What a difference a year makes

This time last year Addyson was struggling.  She just started a new school and didn't know anyone.  It really took her a few months to find her niche at the school.  But once she did she started making friends right and left.  

Today I addressed her birthday party invites and I was glad to see such a long guest list.   So proud of her for coming out of her shell and making herself open to new friends and surroundings.

Mom, the bus is AWESOME!

And these pictures pretty much sum that up.  Love her excitement!

Alone

So the day has arrived.  The day that you think about when your first born is a tiny baby and into everything.  You wish for the day when all the kids are in school full time.  You imagine how you'll spend those days.  How you'll get pedicures, go grocery shopping alone, read books, lunch with friends, etc, etc.  The day is here.  I'm surprisingly lonely.  I was driving home from the store and I missed looking in my rear view at Lane while she's telling me about this neat bird she saw out the window, or a pretty flower she wishes she could pick for me.  Yes, I've gotten more done before noon today than I think I did all last week put together, but I'm missing those cute girls of mine.  Why do we always want what we can't have??  Now that both of my girls are in school full time, I'm kind of saddened that the real world has them most of the time now.  They're off to learn good things and not so good things, they're getting to make their own decisions about things, and not what Mom thinks all the time.  I can't protect them from 8:45-3:00 Monday through Friday now, but that's the way life goes.  I'm proud of how smart, creative, caring, outgoing, sweet and fun they are and I suppose I'm ready to share them with the world.  I just hope the world is kind to them in return.

First Day of School!

We've been on the fence about school starting this year.  Some of us were ready, others not so much.  I fall in between the two.

I think this will be such a great year.  Addyson got the teacher she wanted this year, Mrs. Kaplack, and a few of her friends are in her class.  I'd say that's the makings of a successful 3rd grade year.  

Delaney started Kindergarten and since in our school district kinder is only 2 days a week, she's going the other three days at a private kindergarten, Stony Hill.  She goes to Granger on Mondays and Wednesdays, and sometimes Mondays, and Stony Hill on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and sometimes Mondays(confusing enough?).  She has Mrs. Nar at Granger and Mrs. Sherri at Stony Hill.  

We're proud of our little ladies, they're sweet, smart, creative and ready to do lots of learning this school year!

Color Me Rad 5K

Yesterday I ran/walked the color me rad 5k in Akron with some of my friends from church.   It was so much fun!  Wish I'd been in better shape to run the entire race but that's another story.  

We showed up for the race at 9 and got our color bombs to throw at each other, then the race began at 9:40.  Through out the race course there were people with these fire extinguisher looking things filled with colored smoke(it was a mixture of corn starch and food coloring)and they'd "spray" you as you went by.  We were some pretty colorful folks crossing over the finish line.  It was a ball hanging with Jordan, Tanya, and Jordan's mom.  Definitely doing it again next year!

Meet the Teacher

Tonight we loaded up and headed to the elementary school to meet the girls teachers for this year.  Addyson has Mrs. Kaplack for 3rd grade and Lane has Mrs. Nar for Kindergarten.  Both teachers seem pretty nice.  It looks to be a great year!

Summer is Winding Down

...and these are the things I'll miss most; play dates with bikes strewn across the driveway, cooking outdoors and backyard camping, swimming, lazy mornings, fireflies, later bedtimes, and no homework!

Friends

Shortly after Christmas, Addyson got a new Primary teacher at church, Sister Gailey.  From the start they were friends.  Every Sunday after church I heard so many stories about Sister Gailey and her awesome lessons, how great she was, etc, etc.  Unfortunately in May Sis Gailey and her family got transferred to New Jersey and we were so sad to see her, her husband David, and they're cute baby Kellan go.  We've kept in touch through email and letters, and this past week the Gailey's were in Ohio visiting family so we got to hang with them a few times.  We met for Mexican food and today we met for ice cream.  They are a special family and we're grateful to have them as friends!

Ryan + Alaska = Bliss

This husband of mine sure does love to fish, and he will go to some seriously great lengths to do it.  For the past few years, Ryan has had the pleasure of joining Bud and anyone else that can make it(boys only, that is!)on a fishing trip to AK.  The trip normally averages about 6 days, two of those days are travel to get to and from, and it's always such a treat for Ryan.  This year's trip was no exception.  We appreciate Bud being a great host and helping to make this yearly AK trip such a great one!

Things are Changing

In late July I started noticing that the leaves in the trees and bushes were starting to change.  In Texas you didn't see that until October at the earliest.  I took pictures of my favorite tree and some bushes in our backyard because it amazes me how fast things outdoors can change in this place!

A Usual Sight

Lauren and blanket.  Blanket and Lauren.  We hear those words a lot around here.  Lane has been attached to them both for most of her little life.   My mom gave her blanket when she was born, and my mom gave her Lauren the doll(not sure how she ended up being called Lauren)for Christmas when she was a year old.  When lane is tired she starts looking for them and the same when she doesn't feel good.  I see them all over the house, and I have to say I'm gonna be sad when they're not top priority in little ones life in the near future.  Lauren has had a few neck and arm surgeries.  The girl looks good for having been through all of that, I'd say.

Backyard Find

Today we were out exploring in our yard and found a few blackberry bushes and we were so excited.  Ryan loves them, I'm not a fan of them, and the girls aren't either, but it was fun finding them for sure.  I'm going to try my hand at some blackberry jam for my Ryan.  I love the idea of eating what you grow.  Gives me that much more of a desire to get that garden started in the spring next year.

Mom's Visit

So my mom was the final visit of this busy summer.  She stayed with the girls and me for 5 days and we packed a ton in.  Her trip came at a great time since Ryan was in Alaska and it could just be girl time for a few days.  We celebrated my birthday, visited Amish country, saw Suzie in Geneva on the Lake, went to the Farmers Market on the square and shopped.  My dad didn't get to come with her this trip because he's not been feeling good but hopefully next trip he can make it up our way.

Mad at Mom

Lately Lane's hair has been such a stress for me.  It's long, tangles easily no matter the conditioner or detangling spray I use and we end up with tears each time I try and brush it.  She needed a trim badly so I called my neighbor Missy who has a salon of sorts in her basement.  I told lane we were getting her hair cut and she was not happy.  She said, "just a little trim mom, please?"  The kid loves her long hair.  I promised, "just a trim".  So Missy got a bit scissor happy and the result is below.  Lane was so mad and wouldn't talk to me or look at me for a while after the haircut.  Guess I couldn't blame her for getting mad, but really, I think it's cute.  Perfect for back to school.  Last night before bed lane says, "Mom, lets go see Mrs. Missy again next week so she can cut my hair off again". I'd assume now she likes the cut.  Oh these girls...