All By Myself

This morning marks the beginning of a new era. I am feeling the change of seasons now in so many ways, and this feels like the first turn of the gears in the the giant machine that is my life. Elliot started kindergarten today with a smile, as you see. Standing in his new classroom in front of all the new materials he will be learning how to use, wearing the clothes he picked out - old comfy stuff in lieu of the brand new first-day-of-school outfit I bought him, he seemed right at home. With a little negotiating, I managed to get a hug and kiss goodbye "special" just for the first day of school, and left him working on pink box #1 with his new teacher, Ms. Jen. There were only three other kids there when I arrived, and his classroom is pretty small, so I think he will have a small class this year. I'm excited about that because it means he'll get plenty of one on one time with the teacher, and hopefully make some good friends, and I hope to get to know some of the parents as well.

After dropping him off, I treated myself to a Starbucks Pumpkin spice latte (decaf of course) by myself, and then went to target to get him some new undies, which he hasn't been wearing lately, but probably should be. The tags bother him. Anyway.... it was so relaxing, and I found myself remembering that, despite not being a morning person at all, I really do enjoy the morning once I'm up. I love the feel of the hustle and bustle of people getting ready and going to work and school, stores just opening, and the feeling that the day is still fresh - like anything could happen.

Being home by myself is something I haven't experienced in quite a while, and it feels great. The house is already clean, dishes done (like, put away and everything, and the dishwasher is empty!), laundry well underway, and a couple things taken care of that have been bugging me for a long time. I'm so excited to be having this time by myself for a while, and for Elliot to be enjoying school and learning so many new things. Of course, Emmet reminds me every few minutes that I'm never truly by myself, and that there is a tiny squirming someone with me everywhere I go. Soon, my mornings will be a precious time to be shared with my husband and new born baby as the gears continue to turn, and change, the only constant in life, greets us with new treasures at each passing season.

The Bounty

Well, it's time to start blogging again, after almost a whole year. There's just too much to share about, and facebook status updates are starting to seem a bit trite when I just write something short, and too long-winded if I think about what I really want to say.

And there really is just too much... to say, to share, to think about, and I can't bear to keep it all to myself!

I'll start by saying, for those who aren't aware, I'm in the eighth month of pregnancy with baby boy #2, Emmet Angus Nappier. Feeling pretty good, and hoping Emmet waits for Erik to come home, two days before my due date. Erik is currently in Vietnam working in a ship yard, and I just got back from a relaxing and wonderful trip to Hawaii. Elliot starts Kindergarden in about a week. See what I mean? Too much not to tell! These pictures were taken last Wednesday, a beautiful day which yielded quite a bounty, in many ways.

Here's my sweet boy at his favorite pastime, getting pushed on the rope swing in the back yard. I love this picture, and am currently working it into a painting of sorts.

Elliot and I picked a gorgeous bouquet from the garden!

Picked a ton of delicious oranges from Mary and Bill's house.

We have been eating them every day!

Here's what I've been drinking instead of sugary soda - refreshing mint water with fresh mint from the yard. I usually drink the whole pitcher myself by the end of the day. Mmmm.

Donna joined me for a trek out to Gopher Glenn, where we got 20lbs of Empires and 5lbs of Galas. Super delicious apples filling up my crisper.

Got home and picked all this stuff from my vegetable garden. Some of the zuchinni

really got out of control within a week!

Elliot went and got a haircut since he was looking pretty shaggy.

Now he looks like a super handsome big boy for kindergarden!