Renewed Faith in Humanity

Today was the standard back-to-school fare. Ronnie was front and center, ready for 3rd grade. Ben was nervous and apprehensive for 1st grade. I always wish I could help him channel his nervousness to excitement. Edwin tried his monkey dance and an oreo, and even that didn't help much. About an hour and a half after drop off, I realized I couldn't find my camera anywhere. In a desperate attempt, I drove by the spot where Edwin meets me with the car after we drop off the big kids, and sure enough... I wish I could thank the nice citizen who placed it out of sidewalk traffic, and everyone else who left it in place waiting for me! Not that I don't have my iPhone camera for emergencies and DSL for serious photos. But you gotta have the point and shoot for everything in between!

BFFs

Ronnie's bff lives across the street. We spent the last day of summer break with a sleepover and a trip to the Academy of Science. Ben came too. It was a different experience going with just the older kids! Ronnie and I put this together for her and her friend. It was a hit!

Cleansing, Purging and Organizing

I've been really inspired by several blogs about living simply, decluttering, and organizing. In fact, I was inspired enough to pack up 10 bags for donation and 3 bags for trash. With 6 people in the house, it is too easy to be overtaken with junk, art projects, clothes that no one will wear, etc. So here is to a good start. Ben was also inspired! He decided to dump out ALL of his legos and organize them. About 10 minutes in, he was questioning his dedication to this process. But, after much encouraging, he finished cleaning up. Don't his back-to-school LEGO shoes look great?

Summer color

The kids have been at camp, which means friendship bracelets and lanyards. Ronnie made me the thinner purple, pink and brown bracelet, and I made the others. You can find the gemstone bracelet and initial bracelets in my etsy shop, but not the friendship bracelets - took me all day to make that one!

Lucky girls

Ben won't always admit how much he loves his sisters, but it's usually pretty clear!