So Long Sweet Summer

It's first day of school eve.  If I'm being honest, the first day of school is my least favorite day out of the entire year.  I'll be happy to get it over with and get into a routine!

I've been horrible about blogging so here's a little iPhone catch up...

The boys have been having a blast hanging out with our neighbor friends.  I love watching them play together.  

Growing up, I was my dad's crab eating buddy.  Now, Owen is mine.  He just needs to learn to pick his own crabs. 

 We had a chance to go to a Senators baseball game (thanks to the Szajda's).

 I got to babysit my nephew for two days last week.  It was so much fun!  I'm trying to convince Mike that I really should quit my job to be a stay-at-home aunt :)  It's especially easy when I have such good helpers.  Owen and Adam are so good with Caleb and are eager to help however they can.

We took Owen shopping for some back-to-school clothes.  Clothes shopping isn't one of Owen's strengths.  He's completely uninterested.  He's so skinny that he needed size 4-5 shorts (same size as his brother).  He's our healthy eater.

 Mike gave both boys their back-to-school haircuts.

 Another sweet baby came into our family this past week.  Meet Louisa Button.  Isn't she precious?  Button is a family name and it fits her so well. 

 As part of our school's inservice we spent the day doing team building at a high ropes course.  It was soooooooooo much fun and I can not wait to go back!  This picture of my second grade team was taken AFTER we all climbed insane heights, walked across wires very high in the air, and tackled the Flying Squirrel challenge. 

 Despite being a little under the weather due to 5th Disease, Adam has been making us laugh with his wild outfits.  On this day he fell asleep with a hat on and sock on his hand. 

And tomorrow beings a new adventure in second grade.  I really look forward to watching Owen learn and grow in 2nd grade, especially because I teach the same grade.  I think it will give me a new perspective.

Beach Trip

We got home today after a few days at the beach.  We went to Rehoboth Beach and stayed at our favorite spot- Avenue Inn & Spa. 

The beach was really crowded- made for some excellent people watching.  The boys had a great time playing in the sand and waves. 

We let the boys play a few games in the arcade and Mr. Owen won 1,000 tickets (again!). 

He won last year on the same game in a different arcade in New Jersey.  We're taking him to Vegas. 

Mike was thrilled. 

The junk prizes they got with all those tickets. 

Paige and the girls drove up to spend the day with us on Monday.  The boys are still talking about how much fun they had with the girls.  Such a fun day!!

We enjoyed our last little get-away before school starts.  It's been a great summer.  Sad to see it end, but looking forward to the fall.

My special birthday

Last week I celebrated my 34th birthday.  I had a great day thanks to my husband, kiddos, and family.  The night before my birthday was a big day for me.  We put up a big climbing rope on one of our Sycamore trees.  Owen loves to climb and I had one growing up so I really wanted him to have one too.  Owen and Mike both made it to the top knot and got to sign their name on the special board.  I attempted to climb it, but didn't make it far at all and despite having a lot of upper body strength as a kid, I came to the realization that all that strength was gone and I would probably never get to the top.  Then Paige and the girls came for a visit and we looked at a few You Tube videos on a strategy that uses  the rope looped around your feet to help you climb.  I tried a few times with no luck.  But the night before my birthday I was feeling good and gave it another try and somehow mustered up enough strength to get to the top.  It was SO HARD.  I thought we might have to call the fire department to get me down.  I ended up getting some pretty bad rope burns that are still really uncomfortable, but it was COMPLETELY worth it to get my name on that board and show Owen I still had it in me!

After that we played soccer and I scored the game winning goal.  By this point I think Owen may have thought I was slightly cool (at least for a split second).

I was on a roll and we went fishing in the creek after our soccer game and I caught a pretty big fish. 

 

The next day (my birthday) was spent with my family.  We went to the playground.

Then, Mike and I played an intense game of pickle.  I won 2 games to 1.  I could barely walk the next two days because I was so sore- even more sore than after I climbed that darn rope, but beating Mike made it completely worth it.

That night we went out to eat with my family.  Beth, Eric, and Caleb officially moved home and were able to join us.  I'd have to say that them moving home was definitely the best part of my birthday.  I love the fact that they are so close and I get to see my nephew often.

 

A Fun Summer Day with Cousins (in pictures)

Friends, fishing, and sleep!

Friday morning Adam and I had a little date at the mall.  This boy has a lot to say so we always have a lot to talk about:)

 We also got to spend some time fishing with Paige and the girls who are here visiting.  My mom was a champ at breaking the worms apart and putting them on the hook.  Paige was excellent at getting the fish off the hooks and throwing them back in.  I was good at cheering the two of them on for their excellent fishing skills:)

 

Friends of ours just spent two months traveling the US in their truck and tent camping every night.  Pretty incredible!  We were honored that they chose to visit us for their last stop before heading home.  Mike and Mike (aka Crab) became friends in college and have remained very close friends ever since.  The Habalars are such a sweet family and we love spending time with them.

 Mike and I have worked on the house from the moment we wake up until we go to bed almost every single day since we bought the house.  We decided we weren't going to do any work today and it was WONDERFUL.  I spent time reading and falling asleep on the couch. 

 Mike slept.

 Owen slept.  Adam slept too, but I didn't get a picture of him. 

 Even Cheech slept. 

What a wonderfully lazy Sunday!