Smiling Students

Maren and Nathan are still smiling after their first week of school.  The highlight of Maren's week has been meeting new friends and enjoying a new teacher who is "Sooooo nice because she doesn't yell."  The highlight for Nathan was taking a live frog to school.  I found it in his backpack and tried to convince him to leave it at home.  He reassured me that he would release the frog on the playground if the teacher did not allow it in the school.  Apparently his teacher is okay with amphibians in the classroom.  Nathan's little friend watched him work all day from a plastic container on his desk.

Caroline is loving all the attention from Mama.  We've enjoyed countless tea parties, dressing up and dancing to music.  I'm so grateful to have this toddler home with me!

Poor Rascal is down right depressed with the absence of his BFF (Nathan).

Back to something...

This afternoon I found myself in the backyard (perspiring in this Houston heat) trying to capture a picture of a beautiful blue bird.  I thought to myself, "Who can I share these pictures with?"  I no longer have a blog?!   

It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind!  I thought leaving the blog world would somehow simplify my life.  It did for a few weeks--however, I've missed the enjoyable creative outlet that comes with all the picture-taking, writing, designing, etc.  And most importantly, updating family and friends on the many ordinary days of our family's life.  Perhaps I needed a little "Summer vacation" and more time to give to the children?  I simply needed to "check out" for awhile.  It has been a wonderful Summer, much easier than the last.  We have spent our days building with blocks and legos, arts and crafts, swimming, catching frogs, playing with friends, dressing up and dancing (Caroline's favorite), vacationing in Utah and celebrating Maren and Nathan's birthday's.  On Monday the big kids will head back to school.  Many adventures await them in the fifth and third grades.  I must also head back to something...and that just so happens to be writing on our family blog.  Welcome back!