The kids just went with Jeff to get the boat. We are heading to Kentucky tomorrow to try her out for the first time. We decided to take it down there for the first time out so Jeff's dad can give us some lessons! Especially on getting it in and out of the water. He knows about all there is to know about boating so I'm sure he'll have lots to teach us! Then we hope to get it out at least once more before the weather gets too cold.
It's been a normal week around here---which is actually nice. There's something to be said for routine. I think we all like it. The kids are both loving school so that's a good thing. My job is great and I'm getting acclimated to my new class schedule. Get my first paycheck of the school year tomorrow---yay!
Well, better go get folding laundry and packing.
Have a great holiday weekend!!

OUR WEEKEND

Lily and Emma at their first soccer game this season.


Lily in front of her dance studio before her Checceti testing.
All of the girls waiting for their turn.

Michael, Sam and Wyatt on the boat (in the driveway ;-)

Lily getting a bit chilly in the back of the convertible.
A beautiful sunset on our ride.


We had a really good weekend. Lily had 2 soccer games and her team won both of them--yay!
She also had her Checceti testing at dance today and we'll find out tomorrow how she did.
Jeff had rented a convertible mustang last week for travel and he used one of his free weekends to keep it this weekend. We have had so much fun in it. We went for a long drive into the country last night. It has been nice convertible weather so it's been great. We'll be sad to take it back tomorrow. The kids have loved it.
We got the boat out today to clean it up and get it ready for next weekend. It's in amazingly good shape for it's age. It's been well taken care of. The kids can't wait to take it out.
That's about it. Gearing up for another week of work and school!

Here is a picture of our boat. We got it last night. The guy also threw in 2 pair of skis(a cute pink and white pair just Lily's size), a tube and some other misc stuff.

School is in full swing and everyone is getting into their routines. We've had both parent nights now. I am extremely happy with all of their teachers and the kids seem to be also. The early mornings with Wyatt aren't easy but hopefully he'll get used to them. I actually like it because it gets me up earlier and I'm not at all rushed getting Lily and I out the door. I have my last 2 parent nights to speak at tonight and tomorrow night and then I'm done with that! I told Jeff we're celebrating Friday night!

Well, as of about 5 minutes ago, we are now boat owners. We have been mulling it over for a couple of weeks since we first looked at this particular boat. After much research, we decided to go for it! It's a 21 foot Sea Ray. Jeff took it out on the water today and was impressed. We're hoping to get some use out of it before we have to store it for the winter. Wow-exciting but kind of scary! New territory always is!

Lily and Anna before their High School Musical party. I think every little girl in town was at one Friday night! Funny that it has been on every night since-including tonight.

We had a good relaxing weekend, which we definitely needed before this hellacious week coming up.

The week coming up includes:

Monday--dance, soccer, Lily's parent night at school

Tuesday--youth group, parent night for Wyatt

Wednesday--soccer, parent night that I have to be at

Thursday--guitar lesson, last parent night-yay!

Friday---nothing!!! Yay!!

oh--plus work every day.

Whew-I'll be SO glad when next weekend is here!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Wyatt before the bus came. Yes, it is still dark outside.

Lily with Mrs. Perrott
Lily, Emma and Savannah
The bus stop gang.
Lily ready to go.
Well, the kids both started school today. Lily in 3rd grade and Wyatt in 5th. Wyatt's bus came at the ungodly hour of 6:45. He was up at 6 and in the shower, though, without one word from me. I'm not kidding myself, though, that won't last. Maybe not even til tomorrow. We'll see. He had a great day and said 5th grade is "totally awesome" and he loves his teacher. Good to hear.

Lily had a great day, too. I got to spy on her a few times and she seemed to be having a great time. My day also went very well----and very fast. It was great to see my students from last year and see how they've grown!

Well, it's already bedtime! Better go get the routine started!

Tracee, Emma, me and Lily on stage.
Emma and Lily with their bibles.
Lily at her desk.
Lily with her teacher Mrs. Perrot and her friend Alissa that's in her class.

Lily's ice cream social was last night. As PTO president I had to be there for the whole thing and then some. I got there about 2 so I nosed around and found out what teacher she got. I was so happy--it was my first choice! She didn't get in class with her friend Emma and she was disappointed about that. She does have some friends in her class, though. A few boys I'm kind of worried about, but I think this teacher is good at handling them. She has a movie themed room which Lily loved and last year rented a whole movie theater and took the class to see Charlotte's Web after they read it. She does some neat extra things and it should be a good year.
Lily received her 3rd grade bible on Sunday. She was happy about that.
Well, off to enjoy our last day of freedom!!! School tomorrow!!

Wyatt's ice cream social was tonight. I wasn't "allowed" to take pictures and didn't see anyone else taking any---so I refrained. We had him go up and introduce himself to his teachers and it was so cute. He got all shy and nervous-but he handled it very well. He's very pleased with all of his teachers. He also got a couple of his good buddies in his class so he's very excited. His homeroom teacher seemed super nice(and very pretty-I see a possible teacher crush on the horizon;-) His other 2 teachers for math and reading also seemed great. The only one I was kind of iffy about moved to be a 6th grade teacher and her replacement seems great! It's his reading teacher and she's a huge Harry Potter fan so they hit it off right off the bat. She was already telling Wyatt about some books she thought he would like. I think it's going to be a great year! I told Wyatt I wanted to go in his place--I love school!
Now for Lily's tomorrow night. I'm anxious to see who she gets, but I'm not worried. Any of them will be fine.

Well, I finally got Wyatt signed up for guitar lessons. He has his first one on Thursday, so tonight we took him to buy his guitar. He got an awesome red electric one--amp and all. He's so excited and hasn't put it down since we got home. All I know is he better darn well like it after the almost $300 we shelled out tonight. Oh, notice the tongue out in the pic-I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of that!
We also bought this tonight. Nothing like putting the cart before the horse. We have been shopping for a boat lately and hope to have one by next summer. Dick's had all of their water sports stuff 50% off, so we couldn't pass this double tube up. The kids love to tube at Jeff's dads. Now we just need the boat! LOL! I just had to laugh that we bought this before the boat. We figure if we don't end up with one-we can always take it down to Jeff's dads.
Wyatt found out who his teacher is today. Her name is Mrs. Kail and I've now heard from 2 people that she is great. Whew-that's a relief. I can't wait to meet her tomorrow night. She is supposedly strict and expects a lot out of them(but is very nice)--I like that.

The girls built a fort city in the basement yesterday. They were down there for hours playing in them. We had a good day yesterday. We went to see the free movie "Flushed Away" and then to eat at a Chinese buffet. It was so good.

Lily had her soccer kick off party last night. We went for the sole purpose of meeting her coach. We're excited now. He seems like he's going to be great. He's coached for 12 years and also coaches a travel team so he really knows what he's doing. He seems super nice, too and said he wants the girls to have fun. I'm relieved because you never know what kind of coach you're going to get and we were worried about that. We just really want her to have fun but also learn.

Today is probably our last Saturday without having anywhere we have to be. We're going to enjoy that and try to get some things done around the house. It's too hot to do anything outside!

So yesterday we're heading out to meet Jenny and the kids at Chuck E Cheese. My gas is totally on empty so I stop at the gas station. I realize I left my check card in my purse that is at home , so I head back home to get it. On the way back home, someone in front of me stops fairly suddenly. I didn't have to slam on my brakes, it was just a bit of a sudden stop. I never even felt in danger of hitting the person in front of me. I hear a very loud screech and then BAM, we're hit. After realizing what happened I pulled over, but the (tiny) car that hit me wasn't moving, so I rushed back to it in fear that they were badly hurt. It turned out to be a car full of teenage boys. The 17 year old driver was so upset and I felt so bad for him(having been in the same situation at his age). He was so worried about his parents' reaction, etc. Luckily, they all had their seatbelts on and were fine. His car wasn't, though, and had to be towed since the radiator was busted and all of the fluid leaked out. Not remembering that I was out of gas, I turned the car on so the kids could have air in the 95 degree heat. They were so scared by the whole thing, especially Lily. Well, after the cop did his thing, I went to start my car and, yup, I was out of gas. Sooooo, I had to wait on another police officer to bring me gas. They were so nice. Anyway, an hour later, we were headed to Chuck E Cheese. We got the estimate this morning and it's $1200. The bumper has to be replaced. The boy's dad is going to pay for it out of pocket, plus a rent a car for me while it's in the shop, so his son's premium doesn't go through the roof. I'm so glad I drive something big and sturdy. He hit us at at least 30 MPH and I was surprised there wasn't more damage. Especially looking at his car. The skid marks are still on the road. We saw them today--they were at least 20 feet long. I'm so glad nobody was hurt.

OUR WEEK SO FAR

This is the bus entrance to the school taken from the second floor. The cafeteria is straight ahead and the library is on the left in the picture.
Rachel and Wyatt in front of the school.

Digging for bones in the Dinosphere exhibit.
On the carousel.

Well, it's the last full week before school starts. I told the kids we would do something fun everyday. Monday we went to the Children's Museum. I had only planned on staying a couple of hours, but we were there almost 5. They still love it. Yesterday we went to walk around the new intermediate school again just so they can feel really comfortable and know where things are. Then we went bowling. It was dollar day which was even better! I could really tell they learned a lot in bowling camp. They all did really well. Today we are going to Chuck E Cheese. It's just too darn hot to do anything outside, even the pool (for me at least, since I don't stay in the whole time). So, we are tryting to find air conditioned things to do.

I led my first PTO meeting last night. I was a bit nervous but not too bad and I think it went OK. It did help that there were only 2 people I didn't know.

WEEKEND AT THE LAKE

We spent a great weekend at Jeff's dad's house on Herrington lake. Sunday was our 18th wedding anniversary and we both agreed it was a great way to spend it!

No new pictures. Not a whole lot new around here. Just gearing up for school. We toured Wyatt's new school last night. Super nice! He's excited. It's larger than my high school (which wasn't small) and it only has 2 grades! 1400 5th and 6th grade students--wow! I think we are all finally getting ready and excited. I'm ready to go back to work. It's been a nice break, but I'm ready for the routine of having somewhere to go every morning. Plus I'm anxious to see the kids!
Wyatt finished his Harry Potter book. It took him ten days, which was longer than I thought it would, but he didn't read much during the day. We thought we knew the ending and it was not what we expected! Now all that's left are movies 6 and 7. He's sad that the series is over and is really hoping J.K. Rowling will start a new one. I'm sure she will.
We're going to Kentucky tomorrow to spend some time at the lake. It's always a good last little getaway before school starts.
Well, off to pick the kids up from camp!