sunset on summer...

The Labor Day weekend marked the end of another summer up north at Jeff's folks' cottage.

Every year there are new milestones the kids pass. This year, Lauren rode the SeaDoo with daddy. Both she and Sarah swam under the dock and jumped off the boat in the middle of the lake. Julia's major summer accomplishment was being able to sit in the sand without eating it.

Thanks for the fun memories mom and dad!

don't call me japetto...

A little background...Every morning (and I don't mean just some mornings), the first thing Sarah says to anyone is "I need some juice in my sippy cup." She likes juice...a lot.

So, this morning...we were going over the lesson of Pinnochio (courtesy of PBS). In the end, I ask her..."So, Sarah...Do you feel better when you tell the truth?" Her reply..."Hmm...No...I feel better when I have juice."

She starts school tomorrow. Yikes.

(the picture below is of a leaf she had to decorate and bring to school for visiting day yesterday...she's loving the school thing!)

life at the beach (part 4 of 4)

I wrapped up the morning at the beach with two of the most handsome little men! I love chatting about baseball cards and soccer with these guys. I love this first photo! What an awesome look from a little brother!

life at the beach (part 3 of 4)

My morning at the beach continued with three great kids (and pretty cute ones at that!)...


Tried a different editing technique on the one below. Let me know what you think!

life at the beach (part 2 of 4)

My photo sessions at the beach continued with two wonderful sisters (with names I'm rather fond of!)....

life at the beach (part 1 of 4)...

This past Tuesday, I had the pleasure of meeting four families at Lake Michigan for a few photo shoots. The photos below are of a future big sister. She was an absolute sweetie who loved her mom and was a little uncertain about the lady with the camera (me). What a beautiful girl!

the price of laundry...

Yesterday, Sarah and I completely cleaned her room and "baby-proofed" it to make way for Julia to hang out with her while I was in the next room folding laundry (as I do everyday after making a four-course breakfast and polishing the silver).

Sarah had come in my room to sing along and hop around to one of her favorite songs (yes, I boogie while I chore)..."I got soul, but I'm not a shoulder..." she sang at the top of her lungs!!! (I realize that's only funny if you know the song..."All These Things that I Have Done" by the Killers..."shoulder" is actually "soldier").

So, after the song is done, she goes back to her room and I hear her say (loudly) "oh no". I run in there, my heart racing...and find this....

The sweeter side of this story is the way Sarah dealt with the issue (Sarah is not a fan of a mess and will ask to go to her aunt and uncle's house if our house gets too messy). So, Sarah goes over to Julia, puts her hand on Julia's head and very calmly and with much emotion says, "Julia, I am very mad that you have made this mess in my room...But, I love you anyway."

(btw...I don't own silver and unless you count filling a cereal bowl four times...the other part wasn't true either)