Random thoughts on fall...

Despite my hiatus (I love that word) from blogging, our lives have marched on. The kiddos are growing and we have just been enjoying our final summer days and are looking forward to the order and structure that fall brings. I also love the fall weather. I love the sound of crunching leaves and the smell of clean, brisk air. I love the rain soaked windows that give me permission to curl up in a blanket and watch a movie with the kiddos. I love the smell of vanilla spice candles that permiate the house with that 'fall smell'. I especially love making hearty soups for dinner...the ones that just don't sound good in August. I love wearing scarves (even if they are just for decoration) and getting a pumpkin spice latte'. Fall also means my beloved hubby is around a lot more. We can eat dinner together and I don't have to give the kids baths by myself every night. The crazy summer reminds me how grateful I am for the slower pace of fall.....A chance to slow down, be thankful and just take time to be.....

Pre-School Update!

Well for those of you who don't know, Logan only went to one day of pre-school. He was okay with it but I just had that 'mommy feeling' that we hadn't made the right decision to put him in school at three! So one back-pack, one lunch box, lots of art supplies and kleenex, some back to school scrapbooking stuff, lots of dress clothes for school, two new pairs of shoes and a whole TON of snacks later....we did a really good job getting ready for school, but didn't spend much time there. After Logan got all his gear and even balloons and a cake after his first day, he thought he had successfully completed the whole 'school thing' in his one day of attendance. I hate to burst his little toddler bubble that there is a WHOLE LOT MORE of that school stuff coming his way. Oh well, all is well that ends well. Logan thinks he 'went to school' and mommy gets her baby back for another year.

A HIATUS of sorts...

I have been in quite the quandry! I can't bring myself to part with the blog but I can't bring myself to take the time to update it either. I have decided that I am on a hiatus (suspension, an interruption in the intensity or amount of something) or sabbatical (rest from work, a hiatus, typically lasting two or more months) of sorts and will update when and if I have the time and motivation to do so. I am still taking tons of pictures and saving up plenty of humorous stories to update you all when I get a moment...The kiddos are cute as ever, the house is messier than ever, and there is more laundry than ever. Off to fulfill the duties of a wife and mama!

Blessings!

Possible Retirement!

So I am giving serious consideration to putting an end to the era of the Bennett Brief. I love blogging, I just find that I can't keep up with it. The perfectionist in me goes NUTS when I haven't had time to update it properly. I feel like I have time to EITHER blog or scrapbook and I feel like scrapbooking means more to our kiddos. I haven't decided for sure about the blog but I apologize for my entries being rather sparce and incomplete. Never fear, I will ABSOLUTELY continue to follow all of your blogs! Blessings to you all!

School Debut...

Today was Logan's first day of pre-school. He turned 3 in March and we opted to enroll him in 3 year old pre-school. We were torn, but really excited for him to have some fun, educational things to look forward to. We also wanted to give him the opportunity to make friends with some more little boys. Honestly...almost ALL my girlfriends have girls, so Logan primarily has girls (or grills as he would say) for friends. 3 year old pre-school is twice a week for three hours. Nothing too overwhelming but just enough...He was really excited about his new backpack, snacks and lunch box. When we picked him up we had balloons in the back of the van and a special cake for him after lunch. It was a special day with Logan's school debut! I have to admit I am second-guessing our decision to start pre-school this year...I will update you if anything changes! Blessings!

The Glorious Week Gone By!

This week brought some simple adventures. Most of the pictures need little to no explanation...so I will spare you all the details. Essentially...kids are growing and changing and fall is just around the corner. Onion harvest is in full swing and we are looking ahead to Logan beginning pre-school and BSF starting next Tuesday! I am sad to see the sunshine go away but I am thrilled for the structure that the 'school year' brings.

Miss Mya sat with me for a full hour while I got my nails done. She LOVED it. She kept trying to put her little hands up on the table. I can't wait until she's old enough to love getting her nails done. Daughters are so stinkin' fun!Ryan and I got to spend the night out together. We ended up Cosmic bowling in Silverton and playing Wii with the Schachers until late into the night! I couldn't pass up taking a picture of the score board because I kicked Ryan's tail. I took a bowling class in college but I am terrible. I walk all the way to the foul line, toss the ball and kick up my back leg....! I still can't figure out how I won...????
Fall brings back dark hair! Addi's 2nd birthday party! What a doll and what a great new bike!

Mya the gift opening helper!Daddy and Logan waiting on the deck for dinner!

Back to School BBQ at Willamette Christian School! It was also a meet your teacher and see your classroom evening.

This is Logan's smile when we tell him to smile for the camera. We will file this picture in the file titled "potential wedding slideshow pics for Logan and Melia"

Ring around the Rosey...

Oregon State Fair!

Sunday after church Ryan and I took the kiddos to the fair. (We figured that it might be our last chance because onion harvest began this week). We ate, and ate, and ate. Logan went on rides this year and LOVED them. I thought we were never going to get him away from all the trucks, trains, helicopters and such. Watching Logan 'drive' the trucks on the ride was a hoot. While other kiddos rapidly turn the wheel of their truck with one hand while waving to mom and dad with the other hand, Logan carefully drove his truck and watched out his window to make sure he was clearing his turns. He looked as though he was hard at work, meticulously completing his task. He LOVES driving, and he is good at it. He can't pedal yet, but he can drive a tractor/ trailer power wheel like nobody's business....so it was pretty funny to watch him on the rides. I also took Logan on the 'chair lift type thing' that goes over the fair. Ryan pushed the babies on the ground and we tracked them almost the whole ride. It was sort of like Where's Waldo, but with Ryan, Mason and Mya. We also checked out the animals and checked out all the sights! What a fun afternoon...

In a Nutshell!

The warm summer days have kept us...well, outside! There is nothing sweeter than children splashing in the pool, snacking at the picnic table, driving trucks in the dirt, and finding all sorts of mischief to get into while mommy supervises and takes in some sun at the same time! Lunch and dinner outside have been a daily occurrence because the kiddos love it and I don't have any mess to clean up. Ryan has noted that he did mow up a lot of wet animal crackers last time he mowed the lawn, but that's a lot better than mopping the kitchen as far as I'm concerned. Mya has taken to the art of reclining in a lawn chair with her sippy cup. After a while she will go splash in the pool and play in the playhouse. It is such a hoot...like mother like daughter. The boys on the other hand drive tractors, haul mud in Tonka trucks, push the wheelbarrow, pull weeds, and 'mow the lawn' (with a bubble mower of course). The differences are astounding, but they do have many commonalities as well...snacks, sprinklers, gatorade, bouncy balls...you get the idea. They are a little posse (did I spell that right?). I love watching them all do their own thing and develop their little personalities. So in a nutshell, this is what we've been up to...just enjoying the weather!