WITL--Monday

I just need to say that it's really hard to get back in the routine of school and getting up early again (especially when you're reading a really good series of books that you just can not put down when it's time to go to bed).  That said, yesterday was a really good day.  Luke went off to school with no problems and Hannah was very excited to start back at gymnastics in the morning.  After gymnastics, we went to Office Depot and the grocery store before coming home for lunch and quiet time.  I was productive during quiet time cleaning up the house, dealing with trash and laundry.  I enjoyed about 30 minutes of quiet time for me checking FB and updating my WITL stuff before I went to get Hannah.  She was sound asleep!  She gave up her nap about a month ago and there are days when she does still fall asleep if she's in her room long enough--I'm sure gymnastics wore her out.  I let her watch a show to wake up before we picked up Lukester from school.  I knew I wanted to let the kids have the chance to swim as the weather for the next couple of days doesn't look very conducive to that and they were excited to hear that.  I talked to my mom for a while watching the kids have a great time in the pool.  We came inside and they took showers before watching Curious George 3 (it was on PBS and I recorded it for them) which they have been super anxious to see as it was constantly being advertised and I started dinner.  Troy got home while I was working on dinner.  We decided to let the kids have a picnic dinner (much more rare than picnic lunches) and finish the movie while we enjoyed a dinner for two at the table.  After the movie, Luke started on his homework.  As a first grader this year, he will have homework every night.  I'm estimating it will be about 30 minutes a night.  I'm not sure how I feel about this yet other than knowing I wished we had over the weekend to complete the homework packet for the week rather than a Monday-Friday timeline.  Hannah cleaned up her room while LJ did his work.  It was apparent again that both kiddos were pretty tired and after a few minutes of playtime it was time for bed.  I read to LJ again and Troy read to HB.  She's come around the last week or so and is okay with Troy reading to her more (hooray!)  Troy did some work before heading to bed early while I watched some TV and folded laundry for what seemed like forever!  I watched the news and worked on Sunday's blog post and made Luke's lunch before heading to bed myself where I again got my nose stuck in my book too late!

Observations/Gratitude:

*Hannah was very sleepy this morning.

*It's never a good idea to go to the grocery store when you are hungry.

*The kids played really well together in the pool.

*Hannah was so excited that she has Coach Sammy again for gymnastics.

*I was productive!

*Troy had a good day at work and got some great news about the well he's working on.

Favorite Moment:

Watching Hannah at gymnastics--it's a full hour of pure entertainment for me.

Pics Taken: 87

First thing I look at on my phone every morning 

Getting ready for school 

On the road 

My sweet boy giving me hugs and kisses for the day. 

And Hannah gets some love too! 

Breakfast--she put the strawberries on the the peanut butter toast but I'm guessing that wouldn't be a bad combo 

The only time she ever lets me do anything with her hair is on gymnastics day. 

She looks so cute I wish she'd let me put it up more often. 

A quick load before we leave 

Waiting to get started 

Peek a boo! 

She's really good at somersaults. 

Insisted that I carry her into the store 

I'm not sure how I didn't remember to get a pic of Hannah riding in the car grocery cart but I didn't and this is the only one I got to show we were even there. 

I asked Hannah to take a picture of me putting away the groceries--good to see her perspective. 

Lunch 

Love these! Especially the black raspberry. 

And again 

Getting caught up 

She's been making these beds on her floor but this is the first time I've found her sound asleep! 

Sleepy snuggles 

1, 2, 3, Jump! 

This butterfly kept saying hello while the kids were swimming.  It was really pretty--black with lots of yellow/golden spots.

I posted this one on FB saying, "Love these smiles!"  Aunt Sarah commented saying, "Me too!" 

Clean smile 

Clean smile  

He said, "Mom, you have to take a picture.  My head looks like a spikey ball!"

A Christmas present I made for Troy.  It's been a really fun thing to have in the bathroom and get a surprise note from each other every so often.  

Homework packet 

Cantaloupe from the farmer's market--it's super tasty! 

Engrossed in George 

Peaceful dinner for two 

Working hard 

This week's spelling list.  He nailed every one of them the first time I asked. (I wasn't surprised.) 

20 minutes of reading too! 

Doing her own work 

Stories with Dad 

Wiggling hard to get the other front one to come out 

WITL--Sunday

It was not a typical Sunday for us.  Troy had to go into work which he did right before I got up.  I showered and got ready before get having breakfast with the kids.  I then got them ready for our back to school photo shoot we did with a group of friends.  We met at the park in our old neighborhood where we had props and a back drop for the photo shoot.  It was really a lot of fun.  The kids all took turns rotating through the different locations that were set up for the pictures.  I was happy to get several great shots of the kids.  We headed home and because the kids had had so many snacks they weren't hungry for lunch so they went to their rooms for quiet time.  I fixed lunch for myself and read while I ate.  Troy got home about 20 minutes after I had finished my lunch so Troy and the kids all had a light late lunch.  I made a quick grocery run for dinner while the kids were playing.  After I got back I watered all my flower pots while Troy was watching the PGA Championship and the kids were still playing together.  Troy took a nap after I came back inside and LJ requested some alone time so Hannah came downstairs with me and watched Daniel Tiger.  The kids had really been wanting to swim but since one of the pumps was broken we hadn't been able to all week.  Troy got the pool clean enough that he was comfortable letting them get in and they really had so much fun.  I was outside with them for a while and then Troy came out to watch them while I started fixing dinner.  He supervised showers while I finished up dinner.  We all then enjoyed a super yummy dinner (chicken parmesan meatballs).  The kids cleaned their rooms with my supervision while Troy emptied the dishwasher and cleaned up the kitchen.  It was apparent that both kiddos were very tired and we decided an early bedtime would be good.  I read to Luke and we had a great conversation about TV characters and Luke designing a machine that would allow them to come out of the TV and be in real life.  Troy ironed and worked on his computer a bit while watching the Royals game and then he let me watch some TV while I downloaded pictures and blogged.  I packed LJ's lunch and Troy went to bed.  I did a few more things before going up to check on the kids.  I found Hannah laying on the floor all curled up in a ball blocking her door.  I quickly put her in her own bed but she said, "Mommy, you scared me."  I read for a bit before turning my light out (again probably too late).

Observations/Gratitude:

*The kids got along well for the most part.

*Troy is very stressed with work right now.

*We love having a pool in the backyard.

*Fresh picked basil smells SO good!

Favorite Moment:

Watching and listening to the kids splash around and laugh in the pool

Pics Taken: 116

Back to School Pics Taken: 176

Hannah took one of me putting on my lotion. 

Part of our breakfast routine every day 

Capturing 

One of my most favorites to eat

Lunch by myself--a rarity these days 

Building creations 

Working hard 

Just a few quick things for dinner (it's rather unusual for me to run to the store like this) 

Love this sign I got for Mother's Day 

Giving everything a drink 

Reading (love that he does this willingly) 

Keeping track for school 

His alone time 

Reading while H was watching 

I think I mentioned that she is my faithful companion. 

He loves jumping in!  She's getting there. 

My lock screen pic (I haven't it changed it in over two years because I love this picture so much.) 

Main screen 

Chatting before I go in to fix dinner 

Quick Skype call with Grandma and Grandpa 

Setting the table--a shared job they do every day 

Whipping up some yummy stuff 

Unloading the dishwasher (so grateful that he helps with this) 

Good night kiss and hug 

With Dad this time 

She is such a sweetie!  We sing Frere Jacques before lights out.  She also has a kiss and hug routine.  We get a kiss on each cheek, one on the lips, one on our hand that then has to go our cheek and our heart, a big hug and finally a long kiss on the lips. 

At seven, I'm thrilled he hasn't had any objections yet to good night hugs and kisses.  He also gets Frere Jacques and a backrub before lights out. 

Getting ready for the work week 

Veggin' out 

She typically climbs up in my lap after the house is quiet for the night.

Some of the pics from the photo shoot (unedited):

How do you eat an apple with a huge hole from missing teeth?

Like this Mom!