My Once Upon a Time...

A look back to our August! The boys had their first karate testing and Finn earned two stripes, and Fox earned four. They both did a great job, and their sensei told them how proud she was of them since they've only been training for two months, and Finn was the youngest in the class.  We had a playdate at a new mini golf place with some friends, and it was really fun, I'm hoping to go back soon. It was a little bit like Top Golf, everything was automated. My friend Tilly celebrated her birthday with a pool party, and rented a Barbie themed house for the weekend, which was really cute. \ Zoning out... I bought tickets to this comedy show a long time ago, and went by myself. I've never gone to an event like this by myself, which kind of felt weird, but also empowering on some level. Not sure what is going on here... After the kids went back to school, Friday brunches with friends went back onto the calendar. This is at Katie's house, Fox has a whole computer set up there...

To celebrate the end of summer (because no one in Arizona actually likes the summer), I invited some friends over on the last weekend before our kids started back in school.  The kids swam, the moms drank, and I'm not sure what the husbands did, but everyone seemed to have a great time.  All the Mamas, I love them so much! Fox and Miranda have become such good friends over the summer, and I think there may also be a little crush developing.  Finn and his bestie Simon It was a great day with friends, and just what I needed after a long summer at home! 

This year, we have a 4th grader and a Kindergartener! Finn received the traditional german "Schultuete" for his first day of school! I love these year to year comparisons, they are growing so fast! They both had a great start into the school year, and for the first time for both of them, they are also taking the school bus, since Katie moved into the district. Finn absolutely loves taking the bus, and gets so upset when we miss it. Fox had a hard time in second and third grade, but really likes his new teacher, so hopefully he will have a better school year as well! And no picture for my first day of school this year, but I was excited to go back to classes after having the entire summer off. If everything will go according to plan, I will graduate this coming May!

Five years ago, this little firecracker changed my life. He came into my life when it was completely turned upside down, and although he will never know this, he saved me. He is the best cuddler, has the biggest attitude, he is sweet, smart, and loves attention. He knows he is funny, he is wild, yet timid, he is sassy, and while he has given me many grey hairs over the past years, he loves hard, and makes our life more fun every single day. Instead of a big party this year, Finn decided to take his best friend to the Great Wolf Lodge. We invited his older sister too, so Fox had someone to play with as well. We spent the night at the hotel, and had another day of fun the next day.  Happy Birthday Finn! You are so loved!