Summer end

It's the end of summer and that means the end of boating season.  The last time we were out we caught the sunset and the calm of the water.  It was AWESOME!

Before the season end, Josie caught her first fish with her barbie fishing pole.  She was very proud but she would not take it off the hook.  I think she officially caught more fish than grandpa this year.  She says she will let grandpa borrow her fishing pole :)

The girls both lost a canine tooth on the same day!  Each have lost 8 teeth now.

The girls have been doing swim team and here they are "racing."  They have just improved so much since doing swim team and they really enjoy it.  They are considering doing a swim meet in ottumwa, but will need some encouragement.  

School has been going well for everyone and Eli transitioned fine into pre-k and now he going to start riding the bus home.  This was his first time riding it home and he was all smiles about it.  He can't wait to ride it again.  Of course his sisters were BIG helpers for him.

This kid

We were supposed to go camping this weekend but mother nature didn't cooperate so we had to cancel.  While being stuck indoors during the rainy, wetness we decided to do our pumpkins.  Ella free hand painted her rainbow pumpkin, Josie had very minimal help with her minion and Eli's thomas the train was pretty much all done by me except the blue.

And at church today, the girls had their rite of acceptance for first communion. We have begun the process for first communion next year.

We are hoping we will be able to get another camping trip in this year but our boating season is done.  Hopefully we can enjoy some fall weather before the snow comes. 

1st grade and Pre-K

The 2019-2020 school year is off to a start.  I have 2 1st graders and one in 3yo Pre-K.  The girls were ready, excited and just a bit nervous to start 1st grade.  Eli, I was nervous would be a crying a mess and he was but only for a few days.  Now, so far, he loves going to school.  He gives me 2 hugs and 2 kisses before I head off to work.  Grandma and Grandpa E were out visiting when school started so that was fun to have Grandma here to send them off. 

 

 



I love the way the back packs on the littles look so HUGE on them.  Super Mario Bros. back pack and lunch bag from Grandma S this year.  He was very excited about his "pack-pack" this year.

 

 

The picture out side of school. 

 

Technically, Eli's first day of preschool wasn't until the next week after the girls.  Grandma was still here so she was able to see him off on his real first day.  These pictures are in his classroom and we apparently hung out to much because he did cry when we left.  But, he is over that now.  So the school year is off and by week 3 I have had Eli home on Monday, sick.  Then received a call from school that Josie had a fever and needs to be picked up and now Ella has been home sick all in 3 days.  Apparently,  the school germs are now in session too.

Here's to great school year for lots of learning, lots of fun, lots of KINDNESS and lots friends.

 

 

The 4 0!

I celebrated a big birthday this year.  I can't believe I am 40.  Although, with my aches and pains I've been having this year I guess I'm feeling my age.  I was surprised by Joey with a trip to Nashville and lets just say that was an AWESOME surprise!  He arranged for his mom to come out and stay with the kids, got the airfare/hotel and all arrangements and invited several of our friends to go. 

 

 My brother randy and Val and my BFF Michelle and her husband Ryan made the trip for Ohio people.

From Iowa, we had our good friends Bishops, Blegens and Chaneys. So a pretty big group which equals a great time.

We had tickets to see Carrie Underwood  at the Grand Ole Opry.  What a show!  A great experience and so glad we went.  We also stayed at Opry Land and that was good too.  They have an indoor water park that was pretty cool.  Yes, we went to the water park sans kids.

Mostly we went down to the main drag where all the live music and bars were, Broadway street.  The live music and beer is what I was wanting to do.  It's not very often we here great live music in Ottumwa.  The group all approved! 

 

The girls!

By Monday, I was ready to come home because I think I drank too much and stayed up too late.  I had to drink a lot of energy drinks to even last past 9pm.  We had a BLAST!  It was the PERFECT amount of time spent there! And I couldn't believe how much it had changed since the last time I gone to Nashville 9 years before.  This was Joey's first time in TN and he had a great time too!

When we came back, the kids couldn't wait to celebrate my birthday with them.  They made me the perfect cake, iced and decorated by them.  They also wrapped all my presents in newspaper!  Birthday celebration #2 was fantastic and my kids really know how to spoil their mom.  They even game me one of their "best massage ever" which included flashlight lighting and hair styling and lotion all over my body.  Not gonna lie it's a pretty darn good massage and I have asked for another from them. 

Birthday celebration #3 was with my friends that didn't go to Nashville, however, I had planned this one not knowing about Nashville! LOL! What I didn't know was my friend Pam was going to surprise me with a party at my party.  It was great!  I was planning to just go out to dinner and hang out with friends, pretty low key and so when we went to dinner I was surprised with "aged progression" photos of my self and cake and giant Angie heads.

The gals!

My old as dirt cake.  It was sooo yummy!  I even learned a little trick for baking cakes :)

The aged photos of myself.  I totally look like my mom.  Totally!

 

Me, with ME! lol

In my 40 years, I have learned I have some pretty amazing friends and family.  I was completely spoiled and feel pretty good about turning the big 4-0.