Back at it

School Year 2015-16 is off to a great start.  I won't say too much, better to let the dust settle a bit.  But so far we're off to an A plus start.  Even for Lucy.  She loves school but she is a strong willed person. Having to get back on a routine after gloriously late nights and lazy mornings had to be protested just a little

Yes, school pleases her!

A birthday!

5! 

We had such a fun day celebrating Lucy! 

Above all else Lucy loves animals so we took her to Purina Farms where she was in heaven!  In the afternoon Grandpa Bill stopped by for a quick visit on his way to the airport and afterwards Lucy's good friend Natalie, who lives next door came over and the girls played and played.  Lucy's dinner request was tuna helper (Grandpa Gordon introduced her to this delicacy earlier in the summer and it is now her favorite food!), broccoli and fruit.  Lucy received phone calls and special packages and felt like the precious little girl she is!

Forms to fill out and other things

The pile of forms and important information that have flooded our mailbox this week is evidence that August has arrived.  I have written the contact information for our pediatrician no less than 9 times and I still can't tell you by memory what it is.  My brain is full of too much other information about what time this child needs to be at school and what days that kiddo need to be picked up early-and early means something different at each school, and how much money the PTO at this school needs and what night open house is at that school.

This year 3 kids = 3 schools.  

Yow!

2015-16 is going to be a great year!

Summer Vacation 2015- The Mountains

Cool air,

blue skies,

snow topped peaks

and

time away with people we love

made for a wonderful escape to the mountains.

Colorado was fantastic.  We hiked and camped, some cards were played and books were read and a whole lot of fun was had. 

 Since we've been home I've been slowly getting a handle our house.  In the days between Florida and Colorado I only took the clothes out of the suitcases, I didn't actually put anything away.  And since we didn't really need the same things in Colorado as we'd packed for Florida, when we returned from Colorado I had a whole lot of laundry on my hands!  Plus somewhere in there the dishwasher kicked the bucket and the yard got out of control and well it feels good this morning to be on top of things.  Sort of.  

Summer Vacation 2015- The Ocean

Soft Sand,

amazing waves,

perfect weather

and

time away with people we love

made for a wonderful week at the beach.

Some highlights of the trip .....

A day at the water park where the kiddie pina coladas and root beers were plentiful.

Ice cream for lunch!

Cupcakes from a place featured on Eleanor's favorite show, Cupcake Wars!

A last minute evening jaunt to the beach where we were surprised to see dolphins! 

 A painting class on the beach! 

A morning of boating!

New adventures!  Kevin had just arrived in Destin and hadn't even had a chance to change into shorts!  A conference in New Orleans prevented him from joining us until Tuesday night.

Thankfully the next day when Eleanor was ready to paddle board Kevin was ready with his swim trunks!

So grateful!

July 3rd

It's a good life when on a summer day you can comfortably enjoy the outdoors and things are so laid back that nothing seems more important than just that. 

In the morning

I'm home from my run, sitting lazily on my front parch listening to the rain.  I don't have any idea where the rain will go since everything is already so soaked.   The park is drenched and marshy which means ducks are swimming in spots that are ordinarily patches of dry green grass.  

It also means that inside my house it is dark and cool and quiet. 

Very, very quiet.

And I'm not going to dare disturb that!

Summer with 3 kids at home is no joke and surviving with my sanity means pulling myself out of bed at 5:15 to capture some endorphins followed quickly by coffee and a few moments of prayer and quiet.  

So that when she shows up

followed closely by her

I'm ready to have some fun!