Fabulously Fun Field Trip #1

Before the end of school in May, I was lucky enough to go with Sarah and the entire 7th grade on her end-of-the-year-over-night field trip. We left at 5 am on a Thursday and didn't return until midnight on Friday. Phew! We took a big bus up to the COSI Museum in Columbus, Ohio. Then we returned to Cincinnati for a dinner cruise on the river. We spent the night at the hotel at Kings Island, where we were for the entire day Friday. I was with Sarah and two of her friends the whole time. Sarah had never ridden a roller coaster before, so that was very exciting. She often screamed, "I'm gonna die!!" While I really felt that I was too old for roller coasters, I ended up riding ALL of them because one of the girls was very adventuresome and no one else would ride with her! Needless to say, I did have a headache on the ride back. But, these girls were so good and so sweet! I felt like I was the rebel and that they were making sure I obeyed all the rules! What a fun adventure. Luckily Matt will get to go with the boys on their 7th grade trips! With some friends at COSI Our favorite places in COSI were different towns from different historical eras. Here is Sarah in the 1950's diner.

On the bus. We watched movies, ate snacks, and listened to teenage chatter!!!
On the way up on the Beast ride--wheeeeee!
Sarah didn't want to ride this ride, I guess.
After a water ride. I chose not to ride this one. My Momma didn't raise a dummy.
Waiting in another line.

We all wore red t-shirts. What a cute group of girls.

Enjoying some lunch--with a smile!

Piano Recital

Aren't they so cute?

Sarah and Drew had their Spring recital in May. (Sawyer plays too, but he was gone on a Scout Camp Out). This was Drew's first year of piano, but he progressed like crazy. He just might pass the other two up this year! (Just kidding--they all play nicely).

Doesn't he look like a crazy concert pianist?

We are lucky that lots of our friends take piano from the same teacher. Our recitals are like a family affair.

Ruby-licious!

The Ruby-licious Ladies

During Derby weekend, Sarah and I journeyed to downtown Louisville for a Mother-daughter trip. We were invited by my sister-in-law and niece to join their church's Ruby-licious retreat. This title was so fun and was based on the scripture that values women above rubies. We had a BLAST! Friday night we checked into a posh suite and dined at the Spaghetti Factory. We also enjoyed several classes on strengthening our relationship, modesty, etiquette, our conversion stories, and self-defense. Of course, we concluded our weekend with a marathon shopping trip to the MALL! Phew! By the end the girls were dragging, but Lee Ann and I were fine! For a couple of mature (old) babes, we've still got it!

Bestest Cousins

Gurrrrrrr!!

Get him, Shelby!

POW!

Oh no! What have I done?

Sarah Sings the Blues

Sarah and Lyndsey, buddies and costars!

Waiting to Perform

Her big solo part

A friend, Autumn, also performed in the talent show

Sarah performed again this year in her middle school talent show. This year she sang a duet with her friend, Lyndsey. Their song was "Soak Up the Sun" by Sheryl Crowe. While they had a little mic trouble, they were fantastic! She was so calm and composed on stage. That will serve her well when she is judged by Simon on American Idol! You rocked it, Dawg!!

A Stitch in Time

Last week, in 7 degree weather, Sawyer, his dad, and two friends were playing basketball in our driveway. Sarah was out there as well, apparently riding her bike. (These people are all crazy!) Well, Sarah finds a lump of ice on the ground and brilliantly decides to throw it at her unsuspecting brother. "I was throwing it at his chest!" she claims. I tend to believe her, as I (1) have seen her play basketball and (2) know she couldn't have hit him with such precision if she had tried a million times. Yep, she busted open his eyebrow. Luckily we have a doctor in the house. Jackson gave Sawyer his little Rexie to hold and we all loaded up the van and drove to Matt's office. Sawyer was very brave, especially during the shots, but he did need to hold his Mom's hand. ( I finally felt needed!) Only two stitches were required, but Sawyer wanted us to tell everyone he had four stitches. I felt really bad for him, but on the way home we stopped at church for a meeting and he ended up playing basketball with the 12-18 year old boys! He made several shots and ended up having his stitches bleed with a knock in the head. Boys will always be boys, I believe. However, for our first kid to get stitches, Sawyer did an awesome job!

The Rest of Halloween

I finally uploaded more of my pictures so I needed to post some photos of my older two or there could be claims of favoritism in our family. Sarah was the Bride of Frankenstein and Sawyer was some zombie thing. They both had fun roaming the neighborhood with the walkie talkies. Sarah and the little boys rode around on a wagon getting their candy.

This last picture is of Drew's favorite webkinz, Rexie. He was dressed up as a superhero with a washrag cape and a tiny pumpkin trick-or-treat bag. Drew set him in the window when he left so that Rexie could watch everything that was going on outside! Drew is so cute! (Ignore the peeling paint on our window sill. Our window leaked and Matt has caulked so all is well, but I still need to sand and repaint. Add it to my list...)

Sarah, the Super Singer

Sarah made All-State Middle School Chorus!! Yeah! She obviously gets her superior singing skills from her Mom and her grandmother Mavis! Congratulations Sarah. We can't wait to go your concert in the Spring!

Back to School (A.K.A "Day of Joy")

These are late, but I wanted to post my kids' back to school photos. It is a beautiful, sunny morning and they are all so excited. I love the way everyone jumps up and gets ready so fast on the first day of school! Sarah is in the seventh grade, Sawyer in the fifth, Drew in second, and Jackson is in his second and final year of preschool. Now, don't misconstrue my post. I totally love my children. I would throw myself in front of a bus to save them and all that jazz ... However, the first day of school always makes me feel GIDDY! ( Like angels singing "AHHH- Hal-le-lu-jah! ") Jackson and I cleaned the house, did several loads of laundry, went to Costco, took a nap, and still had time to go out for our annual "first day of school" celebratory lunch with my neighbor. The kids arrived home excited and hungry. We had our yearly first day snack--turkey and cheese bruschetta at my house and brownies at our neighbors. Our family loves to be together, but we also love some time apart to have our own adventures that we come back and share together! A side note: I think home-school moms are either Saints or Crazy! Go School!!! (Or should I say, "Go To School!")

My Baby's Got Brains!

Sarah was just inducted into the National Junior Beta Club! She has done so well at her middle school and we are very proud of how hard she works. She is also playing tennis again this year, which has a quite extreme season: practice and two days of matches a week. She has improved her tennis serving so much and has really done well! On top of this she is still taking piano lessons, along with Young Women's, and private voice lessons. Phew! She makes me tired! Wait a minute...I'm the one driving her everywhere! I think I should get inducted into National Old Tired Mom "E"ssociation! (N.O.T. M.E.! for short).