Back to School 2018

And just like that summer is gone and a new school year is beginning!  The kids were up early this morning and ready to go.  This is guaranteed to be the ONLY day they are ALL up, fed, and ready before 7 a.m., silly kids.  They know the routine breakfast and pictures and then it's off to school where they excitedly greet their friends and where mom reminds them that she needs a hug.  Then they're off leaving Daddy and Mommy to reflect on how quickly the time goes and how we now have 3 school aged children which feels like a big deal.

Sadie is in 3rd Grade this year!  She is 8 years old and loves cats, Evie, her blankie, riding bikes, and shrimp and noodles.  She will be in Mrs. Lethin's class this year and she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.  Sadie will graduate in 2028!

Wyatt is in 2nd Grade this year!  He is 7 years old and loves Lego's, Mario, playing games, and having play dates with Cole.  His teacher this year will be Mrs. Pierce and he wants to be a builder when he grows up.  Wyatt will graduate in 2029!

Cooper is in Kindergarten this year!  He is 5 years old and loves Lego's, Mario, and lizards.  He will be in Mrs. Lutes class this year and wants to be a race car driver when he grows up.  Cooper will graduate in 2031!

Waiting to head down to the classrooms as we were a few minutes early.

Cooper was so excited to be joining Sadie and Wyatt this year.  I remember taking him home last year and he was so quiet and I felt so sad for him.  Fast forward to this year and we're making our way down the hall saying goodbye to Wyatt and then Sadie and then wait where is Cooper?  Oh he's already hung up his backpack and is seated in his desk ready to go by the time Mom and Dad make it down to the kindergarten room.  I guess that means he's ready and though a big part of me is definitely sad about this first bit of letting go, I also can't help but be happy for him.

And they're off for another year of school and we're off for another year of doing what we do.

I always try to make the first day as fun as possible as there are usually so many mixed emotions from everyone.  This year we did little 1st day gifts of pencils, erasers, bookmarks, and the always prized bubblegum.

Our Summer Project

This summer our project was building a retaining wall and deck in the back.  We had to do a bunch of digging in order to extend our kitchen a few years back and ever since it has just been a big muddy hole back there.  Our friends the Zuidema's own an excavator and were really kind to come out and spend the day helping us.  Jeremy did some more digging and helped Brandon level and lay the first rows of block while all the kids played.

We hadn't had rain in weeks and of course it rained the night before they planned to work.  Such a bummer as the mud is so sticky and gross back here.  It will be so nice to get this area finished!

Evie was too funny playing in the drainpipe.

Brandon had to backfill behind the wall with rock and then dirt.  Our neighbor noticed him wheelbarreling loads of rock and brought his little tractor over which was a lifesaver.  It was so nice of him to take notice and save Daddy's back.  Then over the weekend Uncle Ryan brought the skid steer over from the dairy so that Brandon could backfill the dirt.  Again a lifesaver!!  So thankful for the help of our family, friends, and neighbors on this project.

Sprinklers!

The kids always like getting to help and Daddy put them to work this time carrying and placing the 2x6 blocking pieces and then together carrying and stacking up the pieces of decking.

They also helped to sand and paint the posts for the arbor.

TADA!

I love it and can't wait to get furniture for it at some point!

Oh and can't forget about the fire pit.  We're loving that too and have gotten to use it quite a bit already!