Happy Tuesday!

So after our crazy heat wave... it cooled off enough on Saturday for us to have a fire. And it was so much fun! We had smores with the kids before they went to bed and then Husband and I sat out and chatted the rest of the evening. 

Watching a fire and chatting is an excellent use of time. I will still happily watch Suits with him any time but it was a nice change up. 

The rest of the weekend was spent working on M's Halloween Costume. Yes, we started early. It's going to be EPIC and I am SO excited about it. 

Yesterday was our first Monday rosary of the school year. I am always the first person down. And it was nice to be back to routine. 

Well except Labor Day will get in the way. And then the following Monday is a school-in-service day. But then we will be back in routine! 

This gal here is giving me a run for my money. So much drama and opinions. 

But she's also been so creative. Look at these little dresses she made out of paper? They're adorable. 

It's amazing, I was driving home from a board meeting last night and that sun was a lot higher and blinding me. But when I snapped a pic... it doesn't look like much at all. 

I could wax poetically about how life is all about perspective but I don't really have anything astute to say about it. 

Today, finally on Day 5... I sent two kids to school in actual uniform! The first two days were so stinkin' hot that C was told to wear his gym uniform. Friday is a gym day so he had to even if it wasn't hot. And so was Monday! 

It's been quite a while since I asked him if he knew where his belt was. And even though he opted for the absolute wrinkliest polo in his collection (I swear I wash, dry, and fold his clothes nicely.) it is still nice to finally feel like we're back in action. 

Both kiddos had homework yesterday. (Easy homework! Like spelling lists and 6 review math problems to turn their brains back on kind of homework.) And even through the drama of the first few days and the homework and everything... I am really excited that things are really back to routine! 

 

Bracelets and the First Three Days

 So for back to school, I made M her very own Taylor Swift friendship bracelet. 

I don't even want to talk about the fact that I was again thwarted from tickets this last round. (Indy isn't that far for us.) I am less salty about it than I was before but I really wanted to take M to see her. 

Anyway, a lucky T. Swift bracelet for my girl to start the year off with was my way of showing her how loved she is. 

The days are SWEATY. The kids just radiated heat when they got to my office at the end of the day. 

But we made it to Friday! 

We soaked in a few more minutes of air conditioning before they went over to school. It's not as crazy hot today but they still have an early out again because there hasn't been a way for the school building to cool off at all. 

This weekend will help! 

Quite honestly, these three short days to kick off the school year have been nice. Starting school is exhausting so having the chance to have some short days to find a routine again is okay with me! We are all looking forward to a cozy Family Movie Night tonight. Now to pick a good movie... 

Happy Friday! 

First Day!

 And just like that, summer break is over and they're off to school. 

Fifth grade. 

Third grade.

Now, it needs to be said, that it's not a particularly awesome first day of school. It is SO hot. And the school has no air conditioning. So it's an early out. 

And actually girls were told to not wear jumpers so I took a picture of her in a jumper at home and then in front of the school sign and then we took it off. 4-8 was told to wear gym uniforms today. K-3 kids don't have gym uniforms so they're rocking polos and uniform shorts. But girls could wear any appropriate length shorts and so M is in gym shorts and a polo... it's not a super cute look is what I am saying. 

We asked Mary to bless their year and to watch over them. That's our candle next to her right foot. 

And the school year is off and running. Even with an early out today!

Rest In Peace

Our original aquatic gentleman has gone on to the great big fish tank in the sky. It wasn't a great surprise, his health had been worsening for the past two months. But we are still sad. 

He was a really handsome betta and so much fun to watch. I would genuinely just go into C's room to watch the fish most days. 

He loved his log. He loved his snail friends Geyona, Chocolate, and Sheldon.

He loved his leaf hammock. 

We had a nice fishy funeral for him and even added some Holy Water to the grave. Jesus was friends with fishermen after all and we don't really know what pet souls need. 

We will miss you Waldo! 

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Last night C and I had a little date night together at the local minor league park. We had excellent seats and it turned out that it was a shirt giveaway night too. 

It was also $2 pops and $1 hot dog night so our entire dinner was $7. My guy's preteen appetite has kicked in and he likes 2 hot dogs now! 

C even got a ball! 

By the 4th inning, we had accomplished everything a ball game should. Hot dogs, a home run, free shirt, and we were on the jumbotron during the national anthem so... 

We were right up in the action and next to the dugout of our team. Typically when we've gone in the past it's to the company suite, but then Husband switched jobs. C was initially distraught that we wouldn't go to the games anymore. M didn't care. That's actually how this date came to be. I enjoy sitting and chatting through a baseball game. Husband feels similarly to M. 

C opted for popcorn over Cracker Jacks though I did offer. We had a really nice time. It was the MOST perfect weather for a baseball game. We stayed until the end of the 8th. The home team was down and C told me he was tired. 

I am so glad we got to spend that time together just the two of us! 

August Adventures

I wish I had interesting things to post all the time but the last week or so has been rather quietly boring. And I am just totally fine with that. 

Up until last Thursday anyhow. We have had some fun family time these past few days. 

Thursday night we went to the art museum to see the Charles Schultz exhibit again before it left. 

Saturday we went to a different museum to see the Jerusalem movie I have been wanting to see. 

Yesterday we went on a big family adventure day and started at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. Here are the kids posing as the Hoovers. 

We stopped on the way home at the I-80 World's Largest Truck Stop. It was a hoot. 

Then we went to the I-80 Truck Museum and I was not anticipating how interesting it was going to be. It was HUGE. 

They even have this, and it's one of the oldest trucks ever. Like from when trucks were first ever manufactured! And I was so impressed.

I don't really care about trucks at all and I found it so fascinating. If you have even a remote interest in seeing the history of trucks and find yourself in Iowa, you should definitely make time to go. It's even free! (Though they accept donations and we did feel inclined to give at the end.) 

So that's what we have been up to! Family time together before school starts and trying to have a good time. 

August Came Marching In

We ended our time at camp with an overnight in the Dells. We went to no water parks and in fact, didn't even go to the pool. We did shower the kids off and take some time to hear all about their time. 

The next morning we got up and went to have breakfast at the Paul Bunyan Cook Shanty.

I had been when I was a kid. The food was genuinely as good as I remembered. But I was unhappy with the service since it was all you could eat that they only checked on us once and then never came back! 

I would have at least had a drink refill. And maybe even a bit more food. 

After breakfast, we went on the Original Duck Tour. Again, I had been when I was very small. But even Husband hadn't. It was exactly how I like to experience nature: sitting down, and for only an hour. 

C particularly loved the corny punny tour. It is very Jungle Cruise-esque. 

This week with them home has been nice. We had a fish fry on Tuesday using some of the fish C caught earlier in the month.

It was really tasty! 

Last night C and I went to see Much Ado About Nothing. It was a preview so we were legit the only two people there. But it was a blast. C did think it got a little long. But man was it good. 

And now even though I can't believe it is August, there's still some summer fun to be had before school starts up.