BACK TO SCHOOL! बेक तो स्कूल!

It's finally here! We feared it would never but it did! The clothes were ironed and laid out, the bags were packed with new supplies, blessings were given, food was packed, a heartier breakfast then normal was provided and a teeth were scrubbed until they sparkled. Then mom checked them over. And then checked them over again.

Abby and Noah's first day of school was today. It's Abby's first time going all day and this year Noah and Abby are going to different schools. Luckily they get to ride the same bus, which was reassuring to Abby who was a little nervous. Due to normal first day of school hiccups the school bus was very late, picking up the kids up and dropping them off. But they entertained themselves well enough.

I ended up working today so I got a phone call this evening from some very excited kids who told me all about their really fun teachers and their new friends and their great schools and the playground and the school lunch, etc. It was wonderful to hear. Noah and Abby's teachers both took an opportunity to call us and let us know that he/she was doing terrific and being attentive and hadn't stopped smiling! A very promising school year!!!

(these were taken with Matt's work camera and I didn't have my computer so please forgive the grainy pictures!)

Camping and Birthing Cows कैम्पिंग एंड बिर्थिंग कव्स

So how, you're wondering, do cows giving birth and camping end up together? Read on to satisfy your curiosity!

Yesterday we packed up and drove to Harold Parker State Forest in our old hometown for a ward campout. An hour after packing up we were again unpacked and enjoying the company of our friends and fellow ward members. We enjoyed gourmet hot dogs (I enjoyed hummus... dogs- blahk), perfectly roasted mallows, baked beans, macaroni salad, chips, um... cookies... and, um, other stuff people brought. It was fun.

Until...

Lucy got 2nd degree burns on the back of her right hand (she already had a spider bite on her left hand).

And then it was bed.

Morning came, and hot chocolate, good conversation, breakfast, cleaning, and then packing up followed.

Somehow during our 20 hour campout Matt was able to make arrangements to go scuba diving, golfing, hunting, ski jetting, put together a soft ball team, and I'm sure I don't know what. Now he just needs time (and scuba instructions).

Once we were packed up and on the road we decided to swing by our favorite ice cream place. It is THE BEST we've ever had. It was a little to conveniently located at our MA home but very inconveniently located from our new home. So, of course we had to go. It also happens to be a dairy with maternity wards, a nursery area, a milking area, and chickens and roosters that you can visit. When we got there I noticed a very uncomfortable looking cow so we stood around for a while and wouldn't you know it... she gave birth to a very gross looking baby boy or girl. She did remarkably well and was an inspiration. I could tell, however, that she wasn't a scientologist. All-in-all it was wonderfully gross and awesome. And after watching a cow birth alone (and clean up everything herself ) I am very happy to be a human mother.

It has been a very interesting, fun, tiring, and gross weekend. Hope yours is the same! ;)

Noah नोः

I don't know how my father-in-law got Noah to hold still long enough for these shots but he did and George took some great pictures . I just got them and had to put them up. They portray Noah perfectly.

(Thanks again George!)