Sassy Lu's

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Fruits of our Elbow Greese!

This is from just 1 picking of our garden. I'm impressed! The garden work worked out well this year. Every week the kids and I weeded our garden. There wasn't even much complaining. We knew that every Tuesday morning we'd be up early and weed until it was done. Because of my new best friend (you're still my best BEST, Bestie) Preen we didn't have tons and tons! So sometimes I made up things for us to do if weeding didn't take long enough. All in all, I can't complain.

So after having all of these tomatoes I decided to bottle them. They'll be good in recipe's this winter! Noodle donned her apron (or my apron) and jumped right in. She wanted to do every step of the process - at least once. Although cutting the tomatoes wasn't her forte'!

1st Day of School 2011

Buddy and Noodle started school on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011, and they were nervous. This year they are attending a new school so they didn't know anyone. But they were ready! The day didn't turn out quite as I expected. The week didn't turn out as I expected. Actually so far, this school year hasn't turned out as I expected. But then, that's life.

Buddy is 10 and is in 5th grade. When he got home from school, we both had a talk. He didn't want to change. Change school, change summer routine, change anything. It was a very hard day for him. Tears came to my already wet eyes and when he finally could take no more, he broke down and said, "I've been wanting to do this all day." Then I cried harder. Then he asked why I was crying. I couldn't answer. Because my son is hurting and my heart is breaking. Because there is nothing I can do to make this easier. Because if I could I would take his place. Because I love him so incredibly much. Instead I just shrugged my shoulders. When we were done, I talked to him some more and told him how important change was and how it would get better and before he knew it, he would love the new school. Then I prayed with all my might that what I said was true.

Noodle is 8 and is in 3rd grade. Mister went with me to take the kids on their first day at a new school. So he chose to take Buddy to his designated line-up and I took Noodle. We were just a couple minutes early so I just stood back and let her stand in line by herself. Every so often she'd look back at me and wave or give me a thumbs up or the "I love you" sign. At one time when she looked at me, I saw her as 6 months old, sitting in her saucer, smiling her toothless smile. It was like those movies where the parents have a flashback as their kid is getting married or graduating or something. It totally happened to me. I have to admit, I got a little teary eyed. I was so glad I have sunglasses on. I would never want her to see me crying or it would make it tons harder on her. But for just one brief moment, I was transported back in time. How could 8 years have gone by so quickly?

 This is Lewlew on Buddy and Noodle's first day. She doesn't start for 1 more week. Notice her outfit. The strips are actually "spirit sleeves" that she insisted on wearing. Not sure why she's wearing boots - it felt like it was 105. She promptly took them off when we got home.

This is Lewlew on her first day of Kindergarten; she's 5. She didn't get to go on the first day of kindergarten because she was sick, so her first day was really the second day of kindergarten. She's super excited! I on the other hand was not quite so excited. My baby is in kindergarten and she's not supposed to be my baby! It's like the end of an era. Only 2 or 3 tears were shed, but the feeling lasted a whole lot longer. (Maybe forever - I'll have to get back to you on that one!) Just yesterday she was small enough for me to carry. And last week she was still a baby. How can she possibly be 5 and going to kindergarten? Give me just a moment...WAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

This is all for now....

Water fun!

A few weeks ago, we went to the Living Planet Aquarium. The kids had a blast!

First stop: Stingrays! Buddy and Noodle each pet them several times. We got there right before their afternoon snack so they were really active. (The stingray's snack, not the kids' :) Many times, the rays would come up on the side of the pool looking for food and getting pet instead. It was great. We played in the water for at least 1/2 hour.

 Lewlew was content to just watch. She was having NO part in the petting.

Then we went to see my grandma. She's great! Her husband died a few months ago and but she seems to be doing well - staying busy - that's nothing new!

A couple of days later, we met Bestie in the Riverwoods for lunch. They had water shooters and the kids had a great time playing in the water.

Our last adventure before school starts. This was on a Friday and school started the following Tuesday! More on that later.