Final Lazy Days of Summer

Last weekend we went to Calaway with my sister and her family.  (I promise these are the last pictures of us at Calaway this year.)  It was a gorgeous day - but super busy!

As I've mentioned before we don't allow Bowen on the bumber cars any more - Ashton looks a bit bored.

Bowen and Liam on the boats.

Jason and Ashton at the top of the ride.

The splash!

At the bottom - a bit wet but no worse for wear.  Riding with some random people.

Jared and Liam hitting the water - notice Jared is filming Liam's reaction!

At the bottom - Liam not to happy!!

Bowen enjoying more rides with Liam.

Stopped for lunch.

This is what little Jonas did most the day.

You could barely see him he was so bundled up.

Checking out Halloween Street

We had a great day!  About 5:30 p.m. we headed back to our house for pizza and rice krispie squares.  I'm not sure who had the last rice krispie square but I think it is hilarious that they put the saran wrap back on the pan after!

I hope we'll have many more fun outings with my sister and her family.

Now for just some random pictures of our final lazy days of summer.

All Set for Music Classes

By the end of June last year my music room looked like a tornado had hit it.  Nothing was in the right place and many additional items that do not belong had found their way to my music room.  So this summer I tackled getting my favorite room back into shape before lessons began.  I started by emptying out all the shelves and cupboards.

I sorted through everything.  Got rid of anything that didn't belong.  Organized all of my music into categories (classical, teaching materials, guitar, voice etc.)  I even alphabetized all my classical music so it would be easy to find, and sorted all teaching materials by easy to advanced.  I also use this room to pay bills and store any paper work the house produces.  I filed all old payments and important items.  The bench under the desk doubles as a filing cabinet.  Ikea is brilliant!  It is fabulous!!

I bought some great magazine holders and bins from Ikea for very little money.  I'm feeling very organized and know if I keep it this way I'll be able to have a productive teaching year.

Jason hung a great shelf for me.  I don't have much on it yet but I'm sure it will fill up!

I bought a little black table which fit perfectly in the empty space in the corner, which now holds my cricut.  It cost $10.00, I love Ikea!!

My new adorable coat rack which Aunt Sheila bought me for my birthday.  I'm almost excited for cooler weather so the kids wear their coats. 

View of the other side of the room.

I'm now all set to go.  I'll be spending alot of time in this room this year.  I'm grateful to have such a private and comfortable room to teach music from my home. 

I LOVE MY MUSIC ROOM!!

For No Reason

My husband made me the most delicious dinner last night - for no reason!  He said it was just because he loves me ... (pause - insert oohhs and aaahhhs here).  We used to watch the Iron Chef alot and if you are familiar with the show the chefs would be assigned a food item and then would cook a meal around it.  Jason decided to take up the challenge and since we have alot of pears at the moment - he picked pears. 

With no recipe at all he whipped up a pork tenderloin with glaze, atop a potato, pear and onion pancake with red peppers and pear.  It was so delicious!! 

Notice the presentation - that would make Gordon Ramsay proud!!

On the Iron Chef they have a time limit of an hour.  That was the only part of the challenge he didn't succeed in - granted he didn't have a team of sous chefs to help him either.  We ate at 9:00 p.m. to candlelight with the boys in bed, complete with "bubbly".  What a special treat for me before I start my busy schedule tonight with music students.

For dessert he made poached pears with icecream and chocolate sauce.  I know - right!!  We'll see what this surprise dinner does to my weightloss.  Extra exercise needed today.

My hubby really is the best!  Now to clean up from last night.  I think he dirtied every pan and dish in the house!!

Friday Weigh-In - Week 6

This past week seemed to go by so quickly.  Saturday Sheri and I went for our annual girls day out for our birthdays.  We went to Inglewood looked around at the shops and then had dinner at the Harley Diner.  I had a chicken quesadilla and tossed salad.  We went to the zoo for Jason's staff barbecue.  Mom and Rachel came up with Liam and Jonas for a visit on Monday and Tuesday.  The boys went back to school yesterday.  So here we are again at another weigh-in day before I even realized it.  I didn't make any time to exercise, but I was mindful of my diet and did my best.  This week I lost ....

.5 lbs

Big deal you say - I thought that at first too.  But I'm okay with it.  I've been losing steadily for 6 weeks.  I'm eating and living realistically, a lifestyle I can maintain, not starving myself to lose the weight quicker.  My grand total is now 9 pounds.  I'm really hoping I can make it to 10 pounds this next week as I really want to reward myself with a new pair of jeans.  I feel like exercising is the key to speed up my progress.  So my goal this week is to exercise at least 3 times. 

I know I have some challenges ahead.  Next week I start teaching piano again and with 26 students I'm going to be very busy.  I will need to be organized with my meal planning so that I can continue to have success.  Wish me luck! 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Today was back to school for the boys.  Ashton started Grade 2 and Bowen is in Kindergarten.  They both got up without a complaint and were very excited to go to school.  First was Ashton's turn.  He got ready and Bowen and I took him to the bus and then met him at the school to help him find his class.

He is in Mrs. Forsyth's class.  Mrs. Leong's class is right next door with sliding doors that are usually open and they all have class together.  He was very excited about that as many of his close friends are in the other class.  He has one best buddy that he sat beside and he told me his first day of school was "awesome".  A mom can't ask for more than that.  He is getting so grown up and I'm so proud of him.

Sitting with his good friend Devin.

With his new pencil case that the school provided that he is very excited about!

Bowen spent the morning anxiously waiting his turn to go to school.  He goes from 12:06 until 2:50 p.m.  At 11:30 we left for the school bus stop.  We waited until 15 minutes past the time his bus was supposed to arrive and finally gave up and I drove him to school.  I was going to follow the bus there anyway but we're not quite sure what happened.



Bowen reading the National Geographic while waiting for the bus that never came.

 Bowen is in Ms. Clark's class.  He said he really liked her and had a great time.  The kindergarten has staggered entry this week so Bowen doesn't go again until after holiday Monday.  He was a little nervous, but just waved goodbye to me and kept working on his picture.  I am so proud of him.  I was doing fine until I walked out of the door and it hit me I don't have little kids anymore.  I felt silly for shedding a few tears but I don't think anyone saw me.

The boys come home from school together.  Bowen even got to sit with Ashton and not in the first row with the other kindergarteners.  I was happy they had both had such a great day!  We are so impressed with this little school and are grateful we live in this school district.

We took the boys out for supper tonight to celebrate their first day back at school.  It was nice to be able to go out as a family, especially since we won't have much of a chance once I start teaching again next week.

I can't believe that both of my boys are now in school!  I hope the rest of the year goes as well as today did!