Lauren and Chloe are really enjoying school here at North Gem Elementary. I guess all my worries were unfounded, thank goodness. They have P.E. twice a week instead of once. The music class teaches general music, then strings and guitar for the latter part of the year. Pretty cool, I'm of course happy about that.
Today they burst through the door with these huge lollipops. Noah promptly burst into tears, since he didn't have one. They earned them for reading, an incentive. And to think all we had was Book It- free Pizza Hut pizzas. Did anyone else have that program? I used to love those personal pan pizzas. Probably since we didn't eat out often, much like my life now- again- no good restaurants in the vicinity. But the good people make up for it I suppose. And the bugs- TONS of bugs in this house. I can handle regular house bugs, but this daily killing of brown spiders on the stairs has got to stop soon. And all these walks with my Mom after the kidlets are in bed- so worth it- so fun to live THAT close. Still wishing I could just jet to the fabric store for a morning though- what is my deal?! I have some windows that need some lovely fabric- more on that later. Have a wonderful week...
top readers...
at home...
Noah and Ivy, hanging at home now that the girls are back in school. Noah always misses them leaving, but he found some huge and muddy puddles to play in instead of tormenting his sisters.
These cute little daisies grow outside our house, I always want to pick them and wear them. They look cutest on Ivy Robenia though. Love that girl, love those eyes!
first day of school...
No picture by the old maple in the front yard this year, but Lauren and Chloe were excited and nervous for their first day of third grade. There are about 15 kids in the class, another set of girls twins, crazy. They're enjoying the small recesses and yummy school lunches (can't say I'm missing packing them either!) I think they will do great this year!
the MOVE...
Well, on August 15th we packed up and moved out. It took the better part of the day, a huge thanks to those that were able to help pack and watch our kids, we truly appreciated it. I've been going through internet withdrawals, the computer was about the last thing to be set up, not sure why. I guess it's good for us to remember life before Google was around. I am very grateful for it here in Bancroft though. I feel a bit isolated from the 'real' world, maybe that's a good thing :) We've loved seeing family almost everyday. Sunday BBQs, evening walks, combine rides for Noah, it's been fantastic being so close. This rental is starting to feel like home. Three things I love about it are the old doors, the beadboard on the walls, and the AWESOME staircase that Loren and Dad built.
In July we walked through the house and it was in poor shape. Broken pink countertops in the kitchen, green backsplash. An old stove and brown paneling everywhere. But perhaps the most unappealing part was the access to the upper bedrooms where Lauren and Chloe would be sharing the space. In the closet of Ivy's room was a ladder, seriously Little House on the Prarie style, to climb up. For two weeks Cody, Dad, and Loren worked SO hard at making it a livable place for our family. The bathroom, kitchen, painting, new flooring, they made it wonderful. I was so tired, but so pleased when I walked in last Saturday, they did amazing work! They built the spiral staircase so that anyone can safely go up and down. I can even manage with a laundry basket. I'm so thankful we found a home that fits our family's needs. I haven't talked to too many people yet. I think the only social outlet is church and we haven't gotten there yet. I love that the kids can go anywhere and feel safe, that Noah and I can walk down the middle of the road to go get the mail, and how quiet and peaceful it is. Maybe my small town girl has just been in remission for a few years. Either way, we're adjusting...Cody is loving his job teaching the kids and coaching football right now. He walks to work and is home by 6:30 each night which we LOVE! I think he's found his dream job- finally :)
birthday boy...
Funny, loving, spontaneous, kind, smart, positive, hard-working, handsome, amazing BBQer, financial whiz, rememberer of all things I forget.... that's my 32 year old man! So lucky to have known and loved you for almost HALF of those 32 years. Happy birthday baby!
Art by Tan and Noah- who is so sad all his toys other than sidewalk chalk are packed. Moving day is Saturday- blogging from Bancroft next!
for Noah...
Lauren and Chloe are down visiting Cody's mom and having swim lessons this week. Maybe this will be the year they master it, I think they are so close! So while I lost my two excellent helpers, I do have two less children to chat and listen to. Much more conversation with Noah, I think his little 3 year old brain thinks deeper than mine at times. Today...
(picking up a rock while walking) "Mom, this is a very patient rock, he's so patient, I like him."
"Mom, I need to see what at engine looks like." Boys. I don't get them. Thanks goodness for the internet- I certainly couldn't describe it or find any pictures laying around:)
"Mom, can you swim with sharks?" Yes, little barracudas can be seen while snorkeling in the Florida Keys. Finally something I could respond to. I think this little guy gets overshadowed by two vocal sisters who think out loud a lot. It's been good to get inside his head. Sure do love him.
Enjoy the Honda engine- who knew that's what was under my hood for 6 years- sadly not me!
a mid- move sugar fix...
While I should be blogging less, it's the opposite. I think all the cardboard boxes in my garage full of everything else I enjoy have something to do with that...
Ah, the kitchen, the heart of the home. It's always the last thing that can be packed I guess. Today while digging out some items I rarely use (glass candlestick holders and the like) I discovered chocolate and candy canes obviously from Christmas 08. I'm quite sure that's a household record for longest surviving chocolate.
I've discovered while packing that the kind of person I thought I was and the kind that I actually AM are indeed two different people. I always thought I wasn't one to hold onto unnecessary junk, but have made many trips to D.I. purging this home of stuff we can definitely do without. I'm going blame children just a bit here- they accumulate a lot of needless 'stuff' we'll call it. I've been accused of labeling things junk that apparently are not! I do have a confession though. While I do like my kitchen clean and I rarely go to bed without the dishes done, a peek inside the cupboards and drawers might be scary. My plastic container lid drawer will probably always look like this. Messy. I must have pulled out about 573 small bulk spice bags from Winco buried in my corner cabinet yesterday. You never know when you might run out of pumpkin pie spice right? I think my problem is that by the time food is prepared, served, and cleaned up after I just want to get out of the kitchen and on with my day, not organize or tidy up the unseen spots. I vow to do better...maybe... It was a nice surprise finding chocolate :)
the fountain...
I neglected to post an actual photo of the fountain. Notice the kids playing in the water :) Chloe said, "So, what do you do? Sit there and STARE at it?!"
dog days of summer...
Every time we passed the huge fountain at Tautphaus park we would see people out splashing around and the begging would start- can we pleeeease stop Mom? So today I boycotted all boxes waiting to be packed and we took a picnic there. I was finishing feeding Ivy and the girls were yelling for me to come closer. I kept wondering why they weren't playing in the water. Well, turns out there are two signs posted- Do NOT play in the fountain. WHAT- what exactly is it's purpose then? I think it's design just screams "step in me." Oh well, I let the kids wade a little bit, but the DANGER- High Voltage sign had me a bit freaked out. Kind of a disappointment, but there was good eating, laughing, and pictures so the trip was not in vain. And we all did need a day out of our hot, empty, still for sale house- Mom included :)
