Wow, just wow

The school year is off to a wonderful start and I'm so grateful.  But, WOW!  I feel like my head is barely bobbing above water.  I still don't have a good handle on our schedule because it keeps shifting ever so slightly.  Another practice here, an early morning drop off there.  I feel like there is just not enough time but THANK GOD we don't have any more hours in a day because I can barely make it through the ones we have without collapsing.  I'm bone tired but I know in a few weeks things will have settled and I'll just be regular tired.  I'm looking forward to being regular tired.

So far in school....

Emma loves middle school!  She was ready for the challenge of changing classes, multiple teachers, new friends, and more homework.  She leaves our house at 7:40 every morning and walks to school.  Every morning Eleanor and I stare at one another in amazement as Emma calmly walks out the door. We can't really believe the difference 3 months made.

Eleanor is enjoying 4th grade.  Her teacher is a great fit and makes school challenging but fun.  I think Eleanor is enjoying being on her own at school this year!

Lucy is adjusting.  I think she likes school much more than she's telling me.  The real problem is that she is still sleep deprived.  We're working on it.

Last Sunday we had a terrific family birthday celebration for Lucy and Emma.   We're busy but never too busy to celebrate...sometimes we just have to get creative and have a 2 for 1 party!  Teddy, who turned 3 in August did not get celebrated.  Sorry, buddy! 

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.