Fly high in the sky

Hailey loves to balance on my feet and "fly". I remember when I used to do this to my sister. Man, am I old!

Teamwork

My two crafters. These two getting along well is such a rarity in our house that I always try to take a mental picture when they do. Today I took a digital one as well.

Into the woods

Doesn't she look like a character in every fairy tale you have ever heard? She was sad about not climbing the hill, or something about a stick, or anything else that an overtired four year old might be sad about.

BOO!

We went out tonight in the dark and "booed" three of our neighbors. The kids LOVE this! Now their wildest dreams will be answered if someone would "boo" us back.

Beauty

" Now do you believe me that I can do my own hair???"

Worth playing for

Today was Hailey's last soccer game. Today was the day that makes it all worthwhile - a pizza party with your teammates and trophies!

Walk-a-thon

The boys' school held their first walk-a-thon fundraiser this year. I served on the committee. It was a huge success and a lot of fun.

Fort

I loved making forts when I was little. This rainy, cold Thursday seemed like the perfect day for a fort.

Typical

I was shocked today when Hailey started playing with her dolls on her own. The photo shows her driving her baby home on Spencer's skateboard. Of course when I asked her the name of her doll she replied "Megamind". Do you know who Megamind is? The bald, huge blue headed guy from the movie. I guess she saw her hairless baby and that is where her mind went.

Box boys

We put up a new storage shelf in Hailey's room and the boys quickly snatched up the box. They played with that thing for hours. I swear I am giving them empty boxes for Christmas - they play with them more than any of their toys.

They walk away

This is the morning scene that Hailey and I see everyday as the boys head to the bus stop.

The smell of Fall

Our city does not allow burning of leaves in the fall, but you can have a recreational fire whenever you want. There is nothing better after a Sunday salmon dinner than s'mores for dessert.

Angels

Another super windy day at the beach. A perfect palette for sand angels. This scene will be replicated in snow before we know it.

Cootie

"My name is Cootie.

I shake my booty.

I even toot. Clap Clap

I even toot. Clap Clap"

The winner of the game gets bragging rights and has to sing the song. Of course right away they changed the claps to toot sounds.

Snack

One thing that Hailey requests often is snacks. One of her favorite snacks is what she calls an "Umi Snack". On the kid show Team Umizoomi one of their main characters promotes patterns. Hailey loves it when her snacks follow a pattern. She asked me today to paint her nails in a pattern. My girl might be a math whiz.

Summer days driftin' away

"This is a perfect last day of summer isn't it Mom?"

What else could you need for a summer like day in the middle of October? An umbrella for shade and a towel to lay on. It is easy to realize why she still thought it was summer- almost eighty degrees and sunny. I am afraid this next week will let us know that summer is gone until next year. Boo.

She's got game!

Another fall of soccer Saturdays started last week. We get to watch our agressive girl be not so agressive on the field. At least she occasionally gets her foot on the ball.

Comb over

Because of an unfortunate "toothpaste in the hair incident" last night at bedtime, Evan took a shower this morning before school. He thought it was so cool that you could see the lines from the comb in his hair. He thought he should wear it that way for school pictures. Thankfully he settled for letting me take a picture instead.

The eye of the tiger

Our family, including many of my relatives took a bus to Detroit to watch my Uncle Norm throw out the first pitch at the Tiger game. I have never been to Comerica Park or a major league baseball game. I am now a fan. Shocking, I know.

Willie the pig

We went to a 50th birthday party pig roast for Gladis tonight. Evan decided he needed some souvenirs...

Ninjago

A brand new ninja costume from a garage sale and a bottle of rootbeer. Could his day get any better?

Understanding

What I don't understand is how my tiny baby boy is now ten years old. Double digits! Where oh where did those years go?

Saturday

A cute hat found at a garage sale and two colors of nail polish done by your mommy. A pretty good day for a little girl.

Ominous

Evan had his baseball playoff game tonight. They must be really hard core since they played during a severe thunderstorm warning and a tornado watch. Hardcore or crazy. Hailey is leaning toward the crazy.

Today is finally the day!

Hailey was so excited to go with her Daddy to school on his last day. She insisted on wearing a dress, her raincoat and bringing her purse along.

Love

He just looks like a tennis player doesn't he? I think he may have found a sport that he likes.

Finally

Today it is warm enough to go to the beach and play. It is about time!

Evan is seven

Just like that...my boy is seven.

Symmetry

Evan was lying on the floor watching TV and Dickens came over and plopped down beside him. They looked like they were copying each other.

Special treat

The boys were gone on a scout outing at the star observatory so Hailey and I hunkered down in my bed with some ice cream in fancy dishes (that I purchased at the Goodwill the other day) and a movie.

A pretty good night was had by all.

Castle

Hailey's newest favorite past time. She never wants to play by herself. She always wants Mommy to play castle with her. "But Mom! It's not fun if only I talk!"

Rub a dub dub

My three loves in a tub.

Be prepared!

Oh - how I love my little men in uniform!

My girl

Oh -how I love this little stinker!

Ice ice baby

What happens if you let your car sit out overnight in the winter. Amazing and pretty.

One more...

I took this right before I got my coat on for our six hour car trip home. I can just hear Hailey saying "Never leave a hug behind"!

Cousins

I may be a little bit biased, but all I can say is...cutest ever!

The girls

A dance party to celebrate our Elaina and Mirabel. Our favorite one and three year old girls!

Drip

I guess it's time to find a permanent solution to our roof leak. Beyond frustrating.

All 8 Mile

I found this hoodie the other day on the clearance rack. It just screamed Evan. It had fleece inside. Hoodies and fleece are two of his favorite things in the world.

He has lived in it ever since.

Beard

Doovy being silly in a Sunday evening bath.

Summoning Spring

We dug out our grill today and used it for the first time in months. Funny how if the winter weather nears forty degrees the spring fever starts to run rampant.

100

The one hundreth day of school. Evan loved that crown. He wore it for days...

Valentine Party

Hailey's first school Valentine's Day party. She was very excited about the cards and the candy from her friends. Mostly the candy. The girl loves her some candy.

Favorite salad

One of our newest "go to" meals. This salad is so easy and so yum. Lettuce, turkey, avocado, tomato and Parmesan shavings with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Toddlers and Tiaras? Here she comes!

This is Hailey's newest trick. She gets her mouth full of food or drink and then grunts and points at you to try to get her point across. Needless to say, we are nipping this in the bud.

ps. The pink all over her face is her attempt at doing her own makeup.

Snack helper

Hailey about to dig into our watermelon leftovers after making her snack for school.

Heart month

This is so random. I found it in my photo files. The only picture from this day.

We're gonna need a bigger shovel...

Don't even bother Spencey!

Blizzard Eve

One of my biggest joys of parenting is to look outside and see my three kiddos playing together. Nothing warms a mama's heart more on a bitter cold day.