Isaac updates

Isaac is staying busy. He is in the 8th grade, has football practice daily until 6:00 and then games on Wednesdays. He is involved in our church youth group, and is reading books for this year's Battle of the Books.  Josh and I went to his parent conference this past week and were blown away by the feedback we recieved. His English teacher just kept bragging about how he is super smart, has great classroom participation, is respectful, a good friend, and just an all around great kid. One of the things that touched me the most was when she said that he was very humble- he is self confident but not arrogant ... she said a lot of AIG kids are smart and know it, and come off arrogant or condescending to other students. His math teacher echoed that Isaac always had the answers and she loved that he participated in class. She said that she moved him to a different location so he could encourage others to participate more in class. His grades were great and we are so proud of our big boy! I don't even have to ask (even though I do.. it's a habit I guess) if he has homework because he always takes responsibility and gets it done.

One of Isaac's teachers said, "How many kids to you have?" We said, "Three". She said, "Good, have some more". She said the world needs more kids like Isaac. I think it's a weird and sweet compliment but I've got my hands full with the three dearies that I already have. Plus, I have a feeling that my wild man Eli is going to give his teachers a run for their money. Isaac has always been the 'ideal' student and every year we hear things like "Oh, I wish I had a whole classroom of kids like Isaac." Eli is extremely smart (this is the one that could identify every letter in the alphabet before he turned two from watching a movie in the car) but he is sooo wide open! I'm hoping that he calms down a bit before kindergarten. Now, if I can keep Olivia from being too spoiled by being the baby and the only girl then I will be in good shape!

Randomness

Sampson found a new water bowl... his other ones are our unfinished pool and of course his own personal bowl that he doesn't drink out of.

He's 8 months old now and a big pup

I made the Pioneer Woman's choc cookies you should definitely try this recipe.

Eli after he got into said cookies

My fall arrangement I made during Mom's night out

Taking Sampson to the vet.. he wanted to ride between the car seats

Trying on Josh's new toys from the Gun Show

We had a Fall-licious morning.. Pumpkin butter on toast and pumpkin muffins from Trader Joes's

Olivia had her first pigtails!

Pigtails! I've been waiting on this moment :)

My sweet munchkins

Love these three!

Eli and Olivia are crazy about their Pawpaw (Josh's dad). He is one of Olivia's favorite people.

Helping Mommy get ready for church

Big brother Isaac and Olivia

Olivia having her nails painted for the first time by Allie! She loved it and wanted me to paint her toenails the next morning. 

Eli helping Daddy mow the grass

He is such a ham!

Fall, football, and orchards

I love fall!! Have I already said that? It's definitely my favorite season!

Here's my Fall to do list: I know it's pretty shallow.. don't judge :)

I marked off the ones I've completed

1. Partake in pumpkin spiced lattes

2. Visit a pumpkin patch

3. Go to a corn maze- Elida Home has a great one and proceeds go to the children's home

4. Plant mums and decorate for fall

5. Visit the Mountain State fair

6. Take a few hikes

7. Bake some pumpkin goodies

8. Carve a pumpkin

9. Have fall pictures made of the kids

10. Go camping

Today we kicked off Fall in full flavor with a pre-school field trip to Stepp's Orchard. I was super thankful to have Josh go with me because the road up there is so curvy and my driving skills are below par.

We had a load of gravel coming this morning at 7:30 (for our pool construction project) so we could leave at 8 and be at the orchard at 9. Well of course things don't go as planned and the gravel didn't show up on time. In the meantime, I take Isaac to school, throw my hair in a pony tail, put on a dab on makeup, find my jeans from yesterday and frantically dress and wake the kiddos (Olivia was awake from 4:45-6:00 am this morning which never happens). I make some delicious frozen Eggos for them to eat in the car on the way up the road.

When we finally arrive at the orchard, we are more than 30 minutes late and the hay ride had already taken the kids into the orchard to pick apples. Thankfully, the lovely worker at the orchard put us in her truck and drove us through the orchard to meet the hay ride. The tractor evidently didn't see us so she starts beeping the horn while EVERYONE stares back. Talk about an entrance. We grabbed our apples and hopped on the hay ride! A bit embarrassing but hey... we made it!

Eli had a great time and Livi did too. We got to pick pumpkins, go through a corn field and a soy bean maze, drink fresh apple cider, and try apples. Josh and I took the kids to PF Changs for lunch and we headed home.

To complete our fall fun day.. Isaac had his first home football game. The air was a bit chilly and it was perfect weather for football. I'm not a fan of him playing football but I acquiesce since he really enjoys it. His team won so he was of course happy about that.. and he didn't get hurt so that made me happy. 

Isaac's football game.. he's number 76. This was the rival game of our two Jr. High schools, East and West.

Nana and Eli

Daddy and Olivia in the soy bean maze

Olivia looking at the beans

Livi the pumpkin

Eli the pumpkin

Mommy and Livi

Nana and Eli

Time for a teenager!

13.. Thirteen... ThirTEEN! That's old and wait that makes me old! I remember being 13...glasses, braces and wearing the same Anne of Green Gables tee shirt everyday. Maybe it's just a boy thing but Isaac seems way cooler than I was at 13. He is going into 8th grade which will be his last year before high school. He's not hit puberty yet but he tries to make his voice deepen when he talks to people. I'm sure it won't be long before it happens for real.

He has been asking for an air soft party for the last several years but I've not been able to 'bite the bullet' and pull one off. My main concern was someone loosing a eye! We finally gave in and Isaac and his cousins scouted out a place for the war and Isaac invited 12 little boys bringing the total of pre-teen/teenage boys to 13! Am I crazy or what.. having 13 boys in my house for an air soft party and sleep over.

The boys arrived after Isaac's football practice Thursday evening, had pizza, donned their air soft wardrobe and hit the woods. They played off and on until dark. My floors looked like the outdoors.. sticks, leaves, mud. Oh well.. our house is definitely lived in and that's why I was smart enough NOT to mop before they came over. After dark they hung out in the Media room playing Xbox and being wild. Over half of them didn't go to bed at all and the next morning there wasn't a crumb left in the kitchen. The cupcakes, cookie cake, left over pizza, chips, fruit, etc.. had been completely wiped out.

Josh had to go to work Friday morning so that left me with the two littles and 13 boys. I fixed breakfast (with Livi on my hip) biscuits, eggs, bacon, sausage links, fruit, doughnuts and orange juice and thought to myself "I'm glad I don't have 13 kids." It was demolished. They played air soft some more before parents arrived after lunch time. I think they all had a good time since two of them asked if they could move in :)


Now, to clean house because we leave for the beach tomorrow!

Real Life

I had the kids' pictures made a few weeks ago and this was one my photographer posted. I just love it because it captures the moment perfectly. The sweet sibling picture was not happening. Isaac's face cracks me up because he is utterly fed up and doesn't know what to do with Olivia. Eli is doing his little normal thing which is NOT looking at the camera. I have taken very few pictures of Eli over the years actually looking at the camera, because by the time the shutter closes, he has already looked away. Olivia was not having the whole picture thing at all and was in total baby melt down mode... complete with the 'throw myself back and flail'. I will say that Katy Cook Photography rocks and she is totally awesome. She even came back to our house and re-shot a few pictures with all three kids.  Her work always impresses me and she is definitely talented.

So as I continue on the real life theme.. Here are a few snapshots from this week!

Olivia's cracker mess

I will admit I resorted to chocolate animal crackers to silence the crying. I can only handle so much car crying. I will also admit that she is naked (except for a diaper) and both the littles rode home naked from Nana's house after swimming. Eli swam in his underwear so he rode home in the same outfit that he came into this world in.

Who needs toys when you can dig with a spoon? This child can find a way to get dirty all the time. Crocs are this mama's best friend because they wash so super easy!

Isaac's been promoted

My oldest just finished 7th grade! Our first year of junior high is finished... whew! It seems like I just wrote about him starting Jr. High. Well.. he didn't get bullied, fail a class, take any drugs, kiss a girl or worse, flunk out of school, or make any horrible life altering mistakes. Thank you Jesus! In seriousness, my boy makes me so proud- he is an excellent student and I have had many compliments this year from his teachers. He is a leader and a good one at that. I am thrilled to have him home for the summer.

Week in re-cap

Olivia is a cuddle bunny and a hugger. This is such a sweet picture of her and Josh's dad.

We tried on our new bathing suit!

Eli typed.. not sure about the last word...but I thought it was kinda funny!

Eli boycotted nap time- notice he's taken his clothes off.. surprise, surprise.

Olivia dragging out the play food- I'm already tired of picking this up. She tossed chicken legs at Josh while he was taking a bath today.

Isaac had his last band concert. We had to stay for the performances from 7th, 8th and 9th  for him to get credit. I admit Josh played Candy crush at some point and I did close my eyes briefly.

Acting silly, trying to embarrass my 12 year old. 

Oliva's new ktichen. Eli's already put his trucks in the freezer.

Riding in the big blue truck!

Last Kindermusik class. Isaac fusses when I play the CD in the car.. I guess he's not into tr-la-la'ing.

I had the kids pictures made on Thursday. I can't wait to see more!

Isaac had 3 baseball games this week.. wheew!  He did not want his picture taken here. He plays 2nd base this year and has made some really good plays. 

We jumped in the bouncy house

Love these three!

My roses are blooming!