Visitors

This time of year is a busy one for all the families we know. Lots of transitions and re-learning the routines of the school year. Elle is whole-heartedly loving first grade. She is learning a lot and meeting many new friends. She is one tired pumpkin when we pick her up each day. She is learning the routine of nightly homework and packing her lunch. Most days she let's me pick her outfit since she has more important playing to do. Her brother's miss her while she is away so they need some Elle-time when she gets home. She is generally willing to indulge them, but can be a little cranky. Carter has been loving Little Lambs. He had the privilege of bringing home "Wooliam" the class pet for a couple days. They had quite the adventures. Carter took the care and responsibility VERY seriously. I took a couple of pictures of their time together. He is learning a lot from his beloved, Miss Kathy and Miss Julie. The other night he barely ate dinner because he was so busy explaining all he had learned about our "human bodies". It was so precious!

As for the youngest man in the house....he is Trouble with a capital T these days. Ella and Carter will be busy working on something and in no time, Christian is in some sort of trouble. He is accustom to exercising his opinion, saying NO!, and has some serious NAUGHTY antics he has been up to. {Emptying cupboards, sticking things in the toilet, poking toothpicks through the window screens, wearing my good shoes out into the yard- & leaving them there, coloring with crayons on the floor, refusing to take napes, taking his diaper off.on.his.own, and many other things that I am too exhausted to recall} He is a handful these days. However, whenever a grandmother is around, he is on best behavior. Which brings me to the other visitors we've had.....

Our sister-in-law, Sarah, lost her mom on Sept. 11 to cancer. Scott's parents and Scott traveled to Indianapolis to attend the funeral. I was sad that I could not go to be there for Mike, Sarah, and the girls but my parents were out of town and we didn't have anyone else to stay with the kids. On the way back from Indy, Marv and Sandy stopped in for a couple of nights. It was so nice to have them around to spend time with. They were helpful in letting me get some things done at home and school. The kids really enjoyed their time with them, but I didn't snap many pictures, unfortunately!

Here is a perfect example of what a turkey this little guy is.....he refused to take his nap but was SOOO tired. He told me he was going to go read books, I said fine. When it got a little too quiet for my liking I peeked in to find this....what a pumpkin!

First Days of School

It sure has been a busy week here so far and it's only Wednesday! The Moorlag family is sending 3 out of 5 it's members to school each week. Ella described her first day of FIRST grade as "magical". Carter was all a buzz this afternoon when I picked him up. He had SOOOO much to tell me about all the fun he had. Here are a few pictures to document: Carter and Brooke outside of Little Lambs!

{Someday this picture will be up at their graduation parties...sniff, sniff}

The First Grader on her first day. Did I mention she changed outfits 3 times...where could she possibly get that gene from??? Still missing the glassess..argggg! Mom and Elle's 2nd day. But we needed a group shot before we headed out the door.

Carter with his beloved spider backpack!

We had two separate but EQUALLY fun celebrations for each of their 1st days. I am so thankful that the kids LOVE school, they love their teachers, and they have wonderful friends to share all these great memories with. Warning to all who follow this blog. I will be a blubbering M-E-S-S when Christian is strapping on the backpack. I feel like these years of their childhood are flying by. Each day is filled with priceless gifts. Yesterday while Elle was at school the boys and I spent a long time chasing dragonflies around the yard with butterfly nets. We read Dr. Seuss 4 times, just to see the joy on Christian obsessed face! Carter and I sat on the couch and debriefed about his day. I am so thankful I am here with them to capture these special moments.

On a separate note---I am surviving kindergarten! To my own shock---I am actually loving it. I have a sweet bunch of 23 that keep me hopping all morning long. I am trying to soak it all in. But for now, I should go sleep! All these pumpkins will need my and every ounce of my energy and patience bright and early!