First Day of School

I sent four kids to school on Wednesday. (Annie pictured in the first picture was excited and packed her lunch, too. She is home one more year.) The reports from the kids are that they love their classes, teachers and are excited to go back. Zoe wasn't sure if she was going to like school and gave me a bit of trouble in the weeks prior to school starting when we would discuss it. After the second day of school, she came home and said, "Mom, thanks for putting me in school." Emi is excited as she has a job at school. She is the official pencil sharpener. That is quite a job, because she is allowed to use the electric sharpener! Delaney is very excited. Her class is writing their own Declaration of Independence for the classroom. Nick is happy with his classes and teachers and enjoys going to school.

A Few Pictures of Summer!

Here is Delaney practicing her dives. She was pretty nervous to go off the high dive head first, but her swim coach went up with her and helped her get into a good position. He gave her a gentle nudge and off she went perfectly head first. There was no stopping her after that. They say that the thrill of the dive becomes an addiction. I don't have shots of those dives. Didn't have the camera with me that day. I should learn! Emi and I are enjoying the beautiful weather!

Annie's Birthday

Annaliese, my precious baby turned 4 and is half grown without me knowing what hit me. She is quite a character and keeps us all in stitches with the funny things she says. Here are a few pics of her birthday breakfast. She got a couple of gifts and then some money for a shopping spree. I thought that would be easiest since I had agreed myself into a corner. You see, I get through shopping trips smoothly with the kids by agreeing. I am not going to buy them everything they want, so I began long ago telling them when they saw something they loved that they should remember it for their birthday. Well, Annie takes this principle to heart and routinely asks me if she can have an item for her birthday. I always say yes, knowing that neither one of us will actually remember everything by the time her big day arrives. And besides, in October or February what can it hurt to agree to something that won't happen till July? One little problem. When I did shop for her, I had no idea what she really wanted. She had asked for EVERYTHING and I had agreed to EVERYTHING. So, I solved the problem by giving her a couple little things from us and $30. Let me tell you, she was very picky about spending her own money. I helped her make choices by telling her how much of her budget it would take up. She chose two mermaid barbies, a mini polly with a car, a microphone, AND a telephone. And she came in just 40 cents over budget. Not bad, I think.

My 29th Birthday

My birthday was July 16th and I turned 29 again. It is official because it is on my cake!