Home from her First Day of School

She wasn't grinning ear-to-ear when she got off the bus...

It was more an I'm-tired-but-I-really-liked-school grin. She had fun. I enjoyed hearing all about her day. {It's super hot - 92 degrees - she was a little toasty when she got off.} She keeps remembering something new to share with me as the evening goes on and gets all excited each time.

Aapo had a hundred questions for her from the moment she set foot off the bus. And Carter was excited to see her too.

Aapo asked when she was coming home, all day long. It was a quiet day. Well, quiet when I wasn't on the phone! I was on the phone a good part of the day with Shell, my mom, and my sisters, Emily and Sara.

Carter's not in any pictures (I was clicking as I was pushing him in the stroller).

A Silent House and a Clicking Keyboard

I'll have ya'll know that my boys are still sleeping. {It's 10:50 a.m!}
And I didn't crawl back into bed after getting up at 7:15.

If only I had.

eta: Cart woke up at 11, at which time Aapo decided he was finished snoozing on the living room floor.

A Beach in my Tub & Antsy Pants

If I had one of those cameras that could make the sand at the bottom of my bathtub look pretty, I would've taken a picture for you. I've never in my entire life seen that much sand in a tub before!

As I'm washing Carter and saying how he had so much sand in his hair, Aapo volunteers,"I was putting sand on Carter's head."

{I believe he was putting plenty on his own, as well, it took forever to get it out. Carter's was nothing compared to his head!}

*********

The kid's were in bed by about 8:20 p.m. It's now 9:05 and 'George' is still up! I put them to bed and held my breath. After about 20 minutes, I tiptoed to peek and the boy's were sound asleep but she was laying there swinging around and talking to herself.

I'm thinking she's just a little bit excited.
(Sense my sarcasm?) ;)

Early to Bed, Early to Rise

Hoping we can make it another couple of hours. It's 5:30 p.m. I've got some tired kids around here because they got up so early. Aapo fell asleep as I was making supper, only to be woken up to me shouting,"Aapo! No! You can't fall asleep!! Aapo!! Wake up!! Wake up!!" Lol! :)

He did and is playing with Nikayda now. They both layed around all afternoon. Carter napped for a few minutes at lunchtime, in the car, on the way to the grocery store. I'm trying to get him to hold out until at least 7 or 7:30.

It's so hot here, again. I should've said we all layed around today. ;) {I sorted a little-tiny-bit in the kitchen. Nothing to write home about.} The thermometer says 96 but the computer says 86. I'd say it's almost 90. At least.

Tomorrow's suppose to be a high of 90. Too hot for her first day of school. I'm trying to figure out what to wear on her. I've not heard of any dress codes...it's a small town, there may not be too many. But I'm not sure if she can wear sleeveless or not...

Two Days to Go

Nikayda & Aapo with sparklers at Dale & Vanessa's, this summer.

Our bus driver called this afternoon to let us know what time our little lady will be picked up on Wednesday. It's not too bad {the time}. Will is on the same bus! How cool is that?! {He gets picked up 1/2 an hour before she does.} She'll be riding with a bunch of kids from church. Can't wait to see who's all on her bus.

I can't believe that we're finally going to be put on a schedule. ;) {Yikes! We need to start going to be early.}

At least for her first year, it's only 3 days a week. 3 days, all-day kindergarten is what they do here. I was anxious about the all-day thing, at first, but I've gotten use to the idea. It's kinda nice that I won't have to worry about being home at lunch time on those days, if I need to run out.

She's so ready for this. And the days that she's spent at friend's houses, I feel like Aapo plays really good with only Carter around. The older two get into spats a lot lately. Hopefully, I'll be able to enjoy those days she's at school. But I know I'll miss her too. She's such a big help around here. I just can't believe that my little girl is old enough to go to school. I know I keep saying that. I'm sure most people say that when their first (and I'm sure their last) goes to school. Oy yoy yoy, where does the time go?! I get a little sad as the time draws near but it helps so much when she's so excited about it.

The other moms have been saying that they have a really good kindergarten teacher this year; which I'm glad to hear. {She's new}. She's expecting a baby in October though (her third) and the kids will have a sub for a little while at that time. I guess at least they'll have a little over a month to get adjusted to school before they have a new teacher...

Ready or not, Wednesday morning will be here before ya know it.

Mud Boots & Lovely Leaves

After the rain we got yesterday, I wonder whose idea it was to wear flip flops outside? (Hint: they're in chronological order. Nikayda, Aapo, and Carter).

And who's idea was it to let them play outside? Oh wait! That was my brilliant idea. I forgot about the mud! Lol! The boy's were covered to their knees. {It could've been worse}. How Nikayda managed to stay high-and-dry is beyond me. She didn't have a speck of mud on her.

More fall colors...

Early Birds

Nikayda and Abram were up at the crack-of-dawn (7 a.m.) after spending the first night in our new house. They didn't go to bed until sometime between 1 or 2 a.m.! This picture should explain it... These were packed up in the upper part of their closet in our rental. I switched them out a little when we first moved but they haven't seen any of these for many months.

It's Christmas Time

picture is a little blurry...lighting...

Sunday Afternoon

Being that we didn't go camping, we spent Sunday afternoon together. As a family. Just us. It was so nice. We rarely are together lately - for the sake of being together. A family. So that was such a treat. We've been so busy with the house and all so when we're together, we're working. It was such a treat to just enjoy each other's company for the day and have fun. :)

We went out to eat for lunch. Then we headed over to a park so the kid's could enjoy some play time and we could relax. A little. They keep you on your feet when you're in a park, running from one jungle gym to the next. ;) But it was fun. Then we went out to our property for the late afternoon/evening and explored. This has been our usual routine as of late. We really enjoy strolling around the property. It's so relaxing and such a treat! Notice Nikayda's bucket, she and I rock hunt while we're exploring. We both love to find pretty rocks. (We'll use them in the house and in the gardens when they begin to take shape).

This place is going to be so good for me. It's soothing. When I'm there, I notice things like trees and rocks and leaves. Things I haven't paid attention to in years. It has a calming effect on me to be outside, in the woods. I never knew that. I haven't spent time in the woods since I was a young kid running around at mom & dad's house; running around in the great outdoors and taking time to explore the fields and ponds too. I was appreciating how I'll be able to explore and relax. Outside. Every Sunday, from now on, if I want!

Aapo decided it was "hot" out - hence the lack of shirt. Lol. :) It was in the high 70's. Beautiful but definitely not hot. ;)

While they were out for a walk (on our driveway), Carter just stopped all of a sudden and burst into tears. Possibly because he was trailing behind. Possibly because he missed his nap. And possibly because he's Carter. ;)

So, everyone turned around and went back for him.

And everything was right in his world. Once again.

Following in Daddy's...

...toolbelt?!

Aapo found a new favorite toy at the house...

Dad's toolbelt.

Fastening the belt.

Scootching to the wall.

Proceeding to look for a certain tool.

Ah! He found it.

He set to work, measuring the wall. With dad's chalk line. (He improvises when necessary). ;)

Life is a Lullaby

I go from a post where I tell you I am anxious to one of serenity. Or at the very least, I'm feeling a minimal amount of serenity. :) It is 20 to nine and the boys are fast asleep. My daughter is whimpering near the kitchen table because she doesn't want to use the same bowl that Aapo had used for applesauce moments ago. (Before he hit the hay). I only had her share a bowl because the dishes are piled up and it was the last disposable bowl in the house. (Tomorrow, we have grocery shopping on the agenda).

I know. I'm a mean mom. ;) lol! She will get over it and by tomorrow she will have forgotten all about it. She's very tired out. We've had many a late night at the house in the past week so this night we're staying home and getting to bed at a reasonable hour. And I'm looking forward to a few hours of peace and quiet, trying to avoid the mess that this house has become and looking forward to tackling it in the morning. It's going to be hot and humid. A good day to stay inside and get some much needed cleaning done around here.

Aaaand she's down! Woo-hoo! They're all tucked in their beds. Time to relax.

But first, we saw Peggy and her kids today at Suzy & Jason's. Suzy made pizza for supper. Yum! And we got to visit. It was so fun to see her and the kids. And, of course, Suzy and Jason & kids. I feel like we never see anyone anymore. This has been a busy summer but at least we'll be able to try to do some more visiting, this fall, once things settle down a little! I'm looking forward to reconnecting with all of our long lost friends. :) Because that's what it feels like. It feels like we're so disconnected from everyone right now. I wonder if it's just us or if most people feel like that when they're building and moving... No matter. Even if it is just us, that's the way it goes... Looking forward to fall and hanging out with people again!

And looking forward to the weddings. Brad and Larissa's in the cities - Sept. 8 And Ginger and Lars' in the cities - Nov. 3! :) Family weddings are so much fun! And it's so funny because I keep thinking Brad & Riss's wedding is Sept. 6, but last I checked, I was pretty sure that they were getting married on a *Saturday* and not a Thursday. :)

Supper Time

I brought pizza out to the house and stayed there for the evening. Carter finished before everyone else and took off.

We have only one chair. Carter was using it for a highchair of sorts. I'm planning to hit the garage sales, next year. Maybe I'll find more. This table and chair were 5 or 10 bucks. I always forget which. Either way - it was a steal!

Watching Daddy

They were all intently watching Mark, Saturday, as he drove his truck with a load of drywall in the trailer. (We had just gotten to the property).

Nikayda's hat - my latest garage sale special. I love it. And it's funny, I bought it with the thought that next time we have a girl, I could use it (thinking it was a baby hat). Well, Nikayda, asked me,"Mommy is that hat mine?" (She had seen it in the laundry basket and tried it on). Needless to say it was a girl's size and not a baby's. :)

Auntie Jeanie ~ Remember your old shirt? Nikayda loves it!

Aapo

Carter

I was going for one with Carter peeking at me but he doesn't sit still - not even for a sec. so this is what I got. ;)

Aapo's Dream

What am I suppose to make of this?!

Aapo just told me, in all seriousness,"Mom, know what my dream was last night? It was a girl. Her was crying 'cause her was gonna die."

Then he tells me,"It was the neighbor girl and her mom and dad were there."

(And when I asked him which one, he said,"The big girl." (The teenager)).

Freaky!

(The reason it's particularly freaky is that she's had a lot of problems with anorexia or bulimia and, I've heard that she passes out at school pretty often.)

They're Learning

I just peeked on the kids playing in their room...

"Mom, our Little People are junk picking!"

Aapo's not messing around. He brought a bus and a trailer. And they both look pretty loaded down. ;)

Dreaming of Fall

A little cleaning to do in the backyard...

Where there is a will, there is a way!

(the kid's makeshift teeter-toter)

I thought I'd hop on here to make you feel better if your weather is cooler, that is, and you're thinking it's warm. ;) Up here in the north woods of Minnesota it is 10 p.m. and the temperature is approximately 81 degrees...and humid. :)

Aah! Yes. The temp. is scheduled (and yes, I know you can't schedule weather. If I thought you could, would I schedule this?!) ;) to be in the 90's with plenty of that lovely stuff we call humidity for the whole entire week to come. By the end of the week we should be down to the high 80's. :)

Yes, the above segment of this post is dripping, no make that, pouring with sarcasm. I must reluctantly admit that I'm not very user friendly when it comes to the heat and humidity. ;) I know a similar forecast is echoed in the southern parts of our state. I haven't heard, however, if the same is to be seen elsewhere...

Makes me glad that we got the inside of the (new) house cleaned out last week. The basement is a mess to be reckoned with though. And there will be more on the main floor as Mark continues with the sheet rock and then on to the mudding, sanding and painting. :) (Yay! We're getting there!) The front yard is cleaned of debris too. We were planning to work on clearing the back on Saturday but it was too hot and humid. That's alright... It'll still be waiting once this humidity passes. ;)

The kids are little, to be sure, at five and three but they sure were helping to pull their weight the other day when we were cleaning up the yard. And why is it so much more fun to lift "heavy" boards than it is to clean up their toys?! ;) I suppose it's a change for them, something fun. Whichever it is, I'll take it!

How could you not love a child like this? :)

I was just doing my hair, trying my best to squeeze it into two tiny little pony tails, and thinking that it looked a little silly (but knowing it'd be a little cooler while I'm cleaning up at the house) when Aapo walked into the bathroom...

"How come your hair looks so cute like that?," He asked with a big grin on his face.

Man I love him!

Nothing like a cute little voice to boost a mommy's confidence. :) Of course, I still think they look a little dorky. I won't even humor you with a picture. But, hey, they fit...even if they're only a whopping 1 inch long!

Lost in Concentration

Think Carter's shovel is about the right size?

\

Sunday Night

We went to Tim and Kristine's* Sunday night. We met up with them at Pizza Hut and then back to their house for a fire outside. It was the perfect evening. It cooled off into the low 70's and the bugs were very minimal! That made the S'mores all the more enjoyable! And the kids took a ride to see the cows. And they were thrilled to see a baby pig for the first time and horses up-close! We all had a fun time.

Carter

L. to R. Gabe H., Kate H., Aapo, and Nikayda

The highlight of the visit!

They have a John Deere Gator. My kids are *definitely* not ready for their licenses but boy did they enjoy driving this around, albeit recklessly!

*Tim & Kristine H. relation hints:
That would be Liz's brother (married to Kenny P. from lower MI area).
Pete and Mary H.'s family. Our soon-to-be next door neighbors.
Or if that hasn't helped ya, Kevin & Jenny P. - Tim is Jenny's younger brother. (Kevin & Kenny are brothers). :) Or if that hasn't helped you - Nate & Lisa H. That's Nate's brother. Okay, all kidding aside, I'm sure you figured it out right away!