The bird adventure

Monday morning, with only three kids, and big ones at that.

(Relatively big that is. Big enough to take to town, to two stores, and consider it fun, if a workout.)

First, WalMart

"Look-- A TRUCK!"

"A BANANA!"

"Hey mom, CHEERIOS!"

It's all so exciting, so worth the constant excited yells.

Then, the pet store.

"THE PET STORE!" yelled Enola.

"I've NEVER BEEN to the PET STORE!"

"Hey mom, FISH!!!"

"Hey guys, what do you say we get a bird?"

"A bird? Silly mama." Peter was sure I was joking.

But I wasn't!

Eldon had the honor of riding home with the bird on his lap. 

Of course, when we got home, I had to let the others take turns carrying it.

For some reason, she was quite squawky when we finally took her out!

This my mom's old bird cage, and I think it was my grandma's before that. 

Several of my birdies had their homes here when I was little.

I wanted to name her something that related to my mom and grandma- Jeannie bird? Nana bird?

Theresa? Those didn't seem right.

Grandma's last name was Isbell-

Aha!

Welcome home, Izzy!

We're all so happy to see you...

loving lately...

We are adjusting to our new "normal" 

and I have to admit, I rather like it!

I've been enjoying "preschool mode" lately, taking strolls, smelling the roses, gawking at the cicadas...

Ice cream AND men working on a contruction site? 

Perfect morning!!!

Eldon started preschool on monday.

he LOVES it. Peter cried when he left... ALL the way home.

"I don't like home! I don't want to go home!"

Lorraine had a swim party...

(Aggie's is tomorrow)

 AND we got to go to a FUN wedding last weekned.  Mary Anne and I lasted longer than Lorraine! 

Mommy can we go yet? "Oh hon, how about one more song?"
I did get her to polka with me!

Daily harvests are abundant here...

We are blessed.

Sickie

Last night,

He got sick, and told me through tears... "Mama," sniff, sniff, "this is the worst night of my Whole Life."

Preschool mode.

This is what preschool mode looks like around here lately...

well, just highlights. I forgot to take pictures of the utterly trashed living room, dining room, kitchen, and basement. but you can imagine.

I have the Vandercars Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays now.

They are such fun kids!

But WOW it is busy!

Not surprisingly, the girls LOVE the hot tub.

Reese prefers cold :)

Looks like fun, wouldn't you think?
A little boy's dream?

Well, not so much.

He got over it though.

I love when my big kindergartener is home to help!

Races down the hill!

And my BIG, BIG boy!!!

Yes, he has conquered the skills of the big boy. I think I've purchased my last package of diapers.

They've been on the list since... 2003!!!

WHOO HOO!!!

Back to School!

Why am I awake?

Mugshots:

 A few group shots: Eldon was a mess! Either he doesn't want the big kids to leave, or he just doesn't like getting up this early!

Peter had to be in the group pictures :)

Lorraine and our new kindergartener!

Comfort:

This one is my favorite.

(below)

At his seat!

And, back home, with attitude.

Time for cartoons  and coffee.

Is summer really over?

Is summer really over already? I can't accept it.

Friday morning I was grumping around the house, trying to figure out what to do with these kids all day. I had a run, a very unsatisfying run- interrupted by a very nasty "big boy" accident, in borrowed undies no less, so there were two boys crying.

"I know what we can do today, mom!" said Marcus. "We can GO to TOWN!"
"No, Marcus, we're NOT going to town.." I snarled. Doesn't he know how much I have to do today? But then, wait... wait. Maybe we just will.

It ss the LAST Friday before school starts!  What am I thinking, spending it HOME and grumpy?

So we ditched the house and went to town. One last hurrah with everyone before schedules and homework and school.  And hurrah we did.  Here are some highlights.

Kids commons:

(He was pretty nervous! Didn't quite make it to the top, but he said, "I gave it my best!"

Pizza at the Commons

Escalator, just for fun...

(we make a scene wherever we go, whatever we do- why not embrace it?!)

Finally, ice cream.

This guy had to be hosed down!