The Bus Driver

And so we begin to enter the bus driver phase of our lives.  I’m careful here saying “entering” because I know we are just on the tip of it!  I recall other moms always saying babies are super busy because they need you for everything, but at least you are home!  I’ve kept these words close and have been in no rush to jump into my bus driver seat – but I think we are quickly headed towards this phase.  Luckily it will slow down again as sports seasons and activities end, but here is what it’s looking like right now…

Monday we have soccer, some Tuesdays we have boy scouts, Wednesday Olivia has dance, Thursday the boys have gymnastics and we have soccer games on Sundays.  And this year Olivia is doing a pre-school program that is 8:15-11:15 (super not-so-convenient time for working parents) on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  So my mom is being a huge help picking up Olivia one day a week, which Olivia loves because they usually go to “Old McDonald” for lunch.  However, on these days we have the boys take the school bus, which they like and I love because we can break the routine and don’t have our daycare drop-off.  And they leave about 35 minutes later than normal – did you know an extra 35 minutes in the morning is AMAZING?  Something about the kids getting an extra 15 minutes of sleep makes the morning go so much better.  So what I’m a bit nervous about is when the boys start having multiple practices a week and Olivia gets old enough for activities too – and at that point, I will officially be a bus driver.  So, I will do my best to make the most of today because this circus is always changing. 

Summertime

Here we are in the thick of fall, but I wanted to step back and enjoy summertime for a moment.  In general, fall has always been my favorite time of the year.  Especially here in Iowa, we have great Falls (in Minnesota, fall is like 3 days).  I love sweater weather, eating soups, tailgating, the beauty of the leaves changing colors, and pumpkin spice everything. However, as the kids have gotten older, I can’t get enough of summertime!!!  I LOVE IT, even the really hot days.  I love the long days, even though we eat almost every meal in the driveway and stay outside way too late almost every night.  I love neighborhood get-togethers and nights around the fire.  I love swimming and riding bikes with the kids.  I still hate bubbles, but glad the kids are still little enough to enjoy playing with them. I love a good summer landscaping project – at least when it’s complete.  I enjoy a little less stress without having to worry about the kids’ homework.  I love taking the kids to Adventureland and to the Iowa State Fair.  I love parades and small town festivities and block parties!  I love taking the kids boating, playing at the beach and having BBQs.  I love watching the kids on the slip and slide – even though they aren’t as excited about at as they once were, which makes me a little bit sad.  I love watching the kids swim and am happy they enjoy it as much as I did when I was a kid!  I love having way too many root beer floats, bomb pops and flavor ices with all the neighborhood kids!  Most of all, I’m glad my kids are still just small enough that they aren’t allowed to leave the street without me!  This won’t last long. 

So here’s to great summer memories and a beautiful fall!  I’ll have to keep all these fun memories top-of-mind to power through winter.  Which is great through December.   Then you have January, February and March to deal with! 

took the kids mini golfing for the first time this summer.  SUCCESS! 

I had a trade show in Indianapolis this summer, really pretty city!   

This summer will likely be known as the summer of the "ban"- that's what Olivia calls it.  Keith will remember it more as the summer without A/C. 

So we did a slip-and-slide kick ball party this summer.  Super fun, everyone brought their A game and things escalated.  No onsite injuries, but a broken rib was reported back and Keith possibly injured his shoulder.  He went to the doctor - no long-term concerns.  It may be back next summer.   

We did a little movie outside too - and the rain came pouring down about 10 minutes after the movie ended.  So fun!  Can you see why I love, love, love summertime.   

This is how she ends most parties... hot mess!!!! 

We love a visit to Ames and the kids love these cy statues.  

This girl loves wearing my shoes.   

Love having lots of girls in the neighborhood. 

I hope all of you had a great summer!!! 

SIX.

So my boys only have a few more days of being SIX!  Really?  How is this  possible, it seems like I was just bringing them home from the hospital.  I feel like once they are seven, they will no longer be "little" boys.  Just like every other year, the year has been jam-packed....

-SIX-

Kindergarten.  Learned to Read.  Soccer.  T-ball.  Fun at the Farm.  Gymnastics.  Snow Forts.  Dance Parties.  Wrestling. Creature Catching.  So many Lego Creations.  Learned to Swim.  Monkey Bars.  Lots of Boating.  Lego Camp.  Sibley Vacation.  First Triathlon.  Ninja Warrior.  Mud Run. PiggyBack Rides.  GeoCaching.  Cartwheels, so many cartwheels by Carter!  Bike Rides.  Hide and Go Seek.  Being Silly.  Neighborhood Parties.  High Dive Flips. Fights over Blue Blanky.  First rides on the School Bus.  Endless Fort Building.  Many S'mores & Root Beer Floats.  Backyard Camping.  Tree Climbing.  Piano Lessons.  Lots of snuggles. Too Much Growing Up!