Halloween 2015

Introducing:

The Veterinarian. (In hindsight, she decided scrubs were too uncomfortable--what???--and wished she would have chosen something else entirely. Teenagers...)

The Black Cat. The agreeable one, as ever. And since we already had every article necessary for this particular costume, I was on board! 

The Viking. We tried to talk Curtis into a cool viking name but he ONLY wanted to be called "Curtis". Not "Curtis the Viking", just "Curtis". Okay...it's a strong enough name, I suppose.

Moaning Myrtle and Professor Trelawney. The faculty and staff at the school did a "Harry Potter" theme. It was so much fun! Gina and I had a blast.

Hair and Other Sundry News

She did it. Well, more to the point...I did it. I finally allowed this girl's wish to come true. (Is it just me, or do all mothers cringe when the scissors are put to lovely long locks?)

She has been begging me for over a year to let her cut her hair to donate to Locks of Love. 

And she honestly couldn't be cuter. 

In other news...her broken arm turned out to be a couple of minor (yet extremely painful) double fractures that won't need surgery. (Insert whooping and cheering here...we were worried.) As soon as the swelling goes down she will be sporting a full arm cast for around 6 - 8 weeks. Just in time for school to start. But a left arm break on a right-handed girl is a tender mercy we will be grateful for.

(Seriously...that smile, right?)

Where Has the Time Gone?

I've had the best of intentions. I promise.

I love(d) my blog. And, more importantly, I've missed my blog. I miss reliving all the moments of life in my family and learning to see the share-worthy aspects.

I've fallen into the quick-and-easy world of instagram and (I shudder to admit it) Facebook. (Ewww)

I accidentally clicked on the link and saw my boy's little kindergarten face staring back at me…and I realized that I've really let something go that I shouldn't have. So, this new years resolution is being made a month and a half ahead of time. Why? Well, because let's be honest here…it's going to take me AT LEAST that long to make it happen.

I resolve to embrace my blog once again. To help myself remember the wonderful, horrifying, crazy, unbearable, unbelievable, terribly perfect parts of my life and family.

So…here goes.

Goal: Blog 2015

See you soon!

Kindergarten

And it's finally his turn. Officially. (When did my baby get so big?) We met his teacher last night…Ms. Petersen. Ellie had her a couple years ago, so he is thrilled. I, however, am a little concerned. There are at least 3 boys in the class that are…(how can I put this?)…"trouble makers". Like this boy needs any encouragement. 

Poor Ms. Petersen.

He leaves in the morning with his sisters and comes home at lunchtime on a kindergarten bus. That, at least, is a little comforting for his mother.

A final parting wave…all is well.

The house is too quiet.

Back to School

This is it! One of my favorite days of the year. Why is that? Well, it's not because I don't love my children and want to be rid of them. It's really because I DO love my children. And want to be rid of them. (At least for a bit.)

Today is also one of the only days they are excited to get up early and get ready to go...which makes my job easier. (Their exuberance for mornings wanes quickly, and dramatically, as the weeks continue.) I like to enjoy it while it lasts.

See? Happiness. Exuberance. At 8:40am. Unheard of!

They both got new backpacks this year. It was a momentous occasion for my two girls. (Their enjoyment of these babies will also wane...but I managed to find them at such a great deal this year, I'll get over it.)

Have I mentioned how much I love the bus? Well...I do. I love it! And not just because the bus stop is right in front of my house and I can send them out the door, stay in my PJ's, and then go back to bed (if I wanted) without having to step outside. No wait...that actually IS why I love the bus!

The new driver told the girls they could call her by her first name. Lindy is still struggling with this unexpected gift of familiarity. She thinks she will still call her Mrs. Lewis...which makes me think I've done at least something right.

Now...for the picture I didn't get: I stood on the sidewalk, across the street from my house, saying goodbye to my fearless girls. As the bus drove away I saw The Boy standing in front of our house, hands on hips, and GLARING. Glaring with all the indignant might his little five year-old self could muster. He'd been asleep and was apparently VERY put-out that he'd missed all the fun.

I paid for it for a couple hours.

Next week: his turn! (Wahoo!!!!!!)