This weekend, it started to look and feel like fall.  This got me in the mood for dumping all of the dead flower pots that were out on the deck, sweep up the front steps and head over to my brother’s greenhouse and buy some mums to display out front.  I’m glad I chose Saturday to do all this work, because the cool and fierce winds came today.  As I’m writing this at 9:40 at night, the temperature has dropped to a cold 49 degrees!  That is chilly!

On Thursday, Nate & I celebrated our 15 year anniversary.  How did we spend it?  We went to Megan’s soccer game and then had pizza afterwards.  We used to enjoy a beautiful evening together, but times have changed and this was lots of fun as well.  Then on Friday night, we went out to a movie and dinner.  The movie was okay, but the dinner was fabulous.  We went to a place called Mediterranean Cruise Cafe.  Their main entree’s are Greek food and while we dined, we were entertained by belly dancers!  That was weird and after a while, you don’t even notice the girl, well…I didn’t anyway.  ha!

Kelly also got into the fall spirit while out at the greenhouse.  She got a bunch of gourds and a small pumpkin, which she painted, and made a cute display down on our fireplace.  So today, I got out all of my fall decorations and we decorated the house with our favorite colors.  I love our house in the fall.  It just seems so cozy, warm and inviting.  Happy Fall!!

Kelly's painted pumpkin

We are having such wonderful weather this September.  I’m enjoying our dinners on the deck, warm evenings watching Megan play soccer and soaking up rays during recess.  

This week the girls (and myself) had our school pictures taken.  The night before, the girls were doing a fashion show for each other to help decide which outfit was the perfect one.  They both looked cute and I hope their pictures turn out the way they want.  On Friday, I went out to happy hour with some co-workers.  We hung out at Buffalo Wild Wings and had a good time.  I played those trivia games and was hooked.    On Saturday, we sat in the sun and watched Megan play soccer.  She had a big game by scoring three goals!!  They won their game 5-2.  Yay Tigers!   Today, we are heading over to Jim’s house for a delicious dinner.  A nice way to end a great week.  And I’m still wearing shorts!!  Love it!

This morning, Kelly & I woke up early to go do the 10th Annual MOCHA Walk For Ovarian Cancer.  It was a beautiful morning, about 65 degrees and sunny.  We walk with my friend Sue Lorentz and her family.  Sue was diagnosed 11 years ago and has been cancer free since.    We walk a little over a mile, around a pretty wooded park in Edina.  I’ve been going on this walk for ten years now and a funny thing happened today.  Since we’ve taken up the sport of disc-golf, Kelly noticed that this park has a course!  I’ve never noticed that before.  ha!    So now we’ll be heading out there for a fun game of golf.  Another reason to to go to this park.

Kelly & Megan both enjoy going to this walk with me each year and Kelly has decided to do the Kids Run next year.  She proudly wore her MOCHA sticker that read:  walking in honor of Sue Lorentz and her blue ribbon representing ovarian cancer.  She also told me, “Mom, I’m also walking for Kimberly.”        She can bring tears to my eyes.

Well it’s only day three of the school year and I’ve already had my first child say the ‘f’ word to me, twice…..and he’s only in Kindergarten!!!  nice.   At least he’s only about 3 feet tall and weighs in at probably 40 pounds, so for now, I can take him and move him wherever I need him to be.  In a couple of years from now, it could be a problem.  I just don’t understand how and why these kids learn these naughty words at such a young age.  So many parents just don’t do their jobs and it’s just sad. 

My schedule for this year isn’t too bad.  I’ve got little ones all morning and then get to head outside twice a day for recess.  That’s nice for now, but not sure how much I’ll enjoy that this winter.  Good thing I ordered a new winter coat.  I don’t get to see Megan & Kelly at all during the day.  They are both downstairs and I’m mostly working upstairs.  I’m sure there will be times when we pass in the hallway, but it seems strange not seeing them like I used to.

Speaking of that….I did have Megan come visit me in my room at school around 11:00 this morning.  She came in with her shoe (flip-flop) in her hand saying, “Mom, my shoe broke.”  Can you run home and get me another pair?  My teacher won’t let me leave the building and she said I can’t walk around with one shoe.”  How do I respond to that???   I ended up telling Megan that I can’t just walk out the door and run home.  Of course I didn’t drive today, so I ended up running ( and yes, I mean running) home during my lunch break to get her a new pair.  It had to be an 80 degree day and I’m wearing black as well, so I came back sweating like a pig and hoping that I don’t smell for the rest of the day.   It ended up being worth the run because after school, I got a huge hug and a thank you from my 6th grade daughter in front of everyone.   Love that!!

We all went back to school today and boy was it hard to wake up.  The girls & I decided that the first day isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be….that was at 7:30 a.m.  But as our day went on, we enjoyed getting back into our routine and seeing all of our friends again. 

Both girls absolutely love their teachers and are happy to be in their class.  I’m not so sure yet of my schedule.  Right now they have me working with the kindergarteners & our first grader.  Wow, are they a handful!!  I’m exhausted.  They are very quick on their feet & don’t have a clue as to what “time for work” means.  I think I may need a new pair of running shoes & sweats for my clothes this year.    Who knows…maybe I’ll lose a few pounds chasing these four around.

Landscape Arboretum

We had a fun last day of summer vacation.  We started out by making cinnamon rolls for breakfast (a real treat around here), then we headed out to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.  Every summer, we enjoy going out there and taking in all the beauty that surrounds this place.  The flowers are gorgeous and it makes us want to come home and start tearing our own yard apart in hopes that we can make some improvements by using ideas from what we just saw.

We enjoyed a chicken & vegetable dinner out on our deck, which Nate grilled.   Then we  toasted to a wonderful summer.  Then ended our evening with four treats from Culvers.  I wish it didn’t have to end, but reality is…that tomorrow will come and I need to be back at work.    Well, I better get to bed early, because tomorrow will come fast.

Kelly & Lizzy rollerblading

Summer vacation is coming to an end.  We have one day left to savor that time to sleep in and not have an alarm clock to wake us up.  The girls have been cramming in the sleepovers, having friends over and playing as many Nintendo games, Xbox games and movies as they can take.  Why not?  Soon they’ll be reading books, doing homework and going to bed early.  Having a routine again will be nice for all of us. 

Megan will be playing fall soccer in the evenings and Kelly is planning on taking up basketball in October.  So Nate &  I will be taking turns driving to practices and hooking up at the games.  We’re also hoping to take in a Burnsville High School football game some friday night in September.    I have to say, I love these late summer evenings sitting in a chair and smelling the neighborhood fire-pits.  Mmmm….it’s such an intoxicating odor that truly relaxes me.

This afternoon the girls got to go to school and meet their teachers.  They also got to bring their school supplies and see where their desk is & what other kids are in their class.  Both girls are very happy with their teachers and are familiar with them as well.  They’re off to a great start already.  Megan is a 6th grader this year which makes her the ‘big girl on campus’.  I think she’s looking forward to being the oldest in the school.  Kelly is a little nervous about heading downstairs with the 4th-6th graders.  She’s used to her niche upstairs with her favorite teachers.  She’ll get used to it quickly I have a feeling.  She also has a couple of my ASD kids in her class, so I’m hoping that I get to work with them and can be in her classroom once in awhile.

I finished up all of my workshops this week as well.  So I’ve completed all of my hours needed for the school year.  That is such a good feeling to have that done and not have to worry about it.  So I guess we Solbergs are ready for the 2009-2010 school year.  I hope it’s a good one.