Crazy, party of one

I should be studying Spanish right now...

Simon was sick this week. Not terribly sick or anything, but enough to keep him out of school for a couple days. He missed picture day with his soccer team and he missed picture day at school. He won't be in his class picture this year. He was only really upset that he missed a science experiment on Friday. I love that the thing that upset him the most was missing a science experiment. He loves school. If he hadn't had a fever I would have totally sent him to school. Thankfully, Dan's boss is flexible so he was able to work from home while I went to school.

He felt good enough to go to his soccer game today. He wasn't up to full speed though.


I'd love to show you a picture of him scoring a goal, but sadly out of the two games his team has played they haven't even scored one. Maybe next time...

In the midst of my usual chaos I got one of my quilts back! I love it! The quilting is fantastic. Once I get the binding done I'll show you the details in each block.


Oh, I forgot to share what I got at the last guild meeting, aside from a stack of quilts that need to be sandwiched by November's meeting. Don't ask me what I was thinking when I said I'd do it. Anyway, someone brought in some Dresden Plate blocks that aren't finished. I split them with another lady and came home with more than I needed. They're pretty neat.



I know I don't need to add anything to my to-do pile, but I love fabric. I'll say it again, "Hello, my name is Ellen and I am a fabriholic. It's been two weeks since I last bought any fabric. I am going through withdrawal."

So, in between classes, homework, and running the little ones around to all the activities, I have to finish binding the quilt. It's for a wedding on Friday! No, pressure.

How 'bout them apples

Finally decided what to do with all the apples we picked last weekend. Apple pie filling! So much better than applesauce.

If you are going to can apples I highly recommend this handy little tool. It peels, slices and cores at the same time. So, awesome! This is the only step where the kids were willing to help. They think it's a fun toy. Don't worry, they took turns.


I asked Hannah to come help me again and she took pictures instead.


Once they are all done processing, sit back and admire all your hard work. It'll be wonderful on Thanksgiving to bake an apple pie with this filling or maybe anytime I am in the mood for a delicious pie!

Preschool

"Hey, Seth. Let's take your picture outside since it's your first day of preschool!"


"Aren't you going to smile? I know. Whatever you do, don't think about monkey butts!"



"Show Mommy how excited you are about school."


"Have a good day little man. Mommy loves you."

Things that have kept me away

Oh, school... you are a means to an end. In a few years when I am a nurse midwife I will look back and think how easy and worth it school was, but for now I think being a stay at home mom was way easier than this! There should be an honorary degree given to moms, a Bachelor in the fine art of juggling. Add in school for me and this honorary degree is put to the test!

Since Chicago:

Hannah and Simon started back to school. One in 7th grade, the other in 4th.


Quick apple picking expedition.


Seth had preschool orientation where he got to ride a train after seeing the classroom. I didn't get to ride a train when I went to preschool! I won't cry tomorrow when I can't drop him off or pick him up from his first day of preschool. He will be with some friends and that makes me happy. He's very excited about it.




On the way to quilt guild last night I saw an awesome sunset.


My weeks will now be filled with school, gymnastics, soccer, tae kwon do, boy scouts, and heavily sprinkled with mass quantities of homework. Quilting has to fit in there somewhere...

Except for the first picture they were all taken with my iPhone. I had this one on here too that I thought was neat. This is a shot of Chicago on our plane flight home.

Chicago and a wedding

Dan and I ran off for the weekend again and left the kids with a sitter this time. Last summer when we went to Chicago for a visit my mom was able to watch the kids for us. Now that she's in Kansas that isn't such an easy thing to do. It's nice to get away for a few days. Especially to go to the wedding of one of Dan's oldest friends.

Saturday was spent doing all the fun wedding stuff.

Presenting, Mr. and Mrs...

Sunday we walked around Chicago with another good friend before heading to the airport. The architecture in Chicago is so neat.






This was also my first week back to school. My mental plate is full! There is so much to do for each class. I took homework with me on the flight. Nothing like answering questions about health assessments while 30,000 feet in the air after frantically packing, cleaning and organizing in two hours before we had to leave for the airport.

It was a fantastic weekend, truly. Now, back to homework, homework, and more homework. The big kids start school this week and Seth starts next week.