Photo Shoot

On Mother’s Day, we kids gave my mom a family picture.  I mean, we arranged for a family photo shoot.  Our last picture is missing about 4 or more grandkids, so we figured it was about time.  I somehow volunteered to be the organizer.  The summer slipped away, and by the time I called to make arrangements, there were two available dates.  Thankfully, my siblings were able to coordinate their schedules, and we had the photo shoot yesterday (Sunday) at the OARDC’s Secrest Arboretum. 

In preparation of late afternoon pictures, I pulled out the rollers for my hair.  (Trust me, it helps me hold a little volume for longer.)  Madison wanted to join in on the fun. 

I think we will have some pictures worthy of blowing up into family portraits.  Landen doesn’t love smiling in group photos, but we may have gotten one or two.  Ellie is great with the sitting part, but is more of a stare-er than a grinner sometimes.  The older boys worked REALLY hard to smile – sometimes to the point of furrowed brows and consternation.  But with any mention of “boogers” they seemed to flash their normal smiles!  The older girls… well, they knew the drill.  The other force working against us (or maybe for us..) was the temptation of the rocks, tunnels, dirt, and giant slide.  We had to continually drag the kids back to the session.  Finally, we moved from the grassy area to the rocks, and they seemed a bit more content to sit. 

After the professional photography was finished, I (oh, smart one) suggested we get a picture of the grandkids all sitting on the slide.  I mean, this has been done before, right?  It wasn’t a disaster, but it was much harder than I thought.  Sophie was at the front with Steph helping to hold everyone back.  (Where were all the strong dads?  Having theological conversations, I think.) 

The kids started with slightly pained faces…

   

…which turned into decent smiles….

   

….which became full blown grins as they were released.

   

…until the end when Ellie whacked Landen in the head after gaining great momentum on the bottom half of the slide.

   

They got treats for good pictures from Grandma,

and they continued to play.

   

It was fun, and hopefully, made for some good photos.

Preschool

It is official.  My little girl is officially a preschool.  Her long school year trek has started.  On Tuesday, September 3rd, she went for her very first day at Oak Grove Preschool.  I took bits and pieces of the morning off school so I could drop her off and pick her up.  I think she was so proud of herself simply because she got to go.  We got ready in the morning – a skirt, of course! 

    

Ellie joined her for the picture.  They are, I assure you, giving their best attempts at smiles in this picture!

Her bulletin board featured Pete the Cat.  I fell in love with Pete the Cat Saves Christmas.  So, I was excited to see him show up at her school.  Madison walked down the stairs, handed her box of extra clothes to the teacher, put on a name tag, found the play-doh, and said good-bye. 

I picked her up at 11:30.  She was happy.  Apparently, the “mouse” had given them all a cookie this morning; she loves cookies! 

The hardest part of the day… dropping her off at Emily’s house.  She cried, clung, and begged me not to go.  I think she was tired – being in school IS exhausting – and her life had just added a new and different element to it.  I pried myself loose and headed back to middle school.

On Thursday (her second day of preschool), I kept her home (well, with Emily) because she had had a croupy sounding cough and breathing the night before.  I can’t believe she missed the SECOND day of school.  I figured it would take a little longer before sick days started for her.  That being said, Jeremy and I have been battling colds/congestion for about 3 weeks now; she was bound to catch something, sometime.

Wedding Bells

Labor Day weekend was crazy for us.  Usually, as a teacher, I stay away from all obligations for almost the first month of school.  It is just a lot for me to juggle, and I like to remain sane.  That said, I can’t dictate when people plan their weddings!  Jeremy’s college friend, Stacy, was getting married on Sunday of Labor Day weekend…. in Indianapolis.  We went. 

We headed out Sunday around 9am.  We stopped for lunch at Wendy’s – request of Madison.  And we made it to our hotel by about 2:30 to relax a bit before changing into our fancy clothes for the 4pm wedding. 

I was glad we went.  The wedding was a small affair and simple, but very nicely done.  It was good to see old friends, most of whom had kids that Madison and Ellie played with. 

There was a photo booth – Anja and Sasha with Madison and I; Family picture; Jeremy and the Ertel Boys.

There were appetizers, ice, and meeting new friends as we waited for the meal.

    

There was dancing … the girls started the dance party before the food ever arrived, and we had to pull them off the floor to go home.  Madison found some fun and willing dance partners – Sasha (a little younger than her) and Hannah (older by a few years) were her two favorites.

         

Jeremy and I were reminiscing about a wedding Madison went to at about the age that Ellie is – she danced forEVER!  Ellie followed in her sister’s footsteps with moves all her own!

   

In fact, after the dinner break, Ellie drug Jeremy back on the dance floor… seriously, look who is leading who in the picture!

    

   

To top it all off… there was a cupcake table as the wedding cake.  Madison chose strawberry.  Ellie chose strawberry as well.

On Monday, we had breakfast with Mike, Anja, Sasha, and Beckett (sp?).  Then, we found a local park to go play at before heading home.  The park was so cool.  If we lived in the area, it would become a fast favorite.  Not only did it have these two awesome play areas, it also had a creek to play in (we didn’t because it was a little chilly and we didn’t want wet kids). 

   

   

We also stopped at Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm in Yellow Springs.  It is more than just a dairy.  It gave us a chance to eat lunch and get out and move around some.  Although it was more crowded than a regular restaurant, it was worth stopping.  During lunch, they entertained themselves with Jeremy’s sunglasses.

   

Madison enjoyed the animals; Ellie did not.

Ellie enjoyed driving the tractor, so did Madison.

        

We got home around 4:30pm and had a message from my parents inviting us over for supper – of course, we went because who wants to cook after just walking in the door.  Plus, Luke, Steph, Sam and Lilli were there, too, and I rarely turn down family time.  Thanks, Jeremy, for always being a trooper about that!

Carnivals and School

I know it has been awhile.  For all those that check frequently and wonder if I realize how long it has been, I do.  I have about 15 minutes right now to blog.  My life has been turned into a foggy haze in the past two weeks.  Here goes…

Sonnenburg Mennonite Church had a carnival a couple weeks ago.  I had saved the paper so I wouldn’t forget.  It was free for ages 2 – grade 6 and their families.  I didn’t really know what to expect, but we had a lot of fun.  The girls dug in a hay pile to find pennies.

         

They made Gak (well, chose the color they wanted it to be).  Madison is STILL playing with this stuff.  It is pretty cool.  They got arms painted.  You could get your face painted, but Madison (and by default) Ellie chose arms.  Madison got a rainbow.  Ellie got a flower.  Both girls sat very still while they did it. They had animal paintings with cut outs for their heads.  They took your pictrue and you could pick it up later in the night.  We now have a picture of (ready for the alliteration…) Ellie the Elephant and Madison the Monkey.  (Their choice, not mine.)

Madison’s highlight – the train.  She LOVES these things and can sit forever on them.  In fact, I think she did sit for at least a 15-20 mintues continuous train ride.  Ellie tried the train – again.  And I had to perform a rescue mission – again.  I say, at least she keeps trying!

Madison also enjoyed the pony rides.  Ellie did not attempt these.

Ellie’s highlight – the meal.  The poor girl was hungry by the time we got the (free) food.  We had a hot dog, chips, drink, popcorn, ice cream sundaes, and choice of cookie.  Madison chose frosted sugar with sprinkles; Ellie chose (really, chose) the one with M&Ms.  It was good.

We also had the Machinery Sale.  Jeremy purchased a power washer for $20 that he has had fun with – cleaning parts of the driveway, writing words in the driveway, etc.  The girls and I just went and looked around.  We bought fries from the youth group trailers.  We also had a lot of  people park in driveway – people we know.  We just know a lot of people who like to come!  It is great.  And the highlight of that… Having Uncle Luke’s Jeep parked in your driveway.  I am not kidding when I say, the girls played for AN HOUR (maybe a little longer) right here.

         

Since then, I started the school routine.  I get up at 5:30am.  The girls have to be up at 6:25.  We have to be out the door by 6:40.  Thankfully, they get fed wherever they go.  They go to grandparents’ two days a week and Miss Emily three days a week.  The drop off with the grandparents’ obviously, I had no concerns.  On the first day with Miss Emily, I was a bit nervous that Ellie would be clinging and wailing when I left.  In fact, she shed not one tear.  Madison, however, was clinging a little.  It was an answer to prayers.  Because, let me tell you, it would have been hard to drive away with Ellie (or Madison) screaming at the door.  The girls are adjusting well, but it is so early.  I don’t think it is fair.  Clarification…. Madison usually will be up before I have to get her up – 5:45, 6, 6:15.  Only one morning did I actually have to wake her up.  I am having a hard time waking up, having energy for a day of kids, coming home to play with my two, making supper, doing the nighttime routine, and doing anything else except sitting on the couch.  Maybe it will get better….

I am fighting a cold right now, finding little time to rest, and even though we have a long weekend, see little rest involved (we are going to a wedding out of state Sunday over Monday).  So, please pray for my health and enthusiasm.  It is an adjustment that lots of families make (people going back to work or just working).  We have done it before and we will make it again; it just takes time.