. I can see similarities between myself and Arlo. 

Arlo grows! February-June

Uncle Mark and Papaw made us a beautiful walnut dining room table with matching bench. They hand delivered it to us in Nashville and then spent the night with us. The outfits were not intentionally coordinated.

Uncle Mark and Papaw also attended one of Hazel's soccer practices and got to see 'Team Chaos' in action. This was Hazel's first season playing soccer at First Presbyterian Church rec league about 5 minutes from our house. I think she had fun, but the competitiveness was a little much for me... that and the 4pm practices every week made it a little tough to get to. 

Arlo is getting bigger every day and learns something new too. Thankfully, he appreciates football so Sean can have someone watch with him in the Fall when football season starts.

We have also started 'Brother-Sister Bath' which kills two birds with one stone. They entertain each other, share toys, splash water out of the tub and giggle. It's 75% arguing over a toy and 25% being sweet siblings. I hear this is fairly normal.

We visit The Mosemans in North Carolina!

The Mosemans moved to Durham, NC so we flew down there right before Halloween to hang for a long weekend. The weather was pretty nice, the neighborhood is really awesome and the proximity to work for them is unbeatable. 
I flew with both kids and it was actually pretty easy. Arlo crushed the flight and Hazel was well-entertained with her iPad.

Actually, we flew down to NC on the same flight as Grandma and Grandpa. They were visiting their friend Barbara Stark while the Nashville Pfalzers hung out in Durham. 

Professor Ashleys lab

Uncle Ashley snuggles

sushi fest a la NC

Harlem globetrotter

Duke volleyball game

 

Life as a family of 4

Within the first few days of Arlos life, we went to a local high school football game, went to Winchester, TN to visit Grandpa's lake house and visited a brewery. Hazel also had her first dentist appointment -- which went incredibly smooth. Dentist trips these days for little kids is like going to a movie theatre which ends in a treasure treat.

Overton High School football game

Winchester, TN - Tims Ford Lake

We are also utilizing cousin Miles' hand-me-downs and haven't really bought any clothes for Arlo. We're taking lots of naps and trying to keep up with Hazel.

 Around Halloween, Hazel and I and her friend Meadow went to the infamous Boo at the Zoo. It was pretty amazing and there was so much to do. They had trick or treating on top of decorating most of the animal exhibits.

 Here's Arlo "helping" me pull weeds outside