Jack got braces...

Okay, so Maxine and Juliet have always had straight teeth but Jack's were never very straight.  So at the last dentist appointment, we were strongly encouraged to get some braces on his front teeth.  One of his permanent upper front teeth had grown in behind his bottom tooth and was forcing the bottom tooth outward.  So we took a trip to the orthodontist and he threw some brackets on the top teeth a.s.a.p.

He was pretty good for the procedure except when they made a mold of his teeth.  During the mold part, he was gagging and tearing up.  But he made it out okay and now has brackets on the top 2 teeth.  The orthodontist said the bottom teeth will naturally realign as the upper teeth are pulled into place. 

It's only been a few days but I can't believe how much his teeth have changed already!  The orthodontist recommends the braces stay on for a year.  Maybe he'll get them off early.

First Day of School...

The day before school started, I ate the last of my summer peach crop.  :(  There was a good crop and we ate a ton.  We ate peaches with breakfast, a side for lunch and dinner, and anytime anyone wanted a snack.  We gave away a fair amount too because I just wasn't in the mood to do any ambitious canning.

And then we had the first day of school!  I had a shower and popped out of my room at 7:30 a.m.  All 3 kids were outside my door, dressed, hair done, backpacks and shoes on!  I said, "Let's get some breakfast."  They informed me that they had already made and eaten their breakfast.  I guess they don't even need me anymore.  Such big kids!  I have a 5th, 2nd, and 1st grader.  All 3 are going to be gone all day.  It might be the only thing that keeps me sane once baby #5 gets here.

The same day as school starting, paint started on the basement.  We're having Merril's friend, Brent, help us.

Merril was the "door holder" while Brent sprayed.  

They came out gorgeous!  My only fear is that I'm going to look at my grungy doors upstairs and want to repaint them.

Walls are next!

I can feel the end of summer...

A couple of nights have been pleasantly cool instead of crazy hot and I can feel Autumn creeping in.  But until then, here are a couple pictures of the end of summer.

Mikayla loves to be on anything with wheels.  Lately, she wants to ride scooters.  But she needs a helper.   :) 

We also went to the fair.  Merril took the older 2 to the demolition derby and I don't have any pictures of that.  Julie and I went to ride some rides and then left early with Mikayla.

It was good times but when we got home, I had to sit on the couch and rest my belly.  Then I drove back and picked up Merril and the other kids when the derby was over.

Summer Running Club...

I put the kids in a running club once a week during the summer.  This Tuesday was their last day and they got shirts.  The kids were divided into 1-2 grade girls, 1-2 grade boys, 3-4 grade girls, etc.  They had races twice during the summer and we discovered that Juliet and Jack are pretty fast.

On the last race, Jack placed 1st in his division of 1-2 grade boys and Juliet placed 2nd in her division of 1-2 grade girls.  Maxine was upset that she didn't place at all in the 5-6 grade girls but I assured her that she had plenty of ribbons.  She has plenty of talents, running fast might not be one of them.

She did smile with the other kids though.

Jack likes his shirt that says, "Faster than this guy" and wanted to stand next to me to emphasize the point.

Yep, I'm not that fast lately.