Good Bye Summer

Summer is over. I am sad. This summer has been a difficult one, but I still hate to see it go away. This summer was filled with summer school....and HEAT.
Emily wanted a jump start on her high school credits, and Jake just loves school and thought summer school sounded fun!

There have been a few fun outings ....but most of all...it has just been too hot to enjoy the time off.

Everyone who knows the Schmoll family know that we are...pasty white, NON- sun worshiping kind of people. We don't handle the heat or the sun too well.
That being said.... this summer kicked our behinds. It really ruled everything we did this summer (and everything we didn't get to do).

Lots of our time off involved indoor activities. Lots of movies, bowling and family game nights at home. Lots of inside video game-a-thons. Lots of hanging out snuggled up with a good book.

I love all of the above listed activities, but they don't scream summer .
We had plans for more six flags visits (that was nixed after Emily's heat stroke), plans for lots of trips to the pool, a float trip, a trip to the shut-ins...etc.
It just did not happen. In fact as we speak I have been actively doctoring poor Jake. He is suffering from a BAD sunburn. ONE day at the pool...followed by several days of PAIN.

Well, enough complaining. Summer is over, and school begins in just a few short days. Emily is excited about her FRESHMAN year. Jake is also excited about middle school. Everyone has school supplies piled up on their dressers, new clothes in their closets, and new shoes waiting to be laced up on the first day of school.

The kids have been comparing their schedules with their friends (via facebook), and anticipating the excitement of that first day of school.

I have had several days of re-certification and training...and am as ready as I can be to go back.

I promise to post new photos of the kids....very soon. I have been rather lax over the summer. Did I mention it has just been too HOT!

More soon. Thanks for hanging in there while I rambled !

BRACES UPDATE!!!!!

Jake is seven months into his experience with braces. His teeth are straightening out nicely. He has a way to go...but the difference is already astounding.

Emily spent 17 months in braces....

And she got them off TODAY.

WOOOOOHOOOOO.

She is beautiful (she was beautiful before the braces too)

But

The smile is captivating!

Keep smiling, Emily.

Jake- hang in there- you are next!

Isn't she just a pretty little thing?

We went to Granny's yesterday. We went out to hook up her wii. She got a new tv and needed help hooking up the system. Of course it was pretty steamy out, but I swiped Emily to go outside and take some photos. She is always such a good sport. I just hold up my camera, and say "please" and she agrees to sit for me. I am lucky to have a relatively willing participant, and one that is so photogenic too.
Thanks Em, you are beautiful, and I love photographing you. (Could you talk to Jake. He is not as willing to let me take his photos. I would love to snap a few of him every now and then too.)