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Homeschool

This hat is going to be the end of me.

Today lots of my very favorite people went back to school. They sat in meetings all day and prepared for next week when all the kiddos show up with their sparkly backpacks and sharpened pencils. I spent today watching the raindrops hit the ground wondering if Summer really is over. I keep waiting for the strangeness to hit me and to feel the urge to go to school and ready my classroom.

Instead today I felt comfort and joy in my daughter’s yummy smelling breath and chubby legs. I sipped on my tea and listened to her practice her new noises and felt contentment.

One of my very favorite things about teaching is the freshness that each year brings and seeing former students come back with bright, bright smiles – happy to return to the routine of school and familiar faces.  I’m going to miss those faces and those of my friends who also happen to be coworkers.

Right now, though, I’m feeling just fine and dandy being at home with Maggie and the freshness that she brings to our home each day.

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Baby Mania Continues

On Sunday we continued our baby-filled weekend by converging at Midge’s house with my cousin Ben, his wife Emily, and their son Peyton. Plus the grandparents of both Peyton and Maggie were there along with Nate, Ben’s brother. Baby Peyton is adorable and looks exactly like Ben.

Peyton is ten days younger than Maggie and is pretty much exactly the same size, give or take a few ounces. He’s got super olive skin and chocolate brown eyes, basically the opposite of Maggie who has blue eyes and porcelain skin.

We got Midge to hold both the babies and for a split second all was right in the world. I love Maggie’s face in this photo because she’s wondering what in the world is going on….and she isn’t too happy about it.

But then she realizes that her chubby dog is right next to her and is happy as a little clam. Peyton, on the other hand, continues to be relaxed in Midge’s arms. Cute as a little muffin, that guy.

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Great Baby Summit 2010

This weekend was full of babies! Barry and I counted 11 people we know that have either had a baby or are having a baby from the time that Maggie was born to her next birthday! That is a whole lot of babies!

We had a mini A-Town reunion at HBHQ on Friday and Erin, Molly, Katrin and Lara came to play. I love my Anacortes friends because years can go by, and when we all get together its as if no time has passed by. I think Molly might be my ‘newest’ friend that came – and I became friends with her back in 7th grade. (If we really want to get technical, I met Molly well before my 7th grade year, who’s counting, right?)

Erin’s son, Gavin, is a few days younger than Thomas and it was so much fun to have the trio together to let them cry, drool and poop together. Once the campfire started, they all focused their attention to the flickering flames.

When I sat down tonight to look at my pictures it appeared that Thomas was  camera hog and stole the show, as Gavin and Maggie are not in nearly enough photos. Thomas was quite jolly that night, so it makes sense.

By the way, Barry busted out the burst mode on us while taking some pictures. You think I’d be less surprised about it, but, by the looks of my face, he got me again. It was so great to see old friends again and I hope that we’ll be able to make the stars align in the future and do it again, because although I’ve made new friends, I sure do like my old ones.

P.S. Krista, we really missed you, Will & Lance!