Good Bye Hopecrest Avenue!

Well, it took a few days, but our house is officially under contract.  We will be biding adieu to Hopecrest Avenue and moving approximately .25 miles away to a cul-de-sac with sidewalks, tons of kids, and a 4 bedroom plus bonus room house.  bittersweet.  I never was a brick ranch type girl, but I grew to love this 60s brick ranch.  We've made some good tiny kid memories in this place, but 8 years later, we're taking our big kids round the corner.  I'm sure there will be many more good times to come.  Our new house is in need of a little TLC and definitely some paint.  Rob's already warned me that I'm going to have to pace myself. We'll see how that goes.  Here's our home as of November.

Daddy Pitbull

Cora has discovered the movie, Annie.  I tried to get her to watch it a year ago and she wouldn't bite, but all Aunt Lauren had to do was mention it, and she gave it a chance.  So, as she was watching today, she said, "Mommy, Daddy Warbucks looks just like Pitbull."  I think she may be onto something...

Pitcher take II

Cade is playingfall 10U baseball this year.  He had his first game today, and he pitched!!! Only for a bit, but he totally rocked the mound.  He and his daddy were psyched.  It was total deja' vu for me.  I was more nervous for him than I used to be when Rob pitched.  Check him out!

First Days

I can't believe last week was Cade's 7th first day of school!!! 4th Grade
Cora's 5th first day of school!!! 2nd Grade
Clara's FIRST first day of school!!!!!!  Look how happy she is!

Cora's teacher is my friend, Mrs. Perry!  She's so fun!

Cade's teacher is my friend, Mrs. Kelley!  LOVE her!

Clara and her sweet preschool teacher, Mrs. Kelley. (Mother-in-law to Cade's teacher!)

They have great teachers! I have a great class!  And best of all, we all go to the same school in the mornings!!!  We couldn't ask for more!

Garbage disposal

Someone's threatening Leia's position under the table!

Summer Recap

Our blogging has been terrible this summer, because we've been out having fun!  Lots is going on with us!  I'll give you some of the most exciting summer highlights!

#1 Awesome Swim Season/ Pool Time!  Both Cade and Cora did Isle of Hope Swim team this year.  Cade is still one of the fastest swimmers around.  Although being only 9 and competing in the 10U age bracket, he's looking forward to next summer! Isle of Hope placed second in the city this year, but we look forward to regaining our first place title next summer!  We always love swimming in the summer.  Our littlest Garola even learned to get her face wet and jump off the board this year!

#2 Tybee- We enjoyed the two weeks that we spent at Tybee Island in June.  Thanks to the White Family for sharing their condo with us! It was great to have a vacation close to home because we got to have lots of friends come and play!

#3- Indiana- We always enjoy our summer pilgrimage to Indiana with stops in Atlanta both ways! You can't beat time with grandparents!

                                    always love seeing those Barta kids!!! We loved meeting Hadley!

                                                       Loving the Warrick CO. 4H Fair!

                                                                everyone caught freshwater fish!

                                                          Ohio River and Ice Cream

                                                  Fun and Horseback Riding at The Shrode's House

4.  Summer Birthday Girl
I'm glad at least 1/3 of my children have summer birthdays.  We had a fun, low key birthday sleepover with a few of Cora's friends!

 LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE GIRLS!

                                             Check out the big 7 year old with pierced ears!!!

5. Fun hanging at home.
I love summer. It's the best part of being a teacher.  I love cooking with fresh stuff from the garden, playing outside,  and just tossing the schedule aside.  Low key, stress free, ice cream eating, tire swingin', chicken lovin' summer!  Ahhhh...

                                                       Bailey and Clara! Total cuteness!

                                       Leia is getting along beautifully with Ellie the fence jumper!

                                                      Edamame, YUM!

                                                       

Hugs for Sweet Rosie

This past weekend we had to say goodbye to our sweet kitty, Rosie, of almost 17 years.  That crazy, spirited, sassy kitty cat really did serve her nine lives well.  I got Rosie from a family I babysat for when I was 20 years old.  Right from the start she was spunky.  Not your typical curl up in your lap kind of kitten, but she was playful and oh so cute.  She loved a 2 inch tall stuffed teddy bear that we called "bear bear."  Bear bear would show up in the most unusual places and for years, I'd think he was lost and then Rosie would pull him out of nowhere.  One year after I got Rosie, I met Rob.  She wasn't crazy about him at first (or anyone else for that matter).  She was sorta a one person girl. But as wild as she was, the minute you'd start to pet her, she would purr loudly.  Rosie was with me through 2 moves in college and then she made the trip to Savannah with Rob and I.  She moved with us 3 times in Savannah and survived 2 big doggy sisters.  Rosie wasn't ever too crazy about the kids until Clara came along.  She loved Clara because Clara loved her.  And in Clara's day Rosie had slowed down dramatically limiting her habitat to our master bed and bathroom.  Surprisingly crazy Clara was always very gentle and sweet with Rosie.  Clara's our animal lover and she'd seek Rosie out each morning until the very end and kiss and pet her.  Rosie's kidney's were failing and she rapidly declined over the past 4-5 months.  It's very strange when something that's been such a permanent fixture is suddenly gone.  Cade prepared a precious little headstone in our backyard for her.  He adorned it with hydrangeas cut from our front yard.  We're so thankful for the small things like pets that add so much to life.  We love you, Rosie!