Weekend Update

I have been busy just getting my house and yard back in order from 3 months of playing with the kids.  I also love wearing jeans and a sweatshirts lately...  I really think that I am ready for fall.

We had a great weekend... Friday night pizza and Harry Potter movie.  Our two older kids have just finished reading the first book.  We all loved the first movie and can't wait to have the kids finish the second book so that we can watch the movie.

Saturday was full with soccer, yard work, clothes shopping for Blake, and a BBQ/bonfire with 4 other families at our house.  It is so nice to have families where the parents and kids all get a long.

Sunday we stayed in PJ's for the whole day.  I had some cleaning up to do after the late Saturday night, but then just lounged with the family.  We did make it out for ice cream.  It was so nice because the rest of our fall weekends are so jam packed from here on out!!!

I love our yard, but there sure is a lot to clean up and cut down...

We have gotten our money out of this toy...  The kids are always on here

Madison is my little FLIPPER

Blake loves his new trombone

Surprised Blake with an air soft gun war after school on Friday!!!!

Girls loved hanging out with our neighbors rabbits.  Yes, Cait and Claire are in the cage!!!!

Goldie

Caitlin has a new pet --- GOLDIE...  She won him at the fair last weekend.  I definitely don't need another pet in this house, but she is in love with him.  I have to keep reminding her that goldfish don't live very long.  It will be a very sad day when he dies.   My kids struggle when worms die on our driveway...

The GOOD Life

WOW...  Back to school is treating our family wonderfully!  I am still pinching myself just to make sure that this isn't all a dream.  My children are so happy with their teachers, school and being independent.  Of course that makes for a very happy mommy as well.  I have also been very busy getting serious at the gym. I absolutely love working out and am quite addicted to the feeling after the work out is done.  Ok, I actually love all the social interacting of the gym as well.  I have also been getting some wonderful girlfriend time in.  

Back to the independent children.  Seriously----  life could not be better with them.  Brett and I have also been trying to get out and walk the dog together in the evenings.  We set a timer for the kids - who stay home SOLO,  when we return they are showered and ready for bed.  Sometimes already snuggled in bed with a book in hand.  It has been 11 years of bathing, dressing and getting kids ready for bed.  

Last weekend, I actually found myself sitting on the back porch reading MY book.  I sure hope that this isn't just a great "honeymoon" period...

Second grade OPEN HOUSE

Don't tell the kids how much fun we have in the afternoons!!!!

Caitlin is loving having me coach her team.  We even won our first game...

Couldn't pass up this new CHEETAH hat.

Glorious

Blake has been a great walking buddy lately.

Back To School

Day 2...  It is glorious.  I love our new schedule.  Blake and I have had the best two mornings so far.  We are the only ones up at 6:15.  I have really enjoyed drinking my coffee and just hanging out with this awesome kid.  I'm also looking forward to the hour that he gets home before the girls.  He wants to work on his back flips on the trampoline today before the girls get home.  I'm hoping that he continues wanting to spend time with me...  It is super strange to have him walk down the street by himself and get on the middle school/high school bus!

We have also had a HUGE change at our house...  making the kids be more independent.  I have failed miserably in doing way too much for these kids.  It will be a struggle for me, but I'm setting it as my new goal.  They are packing their own lunches/snacks/water bottles for school.  I know that it seems crazy to some people that I have been doing this for so many years, but I really LOVE/NEED to help them out.

They all came home very happy kids yesterday...

Redeeming Myself...

Yesterday was a wonderful day at the lake!  We spent the whole day with friends.  I am going to miss these wonderful summer gatherings.  We were at our dear friends cottage.  Blake caught the largest fish of the day!!!!

I was sporting my bruises and battle scars from the last time, but super determined to conquer the jet ski.  I had a glorious time and rode it without any major wipe outs.  Of course my friends then had to challenge me further...  They kept hanging the whole slalom failure over my head.  Since my last attempt was so horrible AND there were many more observes this time, I graciously declined.

Somehow as the night went on, I found myself on their neighbors ski boat getting ready to ski.  Nervously, I jumped into the water with my ONE ski.  "Hit IT" --- I popped out of the water and skied all around the lake.  It was so fun.  I wasn't going to just let go at the end.  It was a glorious wipe out---- I was also so excited to call my dad.  He was the one that taught me how to slalom 30 years ago.

My kids were very shocked and couldn't wait to get home to tell Brett.  Poor Brett had to work this weekend.  I came home close to 10:00pm with 3 very tired kids...  As we walked in the door, they were quickly telling Brett about the day and then very surprised when they saw their new wakeboard on the counter.  Monday will be all about wakeboarding.  I hope that I can do it on this JUNIOR board:)

The down side---  why does getting old suck????  I took a super long bath last night and foam rolled in hopes of not being sore today.  I woke up with a super stiff knee.  Looks like a motrin 800 and Icy Hot kind of day.  It was so worth it.

A HUGE Stepping Stone

Blake is going to Middle School...  I really can't believe it.  I am so sad and excited at the same time.  My absolutely favorite grade to teach is 6th grade.  I just love their excitement, freedom and finding out who they really are that draws me to this age.  I couldn't be more happy for my boy.   Why does it make me a tad sad at the same time????

I also loved touring his middle school at open house.  It brought back a lot of wonderful memories of being in the classroom.  Even the dreaded "locker" made me smile.  I spent so much of my first few weeks as a 6th grade teacher using my key to open kids lockers.  Blake was a pro at learning how to use the lock.

He even got his 4 immunizations without a tear...  Things have really changed!

More Cousin Time

It was so great to have Ava and Drake here.  This has been the summer of "cousin camps"...  I have loved getting to know each of them a little better.  We also went back to Silver Beach with several of our friends when they were here to visit.  The pier jumping was fresh in their minds and they couldn't wait to do it again...  Caitlin and Ava did it for their first time.   What very brave 7 year old girls...

A visit to the Eliuk house is not complete without a trip to Red Robin...

Go AVA

Caitlin Ruby...

The GANG!!!