phone pics

I admit it I have had fun playing with my phone. It is fun to capture life without taking out the big camera. It is also fun to add little captions on pictures, a little scrap-booking on a phone I'm cool with that. 

1. Luke riding his bike 2. Playing on the back lawn.  3. Family swim 4.capturing how a wore my hair nearly everyday this summer.  5. See how sweaty I am after my run?  I would like to attribute it to how hard I worked but I think the majority of it is because it is still hot here even at 6 am.  6. Our anniversary dinner. I love Joyride Tacos but I really think one of my favorite things about the place is their play list.  That night I heard Oasis, REM, Weezer and other bands that I loved from high school and college days. 7. Date night finished with a dessert.  The Sweet Tooth Fairy. to die for! 8. Waking up on our anniversary. Look how far we have come. The perfect way to wake up in a perfect life that we have made.

Joy ride

When the big kids started school Luke was left without his friends. He begged me one morning to take off his training wheels. Sure why not we can always put them back on. Since it was in the 90's that morning and we had sometime we headed outside.  And would you believe it the kid took to it like a duck to water. He did it first try no major spills.  

He is super proud of himself. He should be 4 years old and can I ride a 2 wheel bike.
Here is a little video that I made just from the clips on my phone.

Luke bike ride from Laura Modrell on Vimeo.

First days of School

We are in school mode, everyone has had their first day and I would like to report that everything is going well.  Lilly has Mrs Shaver and is the same class with Mary her best friend. Having Mary in her class is all she and I really cared about and I'm so glad that it worked out that way.  Having Mrs Shaver is a huge bonus she is great. Boy this is a big year for Lilly. 5th grade is big! She has chosen to play the cello and be in orchestra.  She has expressed interest in doing battle of the books and she will have book reports every month.  Math is new this year. There is just a lot going on. I think the craziest thing about it all is that I know that she can handle it. She is growing up and she is just turning into such a lovely girl.

Max has Mrs Sheiberger who was Lilly's teacher in 3rd. She is an amazing teacher and I am very grateful that Max will benefit from her amazing teaching.

Luke started preschool a few days later with me. So far so good. I'm happy with my decision to have him with me.  He fits right in he is liking his new friends and he can cut and glue and write his name.

My first day came this week too.  Being honest his was my toughest first day to date.  There are lots of lots of preschool stuff to work on. Like sitting still, waiting for your turn, listening and following directions.  I know from experience that you start slow, very slow to go fast. That means take this time now to get routines right so we can spend the rest of the year learning and having fun. I have my work cut out for me and I am tired after 2 1/2 of teaching but I'm made for this.

August 12

It is that time again.

1.  Luke's first day of school!!!
2.  Traditional first day of school with his teacher.
3.  New preschool class at snack time.
4.  Got to do a little paper work.
5.  Luke enjoying his Smarties that he got from preschool.
6.  Look what he made today.
7.  I promised some wii time if Luke was good in school today. He earned it.
8.  Picking up Lilly from school.  Another good day.
9.  More papers to read and sign. blah blah blah
10. Rain storm had to play in it.
11. Even Kevin had to.
12. Preschool prep.

That's all folks.

Last Day of Summer

This tradition started many moons ago. My grandmother would take my mom out for a sundae on the last day of summer to lament the end of summer or to celebrate the first day of school whatever that day called for. My mother did this for my brothers and I and so in turn I do it for my kids except I have made a whole day of it and we love it.  Tuesday morning we wake up the kids 6:30ish and kidnap them to breakfast. 

Destination 1

Dunkin Donuts.  It was a bit sad this year because the McHenrys weren't with us but we made due.  It will be fun to see what they will do for their last day in a new state.   We were so glad that Kevin was able to join us this year it made missing our friends okay. Happy donut face.

Destination 2
Swimming at 8 am. I secretly packed their swim things. It was fun, we had the pool to ourselves and played some games, races and jump in about 100 times.

Destination 3

The Science center.  It was not crowded and we enjoyed taking Kevin to our favorite things.  Max and I played the game below and he beat me. Which of course he love to rub in.

Always the water and balls at the end because they get SOAKING wet.  When it was time to leave they were barely wet.  I asked Lilly what was so different this time.  She said  "Maggie wasn't here to build our shower" I laughed and cried at the same moment.

Destination 4 

Bahama Bucks.  They love this place and I hardly ever take them.  Probably because if I am going to spend money on a treat, I would rather have ice cream.  They love it and here we are.

In the evening we ate pizza for dinner again their favorite.  We closed out the night with Kevin giving a father's blessing to each of the kids for this new school year.  It was a great summer!!! Now it is time to get back to work, grow up too fast, learn new things and discover new adventures. 

Singing her Heart Out

Lilly loves to sing she is singing all the time, I mean all the time.  She was so excited to join this Broadway youth choir this summer with some of her friends.  She practiced and sang the songs all the time.  She has made great improvements and it is fun to listen to her try new things with her voice.  She had a solo and in Somewhere Over the Rainbow. She nailed the jumps in it and looked cool and confident.  I am a blessed mama for sure. It is wonderful to she her love what she does.