Update

School starts tomorrow, and most years I just hate the thought of that.  I still have mixed feelings about the whole craziness of carpools, homework, science fairs, etc., starting and I will really miss my kids; however, overall I’m excited.  It’s a fresh start.  I’m excited to get in a routine again, have a reasonable bedtime (for the kids, but mostly me!)  I’ve slacked off running, and I’m so excited for cooler weather to run in and for my kids to fall back in love with the great outdoors.  I adore Fall and last year with Joshy as a babe I was pretty consumed.  This year I’ll be a little less tied down and free to really dig into Halloween costumes and the Holidays with my sweet little family.  Can’t you just smell the soup and homemade bread cooking?  Hmmmm, what a fabulous time of year. 

Yesterday Brennan and I sat Anna down and had a great chat with her about Junior High.  We told her all the things we’ve heard about that she might be seeing and hearing and begged her to tell us about everything and anything she experiences.  She’s excited and confident and ready.  She’s a great kid, we love her so much.  Our biggest challenge will be getting her out the door even earlier this year – I’m having night terrors about it :)  We love Anna.

Abby will be the official leader of their little walking group now and I can tell that worries her a little, but mostly she’s awed with her new station in life.  4th grade is kind of a big transition year as far as turning into a big kid.  I’m so grateful I can count on her to be on top of all her responsibilities.  I think all of the kids are really going to miss Ben and Joshy.  Abby especially.  This summer she and Anna turned into big time sleeper inners so every morning she would run up and be so happy if she got to see Joshy before he went down for his morning nap.  We love Abigail.

I’m so excited for Nate this year.  His teacher is our friend and neighbor, Chloe’s mom.  She’s a fabulous teacher and fun and kind.   He’s got darling friends in his class and we’ve recently had two boys his age move in really close to us who are both in his class.  He’s needed more options close by for friends so I’m thrilled.  Oh, and another good thing about school starting is I won’t have to have our morning argument about why I don’t want Sports Center on.  The thing he’s most excited about is the coming football season, he keeps wanting to record all those lame exhibition games.  What am I going to do with two complete tv sport fanatics?  Sigh.  We love Nathan.

The other day Anna was teasing Benny and started tickling him.  She said she wouldn’t stop until he said her full name so he immediately yelled, “Anna George ________”  We all laughed so hard.   George is his middle name and I guess he thought it was just sort of standard issue.  He was at our neighbors’ when Anna was tending their little ones.  When the mom came home and tried to pay Anna, Anna refused it but Suzi kept insisting finally setting it down on the couch next to Anna.  Ben walked up and took the money saying, “Well, I guess I will have it.”  We love Benjamin George.

Joshua was sick and fussy for a lot of days and then he came back and we are more enamored with him than ever.  He’s just pure yummy.  You have got to hear his deep, chesty evil laugh he does whenever he continues to do something you tell him not to, or when he takes some unassisted steps.  Even if he’s not being funny, you can’t help but smile just by looking at his chunky thighs or sizeable bottom.  We love Joshua.