We celebrated autumn two days early - it was just too beautiful outside to resist the orchard. So we headed up to Blake's on Saturday to have some cider, donuts and apples. It was gorgeous weather - nearly 80 and sunny. And except for the killer bees which apparently love caramel as much as the rest of us, the kids had a blast. There was liquid sugar, powder sugar, gooey sugar, gooey sugar topped with powder sugar . . . what's not to love? After that, what do you wash it all down with? Well, when the dairy farm's just down the road - ice cream of course!! What a jackpot! Yep, we'll be paying the dentist for that day soon enough.

Sunday was no bore either with the day kicking off at our church's outdoor festival. You guessed it - more sugary snacks. This time with a moon bounce to shake it all up inside. Oh, to be eight again! Emma and Joel's choirs sang and Shannon graced the parking lot with some chalk art - it was a beautiful day. That evening JB had the soccer game of a lifetime scoring five goals himself and enjoying a comfortable win for a now 2-1 record. JB is really enjoying his season so far.

The first of the girls' last two dance competitions is this weekend followed by another soccer game. We'll probably have to pack some caramel. :)

There was a Staples commercial a few years ago that stuck with me and I still remember it well. They may even still play it – I don’t know. Commercials aren’t popular in my house. The Remote Control Manager doesn’t allow them except on Super Bowl Sunday. Anyway, it showed a dad skipping through the aisles of Staples with his two kids drudging behind while “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” played. I love that ad! Well . . . we’re there. Of course Shannon’s first day of school was bittersweet and full of all the emotions of new chapters and closed ones. In the end, though, the flurry of the school year starting is such a distraction that it already feels as though she’s an ol’ pro and hitting her stride. Still, it’s fun to hear everyday what new “adventure” she’s discovered. Things that have become routine with Emma and Joel are now new again – the lunch room, gym class, recess! And we love every tale Shannon tells each day.

Ranger has also hit his stride and settled into his own routine for now. He sees the kids off each day at the bus stop and then settles into his morning nap until lunch with mom. He’s still possessed with the challenge of conquering the evil penguin that plagues our house and I’m sure dreams of ridding the world of his arch enemy. The kids are still competitive for his attention and many evenings are spent sitting on the floor terrorizing the dog with hugs and toys held just out of reach. Interesting tidbit: Ranger despises the car. I’ve never had a dog that didn’t love car rides, so we’ll have to see if this is a learned behavior or not. Heaven knows he has plenty of soccer games in his future to attend!!

Have a great week everyone!!

Ranger moved into our home on Wednesday night and by Friday afternoon Shannon had packed her bags and announced she was moving out. Apparently, center stage is not for sharing in her book. To be fair, she wasn't the only one adjusting and by Saturday morning the 6:00 am response to the wimpering and crying turned into the following brief conversation:

"Do you think we should take him out?"
"I think we should sleep."
"I think you should take him out."

Let's just say my husband's a saint. He's acutely aware of how dysfunctional I am in the morning and bailed me out of the first early morning wake up. Since then, however, Ranger and I are enjoying some quality bonding time in the wee hours of the morning and I'm happily carrying a set of luggage under my eyes. I'm not sure what's worse though - the lack of sleep, or the three kids constantly arguing over who gets to play with the dog more, and who stole his attention from who. I think it was just last night when I asked Joel "can you and I and Ranger just go somewhere and relax?"

Big day tomorrow . . . first day of school! Shannon's first day of kindergarten and Emma's last year of elementary school. Shannon has chosen big brother Joel to walk her to her classroom when they get off the bus and I think secretly he's swollen with pride at the appointment. Although he'd never admit it.

We had a great last weekend of the summer together - topped off with a Tiger game this afternoon. It was a great day for baseball - although the Yankees apparently agreed. Still, the peanuts, sno cones, hot dogs, elephant ears and slushies kept the blues away. So all is good. Look out teachers - here they come!!