Last days of summer

Rewind...
Before there was school, there was the weekend...Labor Day weekend.
Something about the end of summer makes me a little camera happy too. The way things worked out this summer there were very few times when all the kids were there together.
I love to see all the memories made here, my favorite place on earth :)

As you can see on the bottom right, we are training up some good workers for taking the dock out.

These pictures above, brought back the memories like a flood. As kids we used to have races and play 'olympic' games every night after dinner. Uncle Ben was a great coach here and rounded everyone up for a relay around the house...all in line from littlest to biggest.
We laughed so hard...they were taking it so seriously. The smiles and determination on their faces says it all. Thanks to Allison for the great action shots.
"Goodbye Higgins Lake"

Preschool

Not much of a story here. Eleanor off to Preschool.

This being her second year there was absolutely no fear or hesitation. She had a great first day and can't wait to go back.

So it was 9am on Friday morning and I was remembering what it was like to have just one kiddo...I think I'm going to like this year :)

First Grade

It's a strange thing to let them go...to realize that you won't spend the majority of the day with them anymore and to trust their hearts and minds to so many others...
Other than being completely exhausted after a full day of school and an hour of soccer practice, Jack had a great first day. We already love his new teacher and look forward to all that this year holds. We trust that even though we loosen our grips a bit, the Lord is establishing Jack's steps.
Proverbs 16:9 "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Jacks idea to take a picture of the "Goad boys"

Instafriday

 Last Saturday Josh and I were able to get away for a night in the Amway Grand Hotel. It was a gift from last Christmas...don't ask me why it took us so long to use it. 

We spent all day together doing various things we don't get to do with littles around...movie theatres, dining out, walking leisurely downtown, dining out again :) Anway, It was a fabulous retreat and just enough to energize me for 3 days as a single parent this week. 

For breakfast on Sunday we ate at this wonderful cafe called The Westsider. New to us, we loved it and I will spend the next few months bringing everyone I know to share in the goodness.

So while we ate here...

the kids were here...grateful my MIL likes to send me mobile pics :)

 Breakfast...

 Cuban Skillet

 Huevos Rancheros

You could just about throw a stone from my doorstep to Kingmas Market. We have been so fortunate to have this local gem so close. In the spring and summer months I can safely say we are there almost everyday. If not for food, just for something to do with the kids. In the spring, Eleanor would spend an hour walking up and down the rows of flowers feeling all the petals...stinkin' adorable, but so much it kind of drove me nuts :)

When you don't have the yard for your own garden, Kingma's comes through with a bushel of tomatoes for $7. Hello sauce and salsa!

Hooray for mums! I love to see all the different colors lined up around the outside of the store. Today I was there without Ellie and I can't wait to tell her they've arrived :)