Family Time

 Ryan recently gave a talk at church about wholesome family activities and while I missed the talk, he had practiced with me and I loved hearing about how my kids enjoy doing things together.  This last week we were able to go miniature golfing and to the new Holiday gas station.  The Mini golf place was a big let down.  A third of the holes were buried in water and the place was just not kept up.  The kids couldn't care less and had fun.  Annabelle and Ryan like to go as fast as they can and not worry about how many strokes or waiting for us when they finished.  Nathan and Greg take their time and try.  Callie is in between.  It takes her a bit of time, but she does let Greg or I help her out a little.

 I love moments like this.  I love that Nathan can still laugh and play with his younger siblings.

 So you may be thinking that it couldn't possibly by that fun to walk to a gas station, but you would be wrong.  The kids have been watching this Holiday get built for the past few months and every since it opened have been begging to go (not Nathan).  Life is busy but one night this week we didn't have scouts or soccer or meetings and so we walked over and got some yummy drinks, or in Callie's case a bag of cotton candy.  Everyone was happy, everyone was all sugared up and it was a gorgeous leisurely stroll through our neighborhood.  As can be expected, the kids can't wait to go again.

Callie Time

 This little beauty can not wait to go to preschool.  We had to make a countdown chain because I was tired of hearing the question over and over again about when she would start.  She loves ripping off her papers.  It is nice that the house is so quiet, but I am sure glad I have Callie around with me.  She definitely misses her siblings and is ALWAYS asking for friends.  With so many different preschool schedules it will be tricky having play dates.  The cutest thing was when the kids got home on that first day of school Callie was gone and I picked her up an hour or so later.  She had been telling me in the car how she wanted to watch Frozen but as soon as she got inside and saw her big sister, Annabelle, she ran over exclaiming, "Annabelle! Annabelle! How was it? Was it fun?"  It was so precious!  I was surprised that she was so aware of the fact that her sister had been somewhere new and fun and then I loved how she was so excited to see her.  Ever since school started these two have been playing more and getting along better.  I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

 Callie not only gets more Mommy time, she also gets Daddy all to herself for a bit in the mornings.  Greg has been pulling out his guitar a lot more often and the kids love hearing him play.

 I love this girl's fashion sense. And how she will bust out in song and not care who hears her sing, "Let it Go."  Since Annabelle got a new bike for her birthday, Callie happily accepted her old one.  She loves riding it, even though she is barely big enough.  She also likes to show off her tricks of no hands and standing up while riding.  Today we got her a basket so Cookie Sparkles, or another toy, can ride with her.

 

 Not having a bunch of kids, and having lots of responsibilities with PTA, Girl Scouts and upcoming family gatherings, I have had a lot of errands to run since school started.  Callie is a trooper and always does great when we are out and about.  We tried a new bakery the other day and she was so excited to take MY picture with the donut.

 Callie also still gets to tag along on lunch dates with friends and family.  We took my Grandma Bonnie out for her 84th birthday to a restaurant called, Station 22.  It was yummy and the other kids were so happy with the bounty of french fries I brought home for after school snack.  I will definitely miss Callie while she is at preschool, but I know that she is ready and will have a blast!

Back To School

 I can't believe I have a 7th grader!!  Time truly does fly with children.  I love this kid!  He was SO excited and SO ready for something new and more challenging.  He was so excited to ride the bus and have a locker.  And then it all started and it has been a very challenging transition.  As a mom it has been very hard to watch my Nathan, my son who loves school, not want to go.  He even said, "I hate school and don't want to go back."  We are wrapping up week 2 and things are a bit better, but we are still learning.  We are learning how to organize our time after school, learning how to use the planner given to us so we don't forget important things like History tests.  We are learning that all the teachers aren't working together and so we may have 4 tests and tons of homework one day and nothing the next.  Nathan finally found the pizza line and thankfully isn't one of the kids who wants to buy pizza every day.  While it has been rougher than I anticipating, we are breaking ground and it has been fun to have some more serious discussions and teaching/learning opportunities.

 The next day this lovely angel was up and out of bed SO quick!  She couldn't wait to go to school and see her friends (none of which were in her class) and get back into things.  Annabelle's teacher, Ms. Thinn, is just perfect for her.  They are both very quiet and reserved.  I'm sure both will become more animated as the year continues.  After the first day Annabelle said she hadn't spoken to the two girls next to her desk and so we talked about being more friendly and making new friends.  Whatever I said worked because she came home the next day all ready to play with a new friend.  We've played with Karly a bunch of times since and Annabelle loves everything about school (except homework of course).

 Ryan almost didn't make it to the first day of school.  He bumped his elbow really hard and it made him go pale and feel really weak for about 10-15 minutes.  Thankfully he pulled out if it and made it just 15 minutes late.  Ryan's teacher is the exact opposite of Annabelle's.  She is SO exuberant and energetic.  I know he will have a fabulous time this year.  He was worried since none of his "best buds" are in his class, but he seems to be doing very well and comes home happy every day.  I love how goofy this kid is sometimes, he isn't growing up as fast as Nathan did at this age and I love it.

Final Weekend of Freedom

Slip-n-sliding

 Baby shower for Aunt Katie

 

 Pokemon Cards

 Bowling

 Dinosaur Museum

 

  Swimming at the Outdoor Pool

 

  Out to Breakfast.  Usually we go on the Monday before school but since we had to go Saturday since Nate starts Monday IHOP was really busy.  We didn't have time to wait so we headed over to McDonalds.  I enjoyed my Egg Mcmuffin, but as you can see Greg did not.