Back to School 2015: Family Edition

I am in denial that it is fall. It is 90 degrees outside. I was so in the thick of things from the spring and summer that I didn't really register those two seasons, not to mention those important life-milestones.

Like Nathan's May graduation from pre-school.  Whoops!

Congratulations Nathan Buddy!

(Unimpressed girl is unimpressed.)

But now that the school calendar has flipped, the big kids in Idaho are off to school.

Quoth Christina on September 1st:

Off to school for these three! Amber is going into 4th grade, Elle 2nd, and Nathan Kindergarten. 

Wow, my kids are growing up.

Sadly, on September 4th, the bane of parental planning struck. School germs. (sad trombones)

Quoth Christina: Well that didn't take long! School germs are the worst. After 3 days at school Nathan is home today sick.

 

Momma is also learning what its like with not so many helpers around. Grumpa reported that Christina said she was not sure what she was going to do without Elle around to help, now that school was starting.

Meanwhile, down in Nevada, Drew started 5th grade in mid-August.

OUCH!

(The kids in New York barely started this week, and some don't start until next.)

 With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once.

Updates: Kute Kids Korner - Jaime

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

May 2015

Quoth Christina: "For days she has been fighting her legs to get those toes and finally she has won!"

Quoth: "Somehow another month has flown by! Jaime is 5 months old today."

Grandmary's friend Mrs. P sent these to Ms. Fashionplate. 

Grumpa things the hats need a few more months.

June 2015 

Quoth Christina: "This little one is growing so fast!Don't you love her untamed hair!? Sure love her."

July 2015 

What is it with these kids and their underwear as hats?

Updates: Kute Kids 'Kaus ... Of Course: Girls

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

Jaime:

Resting after shots

Jaime at 4 months

Don't wake the sleeping baby!

Is it wrong to be jealous of all of her naps?

Jaime at 100 days old.

Sleepy snuggles

   Sarah:

Mom went to the National Zoo and brought home a new friend.

  Elle:

7th Birthday Party Celebrations

Per Christina: "Today was twin day at school so these two decided to dress alike."

 

Amber:

Creating a masterpiece

It's been too long. I am having auntie-withdrawal!

Update: Kute Kids 'Kaus ... Of Course: Families

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

The Twins:

Kelli says: "DQ* for supper, What was I thinking!"

 *Dairy Queen

I share a lot about Grumpa and Grandmary, but the twins had a special trip in mid-March to see their relatives on the other side of the family tree --their maternal grandpa and great-grandma.

Here's the story in Kelli's own words:

I took the kids to visit my Dad ... The emotions of the day are just now coming to the surface. For those of you who don't know, my dad has Parkinson's disease. He is now in a nursing home as he can no longer be home alone. It was so sweet to see my little boy jump right in his lap and snuggle and give kisses to Papa. My kids have never known him any other way, so they just love him exactly as he is. I was tired, frustrated and just plain worn out from the trip with two grumpy toddlers and Drew, then I took the time to look at the pictures I had taken. Worth every minute to see these!

 Great Grandma Mangum and Sarah

The Idaho Krew:

Christina had this to say: "Exploring today for our Sunday walk. We saw geese, all different kinds of fish, and a turtle."

 Thank goodness for social media and digital photos. It's amazing to see them all growing up before our eyes.

Happy 9th Birthday, Amber!

This little cutie has suddenly grown up.

 

Baby niece Amber is now 9!

A Super FIERCE and attitudinous 9!

She's still snuggly with Grandmary, but now is much more independent.

If you can't find her playing with her sibs, she's deep in a book, (still with those bendy knees), or considering her books, or contemplating the next book. Or writing me a book report, or talking to me on Skype, or asking about more books.

I was so glad to visit a year ago for her baptism and to take pictures of her many faces;

Baptism day 2014

Nope - this is not an inherited look, at all. NOPE.

Seeing Eye to Eye with Auntie

Sweets for the sweet?

Jazz hands!

Takes after her aunt, or something.

Imp of Perverseness v. 2

Do you see the future teen, or is it just me?

As grateful as I am for Skype, FaceTime, email attachments, iMessages, letters, phone calls, and notes - I still wish I was closer so I could be a better aunt to the kids, especially this little mini-me. Sending presents of books, shared birthday month amethyst heirloom jewelry from when I was her age, and random notes, just isn't enough sometimes.

I hope when, and if she ever sees this blog, she'll know that I love her very much, and wish her a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY and a fun, nifty, spectacular, exciting, and adventuresome year.

All my love,

Auntie Nettie