Time for School!

This school year will be totally different than last year. Last year only Kassidy was gone during the day, I home-schooled Kaleb, and Karson was only 1 1/2. This year Kaleb started Kindergarten which only leaves me with Karson during the day. I'm a little bit sad that Kaleb and I don't have that special time together anymore. It was really neat seeing him learn new things right in front of me! I am glad though that he is so excited about school, meeting new friends, riding the bus like big sis, etc. And, I am SUPER excited to have lots more free time with Karson! Being the third child, there's been plenty of times when he hasn't gotten my full attention or didn't get his pick of a game or activity. I can't wait to spend quality time with my little man teaching him his letters, numbers, playing games, doing crafts, etc. I know he will enjoy it, too:)

Here's my big 2nd grader:) Mama got her this outfit and she's been saving it for her first day of school! Notice something missing??? Hint...look at her teeth! She lost both front teeth within the same week, right before school started.

My Kindergartener!!! (It still sounds weird to say that! He shouldn't be that old yet!) All ready to go with his new Cars 2 backpack and lunchbox from Mama:)

Big sis is ready to show lil brother to his classroom!

And here's sweet Karson...so sad that he couldn't go to school too! He just sat here and pouted for 30 minutes!!! He wouldn't even look at the camera! A little bit of Elmo on TV cheered him up finally:)

The kids had a great first week of school! Kassidy is already busy reading, answering questions, learning new spelling words, and doing 2 digit addends in math. Kaleb has enjoyed 2 share days, meeting new buddies at school, learning songs in music, and playing fun games in gym. They both started the extended day program at school this week (the 2 days I work) and so far they love it:) They have time for snack and homework then lots of play between the playground, gym, computer room, library, and art room. Kassidy has already shown how responsible she can be by completing her homework at school on her own. Both kids are getting up to their alarms, getting dressed by themselves, then meeting us downstairs for breakfast. It's a huge help that they can do that part on their own:)

Stay tuned for Labor Day fun and Emily's wedding (where Kassidy will be a flower girl and Kaleb will be the ring bearer).

Summer Catch-up #1

WOW...I cannot believe summer is over!!! Well, over in the sense that school just started. We had so much fun and did many exciting things the past 2 months. Here Karson is painting, obviously. He decided that painting on the paper just wasn't fun enough, so painted his arms and face, too:)

For a week in July, Kassidy and Kaleb went to Ohio to spend time with family. This was Kaleb's first time going without mommy and daddy and boy did he have a blast!!! They kept busy all week playing and swimming, golfing, having sleepovers, etc. When they came back home 3 of the cousins came to stay with us for a week. Here's some pics of our fun-filled week!

Zoo-Kaleb, Maddie, Kassidy, Ben, Sara, Alex, Olivia, Karson, and Evan. Maddie, Ben, and Olivia are the cousins from Ohio and Alex, Evan, and Sara are cousins who live here.

Even the big kids had to play on the kiddie playground:)

It was hot dog day at the zoo and guess who the kids saw??? A news person! Of course, they called him over and asked to be on TV. They sang the hot dog song from Mickey Mouse (you know, hot dog hot dog hot diggity dog!) and were asked how the hot dogs tasted. Ben said...they taste like weiners! He is so funny!

Ice cream too:)

We always get a picture on the bear. Unfortunately, it was too small for all 9 kids! The boys didn't mind climbing the tree:)

We ran out of food to feed the goats, so the kids used some leaves. The goats gobbled em right up! After all, leaves are organic, right!?

Off to the big playground!

The next day we visited Kelly's pool. Kassidy, Kaleb, and Sara did the diving board for the first time! The kids really got clever with jumps and dives and even flips:)

The uncles got a workout throwing the kids!!!

Kaleb and Ben on top of Karson's playhouse.

What kid doesn't like to play with Playdoh? None of these kids...we spent an hour or so building and creating...so fun:)

Craft time!

More swimming...we have lots of little fish in our family:)

Stay tuned for another summer catch-up post...

Summer Catch-up #2

**You may want to read the next post first, Summer Catch-up #1**

More pics from the pool...

One day we had a mini Olympics. It was a great time!

Movie night and sleepover with all 9 kiddos:) They did really well!!!

Children's Museum of Greenville...so many cool exhibits and lots of hands-on fun!

It is the museums 2nd birthday, so the kids got to make birthday cards...messy but fun:)

Keith's step-sister Emily is getting married in a few weeks. Here's a few pics from the Wedding Shower. We ate yummy food, socialized, played a few games, and watched Emily shine with happiness!

The bridal party (minus one flower girl).

All the girls in our family:)

Soon to be Mr. and Mrs.!!!

As you can tell, Grandpa hates his picture taken!

It wouldn't be a trip to Ohio without a day at Cedar Point Amusement park. Kassidy rode her first big roller coaster...Iron Dragon...in the very front row and LOVED it!!!

My mom, Kristi and I, and the boys spent the day at Soak City Waterpark. Keith took Kassidy to an Indians game. (Unfortunately I don't have pics of the game).

Best buddies Kaleb and Ryan

I really cannot believe how well these boys did! They hopped and jumped their way across all the lily pads.

Snack time!

Everyone helped to finish this gigantic snow cone

Kristi and Mom

Playing at the Schaefer's

Kaylin and Kristi (2 of my sisters)

Kyle and Karson eating ice

Smore time:) Yum yum...

Cousins (minus 4 -3 boys and 1 girl) The girls are definitely outnumbered!

Playing at Kristi's...silly faces!

My newest nephew, Brayden...isn't he just adorable?!

Here's Ozzie doing tricks for us...jumping over the kids. It was hilarious;)

Brayden's first birthday gifts:)

We played lots of cool games at Mama's house (most of which were ours when we were little!)

My best friend, Kim, and her cutie pie Molly.

Another first bday:)

Well, as you can see we've had a fun-filled summer:) Of course these pics aren't even half of all we did but at least we can show you a little bit. It was so nice to be home, spend time with each of my family members, see the kids interact, have the cousins at my house, do all the fun things that we did. I'm so thankful to be in a situation where we can do this!!! I know we don't see our family and friends that are out of town as often as we'd like, but I hope the time we do spend together is as special to you all as it is to us:) We love you all and miss you already!!!

Stay tuned for pics from the first day of school...