Little fishy

Parker has really come along in his swimming confidence this summer. While he is still dependent on his water wings/vest, he is now comfortable with jumping and having his head go under water. That's a big development. Last weekend, he also went in the big pool (usually he likes just staying in the jacuzzi). He was swimming back and forth using big arms and kicking his legs. He was pretty quick too. Glad to see him having so much fun in the pool. I think next summer will be a better age for swimming lessons for him.

Go Blue kind of weekend

Pete counts down the days until college football season returns. He loves it. Of course he loves Michigan the most, but he loves it all. He would watch every game if he had the time. On Saturday morning, we all got up and got into the Michigan spirit with our blue and maize. It was so exciting!

 I love that our boys were both born in Michigan.

 Evidence of Parker's first movie experience, "Planes."

 Austin loves hats.

 Austin's other love... trains, and playing with Parker.

 He even knows how to connect the tracks now! What a big boy.

 Go Blue!

Freezer meal workshop

Not the best pics, but it was the best we could do while busy working. I hosted a freezer meal workshop a few weeks ago. That meant in one night we may 10 freezer meals using Wildtree products. I did this a few months ago at a friend's and loved all the food and the convenience. It was a no brainer to host one. My friends and I had fun chatting while working. 

Can't wait to do it again in October at another friend's house.

Cuteness

My kids loving having cousin Jo to play with. 

 Parker went to Coco's with Grammy and Papa. He loves his "bacon face" dinner.

 The boys at Old Poway Park, about to ride the train... which I might add was VERY fast. Austin was clinging to me and I can't blame him. They don't call it the "speeder" for nothing.

First day of school

My mom has been a preschool teacher for 10 years. She's amazing and highly requested at her school. She got into the profession later in life, but truly found her nitch. When we knew were moving back to SD, one of the exciting things was that we knew Parker would get to be in her class. And the year is finally here. Parker is Mrs. Lieber's class... Grammy's class! We went to the open house on Thursday morning for the kids to get acquainted with the classroom and the new friends. Parker loved it, and so did Austin. The hardest part of the year will be getting Austin to leave when we drop brother off on Tuesdays and Thursdays. :)

Here's the first day of school. I told Parker that he had to wear the collared shirt Grammy bought him for the first day, but he could pick out whatever he wanted for the rest of the school year:) Pretty good deal for him, huh? And sure enough Grammy told him how handsome he looked as soon as he walked in. So excited for this school year!

                                                   
                                                 

On the drive over, Parker told Austin, "Sorry I have to go to school so much. You're really going to miss me." And it's true... well kind of. Austin gets a solid morning nap while Park is at school, and then on Thursdays, I will be doing a music class with just Austin. It will be time well spent for all of us. 

Parker continues to amaze us. Pete took the boys on bike rides on Sunday night, and Parker was able to delay gratification and let Austin go first. While we waited in the garage for Daddy and Austin to return, Parker said to me, "Good thing I'm patient." We had just had a lesson on patience for family home evening, defining it has being able to wait your turn or wait in general. Can't believe his ability to internalize that difficult principle and apply it in his life. 

Another milestone for Parker on Saturday was that he saw his first movie in the theater. Pete took him to see "Planes." He loved it. At first he thought it was too loud, but he got used to it and attentively watched the whole thing. He's been talking about all the different characters ever since. 

"Happier at Home"

While I am perfectly happy at home already, the idea of how to be happier at home and how cultivate more happiness around you is one that I am a fan of. At any given time, I look around and can see clutter. Things that need to be put away, things that can be given away, or things that just aren't where they belong. This book "Happier at Home" goes over the how to of observing the stuff around  you (both material stuff and relationships), and seeing if it has a purpose, if it is beautiful, and if it is contributing to or taking away from happiness. The author breaks the "project" down by month starting in September, and since September is upon us, I figured I could/should do the same. So off I go. Yesterday I de-cluttered the bookcase in the living room and it felt GOOD. Like I got rid of a mish mash of old playing cards, cords, calculators, and the like... Why were there four calculators on my bookshelf, when I haven't used a calculator since high school?

Anyway, here are some thoughts I enjoyed...

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

"Some secrets to adulthood: Just because something is fun for someone else doesn't mean it's fun for me. You need knew friends and old friends. It's more important to say something than it is to say the right thing. "

"Outer order contributes to inner calm." (Bingo!)

"Clean as you go." Don't organize something but leave it dusty or crumb-laden... clean it right away.

"Surfaces should be used for activities not storage. Clear areas stay clear, and messy areas become messier." (This is the case in my kitchen).

"Be cautious of what you acquire." (If it doesn't come into your house in the first place, you will never have to find a place for it).

"Do we use it? Do we love it?"

So my goal this month is to de-clutter and be aware of what I have. Nothing is more frustrating than knowing you have something but having no clue where it is. C'mon... I live in 1000 square feet. I should know where everything is. So September, this is the month we get down to business.

October is about marriage. mmmmm....

The norm

Our days include many trips to the park...

 Snacks in random places...

 Parker learning how to use the cell phone camera...

Our days are good. Our days are simple, but they are good. I love my family.