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We are home from Hawaii! Well, we actually got home Saturday night. We got off the plane to find Papa and Lala in the airport waiting for us. The kids were so excited to see them and Maria ran as fast as she could into their arms. Love it.

We had such a great time and would love to go back some day, but we are glad to be home. It was really hard on the kids to not have a routine. And just when they were getting used to the 3 hour time change (we are 3 hours later than Hawaii which really messes with wake-up, nap, and dinner), it was time to come home. Let's just say we've been sleeping in until 11:00 the last couple days. I feel so lazy.

School starts for me on Monday and I'm super excited. I really like school. I like having goals and reaching them. And I don't mean to toot my own horn (TOOOOOT TOOOOOT) but I'm pretty good at school. It's sometimes hard to be a mom and have all my accomplishments and goals be centered around being a mom. That sounds so ridiculously selfish, I realize, but it's the truth. I love being a mom more than anything, but I also really like having things separate. The kids start on the 1st (I think?) and they are so excited. Maria will have Mrs. Madden who is a friend of mine and who I just love -- and I think Maria will love her as a teacher, too. Jamie will have Mrs. Remacle who we love just as much as Mrs. Madden. Even Jamie. Jamie doesn't get attached to too many people and earlier this summer I remember one swimming day when Mrs. Remacle was there with her girls and he sat and connected with her. I'm not sure if she remembers it, but it was a big deal for me and I'm so glad he'll be with her this year.

Maria will take ballet again and we're looking for someone to teach her violin. She might be a little young, still, but we'll see. I'm hoping Jamie wants to do gymnastics. He would really love to do dance with Maria, but I will wait until he's a little older and see if he still wants to. I wouldn't mind a little tap dancer :)

Alice is getting to be such a big girl. 15 months. If you don't like hearing about breastfeeding, turn away....

....she now only nurses at night. *cry*. This was totally and completely my decision, and I'm glad I made it, but it still makes me sad that she's not my little baby anymore. I nursed Jamie until he was over 2 years old, and I thought for sure she'd go that long, too, but it looks like she might quit any month now. Sad.

Next post will be pictures, I promise. Maybe even our family pictures from Hawaii. xx fingers crossed xx