Love the Look

Miles and I hustled over to Topeka yesterday to pick up some shirts to go with their "tie shirts" since I hadn't found anything I liked in Manhattan (need for wedding this weekend). Without planning it, my Mom was there also (so her personal shopping trip turned into a temporary "help me corral Miles" time). Though the trip was short, I actually found all of the stuff I had been looking for.

Miles found these "must haves." Doesn't he look like a little dirtball in those socks? Wet and dirty from soccer that morning!
Perfect attire for a casual wedding!

Meet Jerry

Owen's class has been reading the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." His homework last night was to bring the class mouse, Jerry, home and read the book and make his own page. His read, "If you give a mouse a Star Wars Ship then he will want to fly."

Miles baby-sat Jerry when Owen was busy.

New (well not really NEW) Goods

These are the goods I bought last weekend that didn't exactly fit in the car. My mom and aunt brought them up in the truck this weekend. Originally the white cabinet was going to sit on the table (which is the look I've been trying to hunt down for a long time) but it was too overpowering for this house. But I love them separately as well. Thank you Mom and Aunt Nancy for helping me haul it in (had to wait till Adam left, it's much easier to accept new things when they are already in place and full :).

Owen used the table for his homework today.

Ouch!

This is the second phone I've had that died in a car accident. Oh the lost information!

But there's always a bright side--new I-phone, pink case and all. The bad part is I have a new number :(

First of First!

Today was Owen's first day of first grade. He wanted very little to do with me, and barely took time for this quick pose. He did choose his own outfit, and was very excited that he could finally wear his new Puma's (they've been in the closet for a few weeks). I think he will love his teacher--we are looking forward to another great year. Only 180ish more days of getting us to three different places in less than 20 minutes :)

(he has some type of faux-hawk--his hair is SO long right now)

100th Party

This past weekend we were able to attend a friend's 30th (and her dad's 70th, hence the "100"). It was great to spend a girl's night with Sharla, thanks to our families who took the kids home for us!

Child Labor

While Owen was at a friend's house playing, Miles had to get groceries (I think the orange flag must be for the safety of other customers :).

And then he had to clean the couches.  Not fair, huh?

The Goods

I told my mom I would post pics of my purchases.  I love to come home and look through all of my purchases--usually I can congratulate myself for finding such good deals.  Not so much this time.  The pink is stuff that was on my list and successfully acquired.  The green is what I decided I needed while shopping, and the blue is a deal that just couldn't be passed up.  So here's a look at a few things that will make going back to school more bearable.  

Jean jacket, misc. jackets/cardigans, a couple of tops.
New black-ish and tan-ish pants.  
This shirt will be part of Miles' wedding ensemble next month.  It will be very cute when the whole outfit is put together (with Reese).  Unfortunately, they didn't have one for Owen, but I think I can create something similar.
Not that I really needed jeans, but I love these (the 3 Gap pairs I bought two weeks ago don't count since they were $6!!!!!!!!! each).  And I can wear them to school here which surely justifies the purchase.
I thought I should show the jacket that Adam HATES--said it looked like the puffy shirt. NO!!
Random junk from Hobby Lobby.  We'll see if my "vision" turns out--right now it looks like I'm a member of that Red Hat Society.
Love at first sight!!!!  My grandest purchase!!  These weren't on the list, although I did want a pair.  I was kind of holding out till my birthday.  Now I guess I'll switch my birthday wish to a purse.
More Children's Place T's for the boys.  $1.75 each--stock up.
Adam also HATES these.  Why?  According to him, besides being ugly, they make most people look bigger, or else way too skinny.  Surely I am way too skinny????!!!!!
Accessories:  scarf, flower pins, headbands, belts, tights, and random bunch of pony-tail holders to loan out at cheer practice.  That's it until the next round of shopping...

Shop Till You Drop

After getting home from Omaha last Thursday, I said good-bye to Adam and the kids and headed west for girls' weekend with Adam's sisters and Mom.  We had a fabulous time (and spent lots of money) shopping all over Denver.  I hope we can do it again.

We started Friday with lunch at White Chocolate Grill.  Yum!
Raly joined us on Saturday--she came prepared with her "Mom" purse.  Every girl needs a little re-gloss in the car.
Ready to hit the stores on Saturday morning!
What Not To Wear:  multiple scarves!  Scarves were a popular purchase.
And who doesn't buy at least one pair of shoes??  We were lucky to have our shopping trip coincide with Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale.  
Emily getting her workout pushing the bags to the hotel room.
On Sunday we planned to leave by noon.  We went in to exchange a sweater that was missing a button and it turned into a jeans-trying-on-and-buying experience.  Since Rosie and Michelle were elsewhere, we had to show our stuff on the sidewalk outside.  We should get a discount for the free Express advertising!  

Omaha Trip

Last Sunday the boys and I headed to Omaha for a few days to visit our old stomping ground. As usual the time went WAY TOO FAST and I was sad to leave.

Papio after the renovations.  Unfortunately, we never got around to checking out the inside. 
What we thought we be an 1-2 hour lunch turned into a nearly 5 hour lunch.  Good thing Red Robin isn't the most popular place in the area or we probably would have gotten kicked out. Can you guys all move to Manhattan and teach with me here?
The kids and I camped in Lori's basement.  I came downstairs one night to find them sleeping side by side despite the huge sectional and air mattress.  Later Owen told me that Miles came to lay by him because he was scared that I wasn't there.  How sweet.
Should have put this picture last--two tired boys coming home.
I love to French braid and Olivia is my guinea pig.
Miles and Owen got purple sweatbands for their birthdays from the Boudreau's.
Not exactly pool weather, but great park weather.
Ben enjoyed having Miles follow him around.
Owen got to take tennis lessons with Lori and John.  I kept the five kids during the later lesson. They were hungry and the close Pizza Hut moved, so we crossed the street and took advantage of Applebee's "stoller-side" service.