Strawberry Jam

Summer days, always big plans.  We love days like this!  We headed to Hidden Valley and searched long and hard in the strawberry patch.  It was muddy and the girls were not into the prickly weeds at all, so they didn't last very long.  But we managed to fill our bellies munching on a few as well as filling 11 quarts to take home to make jam.  The process is pretty simple, just MESSY and STICKY, which they loved!  We were eating jam by the spoonfuls!  It was drippy, sweet, and so much fun! 

Sweet Friends

It's so hard to say good-bye.  Emily, Ainsley and Erica have been friends for three years, and go to all different schoools, but count down the days until they see each other again.  They were in the same kindergarten class at The Academy, and soon became the bestest of friends.  We have to really plan their playdates, since they are from Kettering and Springboro.  They pick up right where they left off.  This picture was their last playdate they will  have together.  Erica is moving to Canada next month.  Even though they had fun, it was very emotional.  They decorated pen pal pencils together, interviewed each other, took pictures, and made a scrapbook together.  Now they want Skype so they can have playdates together and play American Girls. When did emailing become not enough?  :)  So, I'm thinking maybe we need to get Skype.

Summer Time

trading silly bands with friends

feeding baby alive again and again

playing at the park

door to door lemonade stand

decorating t-shirts

quiet time

four days into summer and we are having a blast!

First/Last Day of School

             First Day of School for the girls...  Kindergarten, second and fifth grade!

 

















Where did the year go?!

Looking back on the year and the transition they made from private to public, the girls did beautifully!  Erika going into Middle School, yikes, could have had such a hard time, and she picked up right where she left off in second grade.  Ironically, finding the same little group of friends she had at Bowman, and even made some more great friendships!  So proud of her!  I couldn't have picked better friends for her. 

It's crazy how I worried the least about Emily, and she was the one who had the hardest time.  She missed her teacher (an angel) that she had for the last two years, and her friends tons.  I was so consumed with Erika starting Middle School, that I had forgotten that all Emily knew was The Academy.  This year she had 17 boys in her class and only 5 other girls.  slim pickins.  But of course Emily made the most of it and her teacher couldn't get enough of her. She's a shining star, and a day doesn't go by that I thank God for her.

Ellie, forget kindergarten, she's ready for the world!  We lucked out and she got who Erika had for kindergarten; a legend.  She had a rough Fall and Winter with her asthma, with her teacher even texting me to see how she was doing.  She had a great year, except for the fact that there were 28 kids in her class, and I'm pretty sure you just survive day to day with that number.  Not much phases Ellie, she absolutely loves school. 

We are so blessed, and I definitely think God was looking out for us this year as we went from an incredible school to another great school, just not the same. 

Here are a couple fun shots I grabbed, that I didn't want to forget:  (wish I was better at making a slideshow, maybe this summer) 

                         Happy Summer!!!!

The dance recitals are nothing short of pure joy- for them and for us.  They think performing on stage is about the greatest thing ever!  Putting on shows for us at home was good practice, as they loved every minute of being in the spotlight.  We were so proud of them; they knew their routines and had a "400 watt smile!" 

My Favorite Gadget

My favorite gadget from Pampered Chef- the Mix 'N Chop- love it!  Fun! 

The Dumping Ground

The Dumping Ground.

     I'm not lazy.  On the contrary.  I am always busy straightening up Barbie dolls, sorting clothes that all look the same size, picking up mini dishes from the latest tea set, and adding knick knacks to the basket on the steps for the girls to take upstairs.  With three girls at three different schools, the papers seem endless, not sure which paper came from which school.  I am constantly moving from one mess to another, rarely finishing anything before the next crisis was tackled.  It seems like I just follow my kids around trying to keep up with their piles of discarded toys, clothes and food crumbs. 

     I know the principles of organizing.  But life is still a series of unwashed dishes, unanswered phone calls, and unsightly piles of dirty clothes.  I've decided to attack the problems head-on.  My goal is to be able to handle my housework while enjoying the freedom I need and want for other activities. I need to simplify, clean out, organize!  Room by room, closet by closet, drawer by drawer.  Now if I can actually organize, and not take everything out, make a new pile, and put it back in!  Wish me luck!