Daily Walk

With the kids back in school, the little boys and I have restarted our daily morning walks.  After we put Grace and Liam on the bus, we load up the stroller and set out.  I love the sweet conversations with these two.  Sometimes Declan even makes up a song for us on the way.

We walk until we get to one of our favorite places ever,

and when we reach the trailhead, the boys are set free.

The trail loop is about 3/4 mile, the perfect length for two year old legs.

We watch for signs of fall,

and pet mossy logs,

and study mushrooms

and plants.

We look at spiderwebs,

and stop in the trail to build things with sticks, pine needles, and leaves.

Sam balances on fallen trees,

and practices his bull riding

and mutton busting.

Then it's back in the stroller for a snack

and home we go.

First Day of School

Grace's first day of 4th grade.

Liam's first day of 2nd grade.

Sniff.

Sam's First Day of Preschool

Today was Sam's first day of preschool.  It was a "getting to know you" day, so parents got to come with the kids, and Sam and I had a great time exploring his new school, Christ Lutheran Preschool.  I tried not to get too emotional, but I was just so proud watching him.  He was so grown-up and cute! 

He loved playing on the very fun playground.

We met lots of new friends,

and his teacher, Mrs. Johnson.

Circle time.  (This is where I began crying at how big my little boy has gotten.  Would you just look at how darn CUTE he is?!)

Lining up to wash hands.

Snack time.

I don't know how he's going to make it until next week, when he gets to go back all by himself.  He is so excited!  

Summer Wrap-up

Not much to blog about lately.  After a busy summer, it's been heaven to have nothing to do and nowhere to go.  We have been staying in our pj's until 10, playing in the yard, going on bike rides, making cool huts,

and just plain hanging out.  

School starts on Wednesday, and it's time.  When things are going great and we're all having fun and the kids are getting along, I think that I never want summer to end.  I truly love having all my babies home with me.  But then there's the times when it seems like nobody can get along at all and the fighting nearly drives me insane, and then I'm grateful that school is starting.  I think it's good for them to miss each other a little bit!   I heard one mom say that the last day of school and the first day of school are her favorite days of the year.  I love the freedom of summer and I love the structure of the school year, and fully appreciate both!  And now, we are ready for some routine.

And I think if I got to choose awards for the "Best Of" this summer, the awards would go to the Blaine Library Summer Reading Program, and Legos.  I would not have survived the summer without these two MVPs, who helped my children pass many happy, quiet hours in harmony with each other.  Thank you, dear friends.

Happy Birthday, Gram

I miss you every single day.

Northwest Washington Fair

We spent some time at the fair this week and I have many pictures to share, but first there is something I need to get off my chest.  I have eaten many words in my journey as a mother.  After all, I started out so young and idealistic.  At the top of my list was one thing I swore I would never do and after having four kids (three of them very high-energy boys), I have succumbed.  

We sometimes put a child on a leash.

Yes, that's right. And I like it.  

 

Well, now that I've gotten that off my chest, here goes my coverage of the fair. 

I LOVE the fair!  There are so many great things to see and do.  You may notice in the pictures that there is a disproportionate number of Sam pictures.  He was just SO fun to be with!  He got so excited to see all the animals and I don't think the perma-smile ever left his face.  I love his sense of wonder!

We parked downtown and took the shuttle, so Sam and Declan got their very first ride on a school bus.  Heaven!

Speaking of heaven, the Lego displays were incredible and Liam and Garreth spent a lot of time in the Hobbies building.

See the pleading look in her eyes?  Grace is now campaigning for a bunny.  Sounds like it might be do-able - anyone have any valuable rabbit wisdom to share?  We had rabbits when I was a kid, but I don't remember everything, so Grace has checked every rabbit book out of the library to research and see if this is the pet for us.

Declan and some roosters.

Liam and some baby chicks.

  One of my favorite things about our fair is the calves birth section in the dairy barn.  There are several cows that are due to have babies the week of the fair in one area so people can see the calves being born.  We were an hour off again this year, but we did get to see a very new baby calf, and also a video of a birth.  I definitely was more into this amazing part than the kids.

But they loved the milking barn as much as I did.  Sam might have stayed there all night.

Declan and ducklings.

Sam and goats.

The fam and some pigs.

Sam and the draft horse teams.

Watching the draft horse teams in action. 

Okay, I'm going to see if I can do this next picture justice.  In the arena, there were all kinds of shows:  some trick-riders with whips, some old and overweight barrel racers, cutter races, draft horses, and this little gem of an act:

Dorothy the soprano trick-rider and her horse Glory.  We had been getting ready to go over to the carnival, but when they announced this, Garreth and I knew we had to stay.  It was unintentionally hilarious.  This lady came out and coaxed her horse do some pretty lame tricks that he didn't really do very well:  counting with his hooves, nodding, pushing over some barrels with his head, "dancing" (which was really just trotting around while she tried to get him to turn sideways.)  But the real treat came when some opera music came on and Dorothy began to sing an aria while riding around the arena.  Garreth was pretty sure she was only lip-synching, I think she might have really been singing, but either way, it was enough to keep us laughing all night.  I wonder if she has any other talents she can add to next year's show - knitting maybe?

Eating some delicious Moo-wiches.

Tortoises at the fair?  Yes, there was even a reptile tent!

Sam and an alligator.

We ended the night at the carnival.