The Week I Embraced Summer's Soon to End :(

Monday:

We had an entire day of screen time and being lazy.

To celebrate National Dog Day we rented, "A Dog's Journey Home" and snuggled Nala.

Tuesday: 

The boys took Addie out front and found them reading news papers at their little picnic table; like little old men! 

We had their Back to School meeting with their teachers where they saw their classrooms, their desks, lockers, and signed contracts that they'd behave and do their best! 

Had our Back 2 School dinner: Macaroni, and apple cupcakes.

We had Maddix's football practice at Newman; 

he killed it! 

Wednesday: 

First Day of School!!! >:*( 

While the boys were ecstatic, the girls and I were devastated. The whole drive home Addie was so confused and concerned over why the boys didn't come back to the car to leave with us! She kept saying, "Buddy? Eh-win?" and point at the school. And "no... NO!" as we drove away.

As soon as we were home she went NUTS! 

While I fed the baby Addie ate the tops off half a dozen red sprinkled cupcakes... then dove onto the couch. While I went to the bathroom she snuck into Avery's room where she napped and woke her up and unrolled a bunch of tape. While I cleaned that up she snuck back into the bathroom and got toothpaste all in the rug. She climbed to the top of the piano and got the keys, i-pad, and computer. She climbed onto the counter and started spraying the bleach spray to "help" me clean. 

By 10:00am I gave up and downloaded some apps on the iPad and we just wallowed on the couch until nap time!! 

But then they came home, and she was happy again! Aaron took her right outside for popsicles and loves! 

Travis went biking

Travis went and coached Aaron's football team

Then YW/Scouts

Thursday:

Just after school drop off, I took the girls to Target before Avery's nap and once we came home Addie was much better behaved! She just HAS to have an outing or she goes crazy! 

Susan picked the boys up from school and they enjoyed some time at her house. 

Travis went to basketball 

Friday/Saturday: 

Susan picked the boys up from school. Addie and I were outside running down Susan's ramp when she pulled home in her van. Addie was happy to see Susan, but when the van doors opened and she saw the boys...

... let's just say I've NEVER NEVER seen such a reaction! It was just like the military videos when the child is beyond happy and flooded with emotions. She screamed. She shook. She jumped up and down. She laughed until she began crying in their arms; I'm tearing up just thinking about the three of them, wrapped in each other'r arms. 

We ended up being invited on a camping trip... was supposed to just be Travis, but then I received a text with the food I was in charge of... and I realized all the camping stuff I'd just taken to the new house was now needing to be picked back up and we were ALL going camping. 

Not going to like, I was stressed. 

However, it ended up being a great time where I could just let the kids wonder around and feel a sense of independence! We met some new people and despite the on and off rain, it didn't stop us from seizing each moment of the trip. 

The kids got to ride around in a UTV (driven by their 8yr old friend!), hiking trails alone, scouting for animals, panning for gold, building a fire, shooting the guns, collecting wagons of walnuts (and Addie throwing them all out of the wagon when they weren't looking), games, chased a toad, and horse back riding.

I came home with some sort of... rash? Hives? Bites? I don't know! But they are itchy, SO itchy. And spreading; so, that part I don't love. 

And then 5 mins into the car ride Addie was out. 10 mins later, Avery. Quickly after, Aaron. And then even Maddix passed out across my lap! That was probably my favorite part to the trip; just knowing they'd played until they dropped! 

Me: Do you want to jump off the porch like we do each year?
Maddix: No, not this year; I'm good
:*( Yeah... he's too old now. 

Good thing she has Avery to shift ALL her love and attentions on to

First day back after school.

Aaron, jumping into the new school year! 

This was the project we were working on for so long!
It will become a bookshelf in the new house.

She just kept saying, "Yeeha!" and then flicking the reigns!

Aaron was having a rough morning after staying up
so late. Addie went over and asked, "You okay Eh-win?"
Then continued to talk/cheer him up

This girl... I just can't.
She is perfect.
I love her so much!

See? Little old men, reading the paper

Patiently waiting for food, even though
Travis hand't even begun making the pancakes!

They had the NIACC Baseball team out front,
giving high-fives to all the kids,
welcoming them to a new school year. 

Now it's back to just us girls at home, except for when
Dad pops his head in on lunch break each day! 

Travis nailed his clay pigeon! 

Yep... she's just chillin in her classes, sister's little jacket, and
watching a Barbie commercial.

All zonked out! 

Where they spent 80% of the trip

So that's where we are at. School has started. The weather is perfectly cool. And now I feel like we've closed out the summer with a quick camping trip. Now onto moving! Tomorrow-Wednesday. Then it's done. And we can really take advantage of all this extra time with Travis. 

It feels like a permanent vacation to have him home for breakfasts, lunch breaks, dinner, weekends, and even obscure holidays, like Labor Day! 

Yay for no more Residency!!!