Ethan's birthday

The perfect place to have a boys party... The Lego Store!

Happy 8th birthday Ethan!

Do ya recognize the pyramid in Memphis?

I've missed painting

I couldn't wait to have a place to paint once again. Wether it is painting a canvas, crafts with kids, or furniture... I love getting my hands into paint.

After sitting here painting for an hour... I realized that there was silence all around me, just lost in my own thoughts. It is nice to have all the kids at school once again!

Space craft

Even after looking at lots of different SUV's I realized I still love my van. Once a odyssey mom... Always an odyssey mom!

Maybe when the kids go off to college, I will finally get something different. But for now, I love my odyssey! So, off in my new amazing space craft... Don't ya think so?

Amazing

A little piece of heaven...

Yeah! Home safely...

All kids in the neighborhood ride the bus to and from school! My kids loved their first day and didn't stop talking about their friends, teacher, and how to navigate throughout the school.

Kaylea made the morning really interesting by throwing up all inside the neighbors car on the way to school! (She volunteered to take kids to school after she heard about my van...) So, Kaylea was 2 hours late after a shower, new outfit, and another breakfast!

First day jitters... But all kids are as happy as can be now! They all made a new friend and they love their teacher! Kids happy = mommy happy!

Bummer

After I dropped my kids off at my parents for the night, I headed to Asheville for a get away with my friend Courtney. She is on a book signing tour after the release of her first novel.

We both couldn't wait for some "hang all night to catch up on our lives" time.

10 miles into my trip... My car just stopped. Luckily, I was able to pull over to a safe spot and called my trusty AAA! They were there in a jiffy!

We later learned that the transmission is GONE! It costs more to fix it than what it is worth!

So sad... I really did love my scratched up, dented in, broken lights... VAN!

....But now, I get to go shopping this week for a new car! Ummm, what will we choose?

Surprise breakfast

Samuel came running into my room then bounded onto my bed asking if he could make a surprise breakfast.

"sure, go on and enjoy!"

He recruited Kaylea to help him... And this is what the rest of us walked into!

Can't wait to enjoy this delicious meal! Ummmm!

Thanks you cute kids!

I don't mind the clean up job....

Mommy do I look handsome?

Heading out to go to open house at school... Samuel comes running down the stairs yelling, "mommy, do I look Handsome?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his outfit... He looks serious at me and says, " but mom, I have on a red shirt."

I had to explain that it is just too hot to wear a sweater out today! What a funny kid!

Too much fun!

Spending the day with cousins! And ending it with a swim at the Y!

You go Courtney!

So excited to finally see your book out on the shelves... For real life! Check it out!

Roots of the OliveTree
By my friend Courtney Miller Santo

Always Samuel....

The kids are playing a "lost sheep" family home evening game. Of course, Samuel is the one who volunteers 1st for any type of game. The kids love it because he makes everyone else laugh!

Old soldiers reunion parade

It's great to share traditions with my kids that I had growing up! All my cousins joined together sweating profusely, while watching all the hometown locals dancing, walking, or riding in the parade!

Lemonade stand

Look at the cute kids!

My farmer...

Look what Samuel found in the neighbors garden! (yes, we did get permission.)

Couldn't wait to eat it!

Sam

Happy birthday to you my sweet 6 year old boy! You are the silliest clown we know... You keep is laughing always! We love you handsome head!

Piñata

Samuel wanted a piñata for his birthday party... So we are making them with left over scraps of paper and balloons! Regardless of whether they turn out or not... The kids had a blast playing with the paper and paste! We will keep ya posted on how they turn out.

5 hour lego-a-thon

I didn't know that my kids could play happily together for so long. I kept checking on them in the basement to make sure they were still my kids! Who knew! Gotta love some Legos!

Daniel at it again!

When I came downstairs, I found daniel putting up the fan in his workshop room. What am I going to do with this kid?