Whooops! It's been a while....

Little Man has been keeping us busy.  What a joy he is, though!  I love being home with the little guy.  My days start out with giggles and playtime, then some cuddling.  He shrieks and laughs, pulls toys (and pets and anything else he can reach) to his mouth, and gives his G'amma kisses.  Ok... maybe he's just seeing if I'm edible, but I'll call it kisses.  His joy is contagious!  What a blessing to share this year with Little Man.

By the way, check out Little Man's wrinkles!  I think he decided the baby growth charts were a challenge.  In which case, he was aiming for the 90th+ percentile and getting straight A's...  His thighs have wrinkles, his calves have wrinkles.  Even his forearms have wrinkles!

And as youngest child has pointed out, he has NO NECK!  Just a lot of chins.  (His grins have wrinkles, too!)

Sooooo... what else is going on here?  Fearless Leader and I went to a NASCAR race last month.  (I know... it's been a while since I posted...)  We had a great day watching cars zoom around a track.  I had a hard time figuring out which car was in the lead.  They were all going so fast.  But it was fun to be together.  Actually, the second "race" was even more fun!  We sat on our tailgate for over an hour watching cars, trucks, RVs and motorcycles inch along on their way out of the stadium.  We had a chance to chat with each other and with other racegoers who were not in a hurry to leave.  (While watching those who were in a hurry progress at about 4 inches a minute.)

G'ampa is pretty smitten with Little Man, too!

Other news here....  Oldest kiddo is almost finished with college applications!  She is hoping to go to a small state college about an hour and a half from home.  Close enough to come home weekends, far enough away to begin the journey to independence.  This college also offers alternative student housing and child care for Little Man.  Sounds like a great fit!

Second kiddo is a hoot!  She has a funky, confident style and stays BUSY, BUSY, BUSY with her social life.  I practically need to schedule time with her.  (Or ground her so I can have a few minutes...)  But she is lively and conscientious.  She stands up for justice and the rights of all.  She was even commended by her principal and vice principal recently for showing impressive leadership.  (VERY proud mamma here!)

Miss Sassy (third daughter) is busy riding horses!  Every morning, she asks hopefully if it is "horse" today.  Sorry kiddo... we can only afford one lesson a week!  Miss Sassy just finished testing for a new communication device.  She got very excited being able to communicate so many thoughts.  We look forward to hearing lots from her soon!

And youngest kiddo!  Another very social kiddo.  She is fitting in beautifully this year and enjoys many buddies.  Her goal this year is to make the honor roll and hopefully even the high honor roll.  She is working diligently at it and her progress report was all A's and high B's except for a C in art (with the notation that she had missed the most recent class during which an assignment was turned in so the grade was not an accurate reflection of her work.)  Boy, did I get to hear NEVER, NEVER, NEVER schedule a dentist appointment for art day...

Fearless Leader has been working on house projects, car projects, and yard projects.  And I have been spending my days with Little Man.  I've also started clipping coupons with friends.  I know, I know... I have just marched right in to middle aged dorkiness.  But we're having fun!  And saving a bunch on the grocery bill!     

Actually, it's making a big dent in the financial gap of not having a part-time second income this year.  The kids actually enjoy helping (and saving), too.  AND one of the most popular teachers at school heard our kids comparing deals the mamas had found and enthused about how saving money was actually earning money.  Made the kids smile!  (By the way... I'm not EXTREME, just saving.)

Little Man enjoyed his first horse-drawn wagon ride!

So did Miss Sassy, second kiddo and Boppa!

Just a couple quick photos to finish with!  Oldest kiddo on perhaps an off day?

And the rest of the kiddos with Little Man practicing for the family holiday photo shoot coming up soon!

Well... Little Man is awake!  Gotta run!  Have a happy day!