Argh! Portrait time.

I attempt portraits of my own kids about once a year. Why should I pay Sears for the same poses each year, right? After much bribing, threatening, cajoling, frustration at my camera almost to the point of tears (surely no frustration at the kids), and a million funny faces by my sweet and kind-of willing husband, I finally got a few that I like.






Whew! Done until next year? Maybe I should reconsider Sears.....I'm going to go try to re-attach all the hair I pulled out today.

Balloon Festival

The second weekend in September is the annual town balloon festival. Though we can see the balloons that rise over town on Saturday morning from the coziness of our house, this year we forgot to look, so bright and early Sunday morning, we had to drive to the other side of town to see the balloons' "mass ascension" (their term, not mine, but if there was a rapture in Fairfield on Sunday, we wanted to be there). E and I wondered if it was worth it, after staying up too late the night before, but the kids totally loved it. Someday, maybe they can go up in one.

Donuts!

Birthday Girl

Hard to believe she's 3.

Wheels! (and hooves)

Mobility is a wonderful thing and the kids sure have been enjoying theirs.

J just learned to ride his bike with no training wheels a couple of weeks ago. That, along with tying his shoes and going to Kindergarten, has reassured him that he's getting very big.





We're keeping my niece's horse behind the house for a while (until the grass is gone), and TW and Miss A are especially happy with the arrangement.

Everyone likes practicing at a local park with a great sidewalk loop.

It all adds up

What do dirty floors + backed up laundry + covered dining room table + frazzled Mom = ???? Yep, homeschooling again. (Ok, I admit those things are true even when I'm not homeschooling...) We decided to keep the older two at home this year while J goes to Kindergarten. I have a love-hate relationship with homeschooling. I love having them home more and helping them learn and the closeness of it all, as well as the family freedom, but the power struggles, frustrations and increased stress on me are tough. Cuddling while reading = great fun. Dealing with a 4th grader's bad attitude about times tables = not so fun. Definite challenge to my mom skills. Such is life, I guess! Wish us luck and keep me in your prayers! :)