Staycation

There's something about getting away... taking a break from the norm.  It was nice to all be mushed in to one room to simply enjoy being together.  And what is it about watching your child on the beach?  It's always magical and causes you to want to take a gazillion pictures.

I'm also including a picture that Kiley drew on her dry-erase board after we returned.  Notice our family drawn in the lower left hand corner.  See the dot on Kullen's head?  Well there's a funny story behind that...  Kullen and Kiley went swimming one evening.  When they returned, I noticed that Kullen's knuckle was bleeding.  I looked up and found that his nose was scraped, as was his forehead.  "What happened?" I asked.   Turns out, he swam in to the wall of the pool.  More than once.

We had a lovely time.  But at the end our time together, I came to the realization that there's no such thing as a "relaxing vacation" when traveling with young children.  That time will come.  For now, I'll enjoy being somewhat groggy to share these experiences with my little ones.

First Day of Kindergarten

Is it possible?  I knew I'd get a little teary-eyed when I put her on the bus, but I got a little more sentimental upon seeing tears in her father's eyes.  Why have these past 5 years gone by so quickly?  How is it possible that this child has grown as much as she has?

I am more excited for Kiley than I am sad.  I so look forward knowing this little girl when she's a first grader, a fourth grader, and (gasp!) a sophomore in high school.  She's amazing.  I pray that I will be the type of mother she needs me to be through each and every stage.

Love you Kiley!

Irene! Get Back Here and Clean Up This Mess!

(Or just give me the $2500 it's going to cost to have the arborist take care of it...)