Nearing an end

School shopping √ ( I had so much fun shopping with Malachi and doing lunch together)
Orientations √ (two days in a row of orientation and I think both kids are pretty comfortable)
Teacher gifts √ (now and laters and twix- Thankful for you "now" and thinking of the "break" you will need "later"
First day of school outfits picked out √ (ohhh so love this part.. now if the weather cooperates)
Lunch assemble line √ (Packing lunch is tricky...what can he open/ what will his face look like when he is done?)
Paperwork √ (does it ever end?)
While my heart is a tiny bit heavy this year I think we have done what we could to prepare for the upcoming year. Malachi will be going to Kindergarten all day!!! All day! Ahhh! Anyway when I asked him this morning what he was most excited about he said, "rest time and lunch"....I am thinking he was pretty tired this morning!
Korrayah on the other hand will be doing her very first school experience. Korrayah will be attending Gymnastic Unlimited for a hands on movement preschool classroom experience. I think I may be more excited then her! While I am not ready to send her off to school this is a perfect transition. She will be going one day a week with 2 hrs of preschool and a 1/2 hr of gymnastics.

 Happy 2012-2013 little loves!

While I know there will be tears the first day as I send my little guy off to school I know it is harder for me then him.

Castaway

 Once a year we make the 12 hour trip to Detroit Lakes, MN to visit Dan's brother and family. Dan's brother works at Castaway camp there and we always have so much fun with their family. As the kids get older the 10 of them get easier :)

They have 2 of these great hot tubs. If you know Korra you know we spent a fair amount of time in them. You are probably also surprised to see her in her life jacket...(daddy was slightly concerned about dare devil with all these other kids around...good call daddy).

And if you know Chi you know there was also a fair amount of time fishing!!! Speaking of fishing we entered a fishing contest last week and chi won with a 16 1/2 inch fish (don't ask me what kind I have know idea.. I didn't even know we were entering a fishing contest just went there to cast a few lines).

Mark and Korra are the cutest!! Love their energy!!

The Kapenga's!

Best friends

"Mom, Malachi is my best friend. I don't want to marry those other boys."

zoo

 We were able to get a trip into the zoo before summer was all done and the kids were thrilled. Of course Korra asked to see the bears more than a million times, and I was so over the smell, and Malachi is soooo slow, and Maci is sooo fast..you catch my drift!

 

                                                        Overall it was worth the trip!

Reminded

The countdown has begun, not officially. Although my heart keeps reminding me.
 Keeps reminding me each morning I wake up and look at the clock and read 8:** sometimes closer to 9 then 8...hey I am following the mantra: "sleep when they sleep!" I am also reminded everytime it is noon and I have to remind Chi to put on some clothes or when I have to remind Korra to take off her swimming suit. I am reminded when I put away clothes and see the new tags hanging from the clothes waiting to be worn. Reminded when Chi asks, "when can I stay at Grandmas?" Reminded when I am trying to squeeze in that trip to the zoo, or schedule those dance lessons. Reminded as we play "school" downstairs. Reminded when I put the kids down to bed later then they need too. Reminded as Korra crawls in bed with me at the break of dawn only to snuggle up and fall back to sleep. Reminded as I think of all the things come and gone this summer. As the countdown begins, I am reminded of the countless times I have held them, bathed them, fed them, kissed them, read to them, sang to them, cried with them, played with them, and prayed for them. I am reminded that in just a few weeks Malachi will be going off to Kindergarten all day, and Korra will start a school adventure of her own. I am reminded that I love summer, but I love summer with my kids even more!

"smore" camping!

We took one last camping trip earlier this week with some friends of ours. While I so love camping I am glad to say we have 10 months before our next trip...it is a lot of work!

This was our 2nd time at Triponds this year, and we will be going back next year for sure.

Love how the older kids always take care of the younger ones...Korra just loves all the extra attention!

bathroom paint!

 shaving cream and food coloring and what comes -- I love mom!
It is hard to read but it is there: I lov mom (I will take that!)