Back in the Swing of Things

Well, school has started in the Williams household and with that came the return of routine.  I'm sure all can relate to the feeling of resolution at the start of a new year or school year.  This year I will be organized.  This year things will be different.  Well, so far so good.

We have introduced a new chore chart with the kids.  At the end of the week, they have a meeting with mom and an allowance is given.  The children know that the chores are not an option, but the allowance is.  If they are done with complaints and attitude, no credit is given.  This has been amazingly helpful, and has actually made my life a tiny bit easier.  With it also comes the lesson of saving, donating and spending your own money.




Charlie started fall soccer again.  He has scored 4 goals in the last three games!


Here's his happy dance after his first goal of the season.


We ventured to my aunt's house in Indiana for our annual Oktoberfest.


My cousin was on leave from the Marines just in time to celebrate his 21st birthday.




Six of the nine cousins were present.








Last week my little Morgan started preschool. We had read this book several times over the summer and she was ready and excited for her first day.




I was dealing with my own butterflies while she was beaming with pride.








The only hint of hesitation was when it was time for me to leave.  She kept saying 'let me show you one more thing first.'


But we made it with no tears!  I would have totally cried if it were not for the 15 people I ran into on my way out that wanted to chat.


Thanks to her class website, I got to enjoy a glimpse of her first day.












Meanwhile, I took this self portrait to capture my feeling of being home alone.


(Before I go on, I must disclose that day 2 and 3 of preschool did not go as smoothly.  Both days she told me that her belly was sad and did not want to go to preschool.  She cried the 2nd day and almost the 3rd.  Here's hoping her belly is happier this week.)

I volunteered in Charlie's classroom twice last week.


As you can tell, he really gets into his school work.




Jacob came over to play after school.  This is what happens if you try to take more than one photo of Charlie.





My sweet Taylor started softball this fall.  Her first team sport ever.  I could not go to the first came, but she had her second game last weekend.  They put her in as catcher for the first inning.  How adorable is  that.


She got a base hit in her first game, but struck out in each at bat in this game.  My camera captured an interesting phenomena.  She closes her eyes every time she swings.










She still appeared to have fun, though.


On Saturday, I had a poker night with my friends.  My friend photo bombed this one.  I had no idea until I looked at the photo on back of my camera.  Scared me half to death!


Finally, some lazy Sunday shots.




Well, that's it. Have a happy week!

Goodbye Summer

The Williams family said goodbye to summer.  But not before squeezing in some more memories.  This will be a somewhat disjointed post (aren't they all?), but I just wanted to post my last summer photos and back to school pics before getting into the nitty gritty of my favorite season, autumn.

This sweet girl is growing up so fast.  I'm amazed by how independent and helpful she is.  From getting her sister up and dressed to making our waffle batter entirely on her own.


This was the summer of the pool.  I hadn't captured my niece underwater yet, but I rectified that on our last day of swim lessons.


Morgan did so well in swim lessons this year.  She really liked Miss Jill and gained so much confidence.




We've already lined Miss Jill up for next summer.  She is literally a life saver.


After three months of asking 'when are we going to go to the outdoor pool at the Y?", I was finally able to take the big kids just days before the start of school.


It was a little chilly so we were almost the only ones there.


Charlie has been designing new board games to play.  This one was inspired by a restaurant placemat and the game Risk.


When Charlie saw his classroom for the first time at Meet the Teacher night, he quickly made himself comfortable.  After his first few days of school he told me that when they have free choice he always picks reading because that way he doesn't have to clean up afterwards.  Smart kid.


I bet there's not too many kids entering Kindergarten that can read their own Kindergarten Rocks book.  Charlie has been able to for years.


He was so ready.




It feels strange sending off two of them each morning.


Of course, she's a pro now.  On the first day of school she wrote that she was excited because she 'was ready to be a bigger kid for a change'.






My niece and nephew on their first day.


Jessica and I drove to the school to greet the four cousins on the first day.


I loved Charlie's enthusiasm contrasted by the two children crying with their teacher to the right.


Guess who felt lonely without her big brother and big sister around.


She got over it quickly when I took her to the park.


I even let her bring a baby.


We also had Morgan's three year checkup.  She did great.  She weighed in at a whopping 27 pounds which is about the 5 percentile.


She managed to get a shiner the night before.


After the first week of school, I took Charlie out to dinner and a movie to celebrate.


I even treated him to a specialty milkshake.


Charlie started outdoor soccer this fall. Look at him leading the pack.


This is his homemade Monopoly game.  We actually played this for about 5 days straight. (I'm the Elmo candle and he's the hotwheel.)


I brought only my 105m lens to charlie's soccer practice one night to see what I'd come up with.


Taylor sat on her dad the entire time.






Taylor began softball this fall as well.  This is her first ever team sport.  Her first game is on Saturday!






I've been taking another photography workshop this month.  This one is about editing and organizing using the software program Lightroom.  It has been a game changer for me.


On Friday, we found ourselves with no plans for Labor day weekend.  After three phone calls, we managed to set up plans for each day.  On Saturday, we went to the Snider house for swimming and hotdogs.  Unfortunately, the swimming only lasted for 5 minutes before thunder thwarted our fun.


Taylor might be allergic to dogs or cats.  They have both.


Here's a quick peek at Morgan reading to her babies while she waits for someone to get her up.


She helped Daddy in the yard on Sunday.  Well, she supervised.


On Sunday, we went to the Cooper house for some bubbles, face painting and shish kabobs.












Finally, on Monday we met the Glendon family and enjoyed the last day at the outdoor pool.












On Tuesday morning, Charlie needed a jacket at the bus stop.  "I guess summer really is over," I mused.  But not for this little one.  She has one more week before the start of preschool.


I am hoping to land a gig taking preschool portraits so I thought I should have some examples.  I am thrilled with the results.






Yesterday, Morgan went to Meet the Teacher night.  She was pleased to see that her classroom is equipped with a kitchen.


It's also directly across from the indoor playroom which doesn't hurt the matter either.


Charlie came with me and saw many people he knew.  Don't forget, he spent three years at this school. As we were walking out the doors he said "These days are great.  I love this place."  I hope Morgan grows to feel the same way.