Lyrics by Matthew

Any one who knows Matt, knows how funny he is. He was just born that way. Here are some of our recent 'Matthew-isms'.

The Wise Man and The Foolish Man...
The rains came down and the fluids came up.

Little Miss Muffin sat on her tuffin
Eating her bread and cheese
When along came a spider
And said apple cider
And Frightened Miss Muffin away

And finally we had been having some gorgeous weather, until it started to rain again. Anyway, we busted out the jeans and long sleeved shirts. Overheard in the van on the way to schhol...

Matt to Caitlyn...When you wear jeans you look like you are big.
Cait - yeah
Matt - yep, you look like you are 6.

Pictures from Campout

Sorry this is so far between. For your viewing pleasure I offer the following photos...enjoy!

Matt and Spencer on our hike down to Foster Falls, you know the one where I almost died!

Ben at the bottom (literally) of Foster Falls

Matt and Cait on the rocks/in the water after the hike down.

Spencer and his fish!

Matt and Cait's first boat ride.

1st Family Campout

Over the Labor Day weekend I decided to be benevolent and ease my family's laborious burdens! Well, we just changed it up a bit. We ventured out on our 1st ever family camp out. The boys have been camping with Spencer, I used to camp with my family all the time, and Spencer has gone several times with the Scouts. We have never all gone together. If anyone tells you that camping is not work, just walk away from them because they are lying to you! I can't even blame the kids for all the labor because they were busy out playing and were very well behaved for the most part (more on that in a minute). Regardless we really enjoyed ourselves. We drove down to Foster Falls which is about 30-40 minutes South of Manchester. It took a bit to actually get on the road, we are trying to resolve ourselves that that is just part of travel.

We didn't get into the campsite until dark so, we had the 'pleasure' of setting up our tents by lantern light. (I know- you are jealous) I wouldn't think to put this part in but...I made my first trek to the glamorous public bathroom. 'That's nice' you are thinking but this was no ordinary trip to no ordinary bathroom. I REALLY had to go, I had tried to put it off in order to help finish with the tents. I waited too long, it seemed awfully far away, I hoped I would make it. I grabbed my flashlight and made my way through the trees and fallen sticks. I heard a noise to my left, 'OK, don't freak! You are working yourself up.' I thought. Then it happened again - this time definitely not in my overactive imagination! Lo and behold a not so little snake slithered right across the trail directly in front of me. I screamed! I just about peed myself! And so started our happy, happy fun time.

Later that night Caitlyn had a doozy of a fit when it was discovered that she (and I) had forgotten to pack her any PJ's. Luckily Matt had packed enough for a small army and had an extra pair. Was that problem solved? OH, NO! They were not pink! They were not fuzzy! They were not cozy! She cried and threw an all-out tizzy! I just about packed us back up and took her home. Either from exhaustion or cajoling she finally relented and wore Matt's Iron Man pajamas. They fit two of her requirements. They were fuzzy and cozy. They were red, not pink.

The next day we hiked down to Foster Falls, that is one steep trail. Even in my 'better body' days I was not a fast hiker. I took forever and the way back I swear my heart was going to pop right out of my chest and plop in the dirt. The kids took no time in asking if they could get in the lake? pond? whatever it was. What started as 'feet only' soon became full on swimming in their clothes. I don't know about anyone else but wet jeans are on the top of my detest list. Glad it was them and not me!

Sunday we broke the Sabbath wide open and set a horrible example for our children and anyone else that saw us that day. We took the kids fishing. This was also a first for them. 3 children under 9 with sharp objects on a long pole. That was a real test in patience. I failed miserably. I ended up in a time out in the van by myself. After awhile we saw a horse that was coming down the way towards us. Now it was Caitlyn's turn to pee herself! She was so excited! They came right over to us and asked if she could ride. I had to decline, the horse was very tall and she was pretty happy just petting her nose and being near a horse. Then we saw a 4 wheeler coming down the road and Ben thought it looked like a girl in his class. We told him it probably wasn't. Sure enough it was. She and her cousins (the girls on the horse) were visiting their grandpa, he lives just outside the lake. The kids got to ride the 4 wheeler and Ben even got a chance to drive. Spencer even caught a fish! It was a small mouth bass. He is 'hooked' on a new hobby now!

On Monday we broke camp and headed back over to the lake to take our friends boat out and let the kids swim. Breaking camp took quite a while. We and our friends had a lot of stuff to haul around. We literally barely had room for the kids! I really wish I had gotten a picture. Well, sardines in a can would be close! By the time we got to the lake and got the boat in we had a huge storm. No swimming for my little monkeys! We decided to hang out awhile and see if it let up. It was really beautiful after the rain because mist was rising up over the water. Spencer took the kids around the lake in the boat and then we headed home.

Those are just the highlights of the trip. We had fun being outside, making s'mores around the campfire, and just getting to talk with friends after the kids were put to bed. Thanks for inviting us to go with you. We had a great time and the kids are anxious to go again, in fact the following Tuesday when I picked the boys up from school Matt asked if we were on our way to go fishing! Yes, son, we will go fishing and camping again soon, just let me finish all this laundry first.


(check for pictures later)

Make Over

BEFORE.

AFTER.

Back to School

I love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. The feel of a brand new pen and paper in my hand. I can wander in the school supply aisles for hours and be in my own personal zen. I can almost feel fall in the air. Too bad it is 90+ degrees today. It is ruining my delusions of cooler days and autumn colors.

The boys are in school. Ben is in his 3rd week already because they started back the first Friday in August. He likes it and I have a good feeling about his teacher. He is making friends and getting to learn lots of new things. WE have had homework more nights than not. Matthew's 3rd day is today. He is my little kindergartener. He already doesn't want me walking him to class. I had to beg him to let me go in on Monday. On Tuesday I argued that I needed to bring in some paperwork. Today I relented and dropped him at the front door. Where has the time gone? He is loving it and says his WHOLE class is his new friend. I don't doubt it.

I thought it would be so nice to be back to having 1 child at home. I thought back to my 'new-mommy' days, taking naps, getting the house cleaned, hanging out with friends for playdates, going out to lunch. (I didn't realize h0w good I had it until much later.) Well, leave it to my darling, Caitlyn to shatter the daydream. I think she is in a type of shock. She has only know a house of older brothers. Her and Matt are close in age so she has always had him nearby. She has become increasingly clingy. 'hold me', 'carry me', 'sit next to me', 'watch me', I could go on. Please don't take me the wrong way, I love her. At first it was nice, I don't mind a little cuddle time. I know the time will go quickly and I need to appreciate it before it is gone. This is getting a bit ridiculous. I may as well roll around in velcro so she can attatch herself.

She starts school in September. I am making a paper-chain! I hope that once she has her own school schedule she will realize that everything is OK. I am trying not to be so giddy, but, really, I can't wait!! Oh, the things I will do...until I realize how boring my life would be without them!!