First Day of School 2009

This is our gang, plus our next door neighbor John. John walks to school with us everyday. I love the chance to chat with his mom too and from school. It works out great for all of us.

Ashlyn is in 5th grade this year. Her teacher is Mrs. Conrad. I think she was the most nervous of all of the kids to go back to school, even though she has the most experience. She got to brag to everyone today that she came home with homework on the first day of school... on a Friday... This might be quite the year for her. She is really excited to learn all kinds of new things this year.

Aaron is in 3rd grade this year with Mrs. Hoover. He was back and forth as to whether he was excited to go back to school. I think the excited part won out because he and Brynna were completely dressed, had the dishwasher emptied and were ready to eat breakfast by 7:30 this morning. School didn't start until 9:10! If only that enthusiasm would last all year. It seems by midway through the year it takes him half an hour to get his shoes on. Aaron had an especially great day because this was the first year we were able to bring treats into class for his birthday. I never thought he would start school 2 days after his birthday!

Here is my sweet little Brynna on her very first day of school. She was soooo excited. She told me how nice she was going to be to her teacher and she was quite confident that she will do very well in school. I love her quiet confidence and her sweet disposition. Her teacher is one lucky lady.

All in all it was such a great day. Griff was home because he is off every other Friday. We took Cyerra with us on some errands and had a grand time. I love the first day of school. I look back on my childhood days with the memory of the excitement without any of the fear that came with it. I love to see that in my children's eyes. The beginning of a new school year bring all sorts of new goals, for the kids and for me. After we got back from getting the kids home from school we went to our neighbors house and hung out in the front yard and let the kids play. Then their daughter kindly invited us over for dinner and her parents agreed. We have such great neighbors and love to get together often for dinner. The kids played for hours, Griff got to watch a little baseball, and I got in some good girl chat. Can't get much better than that. Then Cyerra looked up at the cloudless night on our short walk home and said "look at all of the twinkles, Mom!" I loved it. What a perfect day!

I love FREE!

We had a blast last Saturday going to the Denver Art Museum. I guess the first Saturday of every month is free day so we headed up there and took a walking tour of downtown Denver. We chased a pidgeon, saw a 1938 Limo, saw several hands on kids exhibits at the Art museum, walked through a beautiful downtown park, and wore ourselves out. We will definitely have to do it again. Anybody want to come with us next time? =)

One year later...

When we were moving into this house I thought we might have to resod the front yard. With a few tips from a landscaper friend and a little effort we now have the lush carpet of lawn you see above. I am amazed! What a change.

One year ago it looked like this. The HOA wanted us to replace it by October. We talked them into a little more time. I think it looks better than if we had replaced it! I can't complain though. I haven't heard anything negative from them since we moved in.