First week of school

The school year has begun! Violet started kindergarten (she's actually in a K-1 combo class). Isaac started third grade at a new school (he is going to Manchester GATE this year). Audrey started fifth grade (also a combo class, 5/6).



Our routine is a bit different this year than past school years. The girls both start school at 8 a.m., so Isaac and I walk with them to school and back. Isaac's school (less than 3 miles up the road) starts at 9, to which I will drive him most days. Violet gets out of school at 12:40, Audrey at 2:05, and Isaac gets to ride the bus home, which drops him off in front of Robinson at 3:40. Whew! Lots of walking to and from Robinson.



As we have done in past years, when sitting around the table for dinner after our first day of school, we talked about new teachers, new friends, as well as any goals the kids have for the year or for their "future careers". Audrey still thinks she will be a teacher when she grows up, although she has added to the possible options the role of missionary as well as "working with horses". Isaac surprised us by saying he wanted to "do what Daddy does, a physical therapist" at the table. I say surprised me because last week he said he wanted to be a pilot in the army.

Violet was quite tired and getting a bit silly by the time we'd finished dinner and got around to asking her all about her day. When asked what she wanted to do when she grew up, she said, "Get a job." I laughed (but a good answer).
"What do you want to do at your job? Or for your job?"
"Work hard." she replied. I chuckled again (although, another good answer).
"But what kind of job?" I tried once more.
"Like Daddy...a fizzy poo parapis." We all burst into laughter, of course, giving Violet exactly what she wanted from her silly reply. We were, however, done trying to get a "real" answer out of her. Time to get her in bed and ready for the second day of school.



So what did I do all week with no kids in the house between 9 and 12:40? Well, Randy took the day off on Monday to help get everyone to school on time and we enjoyed a morning together, a trip to Panera for coffee and a bagel, and a leisurely stroll through a couple of our favorite stores before picking up the kids. Three mornings I helped in Violet's classroom (getting 30 kindergarteners and first graders used to their schedule can be tough work...one kid screaming and writhing on the floor, another crying in the corner, another hiding/sleeping under the table...wow...not to mention the kids that don't know how to write their name, much less hold a pencil or a pair of scissors), and one morning helping cook for a funeral lunch at church.

I hope to continue using my time to volunteer in the kids' classes and also get a little cooking and canning done during the mornings over the coming weeks.

Lastly, for those of you wondering, our adoption paperwork is done. Our home study is complete. Our file passed on to the family coordinator's desk. We are simply waiting for a call that there is a boy that would be a "good match" for our home. My morning schedule could change yet again any time. Until then, we keep praying that God would continue to prepare us and him for the upcoming changes.

End of summer vacation

We have thoroughly enjoyed these last few weeks of summer vacation! Audrey went to summer camp for the first time July 31-August 4. She had a fantastic time up at Sugar Pine Timber Mountain Camp with four friends! Isaac was quite disappointed that he didn't get to go, so I tried my best to do "extra fun" things with him and Violet while Audrey was gone. We went to the zoo one day



and I let Isaac have our small camera on his wrist all morning. He rushed from exhibit to exhibit, finding the angle of his shot, snapping, and moving on. We FLEW through the zoo! These are some of his best shots.



During the week we also went to the Central High pool with some friends to hang out for a morning, Boomer's one evening (played mini-golf and a few games), a play-day at a friend's house and cooked some of Isaac and Violet's favorite meals! Whew!

On Friday morning Randy drove up to Oakhurst to pick up Audrey, drove back to the Valley, we all loaded into the van and headed to San Jose to spend a couple days with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephew. Ben, Alli and Clark had flown in from Portland on Wednesday and had already had a whirlwind of visiting grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family in Visalia on Thursday, and were visiting a grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins in San Jose that day. Our family was able to set up our sleeping areas (kids in the "cabin" in my parents' backyard, Randy and I in a tent in the back...just beside the cabin) and enjoy a nice dinner with my parents before welcoming them back later in the evening.



Enjoying the lovely weather in the backyard...well into the evening!



Saturday morning, after waking up and making our way through breakfast and "getting ready" (a bit interesting in a small, 1000 sq. ft. house with 1 bathroom), we headed to the Willow Glen Farmer's Market where we enjoyed fresh produce, fresh flowers, samples of hummus, chips and salsa, amazing cupcakes, and some live music that the kids listened to with shakers in hand! We loaded up with some fruits, veggies, and some fantastic Indian food to supplement my mom's food for the rest of the weekend!



Saturday afternoon we were joined by my Aunt Yvette, Uncle Russ, cousins Preston and Spencer, and Spencer's girlfriend, Kathleen. They drove up so we could all go to a soccer game together that evening, San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers. Since the game started at 7:30 p.m. my mom opted to stay home and get Clark and Violet to bed on time.



Some pre-game fun!



Enjoying the game, which ended in a 1-1 tie!



Saturday night we (all 15 of us) managed to find a bit of floor space to get a good night's sleep, then woke up Sunday morning and all made it out of the house by 10:30 to get to church on time! We enjoyed the church service and a light lunch together before my dad's sister and their family headed back to Visalia. We relaxed the rest of day, finding a nearby park and taking a leisurely walk after dinner through the neighborhood.





Monday morning we headed off for a day in Santa Cruz (less than an hour away). After stopping at Emily's Bakery for coffee and a pastry, we headed to the Boardwalk. When we got there, the sky was still clouded over, and it wasn't that warm. But after lunch the sun came out and warmed us up for the rest of the day! Audrey spent most of the time walking up the beach or the pier, looking for shells with Grandma Janice and Grandpa Bruce while Alli and I watched the kids play in the sand and in the water (yes, I am including my husband and brother in the general word, "kids").









Tuesday, our last full day together, was spent relaxing around the house, playing at the park, playing games together, running through the sprinklers, and enjoying meals together. It was such a wonderful blessing to be able to be with both my parents and my brother's family for a whole week!















On Wednesday we spent the morning together, ate lunch at In-N-Out Burger (at Ben and Alli's request) and said our goodbyes. Our family of five headed back to Fresno while my parents drove Ben, Alli and Clark to the airport.

This last week and a half has included lots of sleep, trips to the library, swimming in the pool, three Grizzlies' games,



and a dinner out at Trelio (no kids) for my birthday.

Today was the first day of school...bring on the routine! I will post pictures and stories later this week.

Peach cobbler

Everyone needs a good peach cobbler recipe. Granted, when you live in the Central Valley, nothing beats a ripe peach straight off the tree and into your mouth! But there are some of us that want to bake those gorgeous beauties into a pastry and top it with homemade vanilla ice cream! I recently made dinner for some friends and they requested peach cobbler for dessert; so I got out my Grandma Verle's recipe and took some photos along the way. Enjoy!



If you can't get to a Farmer's Market or you-pick farm in the valley, take note...Trader Joe's peaches come from right here in the San Joaquin Valley. Depending on the variety, they come from various farms in Reedley, Dinuba and Kingsburg.





Add half of the flour mixture into the creamed butter and sugar, then add half the milk, repeat.





Note: if you do not have peach juice (or nectar) on hand, toss your chopped peaches with a TBSP or two of lemon juice and half cup of water before placing them on top of the batter. This recipe is good out-of-season also as canned peaches go well (with the juice they are preserved in) plopped on top straight out of the can!

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes, until it is golden brown on top!

I love my cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream! Unfortunately, because this cobbler was out of the oven and directly out the door to deliver to my friends (who also happen to be new parents, congrats to their new family of four), I did not get a picture of the finished product. I guess you'll just have to make it yourself to see how it looks...right before it goes in your mouth!!!