Oh my the month is almost over!

Gosh just one more day and I've only posted a couple times this month! I better let you know what we've been up to.

Greg has been traveling a lot. Had to go to Kentucky and Kansas for 2 weeks. I think he is really tired of all the driving he's been doing. But he's home now and doesn't have to leave again for another week! Yeah, I know but he has been home a week already. So that's good...2 weeks home, a week gone!

While Greg was gone the kids have started Fall sports. Beren and Seth are both play Middle School football. Leia is now playing volleyball and has already had her first game. Unfortunately they lost 2 out of the 3 games. Leia was super nervous...so hopefully all the jitters will leave the more she plays. Here's some snap shots of her at the game...

Leia's the tall one...#18! She picked 18 for her love of the Colts, Payton Manning!

Little practicing before the game. Leia is 2nd on left.

Lily called Leia's name and she gave us a quick glance.

Love this photo of Tess and Lily watching the game! Love those pigtails! haha Girls are so cute!

Recent scrapbook page I made of Leia with her "Wilson" volleyball!

I don't have any photos of the boys playing football yet. They haven't had a game thus far so that will come later. They're sore and tired from all the practicing!

Both boys are in MS Marching Band and had lots of practices before school starts. Just 2 more days and they are back to the grind again!

Leia had her orientation for High school too. She is so excited and yet nervous being a young freshman this year. Her fears will be over when all the homework assignments come!

Tess was able to meet her 4th grade teacher. I can't believe Tess is already in 4th grade! Amazing! Also, Tess received a letter that she can take piano lessons this year...she is sooo excited about this. She also wants to play a sport...soccer but I haven't found out the schedule yet...so we will wait and see how that goes.

Fall is always a Super busy time for us because of all the back to school events and sports. So if you don't see a lot of posts for me in September you'll know why.

First day of Summer School...

It's time for Summer School!

Tess and Seth both have classes this year. Beren and Leia are lucky and get to stay home with me! Tess is lucky because she has the fun classes.

Piano Lessons and Cooking Classes!

For Seth, he's not so lucky... it's Reading, Math, and Band Classes for him!

Playing the drums is fun tho!

They're lessons run for 6 weeks and I have to drive them to school everyday...

Monday thru Thursday! This is the only draw back for me.

Hurts the Purse! Know what I mean?

Tess was in a Play last weekend...check it out!

Just a quick update: I moved my scrapbook pages to the bottom of the blog. I haven't added anything new to my pages in a long time so it's kinda old news...but if you enjoy looking at them they are still here just relocated to the bottom of this page now.

I'm also going to put a link to a specific video in each new post. Hopefully it will work. But if you ever want to see all my video's just click on the link in the sidebar on the right titled "Video Updates" it's here that you can see all my videos on Youtube. If you're having problems viewing the Youtube page you can always go to http://www.youtube.com/user/mommamikki save this page in your favorites...then you will always have a direct link to my videos.
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Now moving on to the main topic of the day. Tess in the play Mary Poppin's . She has the roles as Mrs. Banks. Tess likes to describe Mrs. Banks as the unconcerned mother of Jane and Michael Banks. Great description! huh?

Tess did a great job acting. She wasn't nervous at all and spoke her lines very well during the whole performance. She didn't make any mistakes...sh-woof!

As you veiw the video below take note of the backdrops. All of them were painted by the students in her class with the help of some parents. I love how Tess' teacher allowed the kids to take an active part in all aspects of the play...everything from setting up, staging, singing and preforming! She is an AWESOME teacher! (I would name her but we need to keep it confidential here)

Leia and I put together her outfit at the last minute. We needed to find clothing that fit the time period. It has been years since I've seen the movie Mary Poppins'...so I had to go on the Internet to check out Mrs. Banks clothing.
See her here: Mrs. Banks
I think we did a pretty good job getting her costume together. Love the hat and boots that Tess is wearing...I found them at Goodwill and the rest of her clothing is from Big sis Leia's, clothes closet!

Tess' teacher was so sweet and asked "how many times has Tess watched the movie?" I said I don't think she has ever seen it. Well come to find out the whole class watched the movie 1 time so they could get a good understanding of it...then they tried out for roles. Tess' teacher said that she (Tess) fits the role of Mrs. Banks perfectly...has her mannerisms and all. Too funny cause Tess is very motherly and mature in her speech...but the girl had only seen the movie once in her life. Then on Mother's Day of all days, THE MOVIE CHANNEL featured Mary Poppins all day long! How cool was that? Tess was thrilled to see it again on TV. We had fun watching it together...good thing cause I forgotten what most of it was about.

Now a little about the video. This is only part 1 of the play. Also, I only included highlights of the play...mainly the songs and scenes Tess was in. I also blurred most of the scenes too because I really don't know how other parents feel about their kids faces being on the Internet. Just wanted to let you know why it looks the way it does.

I'm so impressed with all the performers...remember these kids are around 9 or 10 years old. The gal that plays Mary Poppins has an awesome singing voice and so do the boys.

I thanked Tess teacher for introducing the kids to acting at such a young age...I sure hope this will inspire Tess to continue in this ART...she's pretty comfortable performing and is pretty darn good at it too! Enjoy!

Where does the time go?

I tried several days ago to update this blog and dang if I didn't get to finish the update and lost all the photos I uploaded. Oh well, I tried. I just wanted to let everyone who checks in often that I'm just super busy and that I will get back in here soon and update with all the latest news.

Right now Greg and I are in a struggle with the school system here. We have a Child that has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) for Learning Disabilities...he was recently evaluated and found to be ineligible for the program. We disagree with the schools decision and are trying with all our might to understand how this school works and learn how we can help get the best possible results for our child. So with this said I haven't had as much time to dedicate to my blog. Keep checking in as I will try soon to get up some new photos and tell more about FUN things in our lives! Thanks for peeking in!

Well it's Fall here and the most busiest time of the year.

Trees in our backyard are now turning yellow and the leaves are falling to the ground. Yeah! I love Fall but not all the running around we do!

Yes, for the Boyd Family, the beginning of school is OUR most busiest time of the year.

With the start of school comes all the activities. And the biggest one right now is football. Both boys are playing this year. Seth having practice 2 days a week and games on Saturdays. Beren has practice 4 days a week and games on Monday or Tuesday. They both are doing very well and actually enjoy it.

Seth on Game Day!"Tough Guy" look!

Beren in gold getting dragged around by his opponent.

Leia is cheering now. WOW! She's often said that cheering just wasn't her thing. But now that we are in a new town, new school and making new friends that's all changed. She totally surprised me one day after school when she showed up in this uniform. Originally she said she was gonna check into cheering and the next thing I know she's ready to go. Frankly, I like it. I think she looks great and she says that cheering is funnier than dance.

Leia looking snazzy in her cheerleading outfit!

Beren and Leia also have had their very first experience with Marching Band. During half time at Tomah High School Football game the Middle School Band went on the field with the High School Marching Band. I wasn't able to go because we had very unusual weather that night. (freezing 29 degrees...burrr) So I stayed home with Lily and Greg was in charge of taking pictures. Well they're not the greatest but you can get an idea of what's going on. Leia and Beren said it was fun but they were just too cold! They have a couple more parades to do with Marching Band and then they are done for the year and back to indoor concerts.

Leia in front playing Trumpet.

Beren in the line up...with his big Tuba!

Tess loves school and soon will join another girl scout group here. She wants to play soccer but I was told that soccer is better in the spring...not the fall. Thanks goodness cause I don't think we could add another thing to our plate! So Tess goes with us to football games and hangs out with new friends.

Tess with a new friend at a school picnic.

Now little Miss Lily just hangs out with mom all day. She's now able to eat with a fork and can say a few cute works like Zippa (our cat), What's that, ByeBye, Okay, and my all time favorite...shut up! No not really...not sure if that's what she's really saying but it sure sounds like it. She is full of energy and has so many expressions now. I'm so proud of all my older children they are so loving and helpful with her...she is one lucky loved baby!

Love this smile on her face. This was the day the temperature dropped. Lily and I went for a morning walk and her little nose is red from the cold.
Big girl eating with a fork! On her plate chicken, mac and cheese and tropical fruit mix! Healthy eater!

Now for Greg...he's just received a "Time Off" award at work. He's done such a great job that he was put in to receive this award...he was to get 20 hours off and in the end was awarded 40 hours off from work. So we are taking some of this time to go to back to Iowa to see our old friends and our oldest daughter, who I miss terribly! So watch out for us Solon gang! Oct 5th! Yeah! We can't wait to see everyone again!

Dog pile...after this load Greg will need those 40 hours off! ha ha

As for me I've joined in on an Explores Bible Study group. Which has been lots of fun...especially meeting new friends. I also joined the PTO group at Tess' school and looking forward to helping out when I can. Already I'm in charge of the free book program and Staff Appreciation Week. So finally I'm getting involved and getting to make new friends.

One thing I must share with you all is my recent purchase of a Bushel of green boiling peanuts! Yep, that's right I ordered peanuts online and had them delivered to my house...just so we can eat peanuts and watch football...they go hand and hand at our house.

It's hard to take the southerner out of this southern girl!

2- 20 lbs of green boiling peanuts from Hardy Farm in Georgia.

One last picture...kids were in the backyard playing and I got this great shot of them!

Love it!

So this kinda wraps up what we've been doing. Hopefully I want go this long with out an update!

Thanks for looking and remember I love your comments!