My name is MUD.

"What did you learn from this Laura?" Mike had that cute sympathetic-but-your-a-dork look in his eye.
He, with the help of 5 UNH students had just gotten my van unstuck from the side of the road. Where I had effortlessly gotten it stuck in 12 inches of mud/water.
To the passer-byer it looked like solid lawn that had freshly been watered. Which is why I chose it to pull over in. Elliot, as a sign of her independence, had crawled out of her seat belt and was standing up in her car seat. When I pulled over, I did notice the car was tilting slightly more to the right than any normal car should, but I wasn't worried until I tried to pull back onto the road and my tires just spun. Reversing caused the same effect, spinning tires. Cursing, I called Mike and told him to come and help. With him behind the wheel (he had his nice clothes on) and me pushing, we managed to get the old van moving. But Mike couldn't get it to turn left or right, and it just went forward, dragging grass, mud, and my hopes with it.
At this point triple A would have to be involved. Luckily 5 UNH students stopped and asked if they could help. Never mind the two joggers who passed by us. Wouldn't you think pushing a car would help you get fit? Apparently they were going for the "long and lean" look.
Back to the story. The 5 boys all got behind the car and "ta-da" my car sprung from its muddy messy spot.
I feel bad about the damage we left behind. But it's not like we were Joy-riding. Although the kids did have a blast!

A place for everything, and everything...

After spending all of last school year tripping over backpacks and coats, I knew I needed a new system. Pottery Barn had just the answer, wonderful lockers, but they unfortunately came at a PB price.
So I started shopping around, and found a store here that would make them for me unfinished, but they still wanted $159 per unit. I knew Mike and I could do better. So after whining and complaining and threatening to "just make them myself," Mike agreed to help out. Truly, it was me who was helping out. My amazing husband build these lockers for me. The wood and supplies cost around a $100 (that included a new sander) and we used paint left over from our friends last project.
I'm so glad Mike took on this project with me. It was fun working together, and they turned out better than I could have hoped for.

Here they are in action, isn't organization beautiful!

1st day of school (oh...Aug. 31st)

This years, back-to-school holds a special place in all of our hearts. It's the first year I will have 3 full time kids. Yeah...Freedom. In fact I have been enjoying my freedom so much I have been too busy to post these pictures. Me and Elliot hit as many stores as we can, and still have time to walk in the morning and clean up a bit.

Griffin LOVES first grade, especially his teacher, Mrs. Weidacher. He was able to have her in summer school, and she is excellent. He loves how she goes to the bathroom to scream when she is excited. Apparently, she does this all over the building. When their at art and they are doing good, she finds the nearest bathroom and screams. Hilarious.

Caleigh, Miles, Griffin, Ethan, and Christopher (who we are trying to not to call Booger anymore, but to me he will always be Booger.)
Caleigh has Mrs. Peck this year and Miles has Mrs. Pankey. They both seem to love their teachers and classmates. phew!

Griff is the only one who would let me get a picture by his desk, but you can tell he's not too happy about it. I think if he knew the other kids refused, he would have too.