Molly, first lost tooth ...

Today was the day that Molly has longed for for quite some time ... she lost her first tooth!! I pulled it out after a couple of days of it being really loose. It came out with a little yank. She is so very excited to put it under her pillow and receive the much anticipated $1 in the morning. I am so very excited because she lost a tooth. I am not just waiting for the "big" tooth to come in and promptly fill up what little space is there to once again confirm to Kyle and I that she is going to need some major dental work in the future - there is no room for "big" teeth in her mouth. Oh well ...

Just a fun picture of Molly ...

Such a serious face!

Molly, the kindergartener (2nd year) ...

Molly's first day of school was eventful. She was so full of hope and excitement as we took pictures, drove to school, dropped Jack at his classroom, but then .... fear overtook her. I did not really notice. She was shy going into the classroom and saying hello to Mrs. Kasey, but I thought nothing of it. We looked for her cubby and then sat at a table for some puzzle work. It was time for class to start and me to leave, and that is when it happened .... tears, tears, tears, and MORE tears! I ended up staying an extra 45 minutes and then quietly left after they had lined up to go out to the playground for the rules. When I returned for pickup, she was fine with smiles on her face as if she had been there for a whole year and it was old hat! Oh, the drama that we can have with this wee little one!!

Football season has begun ...

Saturday brought us the beginning of yet another football season, as I am sure most of you already know. The kids were more than ready for it. We hosted folks to watch the Ducks lose to the Tigers, but the kids took it in stride. Jack watched most of the game, while Molly entertained herself and others outside blowing bubbles (as seen below!). At least the Rams won, right?!

Molly, the bubble machine ....

Blackberry Strawberry Blueberry pie ...

Before ...

After ...

The inside ...

This new recipe is wonderful. It was a bit more runny than I wanted or expected but that could probably be attributed to me putting too many cups of fruit and not increasing the tapioca in it. Oh well, here is to making another one and enjoying it once again!

Jack is in second grade ...

Jack had a great first day of second grade! He liked his teacher and took to heart our encouragement to make new students to heart by spending the day with James (a new student from Coos Bay). There are times that your child can make you proud, and today was such a day. Here is looking forward to a good year at a new school with two teachers and LOTS of new friends. He has also started flag football. Two thoughts ... much more intricate than soccer (there are actually plays and positions to learn!), and he is over the moon that his dad is helping to coach and will be there at every practice and game!

Backpacking ...

I have not yet shared my thoughts and photos of my backpacking trip this summer in Colorado. This is what I am going to share with you right now, and you will have to come back for more at a later date ...

Just found ...

The only thing missing ... Kyle!

I look at this picture, and these are my thoughts ....

1. people think Molly looks like the spiting image of me, but all I see is Kyle in this picture

2. people think Jack looks just like Kyle, but all I see is me in this picture

3. i guess it really is in the eye of the beholder!

4. i love to look at pictures like these and think about the personalities that one can not get a sense of from the picture. however since I live with these two kids, I can look at this picture and it makes me smile that much more because I have the cherished privilege of knowing their voices, their moods, their joys, their tears, the way they love each other, the way they are growing up, the things they love, the food they hate to eat! so while I LOVE to take pictures to capture a moment, I think that it is the living that I love more. the picture just gives us a way to a memory and make one smile all the more.

(by the way, this picture was taken on mother's day after church by kyle!)

Today...

I am carless, so what is a girl to do .... spend time in the kitchen.

There is the smell of a blackberry, blueberry, strawberry pie baking in the oven - a new recipe, of course! (pictures to follow!)

There is the smell of a flank steak in yummy spices marinating and waiting to be grilled on a beautiful summer evening!

There is the smell of blackberries boiling on the stove for a first try at canning blackberry jam!

There is the wonderful sounds of two kids happily playing together all over the house on a much needed day at the house.

Want to come over tonight? You are welcome to come...