William

Here are a couple of cute, cute pictures my sister-in-law took this summer.

Henry

Last Thursday I woke up and told myself that I would finish the shelves for the gameroom and that by the end of the night I would have all of the stuff off the floor and I would have at least one room in the house that was done.  That did not happen.  I had cut the shelves too wide.  I was so depressed.  By the time the kids got home from school I knew it wasn't going to happen.


Ok, next part of the story.  Henry has a test every week on times tables.  They are timed and he got about 50% done and correct the first couple of weeks.  They didn't start counting them for a grade until last Thursday.  In an attempt to help him learn his times tables I found an app for Ben's ipad that he has been playing on.  I guess it helped because Henry got an 80% on his first graded test.  I was so excited for him, but still unhappy that I hadn't accomplished what I wanted to that day.


Later, as I was putting them in bed I told Henry that I was sad I hadn't gotten my shelves fixed.  He looked at me and said, "but Mom, you spent time looking for something that would help me get a better grade...thank you."


Thank you Henry!

This is why I am painting every room in the house

It's not because I don't like the color (although, flat white paint is never a favorite)

Yes, that's a handprint

Baseboards...dented and scuff marks

Missing paint on almost every corner

Downtown Disney

Yesterday we worked a bit in the morning, yard, oil change, hair cut, buy a pressure washer, etc.  After the work was done, we went to play.  Samuel has been begging to go to Downtown Disney and play in the water area.  We finally did it.  Right after we got there (and got our free piece of chocolate) they were giving away free turkey legs.  You know, the ones that smell so good, but they are about $6.  Plus, it's always so hot, who wants a hot turkey leg.  There was a catch though.  You had to act like a turkey for 1 minute.  Samuel wanted the turkey leg, but wouldn't act like a turkey by himself, so I went with him.  He did a pretty good job (although some of the time he hid against my leg).

The kids (especially William) seemed to like it.  Personally...not so much.

Here's the much awaited water area.  I think we must have been there at least an hour.

Henry in blue swimming suit, Samuel in the flag swimming suit

Samuel and Henry laying down, Sadie standing (no swimming suit)

And, just a few other pictures of the day:

Rafting

Last Saturday some friends invited us to go rafting.  It was 2 1/2 hours away, but a much needed break.  I didn't take any pictures (afraid the camera would get dropped in the river.)  All of us had fun.  We definately want to go again, so everyone come visit, and we'll take you!

My Birthday

So, for my birthday this year my loving kids and husband stayed home from work/school to celebrate.  How sweet!  Oh, wait, it was Labor Day.  And Labor, we did.  We spent a few hours by the pool...replacing screens on the lanai!  Then we bought tons of paint at Home Depot (it was on sale.)  The best part was when we went out for dinner.  I wanted mexican, so we looked on the GPS and went to the closest, its was closed, the second one-it no longer existed.  So, we headed for the next one.  It was so good.  William was really loving his dad that day.  I am so glad!!  I might have been the one holding him when he threw up 3 times, if he had been loving me that day.  Sadie and I missed the excitement, because she had to go to the bathroom.  However, I was a little surprised when we came out and found both Ben and William covered in throw up.    Thank you William for the birthday present of throwing up on someone else!

Tools

Tools I've used this week that I have never used before:
Electric hand held plane(r)
Miter saw

Tools I bought this week:
Circular saw

Tools I opened this week (and used) that I bought 6 months ago:
Air compressor w/ brad nailer

Pictures might follow at some point, if I ever finish.

Playing in the rain

Last Saturday there was a deluge.  It was crazy rain.  At 10:00pm the deck had a couple of inches of rain on it (even under the overhang).  The pool was almost overflowing.  We went out to play... and catch some frogs.

Look!!! And he's only 17 months old

Look at what happened last Monday.

First Day of School

Last Monday marked the first day of school.  Henry started 4th grade (and his 3rd school).  Samuel started 2nd grade (and his 2nd school).  Sadie started Kindergarten.  We went to "meet your teacher" night the Thursday before school started.  9 bags of school supplies later... anyway.  The teachers seemed nice and the kids were really excited.  Samuel just kept telling me how excited he was to start.  The first couple of days I walked the kids to their class line, and picked them up.  After that, they were ready to begin their independence.  They started walking the .7 miles home.


Things seem to be going well so far.  I hope that it continues.