Oh, it has been a while. The kids wrapped up their summer break with a week away at grandma and grandpa's house on the farm. They were spoiled with tv, treats, playing with their cousins, riding the gator and shooting the bb gun that grandpa was convinced that they needed. Luke amazed all with his accurate shooting. He even surprised himself.

While they were relaxing on the farm, I was back at work. (which, by the way, is like a vacation for me after a summer loaded with kids/activities/chaos!) It was wonderful to be back and I am feeling more confident that this job is what I am supposed to be doing now. It doesn't hurt that I didn't have a major medical episode a week before the beginning of the school year like last year! I don't know what I will do with all of my sick leave this year without all of the drs appts. Our office is chaotic as well, but I still love it.

Mom and Dad brought the kids back last week, and Brad and Jen and the girls came too! Emma was so excited, she could hardly contain herself. Leah is one of her favorite kids. They are adorable together, even with a four year age difference. I love it. We all went to the State Fair and the Mall of America on Saturday. Needless to say, we were all exhausted! We had Sunday and Monday to rest up and prepare for the first day of school, which was today.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Nicholas and Luke are easy transitioners. They take things as they come, and they did fine getting back into the school thing. Nicholas said his teacher was okay, was annoyed that he couldn't have pbj sandwiches and his favorite granola bars (peanut allergy in his class) and was upset that technology was no longer a specialist. Luke thinks his teacher is funny and nice. Easy.

Emma, on the other hand, is not quite as easy to transition. We have been working with her all summer on focusing, completing tasks and getting over her anxiety of riding on the bus. She is a puker, poor thing. She is also incredibly hard to get out of bed in the morning. (unfortunately, her littlest bro is even harder...) So, this morning, I tried to create a very calm and relaxing routine to get her going. She made it to the bus on time and I didn't get a call from the school nurse saying that Emma threw up on the bus. Success! I met the kids at the school bus and they all looked fairly happy. Nicholas loves riding the bus home (the last two years he had to do the after school Spanish program) because his two best friends also go to his school. Luke was his happy go lucky self. Emma, oh Emma, looked like she was in a dream. She got in the car and said, "I believe that Mrs. Richardson is my most favorite teacher yet." Not in a thrilled way, just in a calm, happy and satisfied way. She then mentioned a few minutes later that she did throw up on the bus, but she just went to class. I guess that is a good thing that she is able to do... She went on and on about her teacher. She said, "Mrs. Richardson doesn't have rules, she has EXpectations." The word expectations just rolled off her tongue like it was the most beautiful thing in the world. My heart just melted. I believe that Mrs. Richardson is going to be an incredible influence on my handful of a daughter. What a relief. I was emotionally exhausted after this day, but a little content. And I don't feel "content" very often!

TWO FUNNY KID QUOTES:
Emma to Luke: "Luke, don't think Mom is going to get all sympatheticlike on you, now." Tom and I cannot recall what happened prior, but we loved the quote.

Charlie to Hershey: (preface: Hershey chewed up Charlie's water, squeezy thing. Charlie cried.) Charlie said, "Hershey, we are going to buy a new one. And if you do it again, we are going to give you away!"

So, I believe I am all caught up. I know it is going to be a great year. I definitely feel more in control than last year at this time! And I can walk without holding on to a wall! Life is good.