One season following another

We finally got Cadence's 1 year pictures taken!  She's only 13.5 months.... I had rescheduled with the place I normally go for pictures, only to have them call me the day before to say they were closing permanently, so very sorry.  So we ended up at Penney's again.  She did pretty good this time, although she was pretty sure she wanted to be in the waiting room with the toys and tried to eat all of the props.  Ornery little girly. 

Kacie is home after a year in Mexico and was going to be in W-ton for Wednesday night church.  Bob was working late so the girls and I went there for the evening.  They were so.wound.up.  Practically bouncing off the walls (benches?).  We did not stay for the party at the condos because I've been trying to enforce an earlier school bedtime, but it was still fun to see everyone.  (Especially Kacie.)

Thursday was our very first meet the teacher night.  The younger girls got to play next door with Ashlyn which kind of soothed the sting of not getting to go with us. Cecily was pretty excited to see her classroom, and meet her teacher, and take her school supplies.

This is the face of a little girl who woke us up every half hour Saturday night/Sunday morning.  Bleah.  It was terrible.  Bob took her out to the couch for a while, I let her nurse waaaay more than I normally do at night, we tried letting her sleep in our bed.... ugh.  Pretty sure it was the worst night she's had ever.  

She didn't seem to be phased in the morning.  I felt like I got hit by a truck.  We dragged ourselves to church in the morning, but then came home after lunch because I could barely stand up straight.  Ugh.  I tried to listen to afternoon church and fell asleep to add to feeling guilty about coming home early... pretty much the kids are going to think that church isn't important to us and we're doing it all wrong etc.  *sigh*
Trying on hats just because.

And then after a slightly better night of sleep, but still not quite enough, I got up earlier than I have since I quit working to get Cecily off to Kindergarten!  So excited in her first day of school dress and backpack.

Emmy wanted in the picture too.

 Standing in line with her class... note the two crying children.... aww.

 Lynelle is in her class.  I didn't cry, but if someone would have started singing 'Sunrise, Sunset" I probably would have.  It's been a sweet season.

She had a great day and thinks school is the best.  We're starting off with half-day kindergarten so when I picked her up we headed straight to the farm for an eclipse party!   Mostly because the farm has welding helmets.  And Mom feeds us lunch.  They handed out plates/glasses to the grade school kids so Cecily brought hers with us.

 The babies were more interested in toys.

 Michelle had a pack of glasses, plus the welding helmets, and we had a regular viewing party with Mom, Donn-oh, Shelly, Lena, and Claire.  It was sooo cool.

Jack and Cadence playing with sand (Cadence ate it).

I didn't get any decent eclipse pictures, but we did see this rainbow/halo around the sun.  

 So the rest of the week was spent getting Cecily to school, forcing tired girls to take naps, and enjoying the beautiful weather.

 Emmy is really not sure what to do with herself while Cecily isn't there to boss her around.  One morning she reeeeaaallly wanted to make her Easybake oven cookies.

 On a whim, I planted some double crops in the garden: lettuce, carrots, and turnips.  So far only the turnips are growing well.  I thinned them and we tried turnip greens for supper.  My kids are so weird.  I made lasagna, that they barely touched because melted cheese, but they all ate two servings of turnip greens.  What?  Who are you?  Haha.  

 The stray cat ventures into our yard when we're out.  I still refuse to adopt it.

We made it to Friday!  Our first full week of school is done.  We went out for lunch to celebrate- they always ask to eat at the 'taco restaurant by the red grocery store' and we never have so I took them there.  Chips and salsa occupied them for a little bit.  Then little miss 'I love tacos' refused to eat hers because there were re-fried beans on her plate and melted cheese on the taco.  *sigh*  So all three shared two plates of chicken strips and fries.   One of them spent most of the time trying to cut up the chicken with a table knife, and the littlest one refused to stay sitting in the high chair.  I ordered fajitas that I couldn't eat one-handed, which was a mistake because I had to keep one hand on Cadence the whole time.  And Emmy had to go to the bathroom and I couldn't leave Cadence standing up in a high chair...  Three Ring Circus.  We saw Uncle Nathan, and then Bob joined us so the girls thought it was a great lunch, but that next time we should just get pepper-fries.

 The cicadas like to shed their exoskeletons on our playhouse.  They are the weirdest looking creatures.

 Impromptu standing broad jump contest.  Just because.  

She's actually a pretty good little jumper.  

So tomorrow we have to start another week of school.  I wonder how long it will take me to accept the fact that the good times are over and I have to go to bed at a decent hour and get up when my alarm goes off like normal people.
Blessings.

Summer smells like ripe sweetcorn

Summer is produce. Lots of produce.

Thursday evening Bob and I got to go to Steve and Mary's for supper with James and Brenda and some other young(ish) couples.  (We're really not in the young newlywed category anymore... ayiyiyi we're getting old.)  It was a really enjoyable evening- and so quiet without the girls. :)

We went to the farm last Friday to do some sweet corn.  The big girls helped shuck and clean and then they went to play with Grandma and Grandpa while I cut it off and cooked and bagged it.  It was also so cold for August!   I'm not usually shivering on the porch whilst doing corn...

 Little Emmy likes to do dishes. Both of her grandmas are very obliging.

 Saturday we did some work in the garden and the yard.  Cadence tried to take a bite out of every tomato.

 Bob is enjoying the pole saw he got for Christmas. This poor tree is slowly dying.  We had an arborist come look at our trees and this Ash and the Redbud need to be taken down.  Sad news.  But, like I said, Bob is enjoying cutting down the limbs he can reach with his saw.

 This is the "Restaurant of teddy grahams."  They ate almost a whole box and then didn't eat much supper.  But, I got work done: it was a good trade.

 Sunday evening was a lovely night for a band concert at the park.  We went a little bit early so the girls could play on the awesome playground that I remember playing on.

 I was worried that it would be packed and it wasn't so they got to do lots of exploring.

 When Mom and Dad heard we were going to be there, they decided to come too.... and Matt and Lena were eating out with them so they brought Jack...

 Eating popcorn and listening to the band.

Nathan and Shelly showed up too, so it was pretty much a family reunion.  Ha.  It was so fun.  I love band concerts at the park.  The second half of the show featured performances by Gym Corner gymnasts to go with the music.  Cecily thought that was pretty cool and now she thinks she needs to learn how to do gymnastics too.  She wanted me to teach her how to do cartwheels the next day.  In the front yard.  Our across the street neighbor never bats an eye, but I'm sure we provide much amusement...  one day I'm running around trying to catch butterflies for the girls, the next day I'm doing cartwheels..... and since I'm over thirty it hurts the next day!  :P
When we were buying seeds this spring the girls grabbed a bunch of seed packets that they wanted to plant.  We really didn't have room for watermelon, but I planted them and figured we wouldn't actually grow any.  But we did!  These two grew outside of the garden fence, and we were debating when to pick them when the little one split.  It was ready and tasted pretty good- we'll cut into the big one in the next day or so and see if it's good or not.

 They each have a treasure box for rocks/sticks/leaves that we keep in the garage.  They were lining up their treasures one afternoon.

 Tuesday we were invited to my Great-uncle's pond for the afternoon.  It was a really nice day for swimming.  (And they treat the pond so there isn't any "icky moss." City kids.)

 Exploring with little Gideon.

 Russell and Cecily were catching little minnows.  Cadence thought she could paddle board by herself. Emmy was moving sand from the beach to the lake. It was a lovely afternoon.

 I can climb!  Now I can make messes on the floor and on the table!

 We attempted to get Cadence's one year pictures taken.  Except she fell asleep in the car and was a total grouch when she woke up.  So we rescheduled.  Only to have them call me today to say they are closing permanently and they won't be taking any more pictures.  *sigh*  Poor kid will be practically 2 before we get 1 year pictures done!  Of course, she perked up when we stopped at the playground.

 We did get to do the second half of our shopping that day.  We told Cecily that once she's in Kindergarten she doesn't need to take a big toy bag to church, we'd go buy her a purse to put a few things in.  And, she had a lot of skirts/skorts to wear this summer and she reeealllly wanted dresses, so I said we could go shopping for a first day of school dress.  She picked out this pink purse for church and a dress for school.  We also came home with things for Emmy and Cadence because they were feeling a little left out.  This is why I online shop when they are asleep.  She was so excited and actually wanted to go to Wednesday night church just to show off her purse.  Hehe.

 I hosted sewing club on Thursday night.  Bob took the girls to his parents' for the evening.  I confess that I spent a few minutes just sitting enjoying the quiet before I got food ready....  we had mashed potato bar with mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, and lots of toppings.  And I made cheesecake for the first time ever.  They turned out pretty good, I guess?  I'm not a big cheesecake fan- I'd probably rather eat a cake or fruit based dessert- but with the right crust they are gluten free and the mashed potato bar is gluten free and we have two with Celiac in our group, so why not.
Friday the girls went to play at "Betty's house."  I hear alllll  about Betty's house.  Pretty much, it's cooler than our house. hehe.  While they were there, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought too much fabric and patterns because they were 99 cents.  They had this Mario princess pattern and someone is so excited to get a dress like Princess Peach.  Except I didn't get any fabric for that.

In the evening Cecily went to KIDS day and Emmy was very jealous.  Poor kid.
Saturday we did some swimming.  Someone couldn't wait to put her swimsuit on.  Silly baby.

 And made 7 quarts of tomato sauce.

 Bob spent the evening at Dang's so I took the girls to the grade school playground.  Cadence has no fear.

 Sunday was the first day of Sunday School for Emmy!  She was so happy to finally get to do something like Cecily!  She came home singing her version of "Only a Boy Named David" and told us she didn't sing "This Little Light of Mine."

 So this stray cat has taken up residence under the neighbors porch.  The girls think it's the best thing ever.  Cadence loves it.

 It doesn't seem to mind the girls at all.

 I'm so glad it's at the neighbors and not trying to live at our house.....
Bob got the girls an illustrated version of, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."  Cecily 'reads' it to Emmy.

So far this week we've got the Piano tuned, 7 quarts of peaches canned, and the girls got to go to babysitting night at "Christy's house."  They had a blast and will probably try and invite themselves over again sometime.  (Ryan has been relegated to being "Christy's man." Haha. Sorry Ryan.) Bob and I ate Sonic in peace and quiet and got the garbage collected and taken out.  This is how we date night eight years and 3 kids in.  Woot!
Blessings.

Vacation!

Well.  (It's a deep subject.  hahaha)  We survived Wyss Vacation version 31.  The week before was a little bit stressful because Bob worked late pretty much every night and I tried to pack in all of the things I've been putting off doing- vacation is a great deadline and I need deadlines.  So Friday night I took the girls to McDonalds because I was tired.  Cadence is not afraid of climbing or slides.

So we got this book from the library; "Nanette's Baguette."  It's a tongue twister.  The girls were pretty convinced we needed to bake a baguette.  I'm not that great with yeast and it was the day before vacation so they settled for Mel's 1-hour breadsticks. They wanted to eat them for bedtime snack.    

 Saturday was spent packing and picking beans and in general excitation.  I was exhausted and the girls wouldn't go to sleep.  We went to morning church on Sunday and then came home, loaded up, and left for the Ozarks!  They traveled great- we didn't have to stop at all.
Soooooo excited!!  Also trying to unpack everything even if I didn't want it unpacked yet.

 Grandma introduced them to Amelia Bedelia.

The first couple of days were so hot.  But, they wanted to catch butterflies. 

We didn't have any luck, just got really hot and sweaty climbing all the stairs at the resort.  

The pool wasn't even that cold, but it helped a little bit.  Cadence is hanging out with Lys, Justice is bumping into Bob, Emmy is just happily swimming along being Emmy, and Cecily is, of course, seeing if that boy wants to swim with her.  She made several friends that week.   

We were looking at the resort website before we left and the girls saw the "other area attractions" included caves.  They of course decided that meant that we were going to see a cave.  Positively convinced that we were going to a cave.  "When are we going to the cave?" "I want to explore the cave!"  Haha.  We weren't really planning on going to a cave, but they were so insistent and Dad agreed to come with me, so on the hottest day of the week we went and explored a cave at a State Park not far away.  I hadn't packed jackets since it was going to be 90 something all week so they got new sweatshirts at walmart for the occasion.  Emmy was so excited and wanted to carry the brochure. 

Waiting semi-patiently for our tour to start.  

 I think they both enjoyed it.  It was the most cave-y cave I've ever been in.  There was no electricity so we all got to carry lanterns, even the girls.  The ceiling was pretty low in a few spots, and the passageway was narrow and twisty and required ducking a lot.  Emmy walked most of the way and wasn't too scared when we turned off all the lanterns.  Cecily loved it and wanted to keep going into the cave past where the tour turned around.  It was so nice and cool inside and then we had to walk out into the humidity... Good times.  Bob and Cadence enjoyed the air conditioning and naps at the cabin.
Waiting for supper.

 Coloring pictures with Kebe and Shena.  "I'm going to make this girl look like you!"

Getting ready to celebrate Raegan's birthday.  They were soooo happy.   

Cecily is willing to race against all takers.  She wins most of the time.  "It's ok, you can't win everytime!" 

We swam a lot, sometimes twice a day.  It was just as fun after supper because it would get dark and the lights would come on in the pool.  Ha. I didn't get many swimming pictures because I spent my pool time counting to three, and holding at least one child.    

Uncle Jakey came for the weekend.  Uncle Jakey feeds me cookies.  :) 

Playing with Jack's cars, grandpa, and Gideon. 

And Playing "Doh-doh." 

On our last day we bummed a boat ride from Kray.  Emmy was a little bit nervous. 

Cadence was not. 

She pretty much went from person to person until we got outside the no-wake zone. 

The lake was super choppy and it's not a very big boat and we got splashed and Emmy was done and we did a short loop and went back to the dock.  Good times.   

Shelly brought ingredients for Lemon shake-ups and delivered them to the swim dock.  Neal and Kim rented that floating 'chill pad' for the afternoon.  Cecily had a great time on it; Emmy was content to paddle around a little closer to the ladder.  Pretty much #myvacationisbetterthanyourvacation

And then it was over and we had to pack up and come home.   
I think I was more tired than when we left (since we all slept in the same room and Cadence didn't sleep) but we went to lake day Monday afternoon. None of the girls were interested in swimming and Cadence pretty much ate sand.  

I'm starting to feel caught up again- we've unpacked, did laundry, mowed, picked vegetables, and cleaned.  The garden is still weedy, but I'm not sure I care enough to go weed it.  :)
Blessings.