Missing Brother

First Day of School

Yesterday was the day. My little boy started school. I wondered if I would be one of the moms wiping away the tears, but mostly I was excited for him and excited for the time I would have with just the girls. At one point this afternoon Emma asked me if I missed Elias. "Yes," I said, "do you miss him?" "NO," she replied. Now that's sisterly kindness. This morning, however, I couldn't tell who was more excited, Elias or Emma. They were both up 1 1/2 hours earlier than normal. Elias couldn't sit still and Emma couldn't stop asking questions about Elias's school. At breakfast this morning Emma prayed that Elias would have a good day at school. It's a moment that I will always treasure.

Isn't that the biggest back pack you've seen for a kindergartner? Because he's and all day kindergartner California law requires they have naps. They have mats to lay on but they are suppose to bring a towel to lay on to make is a little more comfy. I bought a nice big plush towel and then realized it was going to be stored in his backpack. And because he's and all day schooler he needs to bring his lunch, so Elias has this nice big three pocket backpack. When I was in his classroom I noticed a majority of the kindergartners had roller backpacks. This is some hardcore kindergartnering we are doing.

I'm excited about this school year. I get the benefit of homeschooling and yet Elias will still be in a classroom. He will be in school Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and then Monday and Thursdays I get to home school him, not just homework, but a full day of school work. I'm excited to be so involved but to also have a break and let someone else do the curriculum planning. It's a small class as you can see, 7 Kindergartners and 5 1st graders, and his teachers are so wonderful. I'm very excited to see how Elias grows this year as I'm sure it will be a stretching experience for him and me.

Tomorrow is a home school day. Elias isn't home yet from school today but I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my syllabus for tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. I'm excited about doing school with him, but uncertain how to keep occupied an 18 month old who has already started a fire

in our kitchen and created more messes then my other two combined. I'm envisioning lots of playpen time.

YUMMY

In our home - We like our sweets!!!

Our neighbor dropped off a plate of cupcakes the other day. One little piggie had two without asking. I am partially to blame, I did leave them in full sight on the kitchen table. My question, however, is why did she decided to wear them.

My husband has been talking alot about funnel cakes lately. I'm not sure where this has come from. In our 7 years of marriage we have never purchased a funnel cake. We have often walked by a funnel cake stand and come close to buying one, but then sticker shock sets in and we keep on walking.

The other day Alex tells me he's found a recipe for funnel cake on the internet and he's going to try it. I then start asking some questions and find out he's only had a funnel cake once in his whole life. I don't know if you can tell but he's using an old ketchup bottle to dispense the batter. It turned out pretty well, but I'm still finding powder sugar in little crevices.

Food, Flight and Family

The best place to eat a burger

There is an In-N-Out Burger right by the LA airport. The planes literally land right across the street.

If you're an awesome photographer like my sis-n-law you can get some really cool pictures. Click here to see.

Family Fun

Cousins, Cousins, Cousins

We were invaded by a swarm of cousins and we loved every minute of it. And this time no one had to sleep in the shower. Great fun was had by all.

The key to taking 9 kids and only 4 adults to the beach - count often. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 - yep we got them all. Well, except for once, but thankfully the wondering child had gone inland instead of the other direction.

And just for the record this is only 9 out of the 21 grandkids on Alex's side. It's quite a loud occasion when we get all together.

Just a few other pics of having fun with the cousins.

She looks surprised but it was quickly followed by a giant grin. The girl is a fish and loves the water.