Family update...

Summer is over and life gets back into a little more of a routine for us...especially for the girls. We were in Texas with our good friends Bob and Teresa Nix at the end of August. We taught a legacy retreat about building beyond your life, investing in others and the importance of how we live. It is so important that we really live from within, from our hearts. It was a great time and we really enjoyed being there. H and G had a great time and Ethan kept everyone hopping as usual!

We did nothing really spectacular over Labor Day weekend but we did get to go to Winthrop and see Paw Pat. He is doing well. Saturday was a great day for him. He was alert, sharp, walked around some and was in a good mood. We really enjoyed the visit. Ethan was so responsive to Paw Pat and it meant a lot to Paw Pat. Ethan played with him and let Paw Pat pick him up and he gave PP lots of kisses and love. It was a great moment to observe. Neat to watch a great-grandfather give his great-grandson love.

H and G started back to school this week and their plates are more loaded than ever. They seem to thrive in it though. History and Science have added on as major courses and not just supplements this year. Yesterday when I came home from work H. told me all about Shay's Rebellion. (how many of you remember what that is?!) They also did a science experiment yesterday learning about sound and vibrations in science. They thought that was great. Gymnastics (3x a week), ballet (H.--2x a week) and violin and piano promise to keep them both busy beyond their school schedule.

Earning cash is a big deal to the girls right now! They have a list of "jobs" and if their jobs are done every week then they get cash at the end of their week. This morning Grace asked me, "anything I can do for extra cash?" They are really liking this earning money. Just hope they don't learn their mom's passion for shopping!

E. is fulfilling his duty as 100% boy at our house. He is obsessed with outside, horses (his FAVORITE word) and tractors. We thinks everything on 4 legs is a horse. He mocks a cow well but still calls it a horse. He loves "ball" of any kind. His goal during the day is to get to the garage get any ball--basketball, soccer ball, golf ball...any--to roll down the driveway for someone to run and chase as he shouts and laughs with sheer joy. He also likes to play in the dog's food and water bowl these days--a real point of contention for the mom!

All the pics are on Jessica's laptop...will post some soon...promise!