If it's fall, why is it 90 degrees today?

Happy Halloween! Once September 21st comes around, I feel that's license to pull out my favorite seasonal decor. Last year, Larry told the kids their mom is a witch...don't worry, our marriage isn't on the rocks, he just means I really, really, really like Halloween and he thinks I decorate a little too early and a little too much. So if you're living in SoCal, crank that air conditioning, light your favorite fall scented candle, and bake something with pumpkin cuz' it's the best time of the year!

This is my fav...his name's Gordy, I got him at Roger's Gardens a few years back! He always makes me smile!

7 going on 16

Well, our school year and extra curricular schedule are in full swing. Maddie's in soccer and dance and Sam's in tennis. In the past few weeks, our little girl has matured years beyond her actual age. (It must be this walking to school alone business.)

There have been several factors...she has decided she likes dancing enough to commit to 4 hours a week of training to be on a competition team. She also is carrying her laptop to school every day. Yes, you read that right...her laptop. Her school is one of only a few in the district that supports a laptop learning program. It's completely voluntary, we have to buy it for her if we want her to participate...talk about peer pressure.

We've known about it for a couple years and have stewed over it just as long. We definitely don't want our children to grow up feeling entitled in any way. We decided to have her earn half. She collected some recycling and helped care for the puppies (not her favorite thing). Anyway, a LOT of $ later, she's happy as a clam. BONUS-I got a free printer.

She gets baptized in a few weeks as well. I really can't believe it. It's definitely your children that age you. When they're not around, I feel 26 again! Her birthday list consists of an ipod, clothes, accessories for her laptop, jewelry, etc... Now you understand...7 going on 16.

Happy New Year!

I heard a dad say "Happy New Year" to another dad this morning at school and it made me laugh. It pretty much is a new year every September once you have school-aged kids. January 1st is just a break in the middle of the year as far as my schedule is concerned.

Today is the first day of school. As I sit here while Jed plays in silence and I'm not breaking up fights or telling Maddie to find something to do, I'm thrilled that school is back in session. This morning, when I woke up at 6:30 and was making lunches and telling Sam to eat faster, I wasn't so thrilled. I guess there are always pros and cons. Jed isn't seeing any cons, he's got free reign of all the toys and is able to pick which show he watches. He wouldn't even leave his toys to say goodbye to Larry this morning.

It's a big year for Maddie and Sam...they get to walk to school by themselves. It's going to be awfully nice to not have to sit in a carpool pick-up lane ever again (okay, if it rains, I might go pick them up). Larry and I walked with them this morning to familiarize them with the route. They'll be meeting up with several other kids, so I hope they don't have too much fun and forget to get to school.

Maddie also has undergone a mini makeover. I think she thinks she's been on "What Not To Wear" (one of her favorite shows), less the $5000 wardrobe. We went shopping for a few updates and she felt she needed accessories with each outfit. She also got a new haircut, complete with bangs. She can hardly wait until she gets her ears pierced on her birthday in a month. She said that when that happens, she'll be "done." Really, I don't know how we could afford another girl, it's a good thing there's only one!

Sam was blessed with another young, cute teacher. Larry remembers having a crush on his kindergarten teacher and he says she wasn't even that good looking. If that's the case, Sam should have major crushes on both of his teachers thus far. He was quite the trooper, wearing a backpack that's almost as big as he is. It does have wheels (that light up, no less), so he doesn't have to suffer any permanent back damage this year. On the way to school this morning, he asked, "Mom, is walking to school exercise?"