First Day of School!

Yep....it's official.....my kids have gone off to school. And by that I mean, I have sent them to the pack of wolves in serious hopes that they return alive some day and somewhat intact. Both were excited to start school until Sadie was asked by Jeremiah (cutest lil' brown boy you ever did see) on her second day if she wanted to be his girlfriend. She responded to the tune of, "No! I'm only 9!" When he proceeded to ask her if she was "ever gonna have kids" she further explained that she doesn't EVER want a boyfriend, at least not until she's 15 or so. When he then stated she was only his half friend she shrugged her shoulders and said, "okay, that's weird but whatever." Thankfully Jeremiah came to his senses the next morning and re-advised her that she was, in fact, his full friend which also made her say, "okay, whatever, I guess we're friends then." Um.......hmmmm......what do I even say to that? At least my kid can hold her own? Don't have to worry about planned parenthood yet? Well, thank goodness b/c I don't know that they would see my fourth grader to begin with. Sheesh.

Isaac, on the other hand, reports daily that he forgot to ask anyone if they wanted to play with him, can't remember the name of who he sat by at the lunch table and doesn't remember what he learned or if he has any homework. Mothers of boys.....is this NORMAL???? He's like a vault baby. I can't get anything out of this kid except that he liked the chocolate milk he drank in the lunchroom. Can he hold his own? I don't know! Does he want a girlfriend? I don't know! Is he planning on having kids? I don't know! And there is NO planned parenthood for boys!!!!

Homeschooling is looking better and better by the minute......where's my Lexapro?

He lost that second bottom tooth just yesterday

At least they knew SOMEONE! They had met Michelle a week before school and she and Sadie are in the same class. Isaac loves playing with Michelle's younger sister, Makayla.

Anyone know where my Lexapro is? I wasn't joking when I asked earlier. Suddenly I can't breathe. My children are about to enter a school with 725 other little varmants that I am convinced are planning on eating them alive.

Or maybe their just planning on marrying them early and having babies by the time their 20. Well, phew.....NOTHING TO PANICK ABOUT THEN!!!!!

Sadie Meets Nastia!

Okay, so you all heard me say that Sadie won an essay contest and a chance to go shopping with Olympic Gymnast Nastia Luikin at a local JCPenney here in Illinois. The day was really fun. Sadie and most of her teammates here went to the mall together so that everyone could get autographs during the meet and greet with Nastia then Sadie and four other children got to do a mini-shopping experience with Nastia following the meet and greet. Nastia placed Supergirl capes on each of the essay winners and was extremely sweet (something I was really surprised about). Considering she's about two feel tall without her 16 inch pumps on, I would have squashed her like a bug (or cut the bit...nevermind, that's just Lafonda talking) had she NOT been kind.

The gang getting ready to go in....wait a minute....did Aubrey Winslow sneak in to this event?

Radio Disney was there and did a big pre-autograph radio show with entertainment, singing and dancing for the audience. Very fun for the girls to participate in.







The girls sang loud enough into the microphone that they all won free Nastia T-shirts.

Isaac opted out of the shopping experience to go play with dad. Something to the tune of, "I'd rather snort hot mustard through my nose then have to participate in this girly crap...."

Alas, Sadie has been informed that she is more than welcome to enter any future contest that she wishes but is NOT allowed to include her cancer story unless the sole purpose is to inspire and motivate or help others that may need to hear her story. Two Olympic gymnasts is enough for one parents, I mean, child's lifetime.

Oh Canada!

So my sister and her wonderful boyfriend, Joseph, came to visit for a week at the end of July. What a refreshing time for us to spend with people we know and love! It cured the lonely spell I was having, for sure. Amongst some of the fun things we did were a trip to Navy Pier, our first ever visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, a date to the local movie theatre/bar/restaurant which has become our favorite place to go and, of course, a trip to Giordanos Pizza, voted the #1 pizza in America. There's a reason for that. My butt will prove it.

We started the day with a trip to "Central Park" in Naperville

Walking downtown Chicago on our way to Navy Pier

Millenium Park downtown Chicago. One of our favorite places to visit. There are two structures hand made of glass bricks and they spit out water for kids and adults to play in.

Really? Are you joking me? Could we NOT take a picture at this now famous to the Shafers landmark?

Taking in Lake Michigan at Navy Pier. Fan-freakin-tastic.....

Wouldn't be a family trip without appropriately torturing the children.
We all walked a total of about 15 miles that day. Blisters on feet, dehydration......doesn't get better than that.

Auntie succombs to hair torture by Sadie





First trip to Museum of Science and Industry. These were taken in the Farm Tech area where we would soon get excited to bring Gianni!

Kristin and Joseph, we miss you so much already. For the rest of you, we can't wait to see you whenever we get a chance to. Come and visit! We promise not to throw you all into the Lake. We reserve that only for offspring.