Sneaky

I was browsing through the reunion photos from this summer and came across these pictures that made me laugh then and now. It was bed time, and as you know kids get moved around when company comes because face it, they can sleep anywhere. Now Olivia's room is the best to give up because it has walls unlike the downstairs rooms and is near a bathroom. So Lisa slept there with Aiden. We set up Olivia in the living room. I forgot that she hasn't ever slept anywhere else as a toddler and might be possessive of her bed. At about 10:00pm Lisa called from Olivia's room, "Mary you've got to see this." I went into the bedroom and who is in bed with Lisa and Aiden. It's Olivia under the covers. We had a good laugh, but sadly this kept happening a few more times, except she kept hiding deeper and deeper under the covers, because if you can't see her then maybe Lisa or I won't notice.

Crazy About Fall!

So, what is it? I am carazee about fall. I don't' know how to describe it. Could it be that I met my husband in the fall, or can't wait to quit mowing the lawn or the fall flowers, wearing layers, gorgeous colors, kids talking about what they are going to be for Halloween, my birthday, school supplies for cheap, not wearing a coat, but not being too hot,football games, the smell of pumpkin candles, the color of pumpkins, corn, hay rides, conference, I could go on and on, I'm just happy to be hear, in the Fall.  2006 and 2007

Cafe De Escuela

Every year the Monday before school, we have a back to school dinner. We started this many years ago when we had energy and were creative. Jeff and I dress up and become different people(characters) every year. Then we have some kind of a theme and decorate the table like school. It started out with a black paper table cloth and chalk writing like a blackboard, styrofoam trays with food they might get at school. We actually did the styrofoam tray thing a few times with different snacks to sack lunches, etc. We have been lunch ladies, southern folk, one person ( I was the arms and Jeff was the body), Hawaiian or whatever costume items we can find at the moment. The unsmart part about this tradition is we change the characters and theme every year. We came up with the Mexican theme this time. Doesn't Jefe look authentic. Since our black wig is a rat's nest, I opted for the black turtleneck for hair. I also got a little carried away with the eyeliner on my brows. The uni-brow is back. We even attempted accents the whole time. With the music, fruit flavored pop in a glass bottle, and a pinata (full of candy and school supplies) it was a blast ,and I can't believe that we pulled it off. Who knows what we'll do next year since we also have a tradition of deciding at the last minute. Sorry the pictures are so dark, but my flash is having issues.

First Day of School

First day of school is always exciting because of all the hair I have to help with. Hairdos that last more than one day are my favorite. Kate started later than everyone else by two days. She is a Freshman and this is Freshman day.

Annalisa is in 8th grade.

 

Kyle is in 6th, and was the only one who was not excited for school to start. Kristen is in third.

Natalie is in Kindergarten.  Olivia is 3 and is pretending to go to school.

 When I got to Natalie's class, they had us stay a while to help the kids do an assignment and put away their stuff. If I'd known, I'd have brought a camera, because I always want to record the first day of school ever. Luckily Natalie forgot to pack her folder, so I ran home to get it and the camera, and got a few pictures. She love, love, loves kindergarten, and who wouldn't songs, stories, colors, snacks and recess. I know they do more than that, but it's cloaked in all the others.

 The other thing that is so fun about kindergarten is that the teachers teach your kids songs that you may have taught to your older kids, but forgot to teach your younger kids because you forgot or are sick of them. Yesterday Natalie had to sing a new song, "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe,"which I used to floss my kids teeth to, to get them to stay still ,and she'd never heard it. Maybe we don't floss enough. Then she was assigned by her teacher to tell us, "The Billy Goats Gruff." I am so glad that they don't forget about the old songs and stories and keep them in Kindergarten. It seems like my kids all tell me the same jokes in 2nd grade as well. They should definitely keep those jokes in second grade.

Annual River Float Trip

We have a tradition that started 3 years ago on Jeff's birthday. He asked for it and we floated down the river by Mack's Inn at Island Park. Now anyone who has floated this remembers that there are no rapids, not much excitement and very little danger. It's perfect for little kids. The first time we floated this river we were caught in a storm and it was very exciting and scary for the kids etc. I'll tell that story later. Needless to say we make our own fun, so the big kids (including Jeff and Mary) have a good time. This year when we were dropped off at the bridge a driver jumped off of it. Maybe next time. Kris jumped in right away. She and Nat are standing in front of the bridge. This float takes about 3 hours, usually has a little rain at one time or another, but can take up to 4 1/2 hours, which is how long we took.

 Hear we go, with most people relatively dry.

The first stop is this rocky spot about 6 inches deep. You can look like you're walking on water. We chose to do cartwheels and Jeff did a front roll, impressive.

 

Rowing and more rowing. It helps to have 4 competent rowers, competent being the key word.

Olivia wanted to go in and so Kate went in with her real quick.  I think she is regretting it.

 Natalie showing off her swimming lesson skills. This is the dolphin.

 Our next stop is the skipping rocks area. It's another shallow spot that Kyle ended up just floating the whole time.

 Our favorite spot this year was new. Since last year someone put a tree swing up . It was the highlight and we pretty much spent most of our stopping time here.

 This is called swing out and come back without getting wet. Do you think anyone let me get away with that? Oh no.

 

 The Mule deer that crossed our path.

 Our next stop started with Kyle finding a fish stuck in the brush. It got away, but Kristen wanted to explore a little longer than we wanted her to and we floated further and further away as we are calling her until we were too far and one of us would have had to swim back and get her. This kid who we don't know but we call our rescuer picked her up and delivered her to us, which was very nice.

 

Kristen also got a leach. She just nonchalantly said," Hey, I have a leach." and pulled it off and threw it in the river. It started bleeding of course.

 Another thing we do when it gets deep and we need a little excitement is dive, flip or jump off the raft.

What was I thinking this water is cold!!!


This is a Jack Knife Dive gone bad. Not enough bounce on the raft and pretty much went into the water life this. Jeff wouldn't let me erase this picture.

 At the end Kyle just rode behind the boat for at least an hour.

The last little while we walked because it was so shallow.

 Camping at Buffalo has been so fun because the kids can float all day. We also have to have pie irons for dinner. We were introduced to them by our old camping friends the Pfosts. You take a piece of white bread, put pizza sauce, pizza toppings with tons of cheese and then top it with another piece of bread. Put it in a pie iron, which is two cast iron dishes that seal together and you cook over the fire. Soooo delicious.