First Day

I guess it's my time to really embarrass my kids.  Well, they don't read this blog, so, I guess it doesn't matter.
Here are their first day of school pictures for 2012.  Yes, they started early this year.  That means they get out earlier in May.  Scary.  Let's not think about that now.

Nick ready to start his Sophomore year

bright and early at 6:30am

I think they should let the highschoolers sleep in a little

Alex ready to start 7th grade

Bella ready for 1st grade (and a full school day)

Newton blinked in this picture

See you later, Mom!

(sniff, sniff)

This is my first year without someone hanging on me the entire day.  I got a little teary eyed at school when Bella entered her classroom.  Of course I saw her a half hour later when I went in to help the class with their school supplies (and got several hugs from her).

the bracelet I wore all day

Bella made this for me a long time ago

My day was interesting.  Helped with school supplies for 1st graders for a couple hours.  Came home and RT and I cleaned the basement carpet.  I got some filing and paperwork done and then the day was over. 
I have lots of projects that I want to get done. 
And lots of (uninterrupted) time.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all

Yes, it's that time of year again.  Back to school!  The time where the kids go back to school and I have a few moments of sanity.  Just a few moments,  because then I have to try and get the house in some sort of order before they return home.  I also need to plan on some time to just sit and enjoy the quiet. 
It was a LONG HOT summer and I'm going to need every minute of that 6 1/2 hours.  I earned it!
When Staples made this commercial years ago, it became my favorite.  This is how you can picture me dancing through the stores (and the house).

Bella doesn't like when I sing this song.  Well, she did, until she realized that it was referring to her (and her brothers) going back to school. 
Bella will be full time this year.  It will be quite strange not having a child home all day (or half the day) with me. 
I wonder how much trouble I can get into in 6 1/2 hours?
Hmmmmm......

Give him the wave

Driving back home from a zoo visit during rush hour traffic (always a fun time to be on the road) I started thinking.  (a scary thought, I know) 
I was being a patient driver and letting people move into the lane I was in.  When I moved into a lane, I gave the other driver a wave.  Bella was in the back and asked who I waved to and why.  I replied that it is just a common courtesy to wave to someone who let you move into their lane ahead of them, a way to say thank you. 
After saying this, I noticed that other drivers don't "give you the wave." 
Is this something that is taught? 
Maybe it's just me, I'm the only one who waves to other people. 
Maybe I was just around a bunch of rude people who never say thank you?
Or, maybe it was just rush hour traffic and everyone was crabby and just wanted to get home.

Food Tester

I have been trying to get my food tester (RT) to take a slice of the blueberry pie to see if it is still consumable.  I think he is on to me because he keeps asking if I have figured out if the pie is ok to eat. 
Maybe I will tell him I think it's ok and just serve him a slice.
Of course, if he reads this blog, that will never happen.

Killing me softly

I'm a pretty good cook (if I do say so myself).  I enjoy cooking and baking, as long as the weather cooperates.  I'm not a big fan of having the oven on when it is 100 degrees outside.
I decided to make a pizza for dinner.  I do this once a week.  The children like pepperoni (very exciting), while I like to try throwing on whatever we have on hand.  My favorite topping was black beans (hey, I was cleaning out the refrigerator).  It probably sounds strange but it was quite delicious.
This time, I used my baking sheets.  The ones that have a teflon coating.  I'm not particularly fond of teflon coatings, but, these cookie sheets were given to me. 
I'm sure you know where this is going.
I rolled out the dough (home made dough, not store bought), and put it in the pan.  I bake the crust first then add sauce and toppings and bake a little longer.  This time I had a problem getting the pizza out of the pan.  So much for that non-stick coating!  RT was scraping away trying to get the pizza out of the pan. 
Once the pizza was out of the pan, RT, Bella and I sat down to eat dinner.  We are eating and talking about our day.  When we are almost done eating, Bella says, do I have to eat the rest of this piece, the crust is burnt.  RT and I look at it and realize it's the teflon coating from the pan.  The bottom of the pizza wasn't completely covered, but, there were flecks here and there.
Needless to say, both of us lost our appetite and were completely nauseous.
The pans have been disposed of and I am now on the look out for some new ones.  Bella told me to wait until Christmas. 
I think I would rather pick the baking sheets out myself. 

Penninsula State Park, Ephraim, WI

Sometimes I think my children complain just to drive me crazy.
Getting ready to go on a hike and each one of them had something to complain about. 
"I don't want to wear those shoes."
"I don't want to go on a hike."
"I don't want to hike there."
"I don't want to get ready to go."
As we were walking to the car I said, "We are going to go on the longest trail just so I can continue to hear all of you complain!"
They all seemed pretty excited about that.  (I know how to please them)
Here are some pictures of our hike through Peninsula State Park in Ephraim, WI.
I'll try to just put up a few pictures.

Alex noticed that the trail we took was a "difficult" trail.  "Maybe we shouldn't be on this one?"  I had to remind him of my earlier comment.  They all said they would make sure they complain. 

Aren't they sweet?

more tangled tree pictures

Alex in his cave

Bella in her cave

Nick found a big stick to poke Bella

let the loud complaining begin

posing along a rocky beach

if you look closely at this next picture you will see RT

we didn't see a lot of wildlife because the kids were a little loud

I can't include Nick in that last statement.  Alex and Bella are the loud ones, and probably scared all wildlife within a 50 mile radius.

The kids (again, Alex and Bella) think going on a hike is a race to the finish. Running along (the rocky) path trying to get to the end of the trail and missing all of the beauty along it.  Unless, of course, it's trying to stuff Bella into a tree stump or get her to climb into a dark cave

(luckily they noticed a few things)

All were anxious to reach the end of the trail and get into an air conditioned van.

The ride back was nice and quiet. 

:)

Newport State Park

We took a walk through Newport State Park, located at the tip of the peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin. 
I know, how did we go from Michigan to Wisconsin?  Easily.  We drove.  Not all in the same trip.  Spaced apart.  Just getting around to posting some pictures of our travels. 
The "fern trail" is one of our favorite trails.  We like going a little off trail, about half way through, and walking along the beach.  It's such a beautiful view.
This time was a little easier walking the trail.  The water is really low so there is a little more rocks that we are able to climb.  (prior trail walks we were spent walking on a narrow path on the rocks)
Here are some pictures to get an idea.  I like path pictures and had to add a few.

above is looking off the path

you can see the beach from the trail

we call it peach beach

(peach is a nickname for Alex)

not sure why we named it that, but, the name stuck

Here is where we stopped for lunch

yes, it's a pile of rocks

This is my view (Alex's back)

Seriously, look at that view

Eating lunch outside overlooking the water

This is the life

Bella decided to get her feet wet

talked RT into carrying her to the rock

I am unable to get a picture of all 3 kids together because one child refuses to be in pictures

So, you will have to view them from afar

It was nice to see them interacting with one another

This might be one of the 4 snakes that were spotted on our journey

I was trying to get the overhang and the kids

Wanted to get a closer shot but, someone realized they were in the picture and left

can't get enough of the water/shoreline pictures

another shoreline picture

and Alex, acting as our tour guide

trying to rush us through

I think he had another tour to give after ours

not sure what this next one looks like

I thought intertwined bodies

Alex thought "a butt"

That's all, folks!