The final sliver of summer...

We hung out at Lake Wylie a week and a half ago for some much needed R & R.
(Yes, that's where I am with my blogging; still love it but it now takes a backseat to all my public school deadlines.)

Happy 1st birthday to our perpetually jolly soul.

"On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, 'Life will never be the same.' You are the one and only ever you." ~Nancy Tillman

Ethan's Major Firsts: Birthday and Steps!

Little man will be one this Saturday (the 11th). Grandma Cathy is in town, so we celebrated his big day this past weekend at our house with lots of friends, food, and fun. Also, he took his first "official" steps September 4 and we got it on film. I am still waiting for the world to stop spinning so I can pause for a moment to take it all in. But alas, time waits for no man.

Hey, my cake's in there!I kiss my cake, my beloved cake.

two of many loves

my preschooler and my mandevilla

Big Men on Campus

Andrew and Ethan both started "school" this week. I did, too. Needless to say, it was an emotional and physical rollercoaster for all, and we haven't reached the end of it yet...


Here's Ethan in the front-facing seat for the first time, on his way to see Miss Debby this Monday morn.And here he is, also on day one, with the amazing, calm, kind, patient Miss Debby.
Here's Andrew and his teacher this morning. He started full-day preschool and had a great time.
Photos of MY new school are forthcoming... the kids started today and all went well.
We're all hanging in there.

RRSM (Recent Random Summer Moments)

Since the school year is almost here, it would behoove me to GITG (Get In The Groove) with the latest catchy acronyms. So, I give you RRSM (Recent Random Summer Moments)......

SBOZCC (Sweaty boys on the zoo choo-choo) yesterday. By the way, it was retro day in regards to apparel; they are both wearing shirts that were mine as a kid... just found them at Mom's last month. :)BBW: And now for the gross part of the post: Baby black widows in the corner of our garage door (outside)! I took this photo today. Don't worry; they met their untimely end within seconds of this shot. How do we know they are black widow babes, you ask?....

...because their mama has been in Jon's sights for three weeks now. The pop tab is there for scale. She also died tragically today, along with her children. Kisses to the man (woman?) who invented KBS (killer bug sprays). And with that, the gross part of this posting is over.

KP: Another summer activity: lots of time for kazoo practice. This kid is a natural. He hums into it like you are supposed to (most kids blow into it, producing, of course, no sound).

FPC! Fresh-picked corn on the cob!!! Just finished eating it.

HITS: Hounds in the sun. Love these patient, sweet girls.

BP: Lots of backyard playtime (taken today)

BO: Blast off! (also taken this afternoon)

OSHIWMU: Oh, summer, how I will miss you (and the hounds, and the GUYS) when I start school again in nine days (sigh)....

My days as a Stay-at-Home-Mom...

...are numbered. Just 13 more, to be exact. I am both happy and sad about this. In my reflection of the past three years, I stumbled upon this quote and love it.

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"