This week has been getting things ready for school for the kiddos and heading back to work for me!  I took each kiddo separately to get school supplies it was a good one on one time and the schedule just seemed to work out that way.

Little Bug was definitely mopey about the thought of heading back to school but once we started to pick out supplies he said, "I'm kind of excited to start middle school now... I feel like I'm prepared!"

Ainsley on the other hand was beyond excited to do her favorite thing... even after a full day of exhausting cheer camp she was giddy as we went down each aisle... in all honestly... me too... there is just something about a fresh start to the new school year and the smell of new crayons!!

As usual their differences were clear in the way they choose their supplies...

Ainsley wanted individual binders so that she could color code each subject.  Walker was all about the "all in one", he didn't want to have to go back to his locker after each class.  I have a feeling it's going to be a heavy thing by mid year for him to carry but I love their individuality and reasoning behind choosing what they did.

Today and tomorrow for me will be making and freezing breakfast items, treats for lunchboxes and am going to try some freezer meals to help that first month of school run a wee bit easier as we get ready for a big schedule change once again.

Can you feel the school pride just bursting from our little ray of sunshine!!!

She spent all day 7:30 am til 6:30 pm greeting others at school and giving tours to new students as it was registration day.  She is back at it this morning as well... so proud of her! She was tired this morning and wanted to really just stay in bed but she said, "Since I'm captain I should really be there."  Little life moments like that feel like little pats on the back to us parents!!

Willow had her 2 month post surgery check up and x rays taken... so happy and pleased that her leg is 100% healed!  Vet said she was ahead of schedule... usually at the 2 month check up the bone is only 80% healed.  I'm so glad that we adhered to the strict schedule of leash on at all times outside and confined her for that first few weeks.

I was a wee bit nervous to take her off leash in the backyard for the first time... but she was absolutely ready. Thankfully she didn't go all "greyhound" as soon as the leash was off... she kind of just hung out with us and checked out her favorite spots she missed... sandbox, raspberries and side yard.

She is such a happier girl now... sits awkward with her "bionic leg" but at least she will have a long active life.

In late July each year I start to get antsy... the end of summer is in sight and while I crave schedules, lists and the busyness that the school year brings, I also need to regenerate my soul by getting in touch with nature... I need to hike... watch the sky change colors... listen to the sounds around and smell that pine smell.

This year because of Willow's surgery we had planned to stay home but the pull of nature got me searching for a weekend getaway.  This year our destination ended up being Ponderosa State Park near McCall Idaho.

We were able to get a cabin in the park complete with running water and a kitchen!!  The view was simply amazing... right on the Payette Lake with the extremely tall Ponderosa's nearby.  We stayed just a couple nights but I think I could have easily stayed longer... looking into booking a longer trip next year!

Morning coffee... made in a coffee pot.. on the deck while everyone else slept... pretty much awesome!!

Hiking a quick trail...

driving to the highest part of the park to take in the view...

and listening to the chatter of these two kiddos on the beach... my heart and soul were filled to capacity once again.

Ahh... one more favorite sunset picture from our McCall Idaho trip...

Currently we are getting back to reality after taking a much needed break from life to feed the soul with nature...

I'm loving all the sunset pictures I took... just when I think God couldn't create a more beautiful scene it changed and I oohed and aahed and snapped away...

Little Bug got two more bottom teeth pulled this week... the goal is to make room for those permanent teeth to FINALLY poke through.

He was by all means NOT thrilled with this despite his appearance in the picture... I guess he has a reflex of when a camera is shown he smiles!!

Little Bug was super excited for his first real scout hike... it was to be 100+ degrees that day but he packed his 10 essentials in his day pack excitedly...

It was to be an all day hike so the boys set out at 9am and would return at 3pm...

About an hour later they were back home... the hike had been cancelled... guess who didn't get the memo??  Since the boys were all sunscreened up and ready to go we decided to head out for a bit as a family... the teenager was less than thrilled at first but when I promised her a snow cone afterwards she perked right up!

Man oh man it was hot... so very glad they weren't gone all day!  We did just a couple miles and that was plenty! I can't wait until cooler temps and to be able to bring the doggies the next time... more towards fall though!!

The teenager did get her snow cone later in the day... this was a small and nothing like the uniformed snow cone picture but tasty nevertheless.

Nothing is more evident of the kiddos growing up too quickly than a photograph to capture time...

Last year's 4th of July photo...

and this year's 4th of July photo...

Be still my heart... love these two kiddos to the moon and back!

Ainsley's summer consists of cheer practice 2 times a week and then this tumbling/trampoline class.  She was all excited to go and be with a few of the other cheer girls in her team.  It was recommended that we join the intense gymnastic class... called PGA... the girls there are actually competing to make the Olympics! I think she was thinking... oh this will be so fun, I'll hang out with my besties and become this awesome cheerleader.  First day she barely made it through... she was on the verge of throwing up several times and had to hang out in the bathroom to compose herself... poor thing!

Week 2 and 3 were pretty much the same but she didn't have to make a dash to the bathroom.  She however has given herself a mental block about attempting a backhand spring.  All the other girls have gotten the gist of it and when it's time to practice them into a foam pit she literally cannot make her self jump.  I've given her the "you just started learning this... it will take time... don't give up... you can succeed... I believe in you" talk But it is something only she can truly can overcome and deal with.

Last night she asked, "Do I have to go to Tumbling tomorrow??"  The sympathetic parent in me said, "Um yeah... I already paid for the month!"  I know that once she has some success she will want to continue because surprisingly she loves this cheer thing... always working on her jumps and cheers... so much so that I think I've gotten them down too!

Here's to hoping she finds a little bit of courage and confidence today... just like when she finally jumped into the pool after weeks of dancing all along the edge. #goainsley