Fall is in the Air!

Okay, I know. I am terrible at keeping up with this. I'll make more of an effort, really I will,... and try to post at least once a week like Jen requested. Well, after several days of temperatures in the 80's and 90's!, the weekend cooled off a bit and made it feel a lot more like Autumn. When we lived out in Seattle, Fall meant an annual trip to the pumpkin patch with our dear friends. This was always a really great time. If you are from New England, however, no Fall is complete without a trip to the apple orchards for some pickin' off the trees and apple donuts, of course. On Saturday, we joined up with our friends, the Brown family, and their "little Noah." The ride out was just beautiful as we watched the red, orange, and yellow leaves pass by our windows. Then today after our soccer game, we ventured out to the Topsfield Fair, another favorite local past time, with Tim's parents. I forgot my camera for that trip, but here's some of the apple picking.





What am I going to do with 20 pounds of McIntosh and Macouns?!...

Apple Crisp from America's Test Kitchen Cookbook (really yummy, no oats, walnuts instead!)

TGIF!

What a week we've had. For starters, Noah's had his first experience ever with full time/full day school. Let's just say, it's been an adjustment period. His biggest concerns, that cause the tears to fall in school, are when the teacher drops them off in the lunchroom, when the teacher drops them off at gym, when the teacher leaves them at music... oh, and not wanting to walk in the building on his own in the morning, AND the fact that that "the day is very long, Mom!" *SIGH* At the beginning of the week, (which actually was only a 4 day achool week due to the fact that the church steeple got struck by lightning over the weekend, causing the school to be closed on Monday for repairs!), I took the sympathetic approach with Noah. As you know, this tends to be my nature. However, after several days of tears, I knew that it was time to get a bit firmer. We are making a plan for things to improve for next week. A friendly set of first grade twins offered to walk him into the building on Monday morning, his very patient and caring teacher said he can bring in something as a comfort object, and my mom has a prize that he will only earn with a tear free week! Fingers crossed.

On the other hand, Ez had his first day of pre-k today, and practically RAN right in. His teacher took them on a "trip" through the building, and he actually got to go into Noah's class and give him a hug :) I think it will be a good feeling on those few days a week to know a brother is close by.

As for me, I spent the beginning of the week interviewing for a part time teaching job at the boy's school. Over the weekend, I updated my resume. Although the interview(s) went really well, I realized that the amount of work, responsibilities and schedule, was more than I could handle right now. It was a really difficult decision, but I would like to be available do some substituting and PTO work instead. Maybe in a year or two, when both are in full time school?

*Whew* Like I said, it's been quite a week. Looking forward to our wonderful friends, Jay and Lindsay's wedding this weekend. Oh, yeah, and coaching our second soccer game on Sunday morning (bright-and-early-after-the-wedding). Go team!

First Day of School

Uniform boy











A bit nervous











morning work

Here we go!

I can't believe our summer break has come to an end. Our busy days and lazy days, our beach days and pool days, library visits and day trips, will now be traded for school days, homework, and various practices. Today, the boys and I went to Costco to fill up the house with the makings for school lunches and snacks. Later, we went to karate practice where all the moms in the waiting room anxiously chatted about their feelings for the first day of school tomorrow. After a quick dinner at home, we headed to the soccer field. Tim and I coached our first practice for Noah's "Under 8 Boys team." It went well, thanks to lots of great game/drill ideas I got from watching an instructional video for novice coaches late last night. Fall was in the air as we packed up our gear and made our way home to get things ready for tomorrow. Tim gave the boys a bath as I packed up Noah's lunch and supplies and laid out his new uniform for his first day of first grade. First day of first grade! First day of full day school! He's a bit nervous, and asked a bunch of questions, but I think he is going to really enjoy it. I am a sad and proud all at the same time. I gave him a kiss in his hand (from the "kissing hand") and told him it would be there all day. That seemed to make him feel better. Wow! Well, it's been a busy day full of excitement and emotion. Wishing all the moms and kiddos a great new school year. xo

Seattle Summer Vacation

I don't know many other families who could squeeze in a camping trip, a girl's night out, a guy's night out, a couple's night out, a water slide park, a birthday party and LOTS of other great quality friend time in only 7 DAYS! I think all three families were pretty tired by the end of our visit, but, boy was it fun. Thanks so much to the Many's and Bazan's for their super sweet west coast hospitality. It felt so nice to have the "three families" together again. Love you guys. xo




Men working











ballerina girl












kids at play in glacier lake









Breakfast at Blueberry Hill (forest fire haze in background)







s'mores!









girlfriends










inside our new tent










no toys here, but lots of imagination








Ladies night at the Triple Door









Argg! Ella's 3 year pirate birthday party!







A visit to the giant octapus at the aquarium








Red-eye flight back