after watching the movie Samantha, Anna decided to cut herself some bangslife seemed so simple when we only had three kids and they were small, but the chaos we enjoy now is good and makes me real tired at night!

the George W. Bush rally on a weird HOT day in Erie, PA cute even though she is a sassy pants

today was the last day of school. my kids are pretty sad because we are moving. I cried too. I am really going to miss this place a lot, the seasons, that it is close to so much to do, the small cute town, my kids being so happy here. I am not leaving a ton of super great friends so that makes it easier-ish, but my kids are. When I moved away from Germany and all the family friends came to see us on the train I cried so much I threw up all over my mom. I can understand all the crazy emotions when it comes to moving. Things always get better once you get to the new place and get settled...I am trying to encourage a good balance between letting out the sad emotions but getting excited about our new adventures in life.

I have some pretty great kids, I am pretty lucky. 3 of my 5 siblings have been here this last week and it has been fun getting to know them better as adults and talking about childhood memories. thanks to my super genius brother Peter,...he got some pictures off of our old computer (he really is so smart and did not pay me to say that). Cute 4 year old Emma with baked potato feet. I cannot believe that my kids are growing up so fast, which I say over and over and over. it is true. I think sometimes kids are expected to do a lot and be involved in so much and can get stressed or run down and do not get the time to be kids. so usually every summer we do absolutely nothing aside from playing and crafting and fun since all year long the schedule is so hectic with activites and school things. nothing better than laying outside and looking at clouds and making flower necklaces, maybe with some lemonade (but not red kool-aid). It makes me remember how to have a good time and not to worry so much.