Summer Ends, School Begins.....

I have to say that this summer went by faster than any summer that I can remember. I put together this Smilebox, to try to capture some of it. But I have to warn you that there are more than 100 pictures.

And before you watch it, I want to add these pictures as a reminder, of how much Daniel and Shiloh liked the rides last year at the Fair.

And being the good mom that I am, I tried not to laugh, too much, it was sad and funny at the same time.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Now, here are pictures of the first week of school.

Priscilla~ 1st grade

Elijah~ 3rd grade

Abby~4th grade

Daniel & Shiloh ~ Pre-school

I love how they are holding hands, looking for the bus, it only lasted about 2 minutes, before there was an argument over it.

With their friend Madison, waiting for the bus.


So excited!!!!




Sheldon and Grace are in ECOT, an online public school. So far, they really like it. And I like it because I do not have to do the teaching, they both have virtual classes, where teachers do the teaching, and answer any questions, and are available to call if we need help. I am still not sure where or what we will be doing next year. They do not want to go back to Greenville. Versailles is a possibility, but if there is a chance we might move, then we still do not know. But I am taking the advice of a very wise woman that told me to take it one year at a time. They both did very well on their Ohio Achievement test this past Spring (Grace actually improved during the time she has been home), so at least I know that I have not set them back by taking them out of Greenville. I am very proud of them, they both work hard and get their work done without complaining. And I know that they work harder at home, than they did in the building.

Sheldon~ not letting me take his picture. I guess he is getting to be too cool.

Kings Island ~July 2009

I love this Man !
Just can not stop thinking and feeling it !
This was our first time with Sheldon and Grace, riding roller coaster rides, they have been here before, but not on the "big" rides.
Not sure what we were doing in this picture........
Sheldon and Grace were SO EXCITED to ride, but we wanted to start them out slow, to see how they would respond. Cleyo and I were just as excited to be able to experience this "first" with them.
So........we took them on the Adventure Express, which is probably the least thrilling roller coaster, and they LOVED it!!!! When we got off the ride, Sheldon said
"THAT WAS THE MOST FUN I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!"
Yep!, my kids are deprived, actually, I am thankful that they do not complain (much) about what they do not have, or what they do not get to do, but I am expecting that to change very soon, as we are heading into those teenage years.
One of our next rides was Flight of Fear, which is in a building. The line is also inside the building, and as you get closer and closer to the ride, the sound of the ride puts fear into your heart. It sounds like you are being shot into space. You could see fear and excitement in Sheldon and Grace. And when it came to be our turn, we sat down, checked to make sure our bar was tightly against us, and then we hear this small voice from behind Cleyo and I .......
"I love you guys", says Sheldon.
It brought so much joy to us to be able to share this day with them, and the comments cracked us up! We hope to do this with all of our kids, two at a time, and when they are old enough to enjoy it.


I have never really enjoyed riding any roller coaster. I usually ride with Cleyo, so that he does have not ride alone. I have a MAJOR fear of heights, but this year was different, I actually enjoyed them, and was able to open my eyes on most of them.
Diamondback is one of their newest rides.The height is 230 feet, the first drop is 215 feet, at 80 mph. It was so much fun, I think that we rode it more than 8 times, and if anyone is planning on going to KI, the back of this ride is the BEST!





Not sure why we even go on the water rides.......walking in wet clothes NO fun!




Grace got shot by the 25 cent water gun.
Sheldon and Grace in the back.


They did not get wet enough on the ride, so they got soaked on the bridge.
Well, just like every time that we have ever gone to KI, it rained. I finally remembered that I had games on my cell phone, as we had to wait at least 45 minutes until they opened the rides again.

It rained, it poured, and it poured again.
These are the bands that we got to listen to. One of our family's new favorite band is Family Force 5.
They were very entertaining to watch. Sheldon bought one of their Cd's, and we listen to it all the time, the songs get so stuck in your head, that you wake up singing them.

This is the "new" Newsboys. Although they were entertaining and fun, they will never be the same :{ .
And this is what happens to your cell phone, if it is not secured.........
this box was doubled the next day................