School Days...

Today is the first day of school. Our kids were unbelievably excited. They were bursting at the seams with excitement very very early this morning. By 7:00 they were telling me to hurry up in the shower. There school doesn't even start until 8:30 and we live right next to it. They were all dressed and fed with backpacks on before 8:00. It was great. I'd rather have them be overly excited than terrified.

Em was a little sad to loose his big brother. Rugs, on the other hand, was counting down the minutes until his big school debut.
The girlies and their new school partner. All the "big kids" of the family ready to go.
My babies...
Em sad about the twirlies leaving.
Breckyn in her new class. She didn't need me to stay. She was feeling the power of third grade. They get rights to the big kid play ground this year you know.
Z was being a goober. She was stoked about her new crayons. They bumped her up the the 48 pack this year. Oh the possibilities!

My big man. He has been ready for this day for a long time now. He wanted to have hot lunch and everything big schoolish. My baby is growing up! (...and I didn't even cry about it...)

Summer sizzle...

Ummm.... Do you see something wrong in this picture? I think these two culprits are trying to pretend it away.... hmmmm... highly suspicious....
Me and my princess on the zip line.
Hey Barlow, I'm not sure this cart is rated for giants. (But, what a good sport to support his little guy-- "A" for effort.)
Tonight Em got hit in the nose by Zoey's bike handle. It bled a little bit but he was fine. He insisted on a bandaid because of all the blood. I tried to talk him out of it by explaining how it wouldn't help... you can see who won that argument.

Oh yeah,

I almost forgot. You'll note that I have a new back ground. I stole the idea from Catherine and Cheri. They have been using thecutestblogontheblock.com for their templates. It's totally easy to use and they really do have the cutest stuff to choose from. The bonus is they don't erase any of your widgets from your page. Check it out! I'll add it to my favorites on the right side of the page under "cuties." Enjoy!

The final days of summer...

We're coming up on the last few days of summer and we've decided to cram as much fun and sun into it as possible. The kids are starting school next week and we have made a list of last minute fun we'd like to have before we have to get back to the books.

We had to swim a little of course...
We went to Bounces 'R Us and Dog 'N Suds. Each of the kids got a free hat and they've been playing restaurant ever since.
Max got some time on his board...
Here are two more cheese balls, also playing restaurant.
Chlo lookin' cool in her shades spending some last moments in the sun. (No seriously, here in Wisconsin we'll be kissin' the sun goodbye for the winter. Stinkin' Wisconsin!)

Birthday Biker Boy...

Emerson turned 4 on Monday. We were on our way home from California and so he had part of his birthday in Cali, part in Texas (our lay over) and the rest in Wisconsin. He had a party waiting for him when we got here-- chocolate cake and all. He was in heaven. We let him pick whatever candy he wanted in one of the airport stores and he was loving life.

When we woke him up to leave for the airport he popped right up and said, "Am I four now?" When we confirmed the day he started yelling, "I'm four! It's my birthday! I'm four!" He was very excited.
Em has been asking Tim to take his training wheels off of his bike since Rugs learned to ride his bike. Tim told him that when he turned 4 he would do it for him. (meaning next summer) Well, Em called in the favor early and Tim caved. Tim thought Em would try and want his trainers back on and work on it next summer. But, Mr. Emerson surprised us all with this...

California Dreamin'

So, it was a bit of a stretch for our kids to stay awake with the time difference. They played their little hearts out and then they crashed hard every night.

What little troopers!

We had so much fun in California. We took a day and introduced the kids to the beach. It was really fun to watch them take it all in and explore the ocean. They loved it! (well, almost all of them)

The cousins ready for some fun in the sun.
Oh, a true California babe at heart.
Breckyn was into more than anyone else. She scoured the shore for shells. She took to the waves like a pro. She even managed to take some sand home (in a lot of places).
Rugs was covered with sand!
Z even managed to score a sand mustache.
Here's the pro... She is so in love with nature and animals. This was the perfect day for her. She couldn't get enough.

Emerson's reaction to the ocean was bitter but he warmed up eventually.

Lego Land...

While we were in California, we went to Legoland for a day. The kids really liked it because EVERYTHING was made out of legos. Rugs and a Bionical.
Em and his Bionical.
The cousins on a lego camel. (one of Breckyn's favorite animals)
Rugs challenging Darth Vader to a duel.
Even the parking lot had lego signs.
Baby Lilly had to stay home and we missed her all day. She was such a smiley little thing-- so fun to squeeze!
We even saw lego people.
The girlies had lots of fun together.
Em got to race a lego car (which was way slower than the go carts or even the power wheels). He was weaving around all the kids like a pro. It was fun to see him school everyone else. Go Em!

My Girl...

This kid gives me such a kick. She is just a little burst of sunshine. She knows what she wants and how to get it. She is a little punk and I love every tiny bit of it. She is my baby princess.

She could double for a Cabbage Patch doll... look at those cheeks!
She has serious style...

"I'm a princess!" This is her big pose for the camera-- totally Jodi's kid.
She is just too cute. I love to watch her in action. I can't get enough of this little princess. I love you Beans!

Our Sunday Best...

This morning I was getting the kids ready for church and Emerson walked in looking like this. He is really good about getting himself dressed but he still struggles with the Sunday attire. I couldn't help but snicker a little at his almost "chip and dales" look. You're too cute Em!
My two cool guys all wound up for church. They like to give me a challenge on Sundays just to keep it interesting.

the dog days of summer...

Well, if you are wondering what I've been up to-- you're looking at it...

I've been busy babysitting Owen for the Barlow's. It's been a learning experience for the whole family. We now know that pets aren't really our department. Owen is a great dog-- but far too much work for a mother of four. I find myself feeling bad for him and going over the top to treat him well. So when I returned him this evening, I felt a great sense of relief to know that he was no longer my baby.
Tim even spent some quality time with O. We played with him and combed him every night after the kids went to bed. He was really spoiled at our house. By the end of the week the little hair ball was starting to grow on the big hair ball.
The kids have taken to wearing fake glasses so they can be just like Maddie. (Yeah, they really missed you Barlows-- A LOT!)
Brecky on the go carts-- again...
Rugs doing what he loves best.... feeling some speed. If he's not driving fast, he's riding his bike fast or running fast. He really only has one speed-- FAST.

Em -vs- Owen

Emerson has been pretty skiddish with Owen since he was a puppy. He just isn't sure about dogs in general. Well this is the second time that we have had a chance to babysit Owen and I think he is slowly growing on Em. As you can see Em still isn't 100% cool with him but, it's a start.

Super Breckyn

We're still here and just as sassy as before. Here is Breckyn in her own home made super hero costume. I'm pretty sure she can do anything.

She named herself, "Ribbon Girl."
She is ready to hop to it and solve the world's problems. She has been trying to get in on every "adult" conversation that Tim and I have lately. She wants to make sure her opinion is heard and that we consider her ideas seriously. She hears us talking and tries to take measures into her own hands. Yesterday she asked my mom if she could give the family a ride to the airport next week because it would, "save us a lot of money to do it that way." I haven't made it that far in our plans but Breckyn has taken it upon herself to take care of any loose ends I may not have gotten to yet. Tim keeps saying we are in big trouble the older she gets. I say I knew we were in trouble when she told her practice kindergarten teacher that it was, "irresponsible of her to not take the class potty before recess." Needless to say, the teacher was not impressed with Breckyn's mothering skills. It's going to be a few more long years of this I'm sure.