Peek at the Pumpkins

Just thought I would share pix of our pumpkins. Better late than never I guess!!!

Flu Flu stay away....

Oh have we been sick. Seems like forever since I've been able to sit at the computer and compose a thought.

Last week, I went down on Tues with fever and body aches. And OHHHH were the aches painful!!! Thought I could go to work, but I was ever so wrong and ended up coming home and sleeping for almost 4 hours. That is unheard of for me!! Got up for a few hours, then back to bed. Weds, I thought life might go on other than a sore throat and sleepies. Then Maxx went down. He had one heck of a fever from Weds through Saturday. On Thurs night, we both ended up with a stomach bug that made rest seem impossible and the night went on forever. By Sat things were looking up for the two of us, but by Sat night Mik went down with a fever and Chaela followed the next day. They both seem to have had short lived fevers, but have lingering coughs that keep the whole house up at night. And today - ALL four of us are sniffing and coughing. AHHHH - is there no end.

For the most part - I can't complain. No one was miserable for long. And although different symptoms have lingered, none have been unmanageable. I guess I should be thankful this is all behind us before the holidays!! Here's praying that the flu has made it's way through and won't be back this season!!

Oh - the colors of Fall....

Just for Pete Wilson

A special post for the Snuggie fan I know you are

https://www.thesnuggiefordogs.com/

First HS dance

High School days have officially began. How do I know this you might ask? I know this as a result of dress shopping. That's right - dress shopping. We had to go dress shopping for a homecoming dance dress.

Back in my day - you know the day....when everyone one walked to school and played outside with little to no fear, the day when we wore red high-tops and tight rolled jeans - homecoming was just an event with a dance that we all dressed up for. I'm talking a nice shirt or sweater and a skirt. No dress shopping. No shoe shopping. Just grab the nicest thing you have in your closet or from a friends closet. Oh - not anymore though.

These days....the girls were looking for dresses a month ahead and dress shopping started weeks ahead. Crazy!!! Anyway - the girls all looked nice and had a great time and the pictures below show off their pretty dresses and accessories! I have to admit it was fun watching them all fly through after the game and get changed and back out the door for the dance. I heard lots of "will you help me with this zipper" and "what color glitter should I wear" and "ah - I can't walk in these shoes" and "who turned the flat iron off". Fun times.....

This was the first group that came to the house right after half time


Chaela and her friend


The girls


Jen came through a bit later after the game

A Parade in Honor of our Kids...

I have to give our small midwest town credit in that they are very community minded. Each year, we have a parade, in Sept, honoring the youth of our community. Kids march, walk, ride bikes and scooters, make floats, the bands march, the boy scouts and girl scout groups are there and the kid clubs from all around the county participate. Kiwanis coordinate and organize the whole thing and make it even better with a pancake tent and all day events. Here are some pix of the kids in the parade this year....















The best part about this year is that I actually got to watch!!! Normally I am driving for a float or riding on a float or the likes. This year, I got to watch and see my kids IN the parade and take all the pictures I wanted to!! Ahhhh - how sweet it was!

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

Ok - maybe not the most wonderful, but certainly the most busy. And the most beautiful. And the most unpredictable with regards to weather. (and even that might not make the most list here in the midwest - spring is pretty unruly at times). It is my most favorite time of the year for sure!!!

It's soccer season!!! And this year we have ....

Not one....


Not two....


But three....


soccer players.

And not only do we have three soccer players, but now we have two soccer coaches. Oh how I have not missed the days of peewee soccer. But, honestly, so few have the patience to work with this insanely hive-like group of kids. Once a week for 45 minutes is manageable.

So, once again, we hit the roads on the weekends, we practice most every night, and we do it all for the love of soccer.

Never judge a book by its cover

We have not forgotten....

And cover the families who lost someone and survivors in prayer.

School Days have officially started...

For all of the kids. Today our youngest started PreK, meaning everyone is officially in school.

We have a High School Freshman







A 2nd grader







And one in PreK







Oh, how I could go on and ramble about how the years have flown by and how my babies have all grown up - but honestly, I've done quite well with this year and all the transitions it has brought. Mainly the step up to high school. I think it will be sad at the end of the year when we bid farewell to a very beloved preschool and all the teachers, some who have taught all three kids.

So, it's official...we get up early, and go go go all day long. So long to the lazy days of summer and sleeping in and midday swims. Hello soccer and football and marching band.