Lyla Loads Dishwasher

Lyla wanted more chores to do while we were hanging out each day the last month of school and really wanted to load the dishwasher...play in the sink water. Let's be honest I have a hard time letting Phil load the dishwasher because I am pretty sure I can get more things to fit so I knew this chore wasn't going to last long. She did a great job that day and then we moved her on to helping Cannon with the garbage and helping put laundry away. Now my little buddy is at kindergarten all day and I miss her. One the first day of dropping her off I got up super early so I could shower and get ready after my run before school started. When we pulled up to the school she hopped out and started to walk away. I yelled out the window "don't you want me to take you in?" (with a little tear in my eye) She politely let me know, "they don't like mommies in school" she walked to the door and turned to wave just to make sure I was okay. I must say that I wasn't and we are 5 days into it and it is still hard taking all the kids and leaving them there to come home alone.

Day 2

 We started off the month of June with cousins over for the weekend while Katrina and Ethan were in town for the summer. They stayed for two months during summer break from law school and we only got to see them a few times. Sometimes Vashon Island seems so far away. The water balloon launcher had to make an appearance for Cannon.

 We played more kickball with people from church. The kids did a great job cheering everyone on when they were waiting for their turn to kick the ball.

We love the Hendrix's and always have a great time hanging out. JaNae is the kindest, nicest and sweetest friend ever. They have great kids and the best babysitters ever. It was a super cold evening they came over for a swim, but all the kids got in the water and tried to last as long as they could. It was windy and all the adults stayed safe on the beach.

May

 Where to beginning after getting SO far behind. We took all the pictures off Phil's phone this last week and I decided to start with just a post a day to get caught up on this summer of adventure.

 I love Jamie and Kerrie and even hanging out in the cold sunshine before summer really even started around here.

Lyla learned to ride a bike this last May and was super excited about it and going to the park so she didn't have to ride the hill on the drive-way.

 Cannon had great fun with Dad at the father/son camp out. They had a great game of kickball before the service project.

 Cannon loves camping and time spent with Phil at the camp out...I think secretly it is more about all the treats Phil brings because Cannon can never stop talking about the food they eat.

Cannon and Miya love riding at the skate park, but they also love just running around with their helmets on!

First Day of School

I just went to drop all three of my kids off at school for the first day. I got all ready after my run this morning so I could go in with Lyla, but when I went to park and get out she said they really didn't want moms at school. She hopped out of the car and went in all by herself as I told Miya and Cannon to make sure she went to the right spot. I guess it is easiest for a clean break when you are already sad that your last child is starting school.
Lyla asked about ten times what she needed to bring to school today and was disappointed when she only had to take her lunch. She checked Miya and Cannon's backpacks to make sure they weren't bringing anything else. She is going to give Mrs. Jones a run for her money this year and I will miss her terribly. I am not ready to have all my kids in school and moving on to this next phase, but today I have a million things to do because all summer I put things on the list "to do when kids go back to school" and now that time has come.

Lyla's Conversation w/ herself

I sat down to update the blog and Lyla was playing on the other side of the room. It went a little something like this...

Lyla: So you are the Principal of the United States?
Other Lyla: Well kinda.
Lyla: What do you mean, kinda, there is no kinda about it.
Other Lyla: Well my parents said I am, but they didn't really vote about it.

Of course Other Lyla has a totally different voice that sounds a little like an old western cowboy. Now she is singing again and on to other games.