School!

School is here already - actually it started back on the 9th! I can't believe how early it starts, I remember always starting at the end of August. But they were ready to go and they love it and wish they could go everyday. (Disclaimer on the photo - I had to work their first day of school and was not there to fix Paige's hair so this is what we got!!)




Paige and Kevin started Kindergarten. They have a great teacher that I've heard lots of good things about. I'm so excited for them and can't wait to go on field trips and volunteer in their class. I just love Kindergarten.

First day of school......




2nd Day of School




Derek is in 2nd grade! He was very excited to go back and see his friends and very proud of himself for learning to tie his shoes (finally) the first day of school! He already reads really great, I can't wait to see how he improves this year.






Darci is doing great being the only one at home. It's so much fun (and easy) to just have her and play and focus on her. We got a new bike seat for her for my bike and she loves to sit on the bike and take the kids to school.

New Hairstyle

I've been playing with the idea of cutting my hair for a while... I usually chop it off every year or two but its been about 10 years since its been really short, so I decided to go for it. I figured it would be past my shoulders by next summer if I don't like it... I didn't realize just how dark my roots have become, so I just did highlights. I think I am going to get some more blonde highlights to lighten it up a bit. The kids all like it. Paige thinks I am "so handsome, just like a boy!" I like it, but I admit, I am still getting used to it. I'm still playing around with it, not really sure the best way to style it. I still do a double take when I look in the mirror.

So here it is...

Playing in the river

First off, I decided the girls needed haircuts. I hated to do it because they're hair was so long, but they were both just out of control! Darci had cut hers in several places and Paige's was so stringy and thin, it needed to be cleaned up. So here are the before pictures....


And here are the after pictures.... I'm really happy with the results, I think my friend did a great job. They can wear it under or flipped up.









And this is how Darci usually falls asleep if we don't shut her door. She's been sharing a room with Paige, but she usually lays down in the hall until everyone else is asleep and they she finally goes to sleep. The past couple of nights I've been trying something different, I shut their doors while I do an exercise video and within 15 minutes she is asleep. I guess that means I need to work out every night!



This is how the puppies usually look when we check on them and give Lulu a break. Their eyes are still not open and they don't do much.



I took the kids down to the river the other day and they had fun playing in the muddy water. I'm sure the water was shallow enough to drive through, but since I was by myself I didn't attempt it.

Puppies and other things

Puppies...
We noticed a few days after 4th of July that Lulu looked a little fat and she kept getting fatter and fatter. I thought she was still a few weeks away from having her puppies but on Sat Derek walked by the door and said "Lulu just had a puppy!" So we ran outside and sure enough it started. It took her about 2 hrs to have all 4 and they were all healthy and a good size. Lulu was great, I though for sure it would be miserable but she didn't even make a sound and instictively knew what to do when they came out. She had 2 black ones, a white one with brown patches, and a chocolate one with black markings. They're really cute, but we're not planning on keeping any of them, so does anyone want a puppy????





Playing in a ditch...
Our friends let us in on their secret and we took the kids to play in a canal ditch not too far away. The water was COLD! Paige had fun but Kevin and Darci were a little scared to slide down it.









Roper Lake...
We finally went swimming at Roper Lake. It was a lot of fun, I'm seriously thinking about getting a season pass. It only takes about 10 minutes to get there! There was a little sandy beach and the water was the perfect depth for the kids. And a nice green grassy area for a picnic.









Picnic on the Mountain...
We joined our friends up on the mountain for a picnic last week. Darci was a mess, she found every chip and cheetoh that was within reach. It's nice to be able to drive up there in about 20-30 minutes and have some cool weather. I guess the rangers are all worked up about the local bear population and were warning everyone about the bears.





Derek comes home...
Derek and Jack came home from Washington last week. They had so much fun, so much in fact that Derek has been bored ever since getting home! We sure missed him!