Getting Ready for the Big Parade

Here are the neighbor kids (& a couple of mine own)

using the trailer for their Rock Band.
These girls can jam!

Can my kids be average?

In a world where each child is pushed to excel at everything they do at school, at home, or on the playing field, can I ask just one simple question; can my kid be average or does she or he have to be excellent at everything?

You forgot how to read certain musical notes over the summer? Get out the flashcards and practice before piano lessons next week.
You forgot some of your multiplication facts? Hey, we got flashcards for that too.
Go to soccer practice to improve your ball skills.
Don't forget to read every night.
Get an 'A' on your spelling test every week.
Here's a math sheet for homework.

I'll admit most days I want my kids to exceed, excel, be excellent. But I also want them to be a kid. Just a fun-loving, care-free, average kid.

Chew On This

"Pride is forgetting the bigness of God and the smallness of you."

Fall Feast

Candy corn + peanuts =

Absolute Deliciousness

(It tastes just like a Pay Day candy bar. But looks more festive.)

Thanks to our dentist & friend for bringing this to a party and introducing it to our family. Is he trying to boost his business? :)

Professional Softball Family?

O.K. I never blogged about our family's crazy softball schedule this summer. M/W/F we were out on the softball field and the girls had fun learning how to play the game. (Their mom/coach had "fun" trying to teach them too!) The girls were very sweet but after yelling, "throw it to first, first base, first, go to one" and then watching them toss it to second, my patience was extremely tested. :) I also had one little player who after telling her to run out to her position, she stared at me and walked every so slowly out on the field. Grrrrr. I think I better wait a few years before I coach softball again. Maybe I should coach a sport I know nothing about ... Zoey's up to bat.

Paige's up to bat.

Crazy girls.

How I Know

This is how I know that I sent a little boy off to school yesterday and not a little girl.

• I had to remind him to try to hold in his "toots". (Seriously, it was our lunchtime discussion.)

This is how I know that I sent my baby off to school.

I was the only mom in the carpool line and since I was a few minutes early I asked the teacher if I was the first one. To which she responded, "No, most moms and dads are walking their child in for the first day." Alrighty then.

I stayed in my car. :)

I watched him run in all excited with his camo backpack looking like a little man.

I cried as I rounded the corner and drove away.

And They're Off ... to School!

1st day of school tradition; picture taken with sign.

One latest home improvement project; displaying the kids artwork.

1 Phenomenal art teacher at school + 2 creative little girls =

13 incredible pieces of art that are now proudly displayed in the basement.