I have a little beach bum...

This week I spent an afternoon at the beach taking family photos of some good friends.  These friends have watched our children on more than one occasion when Mike and I have gone out of town.  D came with me and we had loads of fun.  He came fully dressed in a sweat shirt and pants, however, by the time we left he looked quite a bit like different...

 D's super happy to be at the beach.

Loving the sand dollars and shell (notice still fully clothed)

Hmmm, off come the rain boots and sock.  I asked him to try and NOT get his pants wet.  hahahaa YEAH RIGHT!!  and shortly after this picture he got knocked over by a wave and landed on his bum.

so.....

YEAH!  no words necessary...

the lack of attire didn't slow him down... right back in the water.

jumping, and more jumping

... and then, of course, a little falling, and then off comes the soaking wet jacket.

I'm thinking he was excited...

His little buddy (I was taking pictures of his family) decided that he wasn't happy with his clothes on,

so... and they continued the happy water dance splash!

and a little faux surfing.

Some serious feet (and hand) dragging about it being time to go...

Wait!  Something ended up getting him excited about making it back to the car...what could it be???

hmmm.....a promise of some time playing the much loved itouch. (and probably the removal of the sandy wet clothes)

Needless to say, we had fun!!. :)

And I managed a few good shots...these are the only ones I have edited and cleaned up so far... but me likee...

Thanks R & R for inspiring me to go to the beach on such a lovely day!!

Movie night!

We love a good family movie, complete with popcorn, loads of snuggles on the soft recliner sofas,  warm blankets, and special popcorn containers!!!

Mike especially LOVES the popcorn!

hee hee!!  Really, it was the BIG family popcorn bin before it was distributed to the smaller kids sized ones.

Have a great weekend!!

Happy Birthday to D

we only had a short 15 minutes that we'd all be home after school and before bedtime, so we did a quick song and cut the cake and the kids and I ate some while Mike watched, cuz then he took off for a volleyball game. :)

We celebrated with cake, ice-cream, streamers, hats, annoying blow thingies, whistles, happy birthday glasses, etc.  The kids were worried that we didn't have any presents for D... and I informed the kids that he doesn't need anything.  But they weren't having that, so they went into a fury of making things...A made a pillow, J made an alien thing out of socks, S made a punching bag out of a sock.  And then A decided we needed to make a sock monkey.  So we are mid projects, they are planning on finishing today.  Which was fine, because we didn't have time to do presents on his actual bday.

Today we are planning on running off to Wal Mart to buy a movie with his bday money.  Ahh...goodtimes.

And September is here!

With September comes school, fall sports, a myriad of birthdays and holidays.  I easily get overwhelmed in the fall.  Although, it is my favorite season.  I would happily sit outside bundled in a blanket, sipping homemade hot cocoa, and reading a book. Alas, that is not my lot in the fall.  We spend a good two weeks getting adjusted to our back to school schedule.  The kids struggle every year with home behavior after starting school: they are more sarcastic in a not nice way, they say words that aren't allowed, they are a little more mean to each other than normal, and they are more sassy than normal.  All in all...they just plain push all my buttons more that normal right after school starts.

It is hard for me, because when we have a good thing going, ie. work book, chores, playtime, etc.  it is GOOD here.  We are generally happy, we have fun, we play games, we read lots of books, etc.  The last two weeks have been rough on me.  I feel like I am having to push push push, and discipline discipline discipline, and be grumpy grumpy grumpy.  I am hoping we soon get used to our schedule and the kids adjust and get back to their usual, slightly sarcastic, teasing, slightly sassy, and full of 'tude behavior. :)

J has decided to take a year off football.  I don't mind...it is really too huge of a commitment for these little guys.  Last year they practiced 4 times a week for 2 hours a day and had games every Saturday.  So I welcome a little less.  I think Mike misses it, but reality is, that he wouldn't have the time this year to devote to it.  The state survey for his building has in the past come in the summer time.  They still haven't come, so they expect them any day now.  Getting ready for that is HARD work and a LOT of time.  Surprisingly, I miss a little bit of it too.  Mainly the fun picture opportunity it has provided in the past.  Like J with his helmet and uniform on looking rough and tough...

and D wanting to be like his big brother so badly that he stumbles along like a bobble head trying to wear it. :)

J has decided to take golf lessons.  So once a week I take him out to the course in Ocean shores, we like the instructor there,  and then once a week Mike takes him golfing or to the driving range or something.  It works well for him.   He is really enjoying it.

The girls are also taking a year off dance.  It also was just too much of an all year long commitment. 

I am very happy to have a break.

A started soccer, and I am again her coach.  We have a good time.  this week I have to teach the girls a little more about defense.  They got their booties kicked at this last game because they gave up on defense. UGH!! 

S ia also doing gymnastics once a week.  She had her first class lat week and had a great time. 

All the kids are swimming.  So yes, we are busy!!  

Here are some photos for the first half of Sept.  I will post more about the first day of school later...

S chilling out, reading Cpt. Underpants

The clouds one night

Our neighbor girl, who hangs out with us a lot in the summer.

Mike, worn out and sleeping on the dining room table.

Our dear friends child, Super Frank!!

Getting ready for school!

J, on the first day of school.

S after I picked her up on her first FULL day of school.  She was a little tired and grumpy. hahaa!

Mike and D reading a book before bed.

breakfast time!

A's first soccer game!

yes, this is what I saw when i finally sat down to eat with my family one night.  I looked across the table and BAM!  I saw this fabulous sight! :)

Made some cinnamon rolls.  mmmmm!

D bathing with his goggles and killer whale.

S at her first gymnastics class.

A, just posing for me. :)

My first of many fall bouquets!!  I love the fall flowers and colors.!!

Movie night at our house.  

I was blow drying A's hair on Sunday morning and looked across the hall and saw J helping S out with the buttons on her dress.  Loved the moment.  Moments like this, tender, gentle, helping, loving moments really make it all worth while!