Back to School

The first day back to school is always so exciting. Kids bummed about summer vacation being over. Moms & Dads a bit more joyful that it is. Dear ol' Mom outside with the camera to capture that monumental day when kids start a new school grade, documenting that they're growing up.

OK kids, let's get a picture for the first day of school. No, I didn't get one of Austin. High school Sophomores don't usually go for that and I don't usually go for taking pictures at 6:00am when his school bus comes by.

OK GUYS let's take the picture!!!

No, I mean a picture I can actually show somebody, you guys line up.

OK you're getting closer. Frederick can you put the kitten down and Timothy you don't need to do your Confederate Soldier thing right now. Jonathan I'm putting GQ on speed dial for you.

OK Derick, I said put the kitten down. Timothy look at Mama. Jonathan you're rocking it. OK Amanda you get in on the picture too if you want.

Derick would it kill you to smile? You just got those braces off, let's see those teeth.

Timothy you better not be getting ready to push Jonathan down those stairs. Ya, I don't know about them either Manda.

Let's try this again. Derick I need smiles. Timothy we are not headed for battle for the CSA. Jonathan look at Mama honey.

Teeth Derick, teeth!! Jonathan what are you doing? Stop copying Timothy. I'll tell you when we're ready to take the picture Amanda.

OK, I've lost all control.

Just turn around and show me your back packs.

Good. Done. Go. That's the best I'm going to get.

It's a long walk. I'll just wait up here. Have a great day you guys!! Manda, baby, you stay home with Mama. Don't make me walk down there to bring you back.

The Last Summer Hurrah

Typically on the last Saturday of the summer break, parents take their kids somewhere memorable and exciting. Maybe the shore, or the lake or the County Fair. Just so kids can wave goodbye to lazy summer days before heading off to school.

Husband and I might have thought about that for a moment, but then looked out at our yard and sudden panic crept over us. Panic that our free labor was soon to be elsewhere for the better part of the day. We better make hay while the sun still shines.

So on our kids' last day of summer vacation, they did...

YARD WORK.


It's like Zen for them. Giving them time to think about their lives.



Things like, "Maybe starting school on Monday isn't so bad"



"I wonder if there will be some cute girls in my classes?"


Uhhhh. Um.



"Will my new teacher be nice?"


"No one sees me behind the tree, right?"


"If I get a 4.0 Dad says I can drive next year."


"I wonder if I will ever get to the next level of Guitar Hero"


Yep, tadpoles.


But the pond Zen soon draws everyone close for contemplation,
including Trampy Stray Kitty. That and it's mostly in the shade.

Slip & Slide Summer



Who doesn't love a good slip and slide? And pointing a bit downhill is even better.
We found a nice patch of grass in between the the places where we had tree stumps removed and let the kids loose.

Apparently "One at at time!" has no meaning for this activity.




Neither does "When your turn is over get out of the way."




I don't know what this is about, but I see it quite often around these parts.



Nothing says summer like Slip & Slide, screaming big brothers and giggling little sisters.

Das Boot




The boat is ready for launching. Just to see if it will float.

And it does float. Timothy thinks it will be a bit more fun if only he could push it around a little bit. Doesn't matter that he's not dressed for it.

And if one brother can do it, why can't the other? Right? That's what Jonathan thinks.

And girls can do anything boys can do. Right? In goes Amanda.



I'm going to assume that the boat is still floating in there somewhere.

The Great Smokey Mountain Adventure

A trip to Cades Cove:

To the top of Clingman's Dome:

A little bit of horseback riding:

A dip in the creek:

A stop at the go-kart track:

Riding the rollercoaster.

It's like the Kid Las Vegas of the South~

Gardening In The Fork

From This:

To This:

It has been so fun to share the gardening experience with the kids. From the breaking of ground for new planting beds, to putting seedling and seeds in the ground, to pulling up weeds and administering water. All for the reward of being able to go out and pick some fresh veggies to bring into the house, wash off in the sink, put to steam on the stove and serve up at the dinner table.

Always a fun time when the town square extends its hospitality. Food, drinks, fun. And cork & rubber band guns for all.

Jonathan trying the climbing wall.

Making a little more progess than the

first time he ever tried: