Back to School!

Today's the first day of fifth grade for Kael and the first day of second grade for Kylee.  Kael was ready to go and just seemed so grown up.  Kylee was fine but wasn't really excited to go.  "I just loooove summer, Mom.  And this one was the best ever." I hear ya, Ky.  I really do.  It was one for the record books, no doubt.  But I'm convinced this school year has all the markings of becoming Best Ever too.

I always make muffins on Wednesdays, and I try to have a little Back To School gift waiting for them before school. 

I let the boys have full reign when it cam to picking out backpacks this year.  Kael's is a pepperoni pizza and Kase's backpack is bigger than him.  But the shark mouth does open and close when you squeeze the backpack straps.  So there's that. 

We have quite a crew! A full front porch, and a very full heart. 

The house always seems painfully quiet to me after the big kids go to school.  I'm so thankful I still have my Kaser home for a couple weeks and also thankful for a friend who stopped by so we could have some coffee and watch the kids at recess.  Kael gave me a cool nod and a wave, to which I was very grateful.  I wasn't sure if fifth graders waved at moms or not.  Kylee ran up near the fence line and gave me a big thumbs up, so that was great too.

It's been a great day, with Kase and I having popsicles on the deck, a picnic lunch out back, and practicing for Halloween (his idea- which consisted of putting on cowboy boots and a funny hat and carrying a jack-o-lantern bucket around). He also helped me make a blueberry pie because I know Kael and Kylee will be thrilled to come home to that.

How did back to school go for you and yours?

Weekend Wrap-Up

As far as The Last Weekend (before school starts) goes, I'd say we had a pretty good one.  Temps were a little chillier than usual for this time of year so we didn't go to the pool, but we certainly made the most of the fall-like weather!

We made some salsa with tomatoes from Kent's grandpa's garden. Kylee did everything, start to finish, including lots of taste-testing to adjust seasonings.  It turned out great!

Friday night we went to Exile with Kent's family.  As you can see, they're no fun at all. ;)

After Exile, we walked around Gray's Lake for awhile.  It was such a beautiful night.

Saturday morning we rode bikes to the Ankeny Farmer's Market, which is much bigger than the last time I'd been.  We had a blast. Later that day, Kent and his dad went for a longer bike ride and we met them for lunch.  That evening we just hung around the park and neighborhood with friends until the storm rolled in. 

Sunday, my parents had just gotten home from a trip, so we went to their house to see pictures and have lunch with them.  Later in the day we went to the library, played a little tennis, then Kent had his draft.  It was a great weekend, and I *think* we're all ready for back to school this week! 

Thankful Thursday

I'm I'm thankful for our green pepper. We've had green beans like crazy in our garden all summer long and have been patiently waiting for our pepper plant to produce anything.  Finally!

I'm thankful Kase likes to go to Target in cowboy boots and a WWE belt. Honestly I'm just glad he was wearing a shirt!

I'm thankful for our annual trip to the Iowa State Fair.

Kylee thought this tenderloin was chicken.  When I told her the truth she decided she didn't like it as much as she thought she had. 

One of the kids' favorite things this year was the Most Unusual Vegetable table.

Kael and Kylee are too tall for the garden tunnel! They kept going through with Kase anyways, even though each time they came out they commented on how much their backs hurt from bending over!

This was the first time we'd tried these mini donuts.  YUM.

I'm thankful that my kids have recently discovered how much fun it is to play together, just the three of them, and get along super well.  I'm also thankful they've been sleeping in.  Just in time to go back to school in a few days.  ;)

I'm thankful for cool days that feel like fall! I made soup not once, but twice on Tuesday when it was cold and rainy.

I'm thankful for such a fun Adventureland day on Monday! The weather was perfect and the company was great!

I'm thankful for moments like these:

A couple nights ago I tucked Kael in, we talked for a few minutes, then I headed off to bed.  Shortly after, I heard him get down from his bunk bed.  He came in my room and said, "Can you come back in and talk to me? I was really enjoying spending time with you."

The next night, I went to tuck Kylee in and notice she was trying to hide the tears that were sneaking out the corners of her eyes.  She finally admitted, "Mom, I'm feeling badly about Kase.  A couple of the neighbor boys have been kind of leaving him out and I'm so worried about how that makes Kase feel."

My kids are growing up.  Big kids, with big feelings and big hearts.  I love them so.

Happy Thursday, everyone! Enjoy your last weekend before school starts!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Our weekend got off to an early start.  Keith and Cindy took the kids for a sleepover Thursday evening- they swam at Aunt Chris's pool, had pizza, stayed up late and had a great time! Kent and I walked up to a new restaurant in town- it was a good walk, good food and a wonderful evening.  We wrapped up the night relaxing on our deck and a couple neighbors stopped by to hang out.  Lovely.

Friday I had preschool training all day, so Kent's parents and cousin Kelsey took the kids to the Ledges! It was a beautiful day for it and as far as I can tell, a good time was had by all!

Saturday we started off the morning at Hawkeye Park- we fished, played at the parks and rollerbladed around the pond.  After lunch we headed to Collins for Kylee's birthday celebration with Kent's side of the family.  It never ceases to amaze me how much of the family shows up to these events- I couldn't be happier to belong to such a tight knit group.  Cindy had the pool out for the kids, the adults played bags and sat outside, the kids played glow-in-the-dark hide and seek in the basement and it was so fun.  Cindy had a super cute cake and Kylee loved all of her gifts.  Thanks to everyone for coming! And thanks to Keith and Cindy for hosting!

These two share a birthday- this year Kylee turned 8 and Grandma Doe turned 80! Pretty special birthday twins.

Uncle Kevin is also an August birthday- he and Kaity picked out the cutest shoes for Kylee!

Cousins running for the pool!

This chair is sooo Kylee. 

We spent most of Sunday just hanging around.  Finally in the afternoon Kent took the kids to the pool while I got a few things done.  It was a nice, relaxing day.  Today we're supposed to be heading to Adventureland with Keith, Cindy and the Dunshee girls- I'm so thankful for the quality time we've gotten to spend with them lately.  Hoping the weather holds off today so we can fit another fun day in!