Catching up: The Attempt

I have been such a procrastinator. And I know that the longer I put these posts off, the more daunting they get. Time to change my ways!

Last month, Big got the chance to sit in a huge loader. The crazy thing is, he passed on the experience at first until I convinced him he should just go for it. When I asked him why he didn't want to sit in the loader he told me it was because he was embarrassed to be wearing Crocs at a work site. Inappropriate for a worker guy. (I know that a lot of people would be embarrassed to wear Crocs at anytime, but it's even more of a faux pas to wear them to a work site) It was totally my fault that he was wearing them-- I rushed Big out the door to try to get some filming done before a storm hit.

But there was no way I was going to let Big miss out on the opportunity. During the summer a worker guy invited Big to sit in the cab of his flatbed truck and honk the horn. He inexplicably refused. It turns out that he had a band-aid on his knee that wasn't sticking very well, and he was afraid it would fall off in the truck cab without him noticing. Such a thoughtful kid, not wanting to accidentally leave a dirty, gross band-aid in the guy's truck. Anyway, so this time I wasn't going to let him miss out.

I can't believe how badly I framed these shots (I didn't include the bucket), but the loader driver was busy talking to me about his son that was going to be on The Voice and I was distracted. You can tell that Big is embarrassed by his shoes, too, but at least he got to do it (and they match his shorts).

First grade is so good for Big. He is really growing up before our eyes. Cutie pie.

My mom and I managed to put up a bunch of peaches-- bottled and vacuum sealed and frozen for smoothies. A lot of work, but definitely worth it. Thanks, Mom!

Edith and I have been continuing on in our park-hopping ways....

..even managing to include other people on a few occasions. It was nice for a change of pace.

We tried a picnic one day outside the orthodontist's office when we took Bud to get the spacers for his braces, but you can tell by the look on Edith's face that it didn't work out too well. She doesn't like the way the grass feels on her skin so wasn't happy until I found a sprinkler cover to sit on. Bud didn't like the sun or the bugs, so he sat in the car. Oh, well. Next time I'll bring a blanket to sit on.

And does this kid look handsome in braces, or what? Lookin' good, Bud!

Let's see... what else? 

Well, we managed to go as a family to a free scrimmage held by our local basketball team. It was our second year attending and I think it's going to become a great family tradition. We met up with some really good friends that we haven't seen in far too long. You'll have to take my word for it since none of them wanted their picture taken. Ginger didn't really want her picture taken either, but she's my daughter so she was out of luck. It was a lot of fun.

Um...I've been dehydrating a TON of stuff. So much work, but the end result is well worth it. Num.

The kids have still been coloring a lot and I decided to join them one morning. Totally worth the overcooked egg.

Edith and I made some fabulous cookies. She taste-tested them several times and told me so.

I was so happy that Edith and I were finally able to fit in a hike. I thought it would be a lot easier than it has been. How can I still be so busy with all of the other kids in school? The hike felt so nice and we are determined to fit in a few more over the next few weeks.

My mom is headed off on her mission tomorrow. Thank heavens we were able to fit a night of game-playing in when my sister came down last weekend. In our family it's a must.

It's a good thing I'm getting all caught up on here. Halloween is coming and that always means a whole new set of posts to do. I'm pretty sure Halloween is on it's way, anyway. Something about the fact that I've had a bear in the house since we got out the Halloween bin so we could put up decorations clues me in...

All caught up! I think.