September

We packed a lot into September! We stayed busy until the day school started.

On Labor Day we went to Green Lakes State Park for a hike.  Joseph and the kids stayed after the hike to play at the lake with friends while Rebecah and I went home.

The day after Labor Day we took a trip to the Harriet Tubman house and museum.  It was nice to learn a little more about her. She was such an impressive woman!  We couldn't actually go in her house since it's under renovation, but we could see the outside of it.  We were able to go into the house she had for the aged and infirm.  It was similar to other period houses that have been renovated and decorated with period furniture.  

House for the aged and infirm.

Joseph, Lincoln and Annika went camping to Selkirk State Park which is on Lake Ontario.  They had a lot of fun.  Eden didn't want to go camping since it isn't fun to sleep on the ground.  I completely understand!  I hope Lincoln and Annika enjoy camping for a few more years so Joseph can have camping buddies.

We made it to the first day of school!!  I love the first day of school excitement.  This year Kimball is a Junior, Rebecah is in 8th, Lincoln and Annika are in 3rd and Eden is in 1st.  They all have great teachers and I think it will be a good year.  

Wearing blue was the theme for the day, except for Eden.

Walking into school on the first day!

Rebecah is playing on the Freshman soccer team this year.  We were able to go to most of her games in September.  Sadly, during her 3rd game she suffered her second concussion.  She wasn't hit that hard, but it was enough to give her a concussion.  She has been battling headaches, vision problems, sensitivity to light and noise, balance issues, etc. for the last week and a half.  Hopefully, she will be able to return to playing before the season ends.  

She's number two.

After 34 months Rebecah finally got her braces off!!  She has a beautiful smile now!

Sharing the oversized chair at Urgent Care!

Kimball is surviving cross country.  He says he doesn't really enjoy running long distance, but he wants to stay in shape for track.  We were able to make it to one of his meets.  Cross country meets are the best.  You watch your child run and then you can leave.  We were at his meet for only 45 minutes!  

We attended the annual back to school barbecue at the elementary school.  My kids love this annual event and I now enjoy it, too.   I walk the track with a friend while the kids play with their friends.

Cross Country Meet

Elementary School Walk-a-thon.

Rebecah and I went to the "Futures" game at school where all of the underclassmen soccer players are recognized. 

We have rec league soccer games every Saturday and practices during the week.  We have had open houses and back to school nights that have kept us busy when we aren't at games, practices or meets.

I was called to be the Primary President.  I have been serving with the children for the last year, but this will be a more involved roll as I get to know the children and teachers better.

August

 August was filled with activities so each day flew by, but the month seemed a little long.  The three little ones did a three week swimming lesson session.  All of them improved their technique and enjoyed having these lessons with friends.  It was our first time having lessons outside and while the mornings were chilly for swimming, only one lesson was canceled because of weather.  

The kids played a lot with their friends this month.  Kelsey and Maddy are either at our house or my kids are at their house.  It's fun having friends in the neighborhood.

Movie night with friends.

A one-on-one conversation at swimming lessons.

I had my first experience tie dying shirts.  In all my years I had never done it before.  I think all of the shirts turned out well.  Eden's shirt needed more dye, but she didn't want to put on more.

Eden finally learned to ride a bike.  She was so excited.  She isn't a risk taker so it took her a little longer to learn.  At first she rode as fast as I could walk and then she got faster and faster and I can't keep up with her anymore! 

Kimball rode in the New York State Time Trial.  For his age group he went 20km.  It took him just over 36 minutes and he came in second place.  He rode really well. This was the first race I have taken him to and it was fun spending the day with him.  He would like me to devote all of my weekends to cycling races, but I told him I couldn't do that to the other kids.  The weather was perfect so that helped the day be extra wonderful.

Kimball turned 16 on the 23rd.  He wasn't very excited about his birthday this year and didn't really care much about presents.  He did like the 'I 💝Russellville' shirt.  He has mentioned so many times how our quick trip to Russellville was the highlight of his year.  Kimball has no desire to drive or get his permit.  In NY state you can't get a permit until you are 16.  He'll get his permit eventually.  Kimball loves cycling, the Cleveland Guardians (baseball), and walking with ME!  He is on the cross country team this fall.  

A trip to the zoo.

My mornings were very busy dropping off and picking up the older kids so my friend Jenny took her kids and my three younger kids to the zoo.  They had a great time together!  It was such a nice day I was disappointed I couldn't go with them.  

For the summer, our zoo had two koalas visiting from San Diego.  On the day my kids went the first 100 kids to enter the zoo received a little koala stuffed animal that strapped to their wrist.  My kids and their friends were numbers 94-99 so they just made the cut.  They are wearing their koalas in all of the pictures.

At the park that hosted swimming lessons they had free crafts and activities daily.  That is where we did the tie dye.  One of their crafts were perler beads.  My kids loved that activity. We had some perler beads at home and when those were gone I bought more.  Eden had a play date with two friends and they spent a long time on perler creations.

We made our annual trip to the State Fair.  Rebecah's back has been hurting and she has been gong to physical therapy for the last two months so she stayed home.  

Kimball and I walked around while the rest of the family went to the circus. Kimball and I found out that traffic lights are HUGE!  

There was a nice dinosaur exhibit in the Expo Center.  It was fun to see all of the moving dinos and their sounds.

Lincoln and Joseph went to the Oswego Speedway speed way for some car racing.

Rebecah had school soccer tryouts the last week in August.  She was VERY excited to make the freshman soccer team.  

School starts in four days.  We have teacher assignments and schedules, school supplies and snacks, so we are just about ready.