First Grade

And just like that- poof!- summer is over and gone! It is just the beginning of a new era for our family,and to be truthful, it hurts. This is Harbor's first year to be away from home all the livelong day. And I know there will be no stopping it from here on out. I'm in the minority of moms, I think, but I am the happiest when my kids are home. When I taught back when Harbor was a tot, I really struggled to find joy and balance in my work/life. I just always felt stretched thin. Everything in me yearned for more time at home: time to cook, and play, and rock babies. I know God has made us all different and planted seeds that flower different fruit in different seasons, and I'm so thankful for that!  Someday, I think God may call me again to teach, but I know the time isn't any time soon. : ) Harbor had his first day of first grade today. He was ready, but still a bit hesitant. He had a magical year in kindergarten last year- he really excelled and grew and found the work interesting and fun.  It will be a hard year to top- and he knows it. But he is excited about seeing old friends and making new. We took our annual chalkboard pictures to document his favorites this go 'round. Mommy confession: I dressed him in his school uniform {he attends a classical academy with a uniform policy} and took these pictures on Sunday, three days before school actually started. David played at the park with the little ones while I snapped away, and then Harbor changed clothes and joined them. I just knew that the first day would be hectic and trying, and I wanted to make my load as light as possible.  Having these pictures done ahead of time helped us all have a much smoother morning.  

He chose an L.L.Bean backpack this year and I have high hopes!

His Lillian Vernon from last year barely came across the finish line.

Praying this one lasts!

We spent one evening coming up with menu ideas for lunch and posting them on the 'fridge.

He was really excited about having a "real" school lunch since last year he only went half day.

I hung a few streamers and made a simple banner out of construction paper, and we surprised him in the morning.  It took five minutes to throw it up the night before, but Harbor's little face was the prize!

A sweet friend of mine drove over to my house at 7:00 a.m. to watch a sleeping Henry and crawling Hollin so that I could take Harbor alone and walk him in properly and really just be in the moment.

It was a total blessing to spend that time alone with Harbor.

I'm really glad I asked- and so thankful for her time to do that favor for me.

Harbor got right to work and colored away as the students trickled in.

After drop off, I met a few friends at Chick-Fil-A for a "Boo Hoo Brunch" as we all had first graders starting school today.

It was a special time to encourage one another.

We each have three children, so nine total between us, and when you get moms of that many littles together, it is always good for the soul!

{that is me in the polka dot top- always fun to be in pictures once in awhile!}

When dinner was finished, we sang "Happy First Grade to You" to the tune of "Happy Birthday" and ate  a vanilla cocoa puff inspired cake.

I baked it really quickly while he was in school and iced it right before dinner.

{I'm eating seconds thirds and blogging right now!}

: )

We love  how sweet and simple all the students looked today in their little uniforms.

It makes getting dressed SO easy in the morning.

And it also makes comparing pictures from year to year look like your child stepped into a time machine.  

What a difference in 12 measly little months.

And right before my own eyes.

It is the reason I blog-

I'm so very thankful for the opportunity to preserve these thoughts in my head.

I designed some photo cards as gifts- one for last year's teacher, and of course, the new one this year.

We passed them out today.

Each print was only 34 cents, plus a candy bar.

Really affordable and so fun!

Who doesn't want a candy bar on the first day of school?!

: )

I attached the candy bars with double stick tape.

We had all the kids in bed by 8:30 p.m. tonight. Though I'm sad to lose Harbor during the day, I know he is ready. And little Henry is getting ready to start his home school experience with me. I need to do some final tweaking in our schedule and really get a feel for how carpool and commute times will go first, but I'm just thrilled to get more one -on-one time with him, Before too long, my Henry will be in school! What a joy to get to do this a few more times with each child. Hope all is well with you! Cooler weather is heading to Colorado and we had some snow on the mountains just a few days ago. Pumpkin everything is around the corner. : )

Rustic Blueberry Tart {semi homemade}

This summer has meant late nights full of swimming until dark and riding bikes until the sun sets.
We have had dinner at 7:30 p.m. just because the sun is staying up longer and we are busy having adventures.
All those adventures usually mean that bellies are hungrier than ever. This dessert is one I have made many times this summer and it is so quick and easy.
It isn't totally homemade or healthy, but it is perfect for a quick treat that all my family loves!
You will need: granulated white sugar brown sugar cinnamon nutmeg a can of pie filling {apple or blueberry are our favorites!} and a roll of refrigerated Crescent Dough sheets.

This is what they look like in case you haven't seen them.

On an ungreased pan with a lip, spread your dough out in one sheet.

Preheat your oven to 375.

Sprinkle brown and white sugar across the entire surface.

{I don't measure any of this. Just eyeball it.}

Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg next.

{we go fairly light with the nutmeg}

Dump your pie filling in the middle.

Fold up the corners, one at a time.

Overlap the folds.

Like so.

Until you've got it all closed up.

Top with more sugar.

And cinnamon.

Slide it into an over at 375 for about 10 minutes- or until it looks golden brown.

Make a lip with the dough to keep your filling from burning onto the pan.

While it bakes, put together a few puzzles.

And when the oven timer beeps, gather 'round and stare.

And drool.

We do.

For a semi homemade treat, this one is pretty special!

It has that, "I've got flour all over my apron"  look.

We cut ours with a pizza cutter.

We like our pieces nice and big.

Plate 

and serve.

We like to add cool whip on the side.

But the honest truth is... we are completely out of it.

Henry and I ate it the night before with a spoon.

Straight out of the container.

Apparently it still tastes amazing as a stand alone.

My kids love it!

Hollin, 11 months, chowing down!

And before you know it, it is all gone.

Seconds, Mom?

Pretty please?

Enjoy!

{I've added this recipe to our 'Recipe' tab at the top!}

Life at the Lake

Living in Colorado means an obvious attraction to the great outdoors. You can't go to Target here without seeing  purple mountains majesty, snow capped distant peaks, or groves of stark white Aspen. I'm being serious. Nature is king in the Rockies. They just build the Target where they can. The mountains win every time.   David and I play a little game sometimes where we name our perfect "-------" fill in the blank. Perfect dinner: Perfect date night: Perfect vacation: Perfect drive:
One we play often is perfect hike. We hike so often that we have, sadly, developed hiker's snoberry. It is a bad case of being so spoiled by grand vistas, heavily pined hillsides, and swiftly flowing Colorado rivers that even the most dazzling of hikes leaves us playing the game... "That could have been a perfect hike, except I didn't see any wild sunflowers. Ugh."
See what I mean?
My perfect hike goes like this:
Mountain views, preferably from the north side as to see the full range of Pikes Peak. It must also include an Aspen grove.  Blooming or not, I could care less, as long as the grove is thick and hearty and the trunks are full of black eyes. An additional requirement is that water be nearby, preferably a running creek or hidden forest lake.  Valley hiking is desired and must avoid steep and deadly drop offs if little ones accompany. Bonus points for wildlife sightings or golden hazey light.
I'm not too hard to please, mmmkay. : )
Where can we find such a hike?
Here. Rampart Reservoir in Woodland Park, Colorado.
Y'all.  
Aspens and Pines saddled up next to boulders that overlook mountain vistas and open upon a large glistening Colorado lake.
We were blessed to spend the afternoon with our dear Arkansas friends turned Colorado residents, the Gaughan family.
Their four kiddos plus our three made for a fun day!

With the older two girls holding Hollin and the slew of little boys playing alongside one another, I was able to play photographer most of the afternoon.

And not too shabby a backdrop either!

My perfect hike!

Hollin was loved on and she soaked it up!

Being baby number three and not having family nearby means a serious lack of smooching.

: )

We are so thankful for friends who love our babies like their own.

Harbor, later that night, declared that playing at the lake with friends was  his favorite.

And poor Judith had to shimmy up a tree and around a boulder to help a daughter who had climbed too high!  All in flip flops!  Such a funny moment, but not for the one who was stranded up top.

: )

Judith and I taught together for many years in Arkansas.

My worlds are totally colliding here in Colorado.

And I love it.

Love they are here with us on this adventure.

Doesn't God weave such a delicious plan and work all things for our good?!

Me and little sister, Hollin.

Can you believe her 1st birthday is coming next month!?

If you come to Colorado, visit this lake.

You never know.

You might find me here.

: )

Soaking up the sun!

Life at the lake is happy!

And Judith captured this moment for me.

So thankful for these family pictures.

They just tell the story.

#happycamper

Here.

This is a perfect place for me.

I could go to the beach or not....

but these mountains draw my spirit in.

And with the sun getting hazy, I knew I needed pictures.

The kids were wet, tired, and crabby from playing in the water, so unbuckling them and plopping them in {snake infested?} tall grass was out of the question.

David wasn't going to model, so I threw David my camera and  reveled in my own little moment.

: )

And he delivered with some beautiful pictures.

I'm thinking our Christmas card pictures might look smashing up here.

It was a hike for my "perfect" list.

Life at the lake is sweet.