end of summer

With so much filling up our summer days, I have lots to update. Most recently...

At a family party a few weeks ago, George hit his eye on a marble fireplace at his cousins' house. We ended up in the ER, but it was quick, thanks to our in-laws' in-law, who works in the ER and was also at the party. He called ahead and got us right in, with no wait. We were also very grateful no stitches were necessary - only glue.

All the kids have been in school for several weeks now, except for Hank and George. They start preschool in September and are getting pretty excited, although I don't really think they know what to expect. New backpacks are in order and that is worth getting pumped about!

 Jonah and Grace are in junior high together this year.

Owen is alone at the elementary school in 3rd grade. He loves being the only one, which I thought would be an issue for him. Not even a worry. He's already sad that next year Hank and George will join the carpool.

Sweet niece Madalyn (in the middle) left for her mission to Rome, Italy! 

My side of the family had a fun reunion at the Nielsons' cabin in Pinetop, AZ. We were all there, which was awesome in itself, but my mom planned so many fun things for everyone and it made it that much better!

The swings were a favorite pastime. 

My brothers.

 Mummy wrapping game.

 My sister taking a test jump at Sunrise Ski resort. We did lots more of this at more thrilling heights, but I must get video from Mark to prove it. So fun!

My cute niece, Alice turned 5!

 Walks around the almost dry lake.

 Crafting creations.

 Marshmallow gluttony on our way to church.

And finally, we left for Pinetop with our bathroom like this:

And returned to fresh new paint, (Lower bathroom cabinets are soon to be painted white)

And our newly planked entry...

...was painted too.
And almost the whole house got a fresh coat of paint, including all the doors and trim. Now the house looks so clean and fresh. I love it! If only it could stay that way.
I can't wait to get everything back in order and take some better pics to share.

1st, 5th, 6th, 9th

We just finished our 5th week of school. That's right, while most of the northern hemisphere was still on vacation, we began the dreaded homework grind. Let me just voice what I already knew, but had re-confirmed early on this school year: Kindergarten homework is killer for the parents - last year, I spent the better part of every school night reviewing phonograms, giving spelling tests, reading directions, grading math pages, etc. etc. This year, 1st grade homework is a breath of fresh air!  Maybe that's not good in the long run, but man, what a difference for my sanity.

Our elementary school recently held student council elections, and guess who is Student Body President? Grace! She gave a cute speech, introducing herself as Michael Phelps, wearing goggles, flippers and an inner tube around her waist. She's a gold-medal president.

Just look at all those spiffy new shoes. Wish you could see Grace's new neon peach (salmon?) backpack. I love it!

Our high-schooler leaves for school at 6 am, so she was not part of the elementary photo shoot. We took hers that same night, since I was too groggy to even remember to pull out the camera in the morning. FYI, her top and shoes are from Forever 21. Said she got lots of looks and compliments about those shoes. :)

first and last

first day of school: brand new shoes | carefully packed backpacks | uniforms | cooperative photo subjects

last day of school: no shoes | no uniforms | what backpacks? | uncooperative subjects

first

last

Sidenote: Kindergarten just about killed me this year. I'm not kidding - the homework and phonograms were over the top. I don't know if I can do it with 2 boys in a few years.

what kind of lunchbox did you have?

The blogosphere is full of back to school photos and thoughts.  I thought I'd share a few of my own.  This is a photo of me and my older brother, Ryan, on the first day of school - 1980.  I was starting 2nd grade.  This was a warm day in Kennewick, WA - no different from the typical warm summer days that lead up to it.  But I remember insisting on wearing my new school clothes - a long sleeved blouse and long, hot jeans. Image over comfort, even in 2nd grade.

Other memories of this day: 

I loved my Snoopy lunchbox.  And I remember bringing milk to drink in the matching thermos inside.

We did not have backpacks.  We just carried everything to school in our hands/arms.  I don't even know if other kids had them. Maybe it was just not the thing to do. I do remember later carrying a bag and/or backpack when I was older, but not in 2nd grade. 

A found this second photo while looking for the back-to-school one.  It was taken a few months earlier, in Salmon, ID, where my Grandma lived.  My mom was 31 here - much younger than I am now.  That's so crazy to me.

school rules

Montana photos can wait.  Today I must salute the first day of school, which for us, was last Monday.  While your children are still barefoot and bored, ours are back in the swing of waking early, uniforms and school lunch.  I must say that I was ready.  And so were they.  Owen started kindergarten and is adjusting quite well.  I was a little worried, but he has surprised me.  This year has been nothing like the preschool meltdown of 2010.  I miss him at home, but I am so proud of that boy!

 Can I just say, if I haven't already, I am a uniform fan.

*We got home from our trip on Friday, Mark blew out the front porch debris on Saturday, followed by a non-rain wind storm on Sunday and more front porch debris. If it's going to be stormy, let it RAIN. Then I wouldn't mind the junk at my front door.

raise your hand if you remember erma bombeck

Earlier this week, Mark and I attended the annual 4th grade Wax Museum. Famous Arizonans came to life and detailed their contributions to the state.  We met John McCain, Geronimo, Sandra Day O'Connor and 20 others. My favorite was Erma Bombeck, as portrayed by Grace. She borrowed a wig and trypewriter from Grandma, and high heel shoes from me. 

FYI: Erma Bombeck wrote several humorous books and light-hearted newspaper columns and also starred on ABC's Good Morning America for 11 years. She's a midwesterner, but spent several years living in Arizona and contributed the proceeds from one of her books to a camp for cancer patients in Arizona. 

When the list was initially passed around with more than 50 famous Arizonans to choose from, Grace asked about Erma and I told her she was a famous writer and was very funny.  Grace immediately signed up to be her.  She did a wonderful job doing all the research herself, writing and memorizing her 5 minute speech, coming up with ideas for her background and props. I am really proud of her for doing such a thorough job.  

quilt by number

I just finished this baby quilt for the auction at the school fall festival. 4 other quilt tops are sitting at my sewing machine, begging for attention. But they don't have October deadlines. Those 4 deadlines have long since passed, as the recipients are pretty much no longer babies anymore. Including my own. Whatev.

I hope people bid on it.  If they don't, I'll be bidding on my own quilt. That'll be most embarrassing.

 I really have a thing for typography.

Pattern: Yellow Brick Road
Fabric:  Mix of American Jane prints