New Blogs

You may (or may not) have noticed that I added a couple more blogs to check out on our Friends and Family list.

One is Jen Hatmaker.  If yo have not heard of Jen Hatmaker, then you are missing out.  I only just found out about her a couple of months ago and I LOVE her!  Seriously!  But, more on her - and her books that have rocked my world - later.

The other one is of our friends from church.  www.kellergrant.com.  Their story is amazing.  They found out that their son had heart issues while still pregnant.  If you want to see how their little guy is doing, now that he is a few months old, please take the time to read their blog!

Beauty and The Beast

Amelia has been having Wrigley sleep with her for awhile now, but he tended to stick to the end of the bed.

He has now edged his way closer and closer to her and they are now snuggle buddies.

Swordfish

Today was Caleb's first soccer game.  His team is the Swordfish.

 Getting some instruction from Coach G before the game.

 It was pretty comical!  I think I laughed the entire time!

Caleb scored three goals….all of which, he didn't even mean to.

His last one, was epic!!!.  He approached the ball from a goal kick with the smooth stride of an antelope, planted his right foot and perfectly striked the ball with the laces of his flaming left boot.  The ball skipped down the field like a perfectly smoothed river rock on a placid pond straight into the goal.  A beautiful sight.
~Shawn's words, not mine~

 Good Game!

 Let's just say, this kid was tired after running around for 45 minutes. 

(Refer back to the first smiley face picture and then look at this one:o)

Caleb thinks he "knows" how to play soccer and doesn't need any instruction from us.  So, Shawn asked him what the difference was between passing and shooting.  Caleb said, "winning".  Shawn said "he's got it figured out."

Sassy Molassy

Today is picture day at Amelia's school.

We have lots of names for this girl, but the two we use the most are Sassy Molassy and Sass Butt.

I think you'll see why in the next few pictures.

Here's to hoping we get a good smile at school and that she didn't sneak these earrings into her backpack!

Crafty Amelia

We have entered into this absolutely terrible, messy, annoying, completely opposite of ocd, hoarder-esk wonderful, beautiful stage of Amelia that I like to call, Let's Make A Card.  She gets thousands of pieces of printer paper, every marker, colored pencil and crayon known to mankind, then begins making "cards" for anyone and everyone she knows (I use that term loosely, because there are just scribbles with A's and sometimes traced hands all over them).  She has recently found the decorative scissors and is now cutting out pieces that never make it into the card, just all over the floor.  Not only are we buying stock in printer paper, we are now having to invest in envelopes, because I need just one more envelope mom.  

I was so tired of endless amounts of papers and scraps and writing utensils being strewn about the kitchen/dining room (not that that's the only place they are - they are on the coffee table, the computer desk, her room, Caleb's room, our room, stuffed into drawers that will allow her to stuff them), that I set her up out in the Carolina room, where we didn't have to clean up anytime we wanted to eat and most importantly, we didn't have to stare at it at all times.  Lastly, she has gotten out her princess stickers to seal each "card"  which is nearly impossible because he just wads up the said card and stuffs it in to the envelope…then asks me to write the recipients name on the front.   

She is so sweet!  

 That's why I've been taking these sweet, pictures of her at night…just to remind myself that this is a phase and the card making will all be over soon.

Amelia said, stop taking pictures of me asleep!

Amelia's First Day of Preschool

Amelia's First Day of Preschool!!

 She was all set to go.  She tried to wear a Christmas dress, but then agreed on this outfit.  She also tried taking a book, her bear and a blankey with her.

As usual, she walked right in!  

Amelia, we're so excited to see what all you will learn this year too!  We love you!

Labor Day Weekend

First week (of half days) done!

I'm kind of afraid at how this week might go.  We had a little meltdown when trying to do a fun homework page over the weekend.  But, he was excited that he gets to ride the bus two times and actually get his lunch now!

Shawn had Friday off, so after picking Caleb up, we loaded up the bikes and rode to the Turtle Park to do a little fishing.  After that, we came home and started working the coffee table I wanted:o)  

We got some pallets to use as the top and started ripping them apart.  We got it all put together and I think it's going to look pretty awesome.

 Saturday morning, we headed out on the river with our friends, The Kempf's.  He had just bought a new tube (this thing was not a typical tube) and they had a lot of fun trying it out.

 Who do you think went first??  Amelia, of course!

 Next, it was Caleb's turn.  Although a little leery, he still jumped on and had a blast!

 They all took a little dip in water to cool off.  

Then on the way back, Shawn took both Caleb and Amelia.  We had a great morning.

After that, we got all cleaned up and went to our friends', The Plot's for dinner (and they were kind enough to put on the Notre Dame game for me:o).  Sunday, we went to church and then came home to rest.  Shawn did a little homework, Caleb played quietly in his room and Amelia and I actually napped.  Then, we headed to The Kempf's again for dinner.  Yesterday, we stayed in.  The kids played and we got some polyurethane on the table top.  The kids then began playing on the slip-n-slide.  I surprised them by jumping out of my chair and sliding down it too!  Then after a few more minutes, Shawn did the same.  I'm pretty sure our neighbors were laughing at two 30-somethings playing on the slip-n-slide.  But we had fun! It was a great weekend!

Tomorrow, Amelia will start school!!