Waterfall

In discussing his "class" from church, he mentioned that there was a new girl there last Sunday.  I asked about her name.

Jonathan: "I don't know her name, but she had kind of wavy hair.  You know like a waterfall down to here (points at his chin) and then the water shoots straight up.  That's what her hair did right here (points at his chin, again)."

Last week when Jonathan went to preschool, Caleb was ready to go with him.   "I go to peeeschool too!!  I big, too!"

And so it begins...

It has been the boys and I.  Every weekday since Jonathan was a baby (with the exception of a short little stint for two hours on Fridays for Jonathan when he was two).  Last week was the first day of preschool for my big four year old.  He was so excited.  He got dressed at rapid speed that morning, and we were very early for the nine o'clock start as he couldn't wait to leave.  He loved his first day, and he informed me that he made a new friend named Ben.

I have been a bit nostalgic about the past in the face of this start to a new phase in life.  However, I love to see him blossoming into a confident little guy with an eagerness for new things and meeting new people.  A year ago, I would have bet money that he would be the kid who never said a word in class.  He still won't be the talkative one, but he will gladly share when asked and has come into his own in the last year.  I love the chance to be the one he talks to about the new things he experiences outside of our home.  I love that he is meeting children who come from different backgrounds than he does, who will think differently than he does.  There is still nostalgia about my little man not being very little anymore, but loving is also about letting go.  Onward we go... praying like crazy all the way.

Happy Birthday, dear Jake

All of the grandchildren on my side of the family have fall birthdays.  Jake gets to start the fun on September 3rd.  This year was that little cutie's golden birthday, and we got to celebrate last weekend.

 After three tries, we will call this one: good enough.  It is real.  Our kids like to move, not sit still for photos.  They will smile, just never at the same time or looking in the same direction.  Grampie and Grammie are patient.

Aunt Tammy

We stopped part way both on the "going" and the "return" trips from vacation.  Jamie's family excels in hospitality, and Marc and Tammy hosted us both evenings.  It was so gracious of them, as their lives are never calm with three kiddos and a busy life.  The kids all cuddled up to Aunt Tammy for a little story time one evening while we were there.

Rest of Vacation

We enjoyed lazy days just playing outside and running around.

 We enjoyed hiking on some paths through the farm property.  Caleb was enthralled with his rain boots so he often chose those for his hiking footwear. 

 My boys... and the great outdoors

We also took the opportunity to have a fire under the stars.  Really under the stars as there were no lights to be seen for miles and miles.  The kids loved the chocolate and marshmallow extravaganza.

 Zach, chilling with "raffie"

 Supervising the roasting process

 Our family does love smores!

 The kiddos

 Water fights

We rented kayaks for a short trip around part of the lake.  The kids did quite well, and so did the parents.  I love doing things like that, so this mamma enjoyed herself a good deal.

 Enjoying the water

The Krugers

Vacation

What's not to love about vacation?  Rest, no working, time together, fun activities, good food...
We spent a week in Wisconsin at a farm house owned by the family I nannied for briefly after college.  It was quiet (oh so quiet!!), the weather was wonderful, and we enjoyed some time with good friends.
The farm was just minutes from Lake Geneva, so we enjoyed a day at the beach.

 Let's bury Daddy!

 Buried in the sand

The mammas... Katherine and I have been good friends for a long time.  Since before we were mammas :+)

Repair Shop

We opened a repair shop on our front porch the other day.