First Days of School

And, they're off. 

Rosie's in 1st grade and Sadie's in her 1st year of preschool. I'm not one of the mamas that jumps for joy when school starts back up- I like having them around. But, they love school and it's a great place for them to be and so I let out the deep sigh and let them go. 

We're big theme song people. We love Coldplay and U2, we like the wisdom and theology according to Pittbull and Christina Aguilera in Feel This Moment, and we love Philip Phillips.

One of our family favorites is Gone, Gone, Gone. 

It was Ron who applied it to a parent's perspective.... read between the lines.

Gone, Gone Gone

by Philip Phillips

When life leaves you high and dry

I'll be at your door tonight

If you need help, if you need help.

I'll shut down the city lights,

I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bribe

To make you well, to make you well.

When enemies are at your door

I'll carry you away from war 

If you need help, if you need help.

Your hope dangling by a string

I'll share in your suffering

To make you well, to make you well

Give me reasons to believe 

That you would do the same for me. 

And I would do if for you, for you.

Baby, I'm not moving on

I love you long after you're gone.

For you, for you.

You will never sleep alone.

I love you long after you're gone

And long after you're gone, gone, gone.

When you fall like a statue

I'm going to be there to catch you

Put you on your feet, you on your feet.

And if your well is empty

Not a thing will prevent me.

Tell me what you need, what do you need?

I surrender honestly.

You've always done the same for me.

So I would do it for your, for you.

Baby, I'm not moving on,

I love you long after you're gone.

(this is Rosie and Sadie's favorite part. Sadie jumps. Rosie does an African drum and dance thing)

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating.

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating

Like a drum, baby, don't stop beating.

Like a drum my heart never stops beating for you.

And long after you're gone, gone gone.

I love you long after you're gone, gone, gone. 

Summer Fun

I'm doing a patchwork of sorts to catch up on our summer activities.  Too much fun and not enough time to blog :)

There were teddy bear picnics, 

pool and beach days and bake offs.

    

OC Fair time!






We are suckers for the games... someone inevitably ends up winning something giant.








We spent the night on my parent's boat. 

Yes, that's Starbuck's coffee balanced precariously on the front of Ron's board. He's my hero.

Rosie decided that she'd like to go to a water park for her birthday this year instead of having friends over for a party. We said she could bring a friend and, of course, she chose Lucy. We had a blast. We came home waterlogged, tired and happy to a fun family pizza party and water park birthday cake A la Mimi.

The annual end of the summer trip to Bass Lake. Oh, how I love this trip. Papa and Mimi, in retirement bliss, were able to join us this year. 

Some people are more graceful than others when jumping off the top of the pontoon. Some leap, some tuck and some look as if they've been shoved. 

There was a trip to Jones Store for some good old fashioned kitty cat cheeseburgers and beautiful scenery.

After the Welches and Hunts left we took the girls up to Mariposa Grove to hike around the Giant Sequoias and have a BBQ supper at the Wawona. It was a magic end to our trip to the mountains.

 

This was one of my favorite moments of the summer...

We were full and happy, cruising the lake on the boat, after Forks burgers and Miller's milkshakes. We cut the engine and floated in the middle of the dark lake as we watched a beautiful, huge full moon rise above the mountains. We cheered as it finally made its grand entrance in its entirety. 

And then, Sadie. 

She serenaded us with the Goodnight Song in her sweet, high, clear, three year old voice. 

All 9 of us were silent, listening, most of us with teary eyes and lumps in our throats. 

Best.moment.ever.

 So, have a good night, my good friends.

XOXO