First Day of School Uniforms

(OK technically this picture came from the second day but on the first day we had a 7AM dentist appointment and getting the kids up and out by 6:30 left little time for a photo-op.)

Soccer Kick Off (Part II)

You didn't think one would do something without the other, did you??

Greyson started soccer this week, much to his dismay, since Quinn started last week but that was due to his team being without a coach until very recently. But he put double the enthusiasm in this week's practice. Good Night does that boy have a boundless amount of energy!! He didn't stop for a whole entire hour. Unlike the boy two years ago, this one played, yelled, kicked and ran. He informed the coach when a corner kick was necessary (don't know how right he actually was) and cheered and whooped it up when his scrimmage team scored a goal. And surprisingly didn't cry when the other team scored. He listened (sort of) to his coach and also had the time of his life.

Yeah, I am that cool.

This kid uses his whole body to kick the ball, windmill arms included. I do not envy the defender assigned to Greyson - he is going to lose an eye.

Positions?? Who plays positions?

Soccer Kick-Off (Part I)

Last week like millions of other school aged kids, Quinn started soccer practice. This was her first time playing organized sport, previously all she has done is dance, so I was a little unsure how she would fare.

At first she was a bit timid, a tortoise could have kicked that ball faster than she was.


Then she felt her oats a little more....


And then the scrimmage started. She has 4 girls on her team, so they played 2 on 2. The coach explained the rules a bit and then blew his whistle. 3 of the 4 girls stood there and one of them took off like a bat out of hell kicking the ball all the way down the field to score an unopposed goal as the rest of the girls looked on. Guess who that was? For the rest of the game it was Quinn the ball hog playing one-on-one with Michelle from the other team while the poor other two girls ran behind them yelling for the ball. Quinn had a blast, now I just hope sometime the coach teaches her how to pass.

Final Summer Hoorah

Even though this weekend is technically the end of summer, we concluded it a little early last weekend by spending it at the lake with our friends the Wagers and the Pedens.

From the time they could drag us out of bed to slather them in sunscreen til the last rays of the sun had disappeared and we then dragged them in to eat the kids lived in the water.

They slid

and swam


and tubed
Riley and Chase, the lake experts, showing everyone how it is done.

Greyson commandeered the jet ski for most of the weekend...

The definition of windblown hair.

They were even brave enough to try water skiing. Greyson actually got up the very first time and Quinn was so close to being able to do it. I am so proud of them for trying and doing so well the first time ever.


But I think the highlight for them was surfing with Daddy. I don't know how he did it, but Raif managed to not only get himself up on the surfboard but Greyson and Quinn as well. Oh, did they have fun surfing behind the boat with Daddy and I think Raif had fun with them too.



To say the kids were exhausted Sunday night would be an understatement but the cranky children Monday morning were well worth the weekend adventures. As always thanks to both sets of Wagers for hosting us! See you next year!

Treasured Family Heirloom

When I was a little girl (about 7 or 8 I think), my grandfather took a trip to Japan and China and returned with a beautiful kimono for me. I spent countless hours playing dress up in it and it was one of my most treasured possessions. When I outgrew it my mother thoughtfully stashed it away in her cedar chest. Earlier this year she took it out, cleaned it up and brought it to me so that once Quinn grew up a little bit I could give it to her. Right now it is way to big for her and so we are storing it in a closet upstairs.

Yesterday while Quinn was reading she happened to stumble upon the word kimono in her book. After helping her sound it out I went and showed her the kimono that was waiting for her when she got older and told her all about it, who had gotten it for me and how special it was and how excited I was that someday she would get to play in it.

With that childhood voice filled with wonder she said "Oh Mommy, it is beautiful and someday when I outgrow it can I give it to my little girl?"

My touching "Awwww" moment of thinking about my granddaughter wearing my special kimono was cut short by the next phrase that came out of Quinn's mouth just a mere seconds later...

"Or I could sell it and buy some toys."

Ouch. I am think perhaps I should bequeath my sentimental items to Greyson.

Getting to Know You - Greyson Style

Greyson brought home his first batch of school work today. It was filled with all sorts of activities designed to have the kids get to know each other. Here is an example - Greyson did a little cut and paste activity where he cut out different pictures representing things he likes and doesn't like and pasted them in the corresponding columns. I found out two very interesting things from this activity. The first being that my son likes a lot of different foods and second apparently he only dislikes one thing.....

Me, Myself and I

So today I sent Quinn off to her first day of Pre-K, leaving me alone in the house for the first time in 3 months.

Last week, when it was just Quinn and I, we would sit at lunch and I would tell her how lonely I was going to be eating all by myself. The statement was partly true, I am going to miss our lunch time chats but I can't deny that I am looking forward to some concentrated alone time to get some projects done without a million interruptions.

Well my sensitive soul took my comments to heart and decided that something needed to be done so that her Mom wouldn't be too lonely. This was her idea...


A self portrait taped right to the chair so as I ate I could look at it and it would be just like looking at her while I ate. "You can even talk to it," she informed me. I guess I won't be alone after all.