And the Curtain Finally Closes

Someone should call Mother Nature because she seems a little off. Our weather this year has been really odd. Summer was cool (which we all loved) and now it appears our autumn is going to be scorching. This week the weather has been up in the high 90s and 100s.

We haven't been doing much, just getting back into the school routine. I thought I would show off a couple completed (finally) projects. The new fence was a long time coming. It was partially blown down last November, pulled completely down in May and finally finished in September. Now it wasn't our fault for the long delay as this was our neighbor's project but in any case we were able to enjoy the fruits of HIS labor. I did end up getting backyard envy. Our neighbor's backyard is absolutely beautiful. Ours is nice but it has no grass, just plants and concrete. Anyway, the fence is up and he did a good job.

I do like the look of new wood!

This was our project and it also took us the whole summer. In case you can't tell we repainted the deck. I started back in June, Jeff finished most of it before the 4th of July, and I finally finished the last bit (and it was just a little bit) this month. There's no reason why it shouldn't have been finished before except that we just weren't motivated to finish. I finally finished it when Jeff invited co-workers over for dinner. Nothing gets you motivated like trying to impress others!

After having a month freedom, Robyn finally came home with homework -- and I was sad becausethat means homework for me too. Well, I blew it. The first time we finished the homework and turned it on Friday. That's when I found out we only did half of the work. She practiced writing her name on the front and I didn't realize she had more to do on the back. Bad mommy! Oh well next time I'll remember to check the other side of the paper.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Last week we went to the circus. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus to be exact. I won tickets from a local radio station. I didn't have to call in but since I'm a member I can enter contests on their website (definitely the way to do it!).

We had a lot of fun. The last time Jeff & I were at a circus we were both just little ones. We enjoyed taking the girls to see their very first circus.

Before the circus started, Robyn told us she wanted to be an acrobat when she grows up. Now -- well, she's decided that it's just too hard.

The motorcycles in the cage were Jeff's favorite act. At the end of the act, there were seven motorcycles circling inside the metal ball!

Mesmerized by the circus -- especially Robyn! She was disappointed that the high wire act had rope to protect them from falling. I had to explain to her that the rope was there to keep them safe, not to help them do their act.

We had a lot of fun. Check out the circus when it's in town. It's a great show!

School Pictures

Instead of paying for school pictures, this year I had my friend Christine take their pictures. It's been awhile since Robyn has had her picture taken so I wanted to make sure I got a cute picture. Here are some that were taken:

Start of a new season

This is how my Saturdays will be spent for the next couple of months.

With two soccer camps under her belt, Annalise looked really good out on the field. Confidence is a wonderful motivator. Jeff was pleasantly surprised. He's once again an assistant coach and she wasn't showing off her new skills during practice.

This year the spectators (probably directed at us annoying parents) are sitting across the field from the teams. They are now playing on the bigger field so they seem so far away. It's a good thing I got the new camera because it has a great zoom lens!

I really should have signed Robyn up for soccer this year, but I dragged my feet and just didn't do it. So next year Robyn, I PROMISE I'll sign you up.

Afterwards the team had a BBQ at a teammate's house. They had a lot of fun. To see them play in the pool you would never guess they played a game earlier that day. I call this picture -- Swimming with sharks.

All About Me

Last week Robyn completed her first project for kindergarten. It was a poster all about her.

The teacher is going to use the poster when it is Robyn's turn to be Queen for the Day.

Can I say she's excited?

Last one out of the house

Last week was the start of school. It was a hasty transition for us. We got back from camping Wednesday and school started on Thursday. Even so, the girls were excited about school, especially Robyn. She woke up that more with the biggest grin on her face because she was going to kindergarten! She couldn't stop grinning even when she tried. The cutest was hearing her singing in the bathroom about the first day of kindergarten. It was a good day for her, and I'm glad kindergarten has lived up to her expectations.

She's off to kindergarten!

I love Annalise's expression!

She's now a 6th grader but still in elementary school. Our middle school doesn't start until 7th grade. This will be the only time that they will be in the same school. Check out the bag she's carrying. That's the completed bag she sewed this summer. She used it to carry her lunch. She's so proud of her bag, and she should be. It looks really nice.

Waiting for class to start. It's hard to believe she's old enough to go to school. But, I'm ready for it because Robyn needed to get out of the house!

But it's a tradition

Every year we go on a camping trip down to the beach with four other families. We always have a great time. I like it because the girls outside playing and just having a good time playing with the other kids.

When it happens depends on when we can reserve the campground. This year Jeff wasn't able to come with us. School starts next week so he was busy with meetings and just trying to get everything ready for the new school year. So while he worked, we played.

Camping was a learning experience. They learned how to correctly make pancakes.

Or, that sunglasses help keep the smoke out of your eyes.

Or, the best way to dig a hole in the sand.


They also learned how to dig for crabs.

This year Robyn actually got near the water. The first night she went wading in the ocean but that quickly ended as she managed to fall down when a wave hit her. The clothes never did dry the whole time we were camping. She really got soaked!

Posing. I don't quite understand the innertube around the waist but she spent a lot of time with it on. I guess it made her feel safe?!

We were sad to leave but we hope to be back next year!