These Days

August has brought fun summer days and exciting adventures, and it's brought the start of school!  

One day the kids asked if they could go play in the rain.  There are so many times when I have to say "no" to things that I try to say "yes" when I can!  They had fun! 

Sophie came over to hang out with the girls once a week and they loved having her each time! 

We took a zoo trip with my friend Marjorie and her two kids.  Evie is Abby's age and Monty is Claire's age.  Emily was such a huge help with Evie and was so proud when Marjorie bragged on what a great job she was doing helping out! 

After the zoo we always go to the awesome park that is right outside the gates.  The girls LOVE this park!  

We also had a fun playdate with the Rothell girls!  Dawnielle and I used to get together once a week, but it's gotten harder to do in the last couple years.  I love when we do get together though!  

We took another trip to the library in August and I caught Emily reading while I was helping the other girls finish picking out books. 

Emily taught the kids' lesson one Sunday night at MCBC! She did an amazing job and even had a craft!  

One morning I got brave and took them all 4 to the zoo by myself.  I didn't take the wagon this time though because Abby refused to sit in it last time so it was just in the way.  

Little sisters can't keep up sometimes! 

Mrs. Sherry kept them one morning and they had fun with stickers! 

Abby likes her sunglasses, but I had to get a picture of her when she insisted on wearing two pair.  

Emily takes piano on Mondays.  While she is taking lessons, Claire and Abby play in their backyard.  They love playing on Mrs. Heather's swing set.  Hannah usually plays with Heather's daughter Ava.  

I found this selfie on my phone

I let them get all the pillows down one day, but I told them that was just a one day thing.  I couldn't handle this every day.  

We had a fun picnic lunch in our front yard! 

Emily and Hannah got to have a daddy-daughter date the weekend before school started back.  They enjoyed their pizza and their time with Bert! 

Our church had a back to school swim party for the kids!  

Proud of my Claire for jumping off the diving board.  She doesn't like getting her face wet. 

Claire said "Hey Mom!  Take a picture of me den send it to Mimi!"  So I did! 

We had to be out of our house a good bit because of showings so we had snack time at the church one day.

Another afternoon that we were needing to be out of the house we took the kids to the zoo.  Claire's favorite animal at the zoo is the giraffe so when she saw this "giraffe bench" she got very excited!!  

Emily has mastered the monkey bars and it is down right impressive.  I've never been good at those things! 

Emily and Hannah went bowling with our children's ministry at church and had a great time!  Hannah and Marly are good friends! 

Emily talked me into putting shaving cream on the table and letting them practice their spelling words in the shaving cream!  We've done this before and they find it so entertaining.  Abby didn't want to touch the shaving cream though...she would only touch it with a straw.  Ha!  

I put Claire and Abby in the bath and told Emily and Hannah they could finish up playing and then they needed to take showers.  While I was bathing C and A they cleaned up the whole table (which got messier than what is shown in the picture above) without me even asking!  I was so proud of them!  

August has been exciting and nerve wracking as we started school and went under contract to buy and sell a house.  It doesn't look like September is going to be much calmer as we pack everything up and get ready to move, but Bert and I are excited!  We're set to close on September 24th on both houses.  Lots can change between now and then, but we're praying everything will go smoothly!!