Family Camp Year 2

 So we did another round of family camp. This time it was a little different because it was kind of like going for work. But it was still fun. 

Last year it was HOT. This year it was pretty rainy, but I would take damp over HOT any time. 

We spent Saturday morning in the craft barn. Painting acorns. Making lanyards. The regular stuff.

The kids both chose upper bunks again this year. Fine by me. Husband and I doubled up our mattresses on night one which was definitely better. Because it was so rainy and dreary, I got a good nap in on Saturday. And I'm not going to say it was the highlight of my weekend, but it totally was. 

It was nice to spend time together as a family and to have our community near us as well. 

And that was basically what we did last weekend. Family camp! 

It's Been A Week

 It's been a whole week and I have nothing to show for it. Not even decent pictures of the fun stuff we've been up to. Because there hasn't been anything particularly interesting or fun.

Last week we got a box that was MASSIVE. Truly, half the size of my 10-year-old. (True, he's a small 10yo but still...)  And it contained one shirt. I was flabbergasted when I opened my door to see such a large box. 

I remain flabbergasted a week later looking at the picture. Typically Amazon sends shirts in those little plastic mailers... whatever. It made it to me and it fits so that's what's important I guess. 

M had her first soccer game of the season. Friday night before the game she drew this picture. And I love it. 

The game was good. We won 8-1 and we actually scored that goal for the other team. It was a mistake but I was glad. The poor other kids. This year the fields are much bigger and they have 9 players on a team, one of them being a goalie. They've never played with goalies before and the first quarter ended and we had scored 5 goals, the little girl on the other team was just absolutely crushed and sobbing on her sideline. I was so sad for her. It's such a thankless job and so difficult at age 7. 

Afterward, we went out for lunch. 

And that's truly all that's new or interesting over here. Lots of LIFE stuff going on. It's not all good or bad, mostly meh. So that's what's up over this way. Happy Tuesday!

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend I had three household goals, ranging from pretty small to reasonably significant. 

Friday night, M and I delivered meals to our friends who had sweet new babies on the very same day. I even got to hold them both! Then we headed home for movie night, which was mostly good until we tried to play Trivia Pursuit. Have you ever played Trivia Pursuit when you're exhausted and your kids have done their first full 5-day week of school? Yeah. 

No photos were taken of the experience. 

Saturday I had to go to work for a short while. But it was good. I took a nap that afternoon. And during the nap Husband had checked the smallest thing off the list. (New bathroom lightbulbs. They're a weird lightbulb.) He had to go cantor that evening and when he came back it was crazy pouring rain. Which is nice. I love a good storm. 

Then we headed out for the evening. 

We started with drinks at our friend's Distillery Lounge. (Thus the weird angle, I sent it to my friend so she could see where we were.) Then we met some friends for dinner out. And we had a really nice time. 

Sunday we went to Mass. (Husband went twice this weekend.) And it was good. After lunch, I said, should we go ahead and check the next item off the list? So together we installed a new ceiling fan/light fixture in the kitchen. 

Then after that was in, we went to a music festival. I volunteered at the merchandise table for a while and the kids played. We enjoyed some tunes and ate from a food truck for dinner. The kids even got face painted. Which is kind of a big deal because Husband is NOT a face paint fan. He doesn't have a ton of things he just doesn't like so we've always just skipped over that. But this time he said they could. 

The festival went from 4-10. We were there from 3:30 (volunteering) to 7:00 so I think we missed the bulk of the crowd, it was just starting to get crowded as we were leaving. 

Then yesterday. The big project. Two trips to Home Depot. A lot of sweat. Some tears. No blood that I know of. And this is the result... 

Picture it with new trim and caulk which were the only pieces we didn't have time for yesterday. I couldn't be more delighted if I tried. 

Remember in April when they had to cut a hole in the floor?! 

Yeah. 

Farewell hole. Farewell, terrible 90s Linoleum.  Neither of you will be missed. 

So needless to say, it was a busy and good weekend. The perfect blend of fun and work. Only 4 more days til Friday again! And I can't wait! 

What a Week

Last week school started on a Tuesday. A short week is always nice. This week, the full 5 days and boy are we all feeling it. Not to mention that it has also just been a busy week for me at work. Not bad, at all, just busy. We are definitely grateful for the 3 day weekend coming up! 

So here we are in September. But let's finish up August, shall we? 

I finally got a picture of the grown-up Cozy Coupe. I had told my parents about it just recently and then luckily we spotted it! So I for sure snapped a picture. It's a tiny smart car and I love their humor.

This next picture serves two purposes. First to show that Monday Rosary is back! And oh boy, praying with my tribe again was soooooo good. But also, because a million years ago I saw these toys at Target on massive clearance and I wanted them but put them back. Then nobody liked Sofia anymore and that was the end of that. My church basement nursery room is the place of not only my prayers but apparently my dreams too. 

Tuesday was a big day because Husband started piano lessons. He took them when he was young and wanted to get back to it. I fully admit filling out his forms brought me an immense amount of joy. And so did taking his "First Day of Lessons" picture with his little piano bag. 

Wednesday was my birthday! And it was the busiest day because I had so many meetings. It was a good day. And we capped it off with the biggest birthday party Mom's Night Out Mingle ever. 61 ladies came and me and my friend/coworker hosted for our parish. Everyone had a name tag that had people rotating to different groups and tables to answer the questions we picked for each round. It was like speed dating for friends. And it was good! 

Then yesterday M and I had a little girls' trip. Okay, it wasn't that exciting, it was to our fancy new Children's Hospital about an hour away. M is going to have a mole removed in the future. At the check out desk, they had these light-up chickens and corn. It was so very Iowa. And M and I appreciated it. 

And now, Friday. Hallelujah and Amen. 

Hope you've had a good week!

Back to School

 Woke up nice and early this morning to get ready for our big back-to-school day! 

Our traditional steps picture before heading over to school early. 

Since 2019 we start every school year kneeling in front of our Blessed Mother asking for her protection and guidance in the school year to come. 

And then we went and got them in their lines... 

I am hoping for the best year yet for them! 

End of Summer Celebration

 Our family decided yesterday to celebrate the end of summer break. 

We first went to brunch. We've been wanting to do that for a while but getting there early enough to get a seat conflicts with our typical mass time so we rearranged our weekend to make it happen. Totally worth it! It was also a mini-celebration of Husband and I's anniversary which was last week. It was a great brunch, with prime rib, carving ham, a crepe station, omelets, and eggs benedict bar. Plus normal brunch options as well. A special occasion kind of thing, but delicious all the same. 

Then we went bowling! 

I will have you know that I won! (And I was just as shocked as you at that turn of events.) We didn't turn on the bumpers for the kids until the second turn. But we had a great time and it was a lot of fun. We really ought to remember we enjoy bowling and go more frequently than every three years. 

After bowling, we let the kids have a half hour of arcade time. Which was fine. By the end, it was starting to get crowded and not that much fun, so I was happy we had limited time to be there. All of us had a great time together and it was the perfect capstone to a summer of fun together. 

Backpacks Are Unpacked

Last night we went to Unpack Your Backpack to get a jump on the school year. We got everything unloaded and we are ready for the start of school. 

Fourth grade is going to be amazing for this kid, I can tell! 

And this sweet girl is so ready for second grade! And I love her teacher. (She was C's teacher and she tutored both kids for no summer slump last summer.)

She and M are cut from the same cloth. First off, they have the same birthday! When M was in K and C was in her class, she wrote a little note and sent M a birthday treat and they did the same last year too. So they've bonded over their birthday fun! But they also have the same favorite food (pancakes) and animal (panda) so... it's going to be a good year. 

Mrs. H's favorite color is also M's 3rd favorite color so that's good too.

I am excited about what this year will bring! One last summer weekend!