Welcome to our World

Here’s part of Michelle’s fan club for her first middle school orchestra concert. Our neighbor who used to give her lessons even gave her chocolate for good luck!  We were very impressed with how well these students played considering each grade level they were at. This may look like an ordinary kitchen but I wanted to take a picture because I want to remember a magic moment that happened there. I was doing the dishes while my three middle schoolers were at the island talking to each other about math classes while Natalie did her math homework at the white table.  I felt such an overwhelming feeling of joy simply being together.  This is what I pictured motherhood to be.  This was a glimpse into what I had imagined my home would be like - a dream come true.  This isn’t the only time my kitchen has seen times like this but for me, the world just seemed right that night. Back by popular demand, we did skits for Activity Days again but I had to slip in a “secret se...

I am sure I’ve already conveyed how proud I am of Danny for working hard and trying new things but I’m going to say it again.  I feel like Danny has risen to the challenge of being on a 13U baseball team and dealt well with the major adjustment to being on the middle school basketball team.  It has been a joy watching him play on both his intramural team and the B travel team.  Danny gives it 100% and doesn’t give up even though he definitely gets frustrated.  During an intramural game (where he wore 32) he made a layup to win the game with only 5 seconds remaining. I wish I had a video of his team reacting to winning such a close game! Due to some quarantined players Danny got to be a starter on the A travel team in a match up against our middle school’s rivals. Hubby, Michelle and I were all there to cheer him on.  He felt like he didn’t play up to his potential but the next day my co-worker who was keeping score said she thought he did great.  No matter ...

 One week before Halloween you could find girls carving pumpkins and making final costume plans and see our maple tree in all its autumn glory. Cyclops and Camp Half Blood jack-o-lanterns made by Michelle, inspired by Rick Riordan books.  Vomiting jack-o-lantern by Natalie and A.   Danny got to use his annual pass to Elitch Gardens again, this time with T. and her grandma.  Sounds like they got to ride lots of rides and have a wonderful time! For school on Friday half of my children were Hufflepuffs while the rest of us didn’t wear costumes.  Michelle opted for her Hufflepuff sweatshirt instead of her robe after the photo and was kind enough to lend her tie to her little sister. It was pretty fun to send Hogwarts students off to school. I highly enjoyed seeing many different great costumes at work and volunteered as a mom at the concession stand for the middle school’s fall social from 4-5:30. After changing into our costumes and Kate taking our picture we Harry...

While Kate, Emma, Shelly and I were in Orlando my wonderful in-laws came out for a visit. I was so sad to know I would be missing their trip but happy to hear Hubby would have excellent company while I was gone. 3 grown ups and 5 cousins are much easier and more fun than 1 grown up and 3 siblings!  I enjoyed hearing their stories and looking at the pictures and am so grateful Mark and Kendra made the drive out. ❤️ 

Years ago I had the idea our family should head back to Disney World in 2021 to help celebrate the 50th anniversary. Long story short, here Kate and I are with Emma and Shelly!  It is the perfect time to take a long break and we lucked out in so many ways. Friday: Our flight was delayed but we still made it on Disney’s Magical Express with half an hour to spare. Today we are relaxing at our hotel before the Halloween party tonight. Turns out my favorite kind of pool has a 50s theme! I love all the songs on the playlist. Right now they are playing “Charlie Brown” and I can’t help but bop my head and sing along as I type. We totally got our money’s worth out of Boo Bash!  Short wait times for everything from Jungle Cruise to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which we road twice) to the Tomorrowland Speedway (where we got to see the progress on the Tron coaster).  Space Mountain did go down for a little while while we were in line but it was still probably half the wait time as...

I love summer.  I have a feeling I am going to love summer even more now that I am working in the schools too.  However, there is something about the crisper air that me feel even more grateful than usual. For instance, while outdoors helping students golf during PE, I noticed how easy it was to see the mountains clearly.  I felt intensely grateful that I could stand on the property of where I worked with three of my children attending here, could see the elementary school where my youngest child was, and could see my neighborhood all at the same time on such a beautiful fall morning. Other beautiful fall days I have felt grateful to escort Natalie and A. to the park or watch double header baseball games.  Last weekend my parents had perfect timing.  As soon as they sat down Danny was up to bat and hit a triple, then was able to run home on an error and there was A LOT of cheering!  Sure looked and felt like a home run to us!  Danny is growing up so fa...