Back to School!!!!

Laney's first day back at school was last Thursday. She is in the Little Frogs class this year with almost all of her friends from last year. She has talked about her friends all summer long, so I was thrilled to see that she would get to be in class with them again. We have been talking about going back to school for a while and Laney has been fairly excited about it. She mostly gets excited about visiting Grommy's office after school each day. Her new pink princess lunch box was also the source for a bit of enthusiasm!!!

All set! I am so surprised at how much she has grown into this backpack since last year. I feel like it was as big as her back then. So much growing up....makes my heart ache!!

Our 2009 -2010 Pre-Schooler!

Laney wanted to give both her brothers kisses before she left for the day. I didn't get a picture of her with Miles, but I am sure that he was equally as cute as his little brother Sam!

Laney wanted to ride with Todd to school. So, the boys and I met them in the parking lot. She was so excited walking in.

We had to drop Todd off at the elevators so that he could make it upstairs to his meeting. Laney told him to have a great day!

Mrs. Taylor was so sweet when we arrived. Laney gave her hug right away and walked in with her. Yay! She was really shy at her "Meet the Teacher" last week, so I wasn't sure how this morning would go, but she did really well!!!

It is so awesome that Lez works at our church, which doubles as Laney's school. Not only do we get to visit her every school day, it also really sets my mind at ease knowing that she and Todd are both there just in case..... Grommy came with us for drop off and helped Laney put her backpack in her cubby!

Goodbye Lake Palestine!

We pretty much left first thing in the morning on Monday. We did, however, have time for some farewell swinging.

I have already started trying to convince Todd to equip our backyard with a swing just like this. Think of the hours of joy it would provide!

Laney took one last look at our lake view.

And waved goodbye! We couldn't possibly have had more fun with our family. Can't wait til next year's trip!!!!

Lake Palestine Day Four!!!

Day Four started just like all the others for Laney. I am starting to think that loyalty is one of Laney's best virtues. She definitely maintains a commitment to the things that she loves, i.e. life jackets and swings!

Changed into her bathing suit and back to the swing in record time!

I tried to hitch a ride for a little bit.

While the brothers were sleeping, Todd, Laney and I took the kayaks out for a while. It was really fun.

I am not sure why I still have this ridiculous life jacket on. Although I didn't love the sludginess on the lake bottom, I wasn't so sicked out by it that I had to wear a life jacket the whole time I was in the water like some crazies that I have previously mentioned.

Laney was very apprehensive of this slide. I went down it first to show her how fun it was and then waited at the bottom to catch her.

All the kids were exhausted by this day. Everyone (except G) crashed out for naps. Laney is not much of a napper these days, but she was really zapped. While they were sleeping, we sat out on the porch and played a fun game of Taboo. Team Eels vs. Team MegaDeath. While the Eels did have a snazzy cheer to bolster their spirits, in the end they were defeated by the superior Team MegaDeath!!! Sadly there are no pictures to document this victory!

The boys woke up and came to join us on the porch.

Johnny recovered from his team's loss and did a great job making Moo smile!

This hat is a reminder to me of Miles's 9 mo. stats. 8th percentile for weight, 11th percentile for length, but the 75 percentile for head!!! ( although in all fairness, the hat is a 3 to 6 monther)

Since it was our last afternoon at the lake, Todd and I decided that we wanted to take a trip out on the boat with our three littles, which meant............life jackets. Oh the horror!

While Johnny sweetly took on the task of getting Sam boat ready, Laney was trying to make Sam feel better about the dreaded life jacket. If anyone was going to be able to convince the brothers that life jackets are meant for good and not evil, it was going to be big sister.

Unfortunately, Sam couldn't be converted to Team Life Jackets.

All set.

Laney got to ride with Cait again. Her official boat buddy!

Neither of the boys were considering Todd and I "buddies" at this point. They did not warm up to their life jackets and were pretty miserable for their first and final boating experience of '09.

I think that this is about the time that Sam fell asleep.

Soon to be followed by his brother.

We planned to make s'mores for dessert on our last night. Jack, Cait and Johnny all had to leave to get back to work, so we were already missing them. We realized a little late (after we had told the kids that they were going to get to make s'mores) that we had forgotten to bring marshmallows. My mom made a quick run to the store to get some, but our dessert creating definitely got a later start than we planned.

Todd whittled some sticks down to serve as our marshmallow skewers. Laney got some help from Bobbis getting hers nice and toasty!Assembly time!

Four happy kiddos enjoying their much anticipated treat!
I think that this is the perfect indulgent s'mores picture!!

Or maybe this is......

Lake Palestine Day Three!!

Our third day was another fun filled one. Of course it started out for Laney at her favorite spot. This time Aunt Caitlin was there to join the fun. She and Johnny arrived late the night before. They both had to work on Thursday and Friday, and we missed them lots until they finally got there. Johnny got right down on the floor to play with the boys as soon as he got a chance. Have I mentioned that I like this guy!

Todd got things moving with the fishing crew. Saturday was Grant's birthday and he caught a fish first thing! A great first birthday gift!

Laney got this Dora kite from Grommy on her birthday. It was perfect for some morning fun on the pier.

Laney and I went out on the boat with Cait, Mom and Kev while Todd hung back with the napping twinados. She loved getting some lap time with Aunt Caitlin.

Some water skiing fun for everyone.

Here we are at the pier as seen from the boat!

Johnny demonstrated his skills on the wakeboard. And Kev on the knee board.

My cute sister and her boyfriend. Such lovebirds!

We made another quick stop at our personal playground. Sam and I were making silly faces at each other.

Back to the water. This was the first and only time that the boys got in the water. The HATED these life jackets!!!!

Laney had tons of fun in the water. Obviously no problem with her loving her life jacket.

The best and most fun part of our third day was that it was my sweet nephew's seventh birthday. I remember so well the day this precious boy was born and the very first time I got to hold him in my arms. He was our family's first baby and I never imagined how gripped I would be by my love and my pride for him. I have loved watching him grow into such a phenomenal boy. He is so brave and so strong. Everyone around him should be inspired by his passion for living. I am so glad that my little boys will always have this wonderful cousin to look up to as their role model.

Grant is one Star Wars loving boy, so his day was very very infused with Star Wars gifts and play. I love this picture of everyone playing together on the floor.

Jess brought "me too" presents for the girls. They each got Disney Pez dispensers. Laney's was Pocahantas....or Pocas Hanas according to her. She loved it!!!!

Toys Schmoys........have you guys seen this grate under the table????

Claire and Laney discovered this game table in the bedroom that my family was staying in. They played at it for a really long time and when Jess and I went in to check, we were a little horrified at all the little pieces that were everywhere!!!! Oops. They had lots of fun together though.

Grant requested pizza for his birthday dinner. Todd jumped in to help with the seventh and final crust construction.

After dinner and birthday cake, it was time for sparklers. Laney was not a fan of sparklers when she was first introduced to them on the Fourth of July. I didn't think that she would want to do them at the lake either, but she did!!! It was so fun to watch her play and get excited with her cousins!!