peace in the valley...

While one is off at school, doing the things that first graders do...

... the other 2 nap peacefully, one in my bed...

... and the other, on the couch.

Peace in the valley, I tell you...

summer, where did you go?

the view from there.

After being on duty nearly every day and every night since January 7, 2003, it was nice to retreat kid-less with my beloved for a bit. Fortunately we had a view.

And a nice one at that, right?

Lots of big things going on at our house over the past several weeks, and so far life shows no signs of letting up any time soon. Which is good.

The first day of first grade for Margaret lingers just around the corner. Preschool starts again soon for Lydia, and this year, Jack. We have a new puppy, that's right, a new puppy, coming to live with us closer to the end of September. We have a boat! A boat! Who would have thought we would ever own a boat! I foresee lots of weekends spent lazing about this boat this fall, swimming off the back, bobbing in the warm water...

Lots of big things, indeed.