A Morales Minute

What better way to start the school year off than with a Back to School party with friends the day before school starts. The kids enjoyed snacks, swimming, jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler on underneath and playing in the sand! My kids really enjoyed that! It's not often I let them play in dirt. Sorry, I have a hard time with it but they do get to do things like this sometimes so they aren't completely deprived. Today was the first day of school. The girls were both excited and didn't seem nervous at all. Lindsey came home from school with the biggest smile on her face. Olivia loved school. She wished she could stay longer she said. She was excited to see Lindsey at recess too. I'm so glad they are such good friends Yes I still had a hard time letting them go off school. I cried when I took Lindsey to kindergarten, 1st grade (even to her new 1st grade class after we moved) and you bet I cried when my Liv went to school. I miss them when they are gon

Summer is almost over and school starts next week. We decided to head to Grandma's house to get a good swim in. My kids are facing all their fears at once it seems.  Olivia is no longer afraid to swim underwater. She loves it now. I think she likes it more than swimming above water.  Do you remember trying to talk to someone underwater too? It became a little overcast towards the end of our swim.  Aidan decided to stay on the stairs and have his ring on his arms and shoulders to provide some warmth. He's quite the fish too when he's not cold. He swims all over the pool.

Lindsey amazes me all the time with the things she comes up with. She's growing up so fast and maturing. Last Saturday after a BBQ Lindsey came up to me and said she wanted her ears pierced. I was surprised because she said she wouldn't do it until she was a teenager or so. (I never thought she had a very high pain tolerance.) I said she could do it when she was ready and willing to take care of them. Well, she said she was ready now. And boy was she ever. She was so excited for it. I told her we wouldn't have time until Monday. She could hardly sleep Sunday night because she was so anxious for Monday. Morning came and we got everyone ready and headed out to poke holes in Lindsey's ears. I had planned on getting it on video but I have a new camera and thought I was recording but by the time I realized it wasn't, they were done piercing. So I have pictures for you to see instead. She was very brave and happy. I was glad they had two girls do it at the same time

...is always more fun than working alone. Chores had to be done around the house before we went to have fun at a friends BBQ. At first the girls weren't too excited about it but when we all were doing it together they said it was fun. Lindsey didn't think they were doing chores because it was fun. Now if I can only keep her thinking that way... Yes Jaime is cleaning the toilet. He does so much to help me out and I really appreciate it. With the kiddos seeing both Jaime and I working I hope to show them that work is good for everyone.

I've never planted and grown my own garden before.  This year I've done it all by myself and I'm excited to see that stuff is actually growing, and well.   Is it fun? Not really but I do like being able to see the "fruits (or vegetables) of my labor."  So many people have given me food from their gardens and this year I have been able to share zucchini and squash. I think those are the easiest to grow and they grow fast and a lot! I don't have a huge garden and that's just great for me. Next Spring we plan on building a few more boxes and planting more so we'll have more home grown goodness next year. My tomatoes are just starting to turn. I've only picked two but there's a lot growing and I'm hoping to can lots this year!

Four days after we got back from the coast I had the opportunity to watch three of my sister's kids for five days. Yes it's just as tiring as it sounds. Aidan 2, Olivia 5, Emma 4, Lindsey 7, Jacob 6, William 2, Tyler 1 We took all seven to church with us. (Tyler didn't want to get in the picture so even though you only see six there are seven.) People saw us walking to church and wondered just how many kids the Morales' had. The three younger boys had a blast burying Jaime under pillows and then he'd explode out from under them in a roar. The kids did puzzles... Played outside, alot... Colored... And ate...alot. Meal times were long, kind of chaotic, and all planned. I posted a menu for all meals and snacks everyday. It made things run a little smoother and the kids knew what to expect so they ate pretty well.  Lindsey and Jacob liked to read what they'd get to eat.  Needless to say I was tired but the kids all did really well. They played well and were we

Aidan still hates getting his hair cut. You can see just how thrilled he is before he had to sit in "the chair." But he always loves his cut when it's done! I forgot to get Tyler's before shot... So you just get to see his end result.

We had our annual trip to the Oregon Coast this year. We were able to stay at my sister Emily's one night on the way. It was good to see them and watch a couple movies in 3D. Quite the movie, that Tangled when you watch it in 3D. We did some school shopping before we headed for Fort Stevens. We only had Olivia and Tyler and Jaime's parents took Lindsey and Aidan. Here's Tyler and Olivia in a "ride" at the mall. Relaxing with a movie in bed in the trailer. Oh yeah, that's how we camp.  Aidan's ready for bed. Didn't take long for the boys to make themselves at home in our cabin. If you're going to camp where it's generally cold...these cabins are the way to go. They're new this year to Fort Stevens State Park. They have a kitchen, living room, bedroom, AND bathroom. Totally beats staying in the yurt like we have the past few years. Cheese! How can you resist? Let him eat the cheeto. Dress up even when camping? Why not, we go to have