First Day of School

Summer is officially over!  I really don't know how it is already the first day of school.  It truly feels like the kids just barely got out of school.  Most years I'm ready for school to start.  I like to get back into the routine, tired of kids fighting and hearing I'm bored.  I have to say this year was not one of them.  I am not ready for school to start.  I don't know if it's because summer seemed to fly by this year or I'm not ready to have the kids gone most of the day or if it's I'm just not ready for what I know kids being back in school brings, cold weather and eventually snow, but I'm not looking forward to this.  The kids are pretty excited.  Ally got the teacher she wanted, everyone's favorite third grade teacher.  Andrew got a great teacher and is excited to get back to all his friends although he says he's not ready for school to start. 

But, it's the same for all of us, ready or not, it's here!  And, look how cute they look!  They sure look ready.

Even though V doesn't start preschool for a few weeks she wanted in on the pictures too.

And, what do you do when your four and your siblings have gone off to school???

You get really silly and put on your sisters 'high heels' and put on a show for Mom.

I know that I'm not going to get bored this school year, not when I have V around.  Next year, that will be another story.  I still can't believe she'll be in Kindergarten next year.  Time to enjoy this year!

Fall Soccer for Andrew

I don't know why I called it fall soccer since it never ended after the spring season, they kept practicing all summer long, which he absolutely loved.  The fall season is now officially starting and this year they got new uniforms.  The pictures aren't the best since they were taking in the dark but their uniforms turned out awesome!

Andrew is still playing defender but has been practicing goal keeper a lot too.  He enjoys goal keeper but likes the action of defender better.  The boys have been playing really well together this summer.  I'm excited for this season to see how well they do together.

So Grateful

I am so grateful I have been blessed with kids who love to read.  Ally and Andrew will both stay up way past bedtime to get in extra reading time.  I can't count how many nights I've had to tell them multiple times to turn off their lights and go to sleep.  I sometimes feel guilty making them turn off their lights because I know how important it is for them to read so much but I also know how important it is for them to get a good night's sleep.

Ally absolutely hates to get her hair straightened but has to with her hair so short.  I usually only force the issue on Sundays because it is such a fight and one that I get tired of fighting.  I think we finally figured out a way for her to enjoy getting her hair done

Yep, another reason I so grateful she loves to read, gives her something to do while I'm forcing her to get her hair done.

This same day as I came out of the bathroom I found V

Yep, even she loves to read.  It really makes me happy to see them find so much joy in something so good for them.

Park Fun with Cousins

We were so lucky and got to watch the twins while Dorothy and Cameron were taking care of some house stuff.  The kids were so excited to play with them and were especially glad when they got to go play with them at the park.  They all had fun running around the playground but V was a little jealous of the attention they were getting and wanting some for herself.  So much so she wanted me to take her picture.

Yes, she is still in her pajamas, it was only 10:30 ;).  They all had fun playing on the playground and then Andrew played some soccer with them.  I ran inside to grab something and came out to watch Andrew and the twins walk all the way around the park.  It was so cute, they held his hands the entire way around.

I love that we live close enough to our family that our kids get to be together as cousins every now and then.  I'm especially grateful that even though there is such an age difference all the kids get along so well and my kids are always looking forward to seeing their cousins. It is such a blessing!