And then the school year began...

The kids were up and ready for school well before 7:30 the first day. Each day, that time has went down by 5 minute increments and we will soon be rushing them out the door to get to school on time.

Even though our summer ended, the summer time fun did not. The weather has taken a last swing at summer like conditions, so the kids have been out almost every evening playing, which makes it very hard to do homework. Since they are in 2nd and 4th this year, both of them have their fair share of homework and I feel like if they have it, than I have it too! These first few weeks are an adjustment - the kids realize they have to do something other than sleep, eat, and play! But so far they are doing really well overall. There are some grumpy moments, but they both seem to be enjoying school and they like their teachers.
The first weekend after school started was an exciting one for us. Unexpectedly, the kids and I went to the pool with friends - one last time before the end of the season. We hadn't been to the Bridgeport Pool this summer and Elias really wanted to try to dive off the high dive. He had jumped off of it last summer, but had been a little too intimidated to dive off of it. So Elias was thrilled when he knew he'd have his chance this summer. As soon as he arrived, he went right up onto the high dive. He jumped off the first time to get his bearings and then went right back up and dove off of it. Bella jumped off of the smaller diving board. She just learned this summer to really swim on her own in the deep end and so diving off of the diving board without assistance is a major milestone that she has been enjoying this summer too. I am really proud of both my swimmers!

Unfortunately, Josh decided to stay behind to work on the railings some more, but he made great progress and there are just a few more pieces to put in place and he will be done. It is amazing how much work and money it is to put up a few railings. We have probably spent almost as much time and probably more money on these railings than we did on remodeling our family room! Now all we have to do is paint the exterior of the house. We had planned to try to paint at least the block this summer, since it is chipping, but I think it is a job for next summer.

On Sunday, Elias was baptized. This is something he has talked about wanting to do for a while and now that our church has a baptismal, he decided that it was the time. The church decided to bring all the kids from the children's ministry to watch the baptisms, since there were three kids being baptized. Elias' face was priceless when he saw all of his peers walking into the sanctuary. He said, "They are really coming in to watch the baptisms?" He has really been growing in his faith and has been more vocal about his thoughts and how God effects his life, but when it came time to tape his comments for a video they showed before the baptism, we could hardly get 20 words out of him! He just didn't know what to say or how to say it. I think that was one of the only times I have truly seen him speechless! He added the comic relief to the video, though, because when they asked what it would be like to be baptized, his answer was, "Wet!". But he came home and immediately went and told our neighbor's boy, who he's friends with, that he was baptized. I pray every day that the seeds that are planted in my kids' hearts when they are young will bear much fruit in the years to come.

It seemed like I had plans almost every day the kids were in school so far and I have actually already subbed twice this year - the first being on the 2nd day of school. One day last week I took my dad to a dentist in Bridgeport that makes low cost dentures. My dad got his first set of dentures when he was in the military in Germany when he was only 23 years old. He has had that same set of dentures for 50 years! People cannot believe that he had them that long. They held up pretty well for many years. But in recent years, dad had to super glue teeth in and do other repairs to them and the molars were pretty much worn to the gum. He looks younger with his new teeth. His smile is more like I remember it when I was a kid. I am so glad that I was able to spend the day with my mom and dad and help them out. It feels weird that I am now their driver and such. I feel too young to be turning the roles around so soon. My dad is a jokester and he had a ball gabbing with a fellow who was 88 and full of stories while we waited at the dentist.

A picture with my dad and his new chompers - just after he enjoyed a hearty helping pot roast that I had left in the crock pot that morning.

Then one of our last hurrahs of summer was to go to the Seattle Sounders major league soccer game while they were playing the Columbus Crew in Ohio. This is an early birthday gift for Josh, since his birthday is in October. It had been scheduled months ago. It is also something he has wanted to do for a long time. We left the kids with my mother-in-law again. (I thank God that I have a great mother-in-law who drives over an hour each way to come watch the kids!) I am so glad that the kids were not with us, because right before the game started while the teams warmed up, the skies grew black and the wind picked up. They made everyone go under the bleachers and for over an hour we stood and sat next to thousands of others while the rain passed. Luckily, after the storm passed, the weather was absolutely beautiful without another drop of rain and since our hotel was within walking distance of the stadium, we still were back before midnight. It was fun to watch the game and the Sounders won, which makes it even more fun. Some Sounders fans in front of us almost got into a fist fight with a drunk Crew fan, so I was glad that Josh had left his Sounders jersey at home, even though he said he felt like a sell out!

We were really worried that they were going to cancel the game and there were no refunds for the tickets. He was pretty bummed, but I told him to make a sad face while we waited under the bleachers. This was the best he could do.

Barely even damp after the rain delay. Waiting for the teams to warm up...again!