End of Summer Fun & Start of School

When we first moved to our new house this last June we registered the kids into school, at least filling out all.the.paperwork.!! And at that time the elementary school said that kindergarten was three full days a week Tues-Thurs. So we thought that would be perfect for Zachary to ease in to school. Plus give us some one on one time with him on Mondays and Fridays. Let's fast forward.....I found out that the school got a grant and funding came through for them to have all day full time kindergarten. So that changes a few things, mostly for me and getting use to have all of the kids in school. I have never been alone at home with out my kids, so it's going to be a big adjustment. Zachie says he is excited for school but I am thinking he is going to want to come home after being there for maybe an hour the first day. He is very much so a home body. Even when we're all out having fun either camping, at Silverwood or shopping, he always asks when are we going home. When we leave the house he asks if he has to go or he's excited about it but then starts in with "when" again. So hopefully he makes some great friends and loves his teacher and has so much fun that the time flies by for him. Now for mom on the other hand that's another story. I am so sad that our baby is growing up and now off to school. Excited for him and this stage of his life....all my kids lives. But as a parent who truly cherishes being with her children it is a bitter sweet moment for me to send them on that bus. I wish I could keep them young forever!!! But can't wait to see what they decide to do with their lives. Maybe cause that means I stay young too......

So with school being in now for 2 1/2 weeks, we have totally got our routine down. I am feeling pretty good with what we got going. All the sports have started and dad's been spending more time at the fire department. So I have had plenty of ME time and yes I can say it's done me some good. Which in return makes home a happier place.... :) I love seeing them get off the bus and to hear about all of their days excitements. I LOVE IT!! Plus the girls get more homemade clothes since I have more time!

We all have been very busy. Trinity is playing Volleyball and is doing Cheerleading, which she LOVES. She has had two away games and next Tuesday is her first home game, so that will be fun!! Sierra this last week was in her first play through the Missoula Children's Theater, here in Newport. They all did a great job and I just know she will want to be doing more of that type of stuff.....anything that puts her on a stage, she's all for it.....LOL Grandma and Grandpa were here in town that day so Grandma got to watch her too. It was great!! While my parents were here they gave the kids Great Grandma's Organ. Which is down stairs in the playroom/family room. And all have taken their turn playing it. Trinity already knows how to read music and has a love for music so she's been helping the other little ones learn how to play. And she has been doing lots of practice when there's time.....mostly on the weekends. It's great for them!!

Also right before school started this year we went to Paul Bunyan Day's which is St. Maries local town fair. We met up with one of my favorite friends Tammy and her daughter Morgan. Us mom's talked and watched the little kids go on unlimited number of rides, and the all the rest of the older kids were on their own. Then when the sun went down they put on a beautiful firework show, it was amazing as we all laid out on our blankets on the grassy hill and look up to the sky. It was awesome and we're already looking forward to the next one next year! Oh yay and Zachary went on the Panic Plunge (type of ride) with Sierra for the first time......his face was priceless......pics will follow soon to all of these things we've done soon (have to still upload them). This week Sierra and Savannah started soccer. So it's been lot's of running around and cheering our kiddo's on!!

And to end our summer on a GREAT note.......my BFF Michelle (aka Shell) and her daughter Hailey came for a visit from Western WA.!!!!!! We all LOVED having them here. We basically just hung out at the river all day because that's really all the kids wanted to do. We did a little window shopping....ok I did the window shopping and she did the real shopping. I think she found her new favorite store in Newport called Sister's Cottage. They have a lot of great jewelry and home decor....name it they have it!! Fingers crossed but I'm hoping that maybe she'll be back the first of November for a big sale amongst a bunch of local stores here. How fun would that be??!! After some great dinners and deserts from my hubby and lot's of catching up and relaxing we had to take her back to the airport. Why does time always go by so fast when things are so good?? I wish I could just turn it back a bit. Thank you for coming and I can't wait to see you guys again....sooner then later. A year and a half is way to long!!! :)

*Pictures of all our fun this last month & from this post, will be up in a new post within a day or so.*

Do I Dare Say.......

My spirit is longing for fall....

Although our summer didn't start until July I am looking forward to crisp mornings and the sun setting earlier in the evening. Decorating the house in Fall decor I love. Start making homemade Christmas gifts, more baking and sewing. I have a few more skirts to make, and I am wanting to bake more bread and buy less. These are my goals and I have made a little dent in that I don't use any white flour anymore, only whole grains now. For those that know me that's a big deal. :) Also we have to make a trip to Green Bluff Family Farms again to pick Peaches and Apples. This time we live a lot closer and don't have to drive nearly as far...YAY!!! And make some yummy apple crisps that the family loves and try some new recipes as well. Since we have had such a mild summer their seasons have been pushed out a couple weeks later then normal. Oh and I really want to get in to canning, I have decided that this year I am actually going to do it! Our garden didn't do to well this time around so we'll try for a better one next year. For what fruits and veggies we can't get here on our own we go to go to our local fruit stand which is amazing. Love it and the people there at the stand/country store are so super nice and helpful. So over the next couple of months I have a lot to do. Overall I just want my family to eat healthier, that is my goal.

We still have more plans for this month with more friends coming to visit at the end of the month. Meanwhile, we have been blessed with such great friends and family and they have eased the financial strain of having 5 kids in school this year. It seems just when things are going to fall through and fail God lifts you up and gives you just what you need. I get a bit overwhelmed at times with worry and I am learning to let that go. I know I have told those you have been so kind to us Thank you but I want to say it again Thank you everyone who has given us clothes/shoes for school. Our kids thank you too!!

So in a couple of weeks a new crazy busy schedule will be up for our kids and family. It will go from Summer fun to Fall which means school, sports, Awana's and youth group, still fun but more of a routine.

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  Zachary is in Kindergarten and in Awana's


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  Sierra is in 2nd grade and will be in Awana's and playing Soccer


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  Savannah is in 5th grade and will be in Awana's and playing Soccer as well


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  Trinity is in 8th grade, playing the Flute in Band and playing Soccer


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  Tristian is a Freshman in High School and sports this year is Football which practices started last week and Basketball

So we are going to be very busy as school starts up this Sept. and this means more running kids around to practices, games, performances and church. Let's gas up the car and get going......LOL

Oh ya and its Football season another reason to love FALL!!!!!

Little kid time

Here are a some pictures I thought I would put up from early this week when it was cold and cloudy outside. The younger two having some quiet time with mom.

Zachie painting us a beautiful picture...and loving it!!

Sierra working in her math book ..over and over again.

Today I will be cleaning up the house and tomorrow Dave and I will be getting up early to drive to Vantage (about 3hrs) to meet up with a good friend of mine and to pick up her kids. They are also on spring break along with ours and will be spending the week with us here in Coeur d'Alene. Shannon's kids know that they are coming to stay here but ours have no idea, so it is going to be a big surprise.....it's only been 1 1/2 years since they have seen each other. So I will be posting more pics of the kids when they get here!!

The 13 Colonies.......

Last night was Trinity's 5Th grade school performance and it was about....Yep you guest it...The 13 Colonies. They all did a great job! It was kind of funny though, it was the same performance that Tristian did last year and they both were Indians. So now we won't have to watch this same program again until Savannah our 2ND grader hits the 5Th grade...Yeah a break....LOL

Here is Trinity in the middle with her left side facing us.
and here she is towards the left with the necklace on......

And then here's our little man Zach Attack stealing the Music Teachers chair before the began. We got front row right in the middle of the stage and right beyond the blue curtain was a bunch of excited and nervous kids. Zachie entertained until they started. It was a great night......

A New Routine

I'm not sure if it is because the kids had been off from school for almost three weeks. But when the three in school went back last week it seemed like they weren't focused as much as normal with school. They got to go to Laser Quest, Triple Play but come to find out that none of them had done their school assighments. Just like every weekend come Sunday they have do get their school stuff ready, make sure all the homework and books are done. Well this last weekend our oldest didn't bring one piece of paper not only that but he didn't bring home his book that he is suppose to read and test on. As you can probably tell this has been turning into a struggle lately. Yesterday I wrote up a whole new routine including the household chores and school assignments, the day they have all their tests on. We have or should I say I have been alittle more relaxed when it comes to school before friends and fun. So now it is all up on the fridge, and each one of them are to mark off after each thing is done. Then they can watch tv, play games and call friends. I am hoping this will help me and them in keeping up with their studies. I'll give this a try and let you know how their grades are in about 6 weeks. Wish me luck!!

A non-typical day......

So after getting a phone call today from the girls school I had to go and pick Trinity up. Come to find out she was hit in the face during recess playing wall ball. Right in the nose and mouth. Now keep in mind for those who didn't know she has braces. You can only imagine her top lip, yeah it's swollen and bloody along with a bloody nose. So while I was there to pick her up I went ahead and picked up Savannah because she hates riding the bus by herself. Anyways I stopped by her Orthodontist office and they looked at her mouth they, all was good there just going to be sore. Then next stop was to her appointment to the ENT and while we were there the doc went ahead checked out her nose, and all was good with that also. Thank goodness, she is just sore and will be for a couple of days. As for her appointment for her hearing well surgery is scheduled for Nov. 3rd to put in a second set of tubes that are more permanent and also they are taking out her adenoids. So they said she could miss up to one week of school which is a big deal for her because she wanted perfect attendance. I told her it will be ok just try again next year for it. To say I'm nervous is an understatement because when she had her first set five years ago she had a very hard time waking up. Please say a prayer that all will be ok.
I gotta get on dinner, until next time......