Already!

Today was Alexander's first day of second grade.  Already.  Yes, it's still August (although the weather today is hinting at autumn!!!!).  Yes, he's that old already.  I'm still not believing it completely.  Today and tomorrow are just half days, but he had to wear his uniform, get up on time, be to school on time, sit at his desk, bring all his school supplies, etc.  He sits right next to his good friend, Brennan. Alexander has known Brennan since they were babies.  I have a picture of the 2 of them lying next to each other before they could even roll over!  We are so excited for this school year and it's such a big one...1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion.  When I picked Alexander up, he said his day was great.  I asked him if they played any games and he went into a detailed explanation of the Starburst game.  Evidently each kiddo got to pick a couple of Starburst candies out of a bowl.  Depending on what color they chose, they shared various things about themselves.  Alexander chose yellow and orange.  He got to tell his class about his summer (specifically he told them about the T-Bones game he and Jaime went to over the weekend as well as our trip to Chicago) and his favorite food (pizza...not just any pizza, but the pizza he ate over at Brennan's house). 
Here's to a fabulous year full of growth, friendship, and learning! 

Testing a post via phone

Tomorrow Starts A New Beginning

Tomorrow morning I take Alexander to school for his school pictures. 

It's the official unofficial start of the school year.  Wow! He's starting second grade.

I've had so much fun this summer with him (and of course my other 2 kiddos). 

We stayed incredibly busy doing all of the things on our summer checklist and we had plenty of down time too.

Side note: It's amazing how few pictures I've take with my camera since I got my new phone. I really need to put the phone camera down and pick up the real camera more!

Evo Love

 Over the weekend Jaime and I got new phones...we seriously upgraded from what we had.  We now each have an Evo.  Wow! These are amazing phones.  We are in awe with the technology nowadays. We spent too much time this weekend playing with them and getting them all figured out, downloading apps and whatnot.  This morning I'm in the process of making a little clutch to carry mine in.  I'll post pics once it's done...I keep getting interrupted by little ones :) 

4th of July Weekend

What a fun weekend we had here! Our order of Simply Fun games came in just before the weekend started.  We haven't stopped playing them.  These games are so much fun and dare I say not near as mind numbing as Candyland and other games of the sort.  I highly recommend you check them out~there are toddler through adult games. 
Jaime did lots of grilling~ribs, fillet mignon,corn, pineapple, and sweet potatoes. And so, we all did lots of eating. :)  With all of the eating of course some outside time was in order.  Along with running around the backyard, we went to the Arboretum for a walk (shortened due to the little rain shower that passed through).
We finally got more rain about the time the fireworks show was to start.  We went and parked, but weren't sure if they were going to cancel.  I'm so glad we went and decided to stay because it was a wonderful show and leaving was the easiest it's ever been! Hardly any traffic.  Penelope was incredibly excited. She kept jumping and trying to reach out to touch them, and oh the squealing!

Pretties for P

 My aunt has made Penelope some cute dresses.  Last week we got a surprise in the mail from her.  She made Penelope a tutu, headband, and a dress with bloomers.  It all coordinates with shades of blue and purple.  When I opened the box she insisted on wearing the headband and tutu immediately :)

 She's such a sassy, girly girl, but is so tough and loud.  We just love our Rosie!

World Cup

We've been watching the world cup this summer.  John Paul has taken to kicking a soccer ball around the house, around the yard, at Alexander's baseball games, and would take the ball with him everywhere he goes if I let him.  I'm enjoying watching him improve his skills, use up his constant supply of energy, and get so excited for the upcoming soccer season.  He's never played on a team before and outside of the World Cup hasn't really watched or seen soccer.  He tells us he's going to score in every game.  I'm excited to watch him play :)

Wednesday=Beth Day

This summer Wednesdays mean Bethdays.  I have hired a sitter, Beth, who is wonderful with all three kiddos.  Beth comes over on Wednesday mornings usually for about 2 hours so that I can either run errands or clean without being interrupted. Last week, due to the US Soccer game and Jaime staying home for it, I canceled Bethday and instead have her for 4 hours today.  Ahhh, the luxury!  I was able to peacefully run errands this morning and then clean.  I can not express how much I appreciate this luxury. Thank you babe for letting me hire Beth and thank you Beth for taking great care of my kiddos :)  What do Wednesdays mean for you?

New Toys

Today I picked up some new-to-us toys for Penelope from a friend.  Her little girl has outgrown the doll house, shopping cart, and little princess vanity.  Penelope is having SO MUCH FUN with her new toys. And, shhh, but the boys are too :) 
It's a busy day around here with Bible study this morning and Little Angels (essentially VBS for toddlers) then summer school and baseball practice this afternoon.  I also have to run to Old Navy to get Alexander some new flip flops--his broke this morning.  Good thing ON's 30% off the entire store is still going on!  Hopefully they'll have his size.
The humidity is at bay for now and the day is gorgeous out.  Maybe we'll make it to the pool tonight as well. :)

This Morning

This morning:

• kids slept in while I gardened, enjoyed a cappuccino, and some quiet reading time
• bowls of cereal and homemade GF currant scones for breakfast
• sprinkler time
• now, boys are watching Ace of Cakes, Clone Wars Cakes~that as much Star Wars as I'm letting them have lately :)
• P is enjoying some b.

How's your summer morning?