Back to school and back to blogging

After a 4 month break it is time to get back into the swing of things, don't you think? In regards to both blogging and school! :)

Jackson--
Officially a 1st grader. After letting his friends get a 2 day head start (thank you fever), 1st grade finally began. He loves it and is totally exhausted by it all at the same time. His favorite part, recess of course. Doing paperwork comes second place. (Really???) We are not playing soccer this fall (mom missed the sign up) but are staying plenty busy getting into all kinds of bigger kid trouble with a few of the neighbors. Lego creations and making books are favorite pass times. The tooth fairy has visited twice and I'm quite sure he grew at least 3 inches this summer (or at least since the last time he wore pants...)

Will--
When I asked him how his first day of school was I got an enthusiastic "Awesome!" In all honestly I had a hard time dropping him off the first day, I had to keep swallowing the lump in the back of my throat. But he LOVES it and it is so good for him. He makes it his business to keep tabs on everyone in the class, making sure I know who was just a little bit naughty because they didn't sit "criss-cross applesauce" and who got to be the helper with their mom. His favorite part was the bear hunt they took on the first day. We've read "We're Going On A Bear Hunt" so many times since he now can "read" it by himself. This summer he's gotten so brave in the water. He even went down the slide at MVP...over and over and over again! He's still proves to be an animal and bug lover and this summer we rescued monarach butterflies off the beach, a praying mantis out of the parking lot of Walmart and a grasshopper out of the yard. Not to mention the many caterpillars we watched make cocoons and turn into moths.

Avery-- A full time walker! Just in the last couple weeks she's discovered that her feet were made for walking and I'm sure it's just a matter of weeks before she figures out running. Grass, sand, woodchips, nothing deters her from walking and it's funny to watch. This girl is into EVERYTHING!!! She empties the tupperware cupboard daily, can climb on the kitchen and deck chairs (not to mention the table), and thinks she can walk down stairs. She loves the beach and the water! She loves to eat sand and every other snack that might be packed in the bag. Lately she carries a bag over her shoulder wherever she goes (yes, like a purse) and puts stuff in and out. Her favorite purse item is an empty dental floss container. She likes to push her baby doll in a stroller and I've seen her trying to carry her baby up by her shoulder. I'd like to know who taught her this?

Dave and I continue to keep busy too. HC fall sports are in full operation which makes for busy times for Dave. He still continues to "need" a boat in a bad way and we now own most of the equipment necessary for the boat, but no boat to put it in. I'm babysitting 2 days a week, enjoying the afternoons when I am not outnumbered, and training for a half marathon in a couple weeks.

Phew...there's life in a nutshell. Hopefully the next update will be sooner than 4 months from now.