Indian Summer and Flag Football

September 5th - 17th

Alex starts preschool at Playwise Preschool Academy.

Though we loved our previous preschool at Assurance United Methodist Church, this distance was much further due to our move. The new preschool takes me about 5 minutes round trip and I'm all about simplifying where I can.

The kids were enjoying a beautiful Indian Summer day.

Brothers.

My suspicious were confirmed this week when Isaac's unusual fussiness was rewarded by his first tooth. Bottom left. One down and only nineteen to go.

Isaac is such a joy. His good nature, sweet temperament is just what I needed this go around. Though, I've forgotten how much work babies are. They're back breakers. Literally.

Stow-away!

Tiger is usually kept outside. Occasionally he sneaks in and pretends to live the high life.

The moment I've been waiting for since my Bubba was born over 4 years ago.

From the very beginning we imagined this deep voiced, broad shouldered little boy to be a football player. Our joy was enhanced when he showed a natural athletic ability at an early age. Finally we get to put that talent in a setting.

This week Alex started flag football. He looked so cute in his little jersey (which he didn't take off all weekend) running around with the other 4 and 5 years olds looking like deer caught in the head lights while the coaches shouted out things like "offence", "defence", "fumble", and "mouth-guard". Actually I was quite impressed with the organization and instruction. The things those 3 coaches got 30 little boys to do amazed me.

Rob was a pro at being a sideline dad. He had to hold me back and coach me into staying on the sidelines myself. I kept wanting to jump in and correct Alex or help direct him any time he looked confused. Rob wisely informed me that Alex needed to rely on his coaches for instruction. If jumped in every time, then he would look to me to direct him. I tried to control myself. I really don't want my son learning football from me.

Practicing the correct football grip.

Living in Chaos and Back to School

Weeks of August 22nd - September 2nd.

Moving is like childbirth. When you are in the heat of it you swear you will never do it again, but as time passes you quickly forget the pain.

This was definitely the most painful move yet. The stuff kept appearing and just when we thought we were done we discovered more to be done.

The first night in the new house Alex succumbed to the exhaustion before making it to his bed. And, yes, I did a little editing.

From the moment we gave Alex his Nintendo DS for his birthday we have regretted it. It seemed to consume his every thought. If he wasn't playing on it, he was whining about not being able to play on it. The only thing that Alex likes as well as playing video games is Legos - Star Wars Legos, that is. During a moment of of desperation for a new legos set I suggested he purchase a new lego set with his DS. He thought that was a grand idea and we quickly headed to the store before he changed his mind. He choose a pretty elaborate Star Wars Lego spaceship (they are not cheap) and handed his DS over to the cashier for payment. It has been well worth it. He only asked about his DS once since. I now have my little boy back and I am all the wiser. Never again will any sort of video game disgrace our home.

Here Addilyn is relieving me of the duty and taking a turn building the ship with Alex.

In truth, I've found my new career of choice. I LOVE building lego sets. There is something very therapeutic in it. If my budget would allow I would gladly build a new set every day.

Here's the finished product. It had moving parts that opened to reveal the inside of the ship. Very detailed and elaborate and I enjoyed bonding with my little guy. I have to focus on the bonding experience because the next day the ship had a tragedy and was destroyed. Oh well. I guess that's the great things about legos. You can rebuild and re-bond.

Maycie's favorite thing to do is color and crafts.

Along with crafts, her new favorite joy is hauling around her baby brother. She is so sweet and helpful with him. Nap time seems to be too long for her and she tried to patiently wait for him to wake to resume her game of playing mom.

Now you know why she can't resist him

First Day of School

2nd grade with Mrs. Brown

Due to Kindergarten staggered start Maycie's first day of school was the following day.

Kindergarten with Mrs. Fite (and mom forgot to bring the camera to school).

Back to School Feast 2011

"Love one another and serve one another"

This year as I prayed for what we should focus on for our Back to School Feast I kept thinking that the focus should really be on our family but with lessons applicable to school as well. The scripture I chose was Mosiah 4:15. "But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another and to serve one another."

Rob and I discussed that walking in truth and soberness meant that we seek for things that are correct and right and we try to live our life with a clear head and humble heart. We talked about the places and people we can serve and love and how those actions need to start at home and swell to the people and places around us. The children seemed to understand and the spirit was there.

Schultuetes.

A German tradition of giving paper cones filled with goodies and school supplies to children on their first day of school.

The children each received a charm with the theme on it.

The menu:

Filet minon

Garlic mashed potatoes with parsley garnish

Sauteed asparagus with sea salt

Whole wheat baguette

Fresh pineapple, mango and strawberry with a sprig of mint

Blood orange sparkling juice

Chocolate buttermilk cake tier with ganache frosting ala mode.

Complete with unpacked boxes in the background.

Success!

Sad

Yesterday a friend of mine passed away unexpectedly in her sleep leaving behind her husband and four young children. Cami Southwick was energetic, creative and caring. We used to laugh that her 3rd child, Olivia, was part mine since I passed on my pumped breast milk to feed baby Olivia due to allergies to formula. Her husband would make daily milk runs to collect the milk I had pumped that day. We laughed about the cow themed goody basket she made me for my 4 week milk donations. Her son, Jacob, calls Maycie his girlfriend. My kids know her as the primary singing teacher.

It was a shock to hear of her death. I didn't realize how upset I was until today when I tried to explain it to the children. My heart aches for her children and husband. Her young, needy children who, for the most part, will not remember their mother and for her incredible husband who now has to shoulder the load of parenthood alone.

I wish I could be more poetic about how I feel, but other than the need to express my grief, I'm rather speechless. Cami will be missed.

Life is short and precious. Tell those you love how you feel.

Organized Chaos and Grandparent Fun

August 14th - 17th

Moving day is upon us and all the chaos that goes with it.

Tomorrow is the big day and thanks to Rob's mom, most of my packing is done.

Every move I've made in the last 9 years I have either been very pregnant or had a new baby. This move is no different. Someday I hope to break that tradition.

Rob and I have bought and sold 4 homes in our marriage and we've lived as many rentals. We've often said that homes have souls or spirits to them. Most have had good souls. A couple...not so good. This home definitely had a good soul. Mostly because we built this home and helped create that soul. We've lived in this home 4 1/2 years. We've had two children in this home and many memories. For the older 3 children this will be the first home they remember. Though our family is ready for a change it is like saying good-bye to and old friend.

So, farewell 12126 Palomar Drive. You've been good to us and we'll cherish the memories created within your walls.

The Garden.

Rob spend many hard hours laboring in our garden and in return it yielded a generous crop each summer. I will especially miss the tomatoes and sugar snap peas.

The Backyard.

My bedroom.

We just completed this room and I love it. At least I get to take the furniture with me.

Alex's Room.

The Girls' Room.

The Kitchen.

This was probably my favorite room in the house. It had plenty of space and whenever we had gatherings everyone congregated in here. Truly the heart of the home.

The Living Room.

The Dining Room.

The Family Room.

And this is the front of the new rental house.

An empty vessel waiting for us to create more memories.

Enjoying a drop in temperature.

Addilyn is my little entrepreneur. She is always scheming up some idea to make a little money. Only 50 cents for a makeover. Grandma is the first to get her bargain makeover.

Isaac enjoying some Grandma time.

Day trip to the mountains and Lake Lure.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch al fresco by the river with Grandma and Grandpa Mann.

Then we spent some time at the Lake.

And finished the day with an ice cream cone.

Isaac turned 4 months old this week.

17 lbs 14 oz. 88%

25 1/4 inches 45%

This guy isn't missing any meals, but isn't he so cute. I love the little curly cue hair on the top of his head and he is such a good baby. He's always smiling and loves to snuggle. I sometimes just have this urge to bite him, he's so scrumptious.