Random Stripes and Bubbles

A couple of weeks ago it was spring picture day at school.  For some random reason, everyone, including Luke who wasn't involved in picture day, ended up in stripes.  When we realized it, we took a quick picture on the way to school. We missed Michael who had already left for school, but he was a solid anyway :)

                                     

Last week we had fun after school playing in the backyard with bubbles. Luke loves bubbles but we rarely get them out, so it was a fun mid-week treat. Hayley was the queen of the Bubble Wand!

                             

Outside Fun

Over the last couple of weeks, we have had some perfect fall weather.  It is always great to run and play for a few minutes when school gets out.

The school borders a great park and we love playing for a little while before heading home to face the homework crunch.  We love meeting friends there!

Somedays we just go straight home and enjoy the perfect weather in our on private park, filled with acorns, squirrels, and jumping, sliding, giggling kids.

Wanna play?

School Days

A typical morning will find Michael & his friend waiting for the bus...and waiting... and waiting... After 3 weeks, a time change and multiple bus drivers, who may or may not have ever heard of the high school that they are trying to find, and a lot of fun adventures, including getting to ride the short bus (just what every freshman wants to do!), it looks like things are finally getting into somewhat of a routine. At any rate, it is always an adventure!



Being in 3rd grade, Hayley now gets the option of having a rolling backpack at school, which she loves!



Trevor is hard to catch for a picture. He has started back on Safety Patrol this year and does a great job keeping us safe...and early to school everyday.



After a rocky, tearful start, Jake has decided he likes school after all & hasn't asked to be home schooled for at least a week now. He goes to school with a "lucky penny" in his pocket & every time he feels sad or misses me, he sticks his hand in his pocket & holds his penny. Most mornings last week, he walked up to the school with his hand in his pocket, but no tears. And every afternoon he came out smiling, with both hands free to go run and play.



One fun thing about picking up at the kindergarten gate is the chance to run and play for a couple of minutes before heading home to start homework. It is always fun to hear how many times Jake sees Hayley or Trevor at school in the hall or outside. It is great they have each other there.



While the older kids are away at school, Luke keeps busy with his 2 year old friend Ian, who I babysit during the week. He has learned all sorts of "fun" tricks, but best of all, they have actually started playing and laughing together during big stretches of the day. They love to look out the window and see people, big trucks and dogs go by.




At the end of the day, Luke is ecstatic to have his big brothers & sister come home. He always gets a huge smile on his face when he sees them. One of his newest tricks is dancing crazy. It makes us all smile and want to dance too!



At the end of a long week, we like to relax with a fun movie night or watch a favorite show on tv together. Don't forget the popcorn!

Back to Normal

Last week the kids were sick. I couldn't believe it - sick for the 2nd week of school. Pretty bad for some the of kids who weren't sick at all last school year.

Luke started it..only his developed into hives too. Lovely.



Everyday a different kid came home sick from school, like clockwork. Headaches, fever & stomachaches. By Friday all the kids but Michael had gotten it.



Of course, they were all healthy in time for the long week-end :)
It was great to send everyone back to school on Tuesday!

Good Times

We're still here, just having summer fun.
Catch up to you soon!

Getting rid of the bugs...

It's that lovely time of year when everyone seems to be getting sick. We are waiting to go pick up Hayley's Tamiflu prescription for the flu now. The poor girl is looking pretty puny laying on the couch, all bundled up and flushed.

The good news is Trevor should go back to school tomorrow and Don and Michael are both feeling better after they were feeling crummy for the last week or so. And Jake and I have somehow managed to stay well - you've gotta love those prenatal vitamins and Jake's superhero powers once again save the day for him!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I thought it would be great to get a shot of the kids before heading off to school to post for Valentine's Day...easy, right? Now I remember why we haven't had a family picture made in years. 15 shots, lots of personality,nothing with everyone smiling normal & looking with eyes open at the camera. But at least we got some giggles. So I have posted the best. One of these days I'll figure out how to do the slide show....Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a great day with the ones you love!