Pepper's 1st Day of 4yr Preschool

Pepper started 4yr preschool on Tuesday, September 10th. She will go to school every morning from 9 till 11:30. We were very pleased that she will have Ms. Susan, the same teacher Morgan had for 4yr. We all LOVE her and think she is a terrific teacher!

This year Ms. Susan's mother, Miss Bobbie will be co-teaching with her and teaching special science classes on Fridays. We are all very excited and so far Pepper is one happy little preschooler!

Pepper picked out her outfit all by herself. She insists she is going to be a fashion designer when she grows up.
At least the smile was a lot better this year!

Everything looks better with a soft filter!

Going to the preschool open house on Monday the 9th.

Yep, there are a grand total of 6 kids with 2 teachers.
I very much like these odds!

Pepper, Lafe and Grace checking out their seats while Hazel does her best to destroy the classroom.

Pepper ready to give Ms. Susan her first day present.

Morgan trying to help Pepper smile again.

Then Hazel wanted to join in.

Saying good-bye.

Hazel was not in the mood for anymore pictures and was very, very upset that she didn't get to go into school again.

Greeting, Mrs. Renzi the preschool's director.

Morgan Begins Soccer

I asked Morgan what he wanted to do this year besides piano and he repeatedly stated he wanted to play soccer again. There was a brief mention of basketball but it was completely replaced by soccer. I was happy to oblige so once again we are spending our Saturday mornings at Croghan Park watching Morgan play with the Hummingbirds. 

Pepper is not playing because she chose ballet instead. But she is great at cheering her brother on.

I'm pretty sure Morgan is just about the biggest kid out there.
And looks like he has to pee a lot, heehee.

Definitely his favorite place to be!

We love to watch Morgan play, especially Cody! The other week one of the other little boys on his team missed a shot and was very sad. The little guy, Conner, sat down next to Morgan and was still crying a bit. I watched them sit on the side of the field and then noticed something that made me tear up. Morgan started patting Conner on the back and telling him that it didn't matter and he was doing a great job. I was so proud of my little man and my heart was very full. Later, Morgan was accidentally kicked in the chest with a ball from the coach. I'm sure it hurt and it looked like he wanted to cry. But Morgan just kept taking deep breaths and kept playing. The coach let him have a free kick and life moved on. Another proud moment. Then this last week, Hazel and I were watching Morgan while Cody and Pepper cleaned the chapel. Conner tripped while running and Morgan immediately helped him up and patted his back. Despite my constant worries that I am doing a horrible job as a mother, moments like these give me hope for the future!!! I will never care if Morgan is the best athlete on the field just as long as he is a great sportsman and person!

Good-bye, Wrights!

Right after we returned from our weekend away, it was time to say good-bye to our dear friends, Emily, Ben and Elsie Wright. We were not looking forward to this but are excited for them to start their new adventure. I keep telling myself I'm not making any new friends because they all just move away...probably won't last too long, teehee.

All smiles on our final playdate together.

I love these two little girls so much!
Elsie in those shoes makes me laugh!

On Thursday morning they headed out. I was trying to call them to see if I could stop by after taking Morgan to school and before they left. Well, they surprised us at our house instead. All the girls were still in pajamas but I'm glad we had one more chance to give hugs and wish them well.

Love these two!

Can't wait to hear all about their new adventures and see the new little one.
Emily was so kind to always be willing to come along with me and join us last minute. I always enjoy having a friend with me on outings and she and Elsie were the perfect fit! Most of the time I completely forgot I was 11 years older than her!!! Hahaha!

On Sunday the 25th we had them over for a last minute final Sunday meal together. As you can tell Elsie was super thrilled, teehee. Actually, she loved coming to our home but her face here really cracks me up because she was always so smiley!

Wrights, we miss you guys already! Come back and visit us soon! And good luck on all your future endeavors!

Virginia Trip: Day 3 at Monticello

Day 3 of our Labor Day weekend trip was the outing I was most looking forward to doing. After breakfast, we were headed to Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. I love visiting historical homes and after the day before I was excited to do something I really wanted to do!

Tired but smiling, Cody.

Our amazing tour guide on the Slavery Tour. He recounted slave life in Monticello and showed us some of the artifacts they have on the estate. Truly fascinating!!!

Standing in the layout of a slave home.

Part of the blacksmith shed.

Jefferson's vineyards.

Evelyn taking in the view.

Getting ready for the house tour. We couldn't take pictures inside but once again we had a fantastic tour guide.  All of the inventions Jefferson created were just amazing! Truly an inspiring character in our nation's history!

The side porch sits on top of his stables.

Look familiar?! Check your nickel.

At one point Jefferson wanted to clean out the shrubs and undergrowth in a grove of trees near his house because he wanted them to look like the "ideal natural American forest." I guess all geniuses are a bit eccentric or they would just be ordinary!

Checking out the different service rooms like smokehouse, kitchen and laundry.

Ice storage modeled nicely by Cody. They would cut out huge chunks of ice from the river during the winter and fill this humongous and deep well. The ice would last them through the rest of the year!

Jefferson's grave and family cemetery.

Taking a tour of the visitor center museum. Jefferson was a fanatic about seeds and keeping meticulous records.

I loved being able to visit this important historical site. Jefferson was a fascinating and complicated man that accomplished so much for our country. I love history! And spending time with Cody! Win, win.