WOW! I can't believe almost an entire month has passed since I've typed anything on here.

Let's see Jane and Nick arrived on 8/6 and we left for vacation on 8/11 (my 40th birthday). We went to South Beach Resorts in Marblehead. The cottage that we stayed at was fantastic! It was right across from two of the three pools. There was a marina with gazebos and a beach.

For my 40th birthday we went out to eat and then went to my favorite whippy dippy store up there where I got a fresh peach sundae. Nummy!

Our weather was perfect for vacation. The only down spot was that Carter got sick on the 12th and stayed sick for most of the vacation. He had really bad poops and was ill a few times. We were concerned about going anywhere too far away from our cottage incase he had an accident.

One night we did go out and played put put golf for the 1st time with the kids. They thought it was a blast. We also road on some little water boats while we were at the same place as the golf. The boats had little squirters on them and motors so you could drive them around. We had an absolute blast!

Other than that trip, we did a little sight seeing at Marblehead; went to the Dinosaur park - very 70ish; and spent a lot time at Walmart buying food. :~)

The resort also had a really nice play area with swings, slides, a log cabin, a train and a castle with a slide coming out of it. The kids had so much fun. I hope that we'll go back there some year as it was so relaxing.

When we got home it was time to get ready for Athena's 5th birthday on Monday the 20th. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself. She asked for an Angelina cake this year so that's what I made her. I did the Angelina in chocolate and just a plain white cake. Athena's favorite icing is the kind in a can so I used that.

Carter gave her the princess carriage that she had wanted to get in July from Kmart but had gotten in trouble right before we checked out so she wasn't allowed it. She was so happy! She also got other Barbie things from us and some nice gifts from Nanna and Granddad.

Her birthday party with her friends was at the Blue Ash rec park - Maple Shelter (the bug park) on Saturday, 8/25. Besides Athena and Carter, Anna, Maddie and Melina came. It was a perfect number for our perfect girl. After a week of the temperature being near 100 the high that day was only about 90 so it felt fairly cool. The kids played, ate pizza and made Dora crafts from a kit Patrick had bought. The party favor was princess wands that could be decorated with jewels and ribbons and a pirate sword for Carter. It was a great time.

The next day was our party for with family. Athena was so excited about yet another birthday party! Uncle Glenn got her Tawny the walking, neighing horse which was the absolute hit. Athena also got two heads that you can play with the hair and apply fake make-up too, etc. Again we had really nice weather and all had a fun time.

The next day, 8/27, was Athena's first day of Kindergarten. Boy was she excited! Her teacher's name is Mrs. Esler and Athena gets to ride the school bus each day. She has a new friend named Rowan - all is right in her world.

Now it's Labor Day weekend and today was idyllic - perfect weather. We took a walk and spent some good time together. I can't wait for tomorrow!

Karen

I have so much to write about! Carter finally took the plunge at the pool about a week and a half ago. Last year he wasn't afraid of the slide at the pool, but this year he wouldn't go near it.

I started to drag him into the deeper part of the baby pool a few weeks ago and he fought it like mad. For some reason, he suddenly decided to go down the slide and now loves being in the deep end. He goes down the slide over and over again and isn't afraid to dunk himself. Yippee!!! So much more fun at the pool now.

Athena is working on her swimming as well. Jesy has been giving her a few lessons this summer and it's slowly sinking in for her. She will aslo now dunk and will even dive down briefly to pick something up of the bottom of the kids pool.

Early this week, both kids were playing together upstairs when I heard Athena tell Carter to get his dumb ass out of her room. Umm, that's mine, I take full credit. I suppose it could have been worse.

We leave for vacation on the 11th, my birthday.

Nana and Granddad arrived on Monday night and are going with us. They are so fantastic with the kids playing tons with them and showering them with love.

Karen

Today was a big day for us. I told Athena this morning about Ananya moving and she is slowly processing this information. She's asked me questions throughout the day and really wants school to start so that she'll make new friends.

To take her mind off of things, I took the kids to the zoo today. We saw the baby Sumatra Rhino which was really neat and we also got to see the elephants taking a bath. It was bunches of fun.

Tonight Patrick took the kids to get a new goldfish. I think her name is Cindy. Athena bought her with money that she has earned doing work around the house for us. I'm really proud of her.

Karen

I just found out tonight that Athena's best friend, Ananya, has moved to TX. We didn't get a chance to say goodbye. My little girl is going to be so sad. She just told me tonight how the one person she knew she wanted at her birthday party was Ananya.

My heart is broken for her.

Karen

My first blog

Well, this is my first attempt at a blog. My goal is to record little snipets from our lives here so that we'll have a running record of how we're changing and growing.

Today the kids are painting and playing together. I'm so fortunate that for 98% of the time the kids love to play with each other. Athena is the ring master who is definitely in charge.

She asks every day now how soon until she starts kindergarten and how long until her birthday - 31 until school and 27 until birthday!

Karen