The Mother of Geese

Man summer is a lot less hectic when there are less children to contend with!

For the first time this year we have really been able to take advantage of how close we live to the PG pool. We purchased an odd day pass and have spent the summer swimming as much as our green hair can handle!

Max is La-hoving! having me all to himself and the girls away at school. I thought for sure he would start to get a little bored, but the little dictator lays out the plans for the day like this: First, we color. A-hen, he play cars 2, a-hen you cwean da house, a-hen we eat more cereal, a-hen we go to the pool.

I can't believe how big those back packs are on their bodies! Amelia is starting first grade with Mrs. Rogers Abbie excited to have Mrs. Clegg in the fourth grade In the bus line (while I was sobbing on the sidelines) And this picture is why I will never get a nice fancy camera. Sorry about your head Brad. Smiling in the sunshine with B. Amelia and Ava (members of the CTR club) Look at those beautiful girls!

When Abbie was six I took her around town and celebrated her turning six by having six adventures. In the spirit of equality I did the same for Amelia and she thought it was the bomb diggity. #1. Go to Toys R Us and pick out a $6.00 gift. #2. Have a treat at Coldstone. #3. Go to build a bear. She picked "Who let the dogs out" as her sound effect. #4. Her adventure was supposed to be going to Pirate Island but when we arrived at the scene it was closed. (pesky Arson...)So we ended up at Spaghetti Factory. (barf). She was thrilled because she has had spaghetti and meatballs every year for her birthday. Reinacting the Lady and the Tramp scene #5. Go play in the fountains Her best moment of the day came when she was able to skype Mariko. #6. Go to Blockbuster and pick out a movie Max is smiling really big because he knows that Amelia will probably pick a movie with plenty of potty humor and similar shenanigans.

My kids love the Fuller's dog more than they love me sometimes. They love how Kaiser will come and bark on our front porch begging them to come and play with him. He's pretty irresistible.

Amelia had a tooth coming in behind her tooth it was turned the one in front blue. It was sort of awesome looking.

Abbie's first day of school August 2010 Abbie's last day of school May 2011 The last day of school also happened to land on national donut day (score!)

Amelia's first day of kindergarten September 2010 Amelia's last day of kindergarten May 2011 Amelia, Ms. Howell, and Mr. Thelar. Stop Growing Now Amelia!

In March I made the executive decision to pull Max from preschool. His teachers weren't exactly begging me to change my mind and I was so over the battle of getting him to agree to school. Max had been pretty miserable in his class so when I told him it was his choice he didn't give school a second thought. One Saturday Amelia announced she was going to stay in her pajamas all day long since she didn't have to go to school. Max also announced he would stay in his pajamas because he didn't have school either. Amelia was quick to point out the truth of the situation to her brother. Amelia: Max you stay in your pajamas everyday because you quit school. You are a quitter. You are not going to be smart like Hazen because you are a quitter. Quitter. The finisher and the quitter Uncombed cousins Mama's little dropout. I had a little celebration for Hazen for sticking with the whole year. Finisher party nosh: Cheese, crackers, raisins, chocolate cupcakes, swedish fish, root...

It was a little chilly and crazy crowded but it was SO magical to see! Max was grumpy because we made him turn around and he wanted to watch the balloon. I love his face! Brad and I laughed heartily at this picture of the chubby storm trooper This year they had Darth Vader. Max was beyond excited!

This cake took forever to bake, but it was so festive and fun it was worth it! I love the pride that Abbie has in her mad decorating skillz!

We got the best seats ever this year! I know I say this every year, but I love Strawberry Days! Its something the kids look forward to all year long.