Goodbye August, Goodbye Summer!

We're preparing for school to start. School supplies are ready, first day of school outfits are picked out, and we are trying to make the change from summer sleep schedule to school sleeping schedule. (The last thing is not entirely successful!)

It's hard to believe that another summer has come to a close. It's been a good one, for sure. We've loved relaxing around house, playing outside, reading, weekend trips, and bike rides. We've eaten 'fresh and local' more than we ever have- from our own garden, to our weekly trips to Farmer's Market. Of course there are always things that didn't get crossed off the lists. Summer is never quite long enough for me. The last couple of days have been so cold and just felt so much like fall, I feel like yelling, "IT'S STILL AUGUST!!"

It's an exciting time of year though, so many new beginnings. Garrett will start kindergarten, and his first season of soccer. Madeline is looking towards 3rd grade and a year of dance at a new studio. I have a long term sub job planned for November and December, and I'm excited to be supervising a few student teachers for our local college. Lots of stuff to look forward to!

Anyway, here are a few shots of summer that didn't get posted the first time around, in no particular order.

Hey. It's hard to take those kind of pictures with my big huge camera!

My family was all gone, and I was trying to figure out which shoes looked better. FYI- this was not helpful. (A full length mirror is now on my list.)

Help! A Quasipottytrainedbutterflylionpirategooglyeyedmoster has invaded our house!

Visiting Papa at the work site.

Tired babies. (Right.)

Bugs and Worms

While I went out to visit Baby Zachary the other day, the boys went to Nana Pam's to hang out for a bit. I arrived on the scene to find them in her backyard, digging for bugs and worms. They were quite the happy guys.

Carter, pretending he didn't want his picture taken.

Today is Weird

Today's the day that all the teachers in our school district report to work. It's a weird day for me. I still think of myself as a teacher, I still say 'we' when I talk about teachers or our school district, even though my only affiliation now is as a parent and a tax payer.

I love my role as sahm (did you know it had it's own acronym?), but it is always strange to think of many of my friends rolling into school, taking a deep breath as they walk in, closing the doors on summer. I imagine them in meetings, and while I can't say I am sad to be missing all day meetings, I am a little wistful thinking of them sitting around a table, laughing, and engaging a part of their brain that I've mostly filed away for now.

It was two years ago yesterday that I walked into the District Office, sobbing my eyes out, and turned in my resignation. At that point, I honestly thought that after a year, I would want to go back. Now I can't pinpoint a time that I really will. I am excited about the upcoming school year, as I will get to do some substituting, and I will be working with a couple of student teachers as well. And I will, of course, be spending a lot of time in a particular kindergarten classroom, and a particular third grade classroom.

Being at home is still a good fit for our family, but today is still . . . weird.

Every Good and Perfect Gift . . .

This afternoon I received a call from my friend Paige. Paige and I taught together, took Master's classes together, and this past year she was Madeline's teacher. This morning Paige and Carlos welcomed their 2nd son into the world. Welcome, Zachary Robert! We're so glad you to meet you!

Allison snuggling sweet Zachary.

You can see more pictures of sweet little Zach over on his mom's blog!

Champoeg

We had long to-do lists this morning, but when we got up, we decided to instead load up the bikes and head to Champoeg. This is a state park with historical significance about 30 minutes from our home. It is pronounced 'Shampoo-ee', which my boys thought was hilarious.

C: We go ShamPOOee, Mom?
Me: Yes, Carter, we're going to Champoeg.
C: ShamPOOee! Dat FUNNY!

Mmm hmm, I guess.

Anyway, we had a nice time riding bikes. Next time we go in August, we think we'll try for riding at 8am instead of 11, but the shade felt nice, and the sun reminded us that summer isn't over yet!

-P.S. Stefanie- that's so funny that you saw us! I wasn't doing much looking at cars and people- I was too busy shouting instructions to my children so they wouldn't get 'pancaked.'

Swimming Lessons Part Duex

I thought it would be good for the Bigs to get one more week of swimming lessons in before summer ends. Garrett had a great week, and I could really tell that he relaxed and became a lot more comfortable between Monday and Friday. I was so proud of him!

Maddy didn't finish the week, or Monday, actually - long story that includes throwing up, nerves, a parenting dilemma, and me realizing that I won't be cheering on my daughter in the 100m backstroke in the 2020 Olympics. She enjoyed watching her brother though- it's amazing to see how proud she is of him.

Garrett was thrilled to have his best buddy swimming with him!

Grayson and Garrett's biggest fans. (Or at least cutest fans!) These two are wondering when their turn is! Judy and I marveled at how much easier they were this year than last at the pool. Last year we had them in their strollers (neither was walking yet), and shoving fruit snacks and goldfish down them. This year they just sat and watched, occasionally talking to us or reading a book. They are pretty sweet 2 year olds!

Last Days of Summer

Last night as I was cooking, I heard Garrett calling me from outside. "Mom! You HAVE to come out here!" I was up to my elbows in raw chicken, so I answered that I wouldn't be able to fulfill is request at that moment but I would later. Then Madeline piped up that I'd better head out there, and I realized that the chicken could wait for a few minutes. I'm so glad I did.

There was our sweet Garrett, just beaming, and swinging so high and hard- with momentum that only comes when one is pumping him/her self- NOT being pushed. Garrett has been toying with pumping all summer, but never quite 'getting' it. Last night something just clicked and he launched!

I ran back in the house, washed the salmonella off my hands, and grabbed my camera. Of course.


Carter has always been our timid one, but all of the sudden this summer, it's been 'monkey see monkey do' all day every day. Thanks to a strong big sis, he was flying too.

P.S. Yesterday was also the first day that Garrett put his face in the water at swimming lessons! It was a big day!

"Me Do It, Mommy!"

That's what I hear all day long from Carter. Whether it's getting his own water from the fridge dispenser, to picking tomatoes, to getting dressed, he is definitely working on being more independent. It's so bittersweet. Isn't it all though? So many times I find myself mourning yesterday or dreading tomorrow that I miss the process of today.

Here was today's scene. (Sorry for the blur. It's grayer than gray here, unlike last week, and my flash batteries are d-e-a-d.)







He's so proud! I really don't have a baby anymore, do I? *sigh*

Waiting for Molly

Not Even in Junior High

My middle name is Autumn. Yesterday I was leaving my mom's, and Carter was staying there for a little visit. They were yelling goodbye to me out the front window.

My mom yells, "Bye, Sarri Autumn!"

Carter yells, "Bye Sarri Babum!" (That's his word for bottom.)

Then he started cracking up.

So now, everyone's favorite thing to do is ask Carter what my name is.

"Sarri Babum!" (snicker)

Here's a picture of the little stinker.

I've been called many things in my life, but 'bottom' was never one of them.

Summer Show

This weekend was Madeline's summer dance recital. We tried out a new dance studio this summer, and Madeline took two classes- ballet and hip hop! I really enjoyed the recital, it was amazing to see the level of professionalism and the dancing showcased- after only 9 weeks of practice!

Madeline had missed 2 or 3 classes due to us being gone on various summer excursions, and after rehearsal Friday night, she decided she had a little more work to do. So Saturday morning before the show, she practiced along with the video I had taken. She practiced, and practiced, and PRACTICED! Joel and I tried to give her some space and keep the boys out of her hair. When she came on stage that afternoon, her hard work paid off and she danced beautifully. It was amazing to see her so stretched throughout the summer, and then watch her really pull it off!

Here are some pictures of her at rehearsal. Sorry for the crummy quality- between the lighting and the distance, I just wasn't set up for it! You can get the idea though!






After the recital we took pictures of part of Maddy's fan club.



Some of you may recognize the backdrop of good ol' GFU, where Joel and I went to college. It was pretty surreal to have Madeline dancing in Bauman Auditorium, where she had attended chapel with Annie when she was a tiny baby. During a break at rehearsal, the Gibson Five walked around campus a little. We showed the kids where we'd cleaned bathrooms together in the Commons. We showed them where we took classes, and we ate dinner in the rose garden. I would love to be able to show you some pictures, but unfortunately, I took none. It was 536 degrees, approximately, and that lowered the fun factor a bit.

Play Day

We had our buddies over yesterday for a long summer playday. By the end of the day, everyone was filthy, exhausted, and happy from a big day of playing!