Louisa

We had a happy surprise last week. The Farmers dropped by. From Japan. Geoff is always amazed by my crazy and unexpected family. This is just one more example of this.We had a great time seeing them, and it went by too fast. I got to get to my nephews and niece a little better. The kids were in cousin heaven.

About Louisa-

Little Louisa is not the girl I remember. I worked for months trying to get into her good graces when she was a toddler, but often my efforts were met sullen scowls. By the time they moved to Japan last year I had finally won her over. She loved Aunt Tassa. (I think) It was a bummer to think that I would someday have to start from scratch getting to know her. But my goodness- things have changed! Louisa came right up to me and gave one her best goofy faces and some happy chatter. And it only got better from there. I was amazed. She came back from Japan a happy and outgoing and silly little preschooler. I loved it. I had to capture some of her craziness with my camera. Each face she made was different from the last and so funny. She is delightful. I got a few shots of her brothers too, but they weren't nearly as entertaining. I love them anyway.

 

 

The owie next to her eye is from racing directly into a grand piano. Apparently she races around now.

                                                 

 Just when I was wondering if she was capable of a normal smile, she gave me a few.

 

Preston is growing up too. Liking the new teeth, buddy!

But back to the star...

Playinig outside Lincoln noticed his old flame, the little redhead that lives next door. We spent the next few minutes trying to convince him to go ask her to play. Preston- "Come on! You guys wanted to marry each other, remember?" Now Lincoln was surprising me. I didn't remember a shy Lincoln. I ended up helping him break the ice, and she came over for a few hours to play.

 

(her mom told me later that she still wants to marry Lincoln)

Then Louisa and our cute neighbor friend made a birthday cake for Grandad.

 

Lincoln lit the candles. He seemed to know what he was doing.

My dad came over and the Farmer children sang Happy Birthday to him. He sang Happy Birthday to himself. Grandad is pretty silly.

Didn't quite have the 74 candles...

Lincoln's piece

Back to the Louisa Show.

Oh my goodness. This girl.

Love her and miss her already.

Back to School- Annalisa in Kindergarten

Five kids in four schools this year. Can't wait for all that paperwork to come rolling in... 

 Trevor was the first one out the door this morning, since seminary didn't start until the following day. Check out that backpack full of school supplies. Looks like he's going on a scout campout or something. Counting calculator and backpacks, the school supplies cost hundreds of dollars. Those supply lists can be killers. I decided August is the 2nd most expensive month of the year. I just keep writing the checks- a uniform cleaning here and photography lab fee there. You know how it goes.

Maren is a senior this year. It's strange how fast that happened. She is very independent and gets herself where she needs to be when she needs to be there with the stuff she's supposed to have.

Can't say the same for Adam unfortunately. On the first day of school he forgot his lunch and left his trombone and baritone in Maren's car. This is not unusual for Adam. By the time he's a senior, he'll probably have it all together. (man, I hope)

Adam going out to the car where Maren waits impatiently. Adam running back into the house for something he forgot. (not the lunch)

Nice that he takes a few seconds for his little brother...

Alec didn't want any help getting ready for school. Gym shorts are what he wants to where as often as he can, including the first day of school. Little Calli watched as her dearly beloveds left one by one.

Annalisa decided only two weeks ago that she wanted to go to school and be a kindergartner. I have been a little worried about her. She is so used to being home with me all day, even for preschool. And now Kindergarten is full day. But one day she just changed her mind and started counting down the days until school started. (thank goodness!)

And such a sweet little kindergartner she is! She skipped and ran to the bus stop.

Goodbye, Alec!

There goes my baby...

I did cry a little right here. I can't believe they are all getting so grown up. 

I said a prayer that the world would be kind to my little girl- and let her go.

Sniff.

Coming around the corner, I saw my nice empty house and cheered up quite a bit. I might have done a little skipping myself. :)

I went in and started to clean up our summer's mess.

For 7 hours- uninterrupted. 

I love school.