Sitting at the computer this evening, I lazily clicked on The Thomasson Times to see what's happenin' in the land of All Those Boys. What a SHOCK I got when I saw that there had been no updates for an entire month! That's simply unacceptable. Especially when you think of all the blog worthy things that go on around here. I was angered and confused by this and about to shoot a mean letter off to the person responsible for this outrage...until I realized that person was ME. Well, that puts a different spin on things, doesn't it? In that case, the only thing to do is to get busy. Here I go....

So What's So Great About 'D'?

Chip and I have begun attending Storytime each week at the library. This kind of thing was very difficult for me to handle when we were homeschooling because the lessons took soooo darrrrnnnn looonnngggg. The thought of interrupting a day of school to allow Chip the privilege of hearing a sweet, gentle story, producing a craft or two, then enjoying a light snack was simply unthinkable. Heck no! We had to make PROGRESS! But now progress is measured in a slightly different fashion, and Storytime is just perfect for us.

Here is Chip on his carefully chosen carpet square just waiting for the show to begin.

This day was all about 'D' so each child got to place a 'd'inosaur on the flannelgraph...just so.

The best time of all involves GLUE STICKS! Can I get an Amen??

My very own little 'd'og complete with spotted ears!

Last week we hosted a special bonfire for the teens from the church. Our beloved youth pastor, Heather, is leaving, and the void she leaves is huge. Kids and adults alike already miss her so much. The party was fun and very beneficial. Everyone spent one last evening with Heather, shed some tears, then began the healing process. Like it or not, this is how God's world works. People come into your life...then sometimes have to leave. But they only leave physically. Heather and Erick will always be in our hearts.

Nick and Tim really know how to 'work it' in front of the lens, don't they?

Heather performs her last official duty for WBC, s'more ingredient guardian.

A raw s'more is a good s'more.

A rather rousing game of football ensued. Thank goodness no one's neck ended up broken!
What a downer that would have been.

Chip wasn't invited to play football, but he had fun anyway.

The Thomasson family sure will miss Heather and Erick. We can't wait to see them again!

My Own Personal Eagle!

As most of you know, Nick is playing football this year. Imagine how excited I was when I arrived to pick him up from practice and he walked, scratch that, STRUTTED to the car wearing this!

Now if that's not a sight to behold, I sure don't know what is! GO EAGLES!!

This week our family suffered a major loss. It was completely unexpected and quite painful. I'm sure most of you have been there and can relate. Yes, our beloved computer bit the dust. In a big, big way...to the tune of a fried motherboard. Ouch. Nothing worse than a fried motherboard. Now I wasn't completely cut off from all civilization. I did have my darling little phone to keep my company, not to mention our substandard laptop. But nothing like what I was mourning.

Well, look what the cat dragged in! It's Mr. Tim, bearing my new plaything. All set up and ready to go, it's a sight to behold. Now I can get caught up on the Blog. I'm sure you've been very lonely without me!

Today we spent some time at a local park. I brought my camera, determined to get some new pictures of All Those Boys. I expected to get a few keepers, but to my surprise, they all ended up really good! Now I've been studying photography long enough to know how rare that is: the moon must have been in the same house as some planet or something. I'm not complaining though! I'm thrilled!

Luke at 15. He's growing up so fast.

Nick at 13. What a handsome young man!

Tyler at 9. Poor Tyler was very sick last week. I'm so glad he's feeling better!

And here's Chip at 2. He certainly knows what to do when a camera is pointed at him.

I completely expected today to be a rotten day. We were kicked out of our house for yet another open house. But I was wrong! I'm excited to have a bunch of new family pictures! Thank goodness for my trusty tripod. ;o)

First Day Of School

Mid-August brings with it the beginning of a new school year. In past years, that simply meant that we started spending copious amounts of time in the basement together as we picked up a new year's worth of homeschooling curriculum and got busy. For Tyler and Chip, that is still true. On Monday, we'll get down to the business of 4th grade and preschool. But for Luke and Nick, this year was very different. They returned to Wellsville Schools after being gone for five years. Both boys are very excited about this big change; Tim and I are comfortable with the decision, so all is good.

Here is Luke and Nick on their very first day of school! Aren't they cute? But not TOO cute, you hear me, little high/middle school girls!? Cute like in a mom kind of way.

We are not used to getting out and about so early in the a.m. While Luke and Nick are bright eyed and bushy tailed, Chip sums it all up quite well in this picture.

And these pictures show how they looked when I picked them up at the end of the day. I think we can easily tell how pleased they are with the whole big adventure. I sure will miss having these boys around all day, but am enjoying watching them grow up into such nice young men.