Back to School

The time of year has come when parents load up their children like ants with their weight in school supplies and send them on that magical yellow school bus to broaden their minds. Here you see the elementary school kids assigned to Hannah's bus stop. They are each holding up the number of fingers of the grade they are in. Yes- Hannah is holding up three. That can't be right! I am not old enough to have a third grader!!!
Here's a shot that shows off Hannah's stylish first-day-of-school garb. I think its probably a good thing that she only had a half day. This might have been a hot outfit for today - but there was no talking her into shorts.

Poor Madi has to wait another year to board the big yellow bus. Don't worry Moo - next year it will be all about you.
The bus arrived right on time. Unlucky driver, sorry we made you wait for hugs and pictures.
Bye Hannah, we miss you already. So glad I had the summer to store up the love while you are away. Hope you are going back with a full bucket too. 

New Outfit!

Apparently Madi no longer shops in the "baby" section at Old Navy. I wasn't along for the shopping trip, but I am told Madi can make the same selection from the racks Hannah shops. This was the same trip the girls bought several pairs of shoes. I'll let their mother tell that story. She has a certain intensity that is hard to convey in words. Needless to say I went to go play poker last night and sincerely had to win money for the kids new pairs of shoes! Three games and I came out with two firsts, and one second. Still not enough to pay for the shoe bill. 

Sisters

Look at these pictures of the girls being so loving and kind to each other. Here's a hug after a long day of swimming.
Hannah helped Madelin put on her tap shoes at her recent dance lesson.




I'm so proud and happy that our camera takes fast pictures. 

Twins!

Check out this weird tomato from my garden. Unfortunately it doesn't look like Lincoln, Jesus or Elvis so I can't sell it on ebay. It does have a somewhat duckish quality about it though.

I think I will keep this one out of the sauce - it doesn't pass inspection.
Processed another 5 quarts today. Even the herbs I use come from my garden. Takes a bit of time and effort but it's pretty good. 

Sunday on the Lake

It's good to have friends. It's even better to have friends with boats.

Spent the day today cruising the lake with our neighbors. Hannah tried to ski and got up but couldn't stay up for more than a second. Madi enjoyed tubing with her friend. She caught some air over a cross wake. There is something about her smile and laugh. She's a small girl but holds enormous joy.

Aaron and I skiied too. The thing about skiing when you don't do it regularly is it knows your age even if you would like to forget. We may be a little sore tomorrow! I went tubing with my girlfriend. Pretty sure we maxed the weight capacity on the tube.

With five children and four adults, thankfully, no one was sunburned, injured, and no spats. It was a good time had by all. Sorry, no pictures. Too risky taking the camera on the boat.

Good 'N Plenty

Each year, our family suffers from an overabundance of garden vegetables. While I do preserve some of them, such as freezing zucchini bread and canning enough spaghetti sauce for the year, we still turn green from eating the same veggies again and again.

This year, I am drowning in a sea of cherry tomatoes, fairy tale eggplant, and banana peppers. In fact, my plants are producing so much that I stepped out of my comfort zone and made some calls to try to find them a home.

Turns out that the Bloomington Salvation Army takes excess garden produce and uses it to augment its soup kitchen offerings. There is actually a service called "Plant a Row" that enlists local gardeners to plant a row in their gardens expressly for this purpose.

So, goodbye garden surplus; hello humanitarianism! My neighbors will be relieved that I am not at their door trying to peddle fresh vegetables and I will sleep better at night knowing they didn't go to waste. 

Famous summer quotes by Madelin

1. Mom: "Madelin, get a good night's rest. Tomorrow, you will have to demonstrate your skills in swimming to pass to the next level."
Madelin in a voice wrought with anxiety: "But Mom I don't have any skills!!! ......Wait - what are skills?"

2. Mom: "Madelin, come play outside. You need the fresh air to keep you healthy."
Madelin: "Healthy? Is that like getting more life points?" (Maybe this is a sign she is watching too much yu-gi-oh.)

3. Mom: "Madelin, why did you take mommy's gardening shears and cut the party lights into segments? Come here, I want to talk to you!"
Madelin: "No, I'm in my room punishing myself!"

Top 10 things I miss when Aaron is away

10. Lawn mowing. Hannah asked me yesterday "What will we do if dad doesn't come back soon? The grass is getting really high!"
9. Unloading the dishes - I keep trying to load but there are already clean dishes in there.
8. Opening jars and screw on tops- sorry kids, no speghetti this week (aaaw mom!)
7. Getting down things from the top shelves - like the lightbulbs.
6. Changing lightbulbs - our hall has been dark for several days now.
5. Taking the kids when I have had enough
4. Keeping me from the kids when I have really had enough (a.k.a mommy why are you using that mean voice?)
3. Having a photographer
2. A co-conspirator to stir the neighborhood pot with
1. Hugs and kisses and other things I misses

Hurry home! We miss you!