I am learning

I wanted to take some updated pictures of my kids, so I practiced again last night with my sis's camera. I don't know if I am getting any better or if it was just luck that some of these turned out nice. I suppose you can be the judge.

Dawson was such a ham with his guns and hat. It was making me laugh so hard. I am going to change these to sepia and hang them in his gun/wild west room.

Caitlin was beautiful as always. She was in a really serious mood and looked way to grown up for me.

There is a reason we call her Stinkerbelle. She wouldn't smile and when she did it looked very forced. She did finally tell me she was so tired. And before pics she fell down a couple of times and hit her chin so that could have been the reason for the grumps.

These are my kiddo's, what more can I say?

Oh kids!

A few funnies, just to brighten a dull Friday,

Funny #1

Me: Standing in kitchen looking at a loaded sink.

Kids: Family room watching TV.

Me: I will give anyone a dollar to come do the dishes.

Kids: "silence"

Me: I will give you $2.

Kids: "silence"

Me: $2.25

Kids: "silence"

Me: Last offer, $2.50

Kids: "silence"

Dawson 2 minutes later: How much are you going to pay me for doing the dishes?

Me: $2.50

Dawson: More

Me: No that's my final offer, take it or leave it.

Dawson: Na it's not worth it.

Funny #2

Cora and I playing in the bedroom this morning.

Cora: Mom play puppies with me.

Me:Okay, am I the mommy puppy?

Cora: Yeah and I am the baby and I need to drink milk.

She then proceeds to crawl under me like she is about to have a drink. Holy cow I couldn't stop laughing.

I roll over and say: No Cora you can't do that.

Cora: But puppies drink milk.

Me: I know but you can't do that to mommy.

Cora: Okay I will just drink water.

Me thinking okay:

Cora thinking water still comes from mommy puppies so she tried to drink off my stomach.

Yikes, where does she come up with this stuff? I almost peed.

Funny #3

Just check out this video, you'll laugh til you pee too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcN08Tg3PWw

Have you ever seen a Chicken in a tree?

Our dear Master Bindy (or Mistress, but Dave doesn't like calling her that) loves sleeping in the tree. A few weeks ago we couldn't find her, and we were all really sad about it. She has become our family pet (along with the other five, but her mostly). She comes when called and follows us every where. So we were very sad and I had a really hard time sleeping because I was so worried about her. I woke up at 4:45 and went out to look for her again, nothing. I was sure she was gone. Then at 6 David was home and knocked on the door, Master Bindy in arm. She was sitting in the drive way. She was not there at 4:45.

So the next night we were outside, David was watching her and saw her jump up on the fence and then up in the tree. She stays there all night and comes down to the driveway the next morning at sun up, I am guessing.

While I was thinking of a title for this post, the one picture that came to mind was Dumbo in the tree talking to the crows. It is just not normal for a chicken (or an elephant) to be in a tree.

And this spider looked really cool in the tree with a really cool web.

This monster moth just freaks me out.

It looks so much better

We finally got around to updating our poor flower bed in the front yard. It has looked so sad this summer. I didn't even plant flowers in there. All it's been is horrible weeds and a mass of vines. But now, after much hard work on David's part, it looks fabulous and I can't wait for next spring. Mostly because I replanted a gazillion tulip bulbs that have been there forever and I want to make sure they come up, but I am also so excited to plant flowers and make all Dave's hard work look even more fabulous.

Before

During

He's so hot in his cowboy hat, working a sweat.

After

Doesn't it look so nice? Just say yes or your not my friend anymore.

Back to School!!!!

It finally came and then it came again. Caitlin got to go to school bright and early Monday morning. She was excited, but I was very bummed. Two reasons: #1 My sweets is in the third grade:(. #2 Dawson had to stay home with a case of Pink Eye. Yuck!!! He was bummed, I was bummed, it was sad. But Cait had fun and really likes her new class. She loves that her best school buddy is in her class and that she gets to finally learn cursive (so does her brother in the first grade and she is totally miffed about that :).

Now First Day of School #2. Dawson and Cora went to school today. After three days of staying home and no yucky goobers this morning I sent Dawson off to start the year. He was really nervous because I actually took him in late today and he was so worried he would be in trouble. But it didn't take him long to get in the swing of things and he was very excited when he came home.

Cora started preschool today and wow, was she happy! She got to play with play dough, color, and play out side. Way too much fun for a little one that has been waiting for this day for 4 years. She loved it and I am super happy for her.

I love this backpack!!! I saw it on another blog and went immediately and bought it. I also bought the lunch box, just because it matched. If we stick at the charter school when she starts kindergarten she will have to get a new bag because this one won't fit her docket, but until then I just get to enjoy the cuteness!

Last Day Of Summer Fun!

I really REALLY wanted to have a Back-To-School party. I don't know why, I suppose it's just another reason to party. But...... with my small yard and the 24 kids I was planning to invite, it just wouldn't have worked out so well. So I improvised and called all of my sis-in-laws and we got together instead. Sis Heather has a bigger yard and bigger water toys, so it worked out P-E-R-F-E-C-T. The kids had a blast and it was fun to just sit and visit with the ladies.

(This is the only picture I got on my camera, I took a bunch with my sis-in-laws so hopefully I will get those up here soon.)

After the water part, we had a little picnic/camp fire in the back yard to celebrate as a family. I do love that part of living in a somewhat rural community. No one cares if you have a camp fire in your back yard.

Where has the time gone?

Two days, that's it. Then summer vacation is over and I won't have my kids with me all day every day. Most mom's love this time of year, but I haven't stopped crying since Saturday.

See, Saturday we had a yard sale and I sold or sent to the DI all of my baby things. We are done. I have known for a long time that we were done having kids, but I held on to the baby things, just in case. I finally got the nerve to let it go on Saturday, and the tears started to flow.

And then add the fact that all three kids will be gone to school this year, I am really struggling. I am not ready to be an empty nester. I know, I know, that means they have all moved on and left the nest, but when you think about it, they (Cait and Daws this year) are gone more than they are home if you don't count sleep time. They leave by 8 and are home by 4 and are in bed by 8. That's only, max, five hours a day that I will see those two. And Cora will be gone 2 hours a day. So essentially I will be alone in my nest more then my babies are here with me. Yikes, where have my babies gone?

I cried when the school clothes came in the mail, I cried when I cleared out Cora's 3T clothes (I mean I sobbed for like 20 minutes over this one), I cried when I read their new teacher's names, I cry over everything related to school. I even cried while thinking about the back to school get together we are having with our cousin's tomorrow. I can't stop.

Why can't they stay little forever? It's just not fair.