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!

Field Trip Fun With Drew

Drew and Collin
The Greatest Teacher EVER!!

I won the drawing for Drew's class and was able to accompany his class on a field trip to a local nature preserve and park. We had so much fun, with neat classes on wetlands, fossils, erosion, and Native Americans. We went on a hike and even got to dig for our own fossils. I found a great shell one and Drew got one as well. We learned that there were never any dinosaurs in Kentucky, so anything you find that you believe is a dino fossil, is not. We also had lunch outside with my group, including some of Drew's buds. What a fun day, and the best part--I didn't have to ride the bus with all those kids!

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).