Ode to the computer

Oh computer, I miss you so.  I thought I was not dependent on you.  I say I'm not really an electronics gal.  But I guess I was kidding myself.  I miss loading pictures.  I miss getting on the Internet and catching up on my blogs, recipe surfing, just plain looking around.  I miss checking up on websites I read all the time.  And I miss blogging.  

Hoping to get a new computer soon.  Until then we are out of commission.  :(

Happy (Belated) Halloween

 1 Katniss (Hunger Games)  + 1 Halloween Witch +  1 Mario + 1 archer (Rangers Apprentice)= Lots of Halloween fun!

 It always amazes me how much candy 4 kiddos can collect.  Each chose 10 pieces and the rest we boxed up for our neighbor serving in Afganistan.

I may have eaten a piece or two, or twenty....

Hello Monday

Today is good.  Today is fun.  Tomorrow is another one.

Dr. Suess

Inspirational Monday

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,  all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Leo Buscaglia

I love Fall

The air is crisp.  The leaves are turning colors.  I love this time of year.  There is something about this season that makes me happy.  Fall crafts are my favorite.  I am obsessed with making pumpkin everything.  Soup season begins.  Yummy.  So we started the season with apple picking, which leads to apple crisp.  Did I mention yummy!



And.......first day of preschool for the littles

 Life is certainly coming full circle for me.  This is our last year of preschool and then these 2 will be off to Kindergarten.  I have been at the same preschool for 9 years now and honestly it will be hard to not be there next year.  So we are going to enjoy and savor this last year with my favorite teachers.  And what's not to love about preschool?  NOTHING!

Beach Vacation

The first week of August we headed to Stone Harbor to stay with our wonderful friends.  They have an incredible house on the beach and we had a fantastic time.  The hardest part is always saying goodbye, especially since they live so far away and we only get to visit once a year.  Thank you so much Vedder family for your amazing friendship.  We love you dearly.

Our China Girl

The Missouri Botanical Gardens had the most beautiful Chinese latern exhibit all summer.  With the heat I wasn't sure we were ever going to get there but the week before school started we had beautiful weather and we packed in activities every day.  I still have a few dresses in different sizes I brought home from China and Anna was excited to get all dressed up and head out.  This was definately one of the most beautiful displays I have ever seen.  The kids also thought it was amazing.

First day of school

Before I begin about the first day of school, I thought I would list my excuses for not posting in such a long time.  It seems there are 4 little gremlins that have taken over the computer and won't give it back.  And the two smallest ones that used to nap and give me a minute of down time, are no longer napping.  So...no blogging for me.

But being that it is the first day of school for the big kids, my computer was suddenly free, yippee.  And maybe because the littles were really missing their siblings, they decided to nap today (with a little persuasion.)

Hopefully this week and I will have some time to download pictures and get back to bloggy world. 

It is a bit quieter around here today, but school pickup is 45 minutes away and our comfortable choas here will be restored!

A Big Day

 The time finally came for Jack to leave for his big meet with his new team.  Although we are obviously incredibly proud of him and so happy that he had the opportunity to do this, I was a tad (large tad) nervous for him to be with no parents for a while.  But he was beyond excited!

 Walking to the bus, and heading to Indiana.

 Believe it or not, he actually let me get on the bus and take this picture.  Only after several moms went before me.  And now he is there and I am home.  I'm heading his way in a couple of days...can't wait!

 And Ms. Callie had her art show at the completion of art camp.  She was very proud and she is quite the artistic gal.  Sure doesn't come from me.

Fun Fact

The Little Swimmers

 My big kids get so much attention for swimming.  It is time for the littles to get some press too.  This has been an incredible summer for them since they have officially learned to swim independently.  They are loving every minute of it and I am so proud of them.  With some excellent coaching they are now swimming the length of the pool and confidently diving off the board and blocks.  Look out swim team.  Next year we will have all 4 on the team!!!