and Erik has chosen to play.....
The TRUMPET!!!
I love hearing my children create music in our home. It really is a happy sound (even when the notes don't come out just right). Band has quickly become Erik's favorite subject thus far in 7th grade. He comes home each day to play a new note and share what he has learned. I am so thrilled that Erik is off to a great start this year in all his classes. I am very proud of you Erik! Keep up the good work!
(I love this picture, because as I was taking it, his foot was tappin' out the rhythm he was playing and he looked so cute handsome!)
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Band has begun....
First day of Kindergarten....
My baby is growing up. Austin had his first day of Kindergarten on August 15, 2011. Here are a few highlights of his day:
Puzzles with Mom and Dad
The sandbox:
The playground:
The end of day one with his teacher Mrs. B:
It was a great first day and Brett and I were lucky enough to be able to share that experience with him. He has a great teacher and has already met several new friends. I love that in Kindergarten everyone is their friend (even if you don't know their name, but can identify them by the color of their shirt). It looks like it is going to be a wonderful year! Austin I am so proud of you! I know that you are going to do great in Kindergarten! Keep up the good work!
Book reviews....
Fire by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I wanted to like this book more than I did. The concept of the story was great. The characters were interesting and unique, but the plot just didn't come together. And the Leck character didn't seem to fit into the book. Just seemed like he was thrown in there for added drama and his departure was very anti-climatic. It also moved a little slow for me. I haven't read Graceling (the first book), but after reading this, I am not sure that I will continue on with this author.
View all my reviews
Sarahs Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was amazing in the beginning. I couldn't put it down. Sarah's story is so touching and heartbreaking. I love how the author weaves the stories of Sarah and Julia together. However, once Sarah's story is told and the plot shifts more to Julia, the book loses steam. I felt like the book had potential, but just didn't live up to it.
View all my reviews
Matched by Ally Condie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this story. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. It is a story about Cassia who lives in a society where agency is basically taken away from the people in an attempt to attain perfection. At the age of 17 boys and girls are "matched" by the "officials" with their perfect mate. A mistake occurs with Cassia where she sees 2 matches for her. When that happens, it sets off a series of events that makes her question everything that she has been taught to believe, and sets the stage for a great love triangle. So the question is Xander or Ky?! I can't wait for book 2 (Crossed) to come out in November. The book had a similar feel to The Giver and The Hunger Games, so if you liked those books, you will love Crossed.
View all my reviews
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Back to school....
I can't believe that it is time for the kids to go back to school. This is a bittersweet time for me. On one hand I am ready for more structure and routine to our days, but I will miss having the boys around. It is also going to be a year of transition as Erik will be starting jr high and Austin will be starting Kindergarten. I wanted to take pics of the boys at the beginning of this new school year, so after giving them each a haircut and convincing them to wear the clothes that I wanted them to wear and begging them to just humor me and pose for whatever pictures I wanted, we managed to get a few shots that I love.
I love how these pics turned out and it is always fun to see the boys individual personalities shining through. So even though the pictures aren't "perfect" in terms of the boys always smiling or even looking at the camera for that matter, I am a happy Mom to have these little reminders of my boys at this stage in their lives. And I had a great time sharing this day with them as well. Thanks boys for making your Mom so happy today!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Where to begin...
When you've been MIA from the blog for so long, the question is where do you begin? And an even bigger question is anybody still reading my silly little posts? My Mom assures me that she is, so Mom, this is for you (and of course anyone else that may still be checking this little blog of mine.)
The never-ending projects on the house are still progressing.
1. The railings are complete!
2. The front yard is 1/2 re-landscaped (ignore my dead planters, I'm still trying to figure out how not to kill my potted plants)
*I spy with my little eye a cute boy creeping into my photos!
Some of my flowers are doing really well...
these roses where on the brink of death and I brought them back (maybe I don't have such a brown thumb after all.)
and the most exciting thing as of late is...
3. The new patio cover!!! Isn't this a work of art?! Brett and his dad (Jed) had this built in just a couple of days! They did a great job, and we are enjoying the shade that it provides.
*Notice the new house color....
We are loving all the progress on our house. It has been a year of hard work, but the house is coming together.
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