Where did the summer go?

I'm horrible at posting regularly. I go in spurts, but unfortunately (or fortunately, I suppose) we carry on with a myriad of post-worthy material. Hopefully someday I'll get better. Probably not, but I can hope. :) 

This week marks a year that we first came to Michigan and searched for housing. At this point last year, we knew where we were going to live beginning on October and all I had to do was go back to Missour and put in a few more weeks of work. Little did I know they'd be awful and filled with petty, unprofessional individuals doing their best to make it well known they were upset I was leaving them with my workload. A year later, I'm glad I did and I would do it again. 

We had a terrific first summer here in Michigan. We got to spend several weekends up at Traverse City. The kids loved swimming in the Lake and riding on the Mickey Fickey. We got to see Barb, Ben and Andy as well as Alex, Anna and Angie (yeah, we have loads of "A" names in our family) and Adam, Krystl and Addie, and George and Sue. Whew. 

Jamie did a great job being home with the kids. We now have chickens, so they made sure to go down every day and take care of them, and gather the egg(s). We planted a big garden and are now enjoying the fruits (and veggies) of our labor. 

Today marks the second day of the school year (I'll probably cheat and post something for yesteday and act like I actually wrote it yesterday). Avery seems to love her school and seemed pretty excited to find out she already knew much of what the teacher was telling them they'd learn. She told me this morning she sat and listened to the teacher talk a lot. I told her to get used to it, because that's pretty much what school is. Trust me. I was in 24th grade when I stopped going to school. This morning Asher went to Montessori. For the past nine months or so the kids have been going together twice a week. We're now sending Asher (alone) three mornings a week. That little dude never hung onto my leg as tightly as he did this morning. I think it will be good for him to get out from under Avery's wing, but it'll certainly be an adjustment. 

So, here's to a good school year, for everyone. :)

Avery's first day of school

Avery started kindergarten today. It was bittersweet to see my little girl all ready to go to school. I do think it was easier because she'd spent so much time in daycare and preschool. It was the backpack, though. She's never needed one, and it made her look so grown up. We had a special breakfast and made a big deal out of her going. I missed taking her to school because of work, but Daddy did a good job of taking pictures and keeping me posted.

Avery and little brother before she goes to her classroom. 

Our big little girl

Everyone gets pictures taken with our school girl. 

Asher's personality

I love Asher's sense of humor. He's not only very silly, but he's a right out there kind of guy, and it cracks us up. The other day he was looking for my iPod, on which he loves to play Angry Birds. I don't mind him playing in the car, or when we're waiting for something but I don't love him playing it when there are plenty of other, more stimulating things for him to be doing. So, sometimes I take it and 'hide' it from him. The other day, he asked me if I knew where it was. Well, it was on a ledge right behind him, so I took it and acted like I took it right out of his ear. He looked at me like I was magical, and asked me how I did it. I smugly shrugged and told him I could do just about anything. The next day he was looking for it again (the fact that he needs to look for just about everything is fodder for another post), and after I repeatedly told him I didn't know where it was he came close to me and asked me to look in his ear! Of course, I couldn't resist pulling it off the shelf again and pulling it out, only to hear him tell me that he KNEW it was in there. As funny as it was (I'm chuckling three days later), it does speak to his excitement and absolute trust that he has in what he sees. It's made it easy for us to trick him into thinking he has a magical finger that can turn the television on and off, as well as windshield wipers and even our car (thanks to the automatic starter). His enthusiasm and bright smile make even the silliest things seem special. We are truly blessed to have such a funny (and smart) little guy.