New Routines

 Since Ethan started Kindergarten, we've been in a period of adjustment in our lives. We're figuring out how to live around his school schedule. He's doing a great job with the transition, I didn't realize how difficult it would be on Lucy and myself. It's just more time consuming than I had expected. Three days a week, our routine consists of; waking up and having breakfast, dropping E off at school, dropping Lucy off at Grandma's, going to work, picking up Lucy, picking up Ethan, going home and making dinner and lunch for the next day. We're figuring it out.
It's been such a blessing that one of Ethan's friends has a little sister just slightly older than Lucy, and, they get along. On the mornings that she doesn't want to go to drop him off, I just make sure to emphasize that her friend Aubrey will be there and then she's ready to go.

Lucy and Aubrey

To jump, or not to jump, the temptation is too great

We're still living up that last of our warm days, just on the weekends.
 These two have become such adventurers;

Four years ago

 

Still trying to lift too much

Going to Papa for boo boo inspection

Surrounded by jelly fish at the Imagination Celebration

We're also finding time to celebrate our marriage. This past August marked 8 years of marriage, 13 years of being in a committed relationship together. There's no where I'd rather be than with Michael, he is home. It feels good to be able to say that with stronger meaning than I could have imagined 8 years ago.

TV Star

Ethan was so excited to be on TV yesterday!!

Just look for the most handsome boy in the video.Otherwise, in the back row, third from the right.

Solving a Mystery

Complete credit for the following video goes to my very special father in law:

Kindergarten

 There's no denying that your kids are growing up. You can see it everyday with new phrases, behaviors, challenges. But then comes a day that slaps you in the face with it. Welcome to your new reality. Your child, MY child, my BABY is now a KINDERGARTENER!!! Monday through Friday, 8:20am to 3:30pm, kindergartener. When did this happen?! I have had 5 1/2 years to prepare for this day, that I knew was coming and still it was a shock.

 (is it sad that he still fits into, and wears, both of these shirts?)

1st day of Kindergarten; Miss King (his teacher)

Throwing his "back to school" confetti

Walking to school drop off this morning

Anything he can do, she can do too

 We are so grateful that one Ethan's friends from his Pre-K class is not only in his school, but in the same class!

The thumbs up we exchange with each other to let the other know we're ok

The sisters waiting to pick up their brothers

   I didn't really think about how hard this transition would be on Lucy. I'm not sure if she knew what was going on, but she sure wasn't happy about it this morning. She'll love having some Grandma time to herself though. And, next year, she may just start preschool herself.

 Day one, done!!! So proud!

Sunshine and Summertime

 (this was previously written, I just forgot to actually post it, sorry)

My girl is finally letting me dress her up (a little). Her hair gets done a few times a week, she actually put this headband on herself and wanted the tutu!! But she still likes to get muddy, something I hope she never loses.

 Ethan has turned into a little dare devil, I think his sister has influenced him to come out of his shell a bit. It's interesting to see how they affect each other. There are some immediate things, like if one wants a snack, the other immediately does too. But then there are the things that gradually change. Lucy is (almost) fearless, and now Ethan is much more likely to take risks that he wouldn't before. Lucy loves animals, now Ethan enjoys seeing them at the zoo. Ethan loves to do magic tricks, now Lucy will ask you which hand her chosen object is in (usually there's nothing there, but she doesn't get that part yet)

His feet are about 4' off the ground

 We spent the past weekend in Dillon, doing a lot of fishing and just enjoying each other. This has been one of the busiest summers we've had since the kids were born, and it's been exhausting, but we've made a ton of memories.

Wedding, Zoo, America

 Let's start at the beginning shall we? OK, not the beginning, but the most exciting...
My sister got MARRIED!!!! It was a gorgeous wedding and a fantastic party. Unfortunately, the only pictures I have currently are from the rehearsal, but, trust me, the professional ones (shot by the wonderful Samantha Kelly (who does all our family photos)) are going to be worth the wait

 The strangest part of this new union is that I now have a brother. I know, it should be that my sister's married or changed her last name or I can say "my sister's husband", but to me, it's having a brother-in-law (or outlaw, I guess)

 

  He's a great guy, and, bonus, we actually like to hang out with him. Plus my sister can put up with him.

 Along with all the wedding festivities, we have been going to the zoo quite frequently. As a mother's day gift, Michael and the kids got me a membership so we've been taking advantage of it. Lucy loves the animals, Ethan loves the stuff. They both encourage each other to explore the other.

This melts me

The boys on the skyride

 Lucy was terrified of the sky ride (which she called skateboard for awhile). The boys went up alone and we cruised the gift shop

 The kids had their bi-annual dentist appointment and did sensationally, both are members of the "no cavity club" and there were no tears. As a reward/incentive/bribe we went to the penny arcade in Manitou and pumped them full of sugar and video games.

 Then, somehow, it turned into July!! The kids celebrated the majority of the day with Grandma and Papa with the excitement of fireworks for later....
....if you didn't know, our city has had some pretty devastating fires the past two years and it was shocking that the city allowed the fireworks show to go on...

 The whole fam attended the shindig, along with thousands upon thousands of others. Lucy had a blast, until the fireworks started and then she hid her face for the most of it. Ethan had fun the whole time, he even conducted the fireworks for a small part, blew them up during another, and then ducked from them for the rest.

This evening we were blessed to have a good old (he's not old, well, not that old, we've just known him for a long time) friend over for dinner, dessert and some truck time

 Nothing feels quite as American as hanging out in the bed of a Chevy