Pumpkin Farm and Pumpkin Carving

Okay, I'm posting after Halloween but I'll catch up on what we did to prepare.

 

Here's our pumpkin patch trip:



Top of the Hay Pile Mountain

My Cute Ghostie Family

Kate Climbing the Tunnel

 

Back home:

Pumpkin Carving

Proud Pumpkin Owners 

Visit with Great Granny

A few weeks back, Reed had a long weekend off school, so I decided to take the kids for a visit to Greenville. It's always a long drink with three kids, but the trip was definitely worthwhile. We got to see how well Grandma Maher is doing. Look at this awesome lady!

 

 

Granny and P-pa had a great weinie roast for us. We also got some time to visit with Nathan, Casey, Andrea, Willa, and Owen. We had some overdue Reed Family time. Can't wait for the holidays!

Kindergarten

Back in late August, we had a big transition in our family; Reed started school. It was full-time Kindergarten at a new school for him, St. Thomas More Catholic School. I think we were all a little unsure of how it was going to go, but overall I would say we've settled in quite nicely.

 

First Day Excitement

 

I'm not exactly sure who was the most excited!

We were so proud of Reed for being so brave

(and Cora for being a great photographer.)

Pick up time and still with smiles!!

Glad to be reunited though.

We love school.

Cora is not in preschool yet but insists on wearing her backpack to be like Reed.

 

Reed has loved school from the very start, but that isn't to say there haven't been any bumps in the road. The first days of school were half days. He'd go a few hours and still have hours at home to play with his sisters and super-fun Mom ;) after school. Then the full days started and he wasn't so sure about school anymore. We quickly realized he enjoyed school while he was there but he was convinced that Kate, Cora, and I were having the time of our lives at home without him. When we were able to convince him that wasn't happening and we were saving special fun activities for after school, he lightened up. He's made tons of friends and is even starting to read. It is awesome!

 

I'm looking forward to our first parent-teacher conference next week.

Heading up North

Our second trip of the summer was to the Upper Pennisula of Michigan. We rented a cabin in Copper Harbor for a long weekend and took in the beautiful scenery and enjoyed time with the whole Mihelich Family.

 

 

We loved Brian and Bekki's cabin, right on the water!

Cheese!

 

Why can't I go on the dock?!

 

Buggy rides!

 

And special time Daddy Time!

Fun at Fort Wilkins

This isn't a see-saw?

 

You're it!

 

Can't catch me!

 

Fun feeding ducks 

 

On top of the world with their Daddy

Reed refused to leave the car here

 

But we could barely get him back in the car here.

Reed loved the rocky beaches

And throwing rocks!

Bob and I loved the sunset

 

We had a great trip, lots of family time, ice cream runs, site seeing, etc. But what hit me most was the serenity standing there on the beach, with the cool breeze on my face, and the only sounds being the water lapping on the shore and the plunking noises of Reed's rocks. (The girls were sleeping in the car.) Life has been quite a blur with Bob's work overload and my summer with the 3 kids and no babysitting and a household to run. I think it's fair to say we've been stressed...we ARE stressed. It was nice to bask in a moment of stillness. And while we continue to feel somewhat overburdened with everything on our plates these days, we relish these moments. Our kids are amazing, funny, cute, and smart. Sometimes stepping away from the everyday craziness helps that become even clearer.

Annual Summer Greenville Trip

The kids always love their time at Granny and P-pa's house and this year was no exception. We had much better weather than in the last two years when it unbearably hot. This year, though it was hot, we were able to spend some time outside.

The kids enjoyed playing with Willa and Owen for a couple days too. The more the merrier and Granny and P-pa's house is always a play place with cool things to discover-- different toys, P-pa's enchanted forest, and a garden full of produce, to name a few.

 Slip and Slide

The "city" girls can't seem to keep their clothes on in the country. Cora undressed shortly after this photo too!

A special treat for us was that we got to spend extra time with Grandma Maher. Several months back, she had a heart attack and after her hospitalization and rehab, she has moved in with my parents. So instead of one short visit like we normally get, she was around the whole time.

Poor Kate didn't want to photographed here

But she certainly loved her Great-Granny!

Love you, Grandma! 

Cora, after Granny braided her hair 

Cuddling with Uncle Nathan 

My parents took us and my Grandma to the St. Louis Zoo one day. It was a big hit, but definitely made us all tired. I think it was a nice treat for my grandma who hadn't been since the 1960's. The kids favorite part was probably a toss up between the really cool train ride and the gift shop. Reed picked a grow lizard that he used a big science experiment and Cora picked out a blue monkey with long arms and legs with velcro hands and feet. I'm not sure why I find it so hysterical when she wears it around the house. She certainly loves that little fella. Thanks Granny!

 Kate loved this monkey!

My little engineers 

Kate was ready to join the animals.

The kids can't wait until Thanksgiving when we make our next trip back to Greenville. They had such a great time there this summer.

Summer Recap

Alas, my best effort to catch up the blog did not happen. So now I want to prove an update for July and August. I think I'll just need to do it in pieces.

Here's a peak into our summer with no school or daycare, just a whole lot of mommy time and fun around the house. So what did we do?

Build Forts!

Ride Bikes!

...really fast!!!

Stroller Rides!

 Sleeping in (maybe to 7am if I was lucky!)

Trips to the Zoo! 

Play dress up! 

Bird or Superhero...why choose? 

Climbing Adventures 

 Eating Ice Cream

Building even bigger forts... 

...that turn into "bunk beds"

Peek-a-Boo!

We had some great adventures around the house and imaginative play. I lived taking 3 kids to the grocery store every week.  Overall, we had a lot of great bonding time this summer, which I think Reed has particularly missed as he started school.