So much for Perfect Attendance this year...

That's right, who in the world misses the first day of school when not on a planned vacation or ill???? We do ...  

I was so psyched about celebrating the last week of summer with my crew this week, that I didn't even realize school actually began today for 2 of my 3 heading off to school this year.  

We had a great day accidentally playing hooky though:)--turned it in to a full day of State Parking it!

We had such a fun spur of the moment Family day together, we checked out Guadalupe State Park--wondering where everyone was??  Why weren't they all out soaking in the last bit of summer with us???

And here we are at Canyon Lake State Park, because, why not? 

Rounded off the day enjoying some ice cream and Rudy's Barbeque, it was a GREAT Day :)  

 Check out this montage of Maximus, true to form and true to the shirt he's sporting! 

Our Octopus ...

By the end of the night though, especially after the sugar low came roaring through and the effects of no nap times shined brightly and LOUDLY,  John and I are more than overwhelmed with joy, and a bit of giddiness, of having 2 in school for the remainder of the week ;)

Here's to an early Fresh Start tomorrow to 2011-2012 School year--Yay!!

summer 2011

I have taken this summer to truly, fully, wholly embrace each moment that I have been given with my wonderful four, my family, my friendships, my work, my craft.  I have organized each room in my house--once, it needs to be done again actually ... BUT I did do a one time major clean out/purge/filing/sorting of EVERYTHING week.  I played with each of my children, read books, rode bikes, swam ... I created with each, shared paint, shared stories, shared dirt, and lots of germs for sure.  I took just the 'bigs' out on occasion, and hung back with just the 'littles' while John got to share in the same experience of just having 2 again ;)  I went on date nights, and girls nights and had nights all to myself.  I made a cake from scratch, and Beef Wellington!  I became obsessed with the Food Network ... I entertained, I love hostessing :)  I exercised and really started taking a good hard look at what I eat ... I went on my first vacation since my honeymoon, granted it was with 4 children--but also a babysitter ;)  I enjoyed lots of one on one time with my husband and we really got to know each other again in these new roles we play in our real life now.  I brought Ava into the family business, she helped to create our next line of birds soon to be out, in fact!  

I lived this summer, and really enjoyed being me, and loved being with all those that make me, me:) I'm so thankful to be able to have the time to embrace Summer Breaks, 

I'm glad I took the time and really did this summer.