Fun Times at the Lake...

 We love summer, and going to the lake!

One day we were minding out own business, and suddenly a boat pulls up that we are unfamiliar with, and out steps some of our good friends that we visiting with some family at our same lake.  We knew that they were just getting into town, but didn't expect to see them lakeside already.  This was probably one of the best surprises that I could have had.  The kids were so great and were able to get into playing right away like nothing really changed.  We even talked them into resting for a bit to have a Popsicle!  It was so nice having this bit of time with them for a couple hours, to just sit, relax, and enjoy a great conversation catching up on the little things in life.

Most people talk about vacationing during the summer, and this is really our vacation every weekend.  It's so nice to have a place to get away to, that doesn't cost us very much money.  It was even better that the kids were old enough to sleep really good, and that helped us as parents to enjoy the time out there even better too.  I just wish that it could last longer.

 Harrison, Emmett, and even Maura had a great time practicing casting the kids fishing line out into the water.  Emmett even took a dip off the dock when he casted so hard that he threw himself into the water with his clothes on.  Thankfully, Great-Uncle Joel was there to grab his hand and lift him back up onto the dock.  The funny part was that his biggest concern was that his clothes were wet, not that he fell off the dock!  There were a few moments when he was a little bit nervous to jump off to us again, but that quickly subsided.

Now we just get to wait another 8 months before we can start dreaming about the lake again.

Our Backyard...

 I have to say that I think we actually did a good job of enjoying our backyard this summer, considering we don't have alot for the kids to do.  We realized that the swing set that we have is getting too small for them now, due to three kids that all decided to learn how to pump.  Two of them going the same way would have that thing tipped on end in no time!  So we are on the lookout for a heavier set with bigger kid options.

When we couldn't go out to the lake, we managed to stay cool in our little pool.  The kids don't need anything big for at home (just yet), so we'll make do with what we've got.  It is amazing how "one more year" of growth and maturity in kids can make it that much easier on a mother.  I could actually enjoy being outside with them this year.  Big strides!

Maura does a great job of keeping herself happy and busy!  She thinks that she can do anything her little heart desires, and that can be a problem sometimes.  Like taking this 3 wheeler down the hill in our yard, rolling it and throwing herself under the car.  Needless to say, she got back on it a little while later and proceeded to go down the hill again, but with a little more caution.  She will keep us holding our breath in the future, I just know it!

It will be fun to see just what kind of fun things we can do in our backyard next summer!

School Days...

 This year we have two kids going to school!

I have to admit that it really did feel like this year wasn't ever going to come, and now that it has, I can see how all of the time of waiting has paid off.  Don't get me wrong in this way, but my children were meant to be in a public setting where they could be surrounded by people and have influences outside of my own.  I am far from perfect (as anyone would admit), and know that we can learn from others in their experiences.  We really have been working and preparing them for this new stage.  There have been plenty of parents along the way that have expressed their concern over "what kind of world are we sending them out to," but I need to trust that God has control over it, no matter what it is.  Sure, no way would I want any of my children to be in a volatile situation, but I can help them to know how to handle hard situations, by letting them deal with small things along the way in life.

Off my tangent...

Harrison started Kindergarten this fall, and is going all day, every day.  There wasn't a question about this for him as he is super outgoing, and a social butterfly.  It would be torture for him to be at school one day, then home the next.  All I would hear about would be why can't he be in school like all the other kids. :)  His struggle currently is why he isn't riding the bus.  We had this same conversation last year when some of the kids got to ride the Otter Bus to day care after school.  He is even liking the school lunches, although he doesn't get all of it eaten due to talking/time restraint.  All in all, a great start to the year!

Emmett started preschool today and is going two mornings a week.  Ever since Harrison started, he has been asking each day when is it his turn.  Today finally came, and was the best first day for him.  He was proud to announce at lunch that he even made a new friend!  Good stuff!

 This is what Maura is thinking after having her brothers leave her with her boring mother.  Thankfully it worked that a friend could come over with her daughter that is just a few months younger than Maura and we could have a knitting lesson while the girlie's played.  Not a bad start to a new school year!

Next week Harrison gets to start his first of extra-curricular activities - Children's Choir!  Emmett and Maura will get a date with their mommy walking downtown, or stopping at the bakery/yarn shop/cafe... We have options!

3 Favorite Faces of Summer (and Always)...

 It's so hard to believe that summer is done; or at least if you go by school starting.

My boys continue to remind me that summer doesn't officially end until the end of the month, so at least with them I am happy to know that it isn't done, and we have a few more weeks to enjoy summer activities.

Emmett will be starting Preschool this week, and is really looking forward to joining his big brother at school this year.  We met with his teacher and helper this week, so he is all set and anxious to get started.  Emmett has already shown some big changes in his personality, and is more outgoing than what he was a few weeks ago.  This is all related to Harrison being out of the house more this week.  Amazing what transformations happen when one is able to get a word, or more, in edgewise.

 Harrison has really jumped through a big hoop this year by getting to go to kindergarten all day, every day!!  And I have a list too long to explain why he is completely ready for this big kid challenge.  Trust me, he would be bored out of his mind if it was any less than this.  It will be a good challenge for him to learn some self-discipline in getting ready each day, and time management with eating breakfast and lunch.  All in all, this is a great fit for him.  **Disclaimer:  I may not do this option with all of my children, but know that this is what's best for him.  I don't want to make decisions based off of what I want.**

Maura's biggest accomplishment is that she gets to start Sunday School in the 2 year old class with Kevin's cousin as her teacher.  I'm so glad that all three of my kids have the opportunity to have her, and think she will enjoy doing "big kid" stuff.  Her other challenge is getting used to not being around her brothers all.the.time!  This week, each day, I was asked a number of times where "Hsshss" is.  Really sweet, and I wonder if she will be sick of me on the mornings when it's just me and her.  Emmett and Maura did so well playing this week, and really were quiet and kind to each other.  So nice to see after a summer of screaming and yelling. :)  They are siblings, so would it be any other way??

Now you have the skinny on how our lives have changed suddenly this month.