Gracias

You guys are so awesome! Thank you so much for your help in choosing a picture for the picture contest. I have it narrowed down to pic #2 (Cole on tractor with puppies) and #10 (Cole in front of corn.) Those seemed to be the top choices from your comments and I agree that they are great summer pics. So thanks again for your help!

After a rather depressing and exhausting day trying to get the kids to behave at a funeral yesterday, we enjoyed the fantastic weather in the afternoon/evening and played outside for hours. I sat on a blanket while the kids played and tried to soak up the last days of summer vacation. Little Miss spent most of the time swinging, sliding, and trying to tickle me while Cole learned to climb trees. He was so proud of himself.

We even let Jackie share our blanket. Believe it or not, I am now glad we have Jackie. Now that Daisy is gone, I am thankful that Bear has Jackie as a playmate. They are very close now and one is never far from the other. They even cuddle up together. Speaking of cuddling, must make vet appt. for Jackie. She became a woman this week. Blech. Bear is neutered, but I am sure there are other country dogs roaming around looking for an easy woman. And she's got "easy" written all over her...

The kids wanted a candelight dinner outside. So, that's what they got. Unfortunately the table is right in the sun so they donned sunglasses throughout the meal.I now sit drinking coffee and catching up on my blogs, trying to ignore the fact that I start school tomorrow. It's 9:03 at the moment. Tomorrow at this time I will be well into a staff meeting with the reality of the new school year slapping me in the face. It's not that I don't want to start teaching again. I do. There have been many days this summer when I thought, "I need to go back to school." But now that it is actually here, I start getting second thoughts. I hate having to get the kids up so early. I hate having to get myself up so early! Not to mention the fact that I am teaching a multi-age class this year and am nervous about making it work.

I am happy in the fact that I no longer need to pack and send a diaper bag. Cole will have his bacpack three days a week. Neither kid takes naps anymore, so I don't need to send the blankies. So cups, breakfast, and maybe a change of clothes for Little Miss is all I need. That will help cut down the stress of trying to get things packed and ready the night before.

Wish me luck this first week back. Kids start Thursday. I am glad to have a short kid week. It gives me a chance to get to know them without the pressure of starting curriculum Day 1. We can have a couple of easy, get to know you days and then jump into the nitty gritty next week.

Later today I am posting a recipe for the SITS recipe contest. I would eat this every single day for the rest of my life if I could. It's that good.