If any of you are still checking my blog and wondering where I have been, I have been very busy . . . the blog has been neglected, but better than neglecting, say, my kids, right?

Summer is over and the kids are back in school . . . I had Josh take a photo of each Maisie and Cole on their first day (I was already at work) . . . but I have not had a chance to see how those pics turned out.  I will hopefully get those onto my laptop this week and post them on the blog.  It is fun to see how the kids change by comparing the first day of school pic from each year.

Henry wishes he was going to school too.  He is so cute.  He is ready, I think, for preschool, but he is only 2, and the ones I have looked into require him to be 3 to start.  He is already potty trained, though, and can sing the whole alphabet and count into the teens . . . he is a very good communicator with fabulously complex sentences.  He even makes jokes.  Too funny.

Cole had his first soccer game this weekend.  He scored four goals.  Nice job Cole!  They don't keep score at his level, but I think his team got 7 goals . . . 4 of 7 isn't bad, eh?   Cole is quite the little athlete.  He is also great with numbers.  Not much of a reader yet, but is really good at math and kicks but at Rummikub.  He has also learned how to play chess (he wanted to learn because they play it in Harry Potter) and is always begging for a game.

The kids have a four-day-a-week school week this year.  Weird and sad.  Teachers got a 10% decrease.  Kids miss out on a whole day of school each week.  I am sure families where both parents work are struggling with Mondays.  So far my kids aren't complaining about it, but they have Josh home with them and we try to give them interesting things to do!  Maisie's friend, Rain, is going to come over every Monday . . . so those two little pre-teens are happy about that.  The two of them are so funny.  When Rain comes over the two of them put on "performances" for us . . . singing and dancing to their favorite songs (but they only know the words to the chorus).  It is shocking how many of their fave songs are from when I was a kid!  Another sign Maisie is now a tween:  she idolizes Selina Gomez.

What else?

About a week ago I got some samples of my newest game in the mail . . . so that was fun.  Now if the game would just get some distribution, that would be great.  Hopefully you all will see it in stores this fall.  It is called 'Under My Spell' and is for the Wizards of Waverly Place Disney Channel TV show.

I have a verbal contract for another game with the same company (Cardinal Industries) but haven't seen the actual contract or advance yet . . . but that one is supposed to be going out in fall as well . . . I will keep you posted.  It is for a TV show as well . . . more info to come . . .

Josh and I head up to my WU (Willamette University) 10 year reunion this upcoming weekend!  Wowey zowey!  Am I that old?  We are leaving the kids with my Mom and Dad . . . we haven't ever left all three before.  Hopefully all goes well!

I guess I never posted over the summer, so here are a few tidbits about those sunny days . . .

We took a trip up to Portland to see Zack (my brother) graduate from Medical School.  Very exciting.  And the even more exciting part is that Zack has moved back down here (to Ashland).  We are so happy to have him close.  Cole and Henry can't get enough of their cool uncle who loves to play with them.  This weekend Zack climbed the roof of my parents' house so that Cole and Henry could shoot rockets to him . . . very fun.

We went on a fabulous camping trip to the redwoods.  We stayed at Jedediah Smith State Park in Cali.  Wonderful.  My parents and Zack and Deirdre (my sister) came too.  So much fun.  Lots of swimming in the river and enjoying the outdoors.  Nice to not use a computer for several days in a row!

We got to have Zach and Kim (our fabulous P-town friends) come stay with us and we met their new addition, Delaney.  She is so cute!  And Declan (their 2 year old) has grown so much . . . it was so fun to see Henry and Declan play together.

I am continually grateful to be close to family -- we love seeing our niece and nephews.  Henry and Dawson are such a little pair.  They are such buddies.  Henry calls Dawson "My Dawson."  They see each other several times a week and talk on the phone.  Luke comes over a lot too . . . he gets to be the big kid at our house (he is the baby at his house) . . . Maisie and Cole worship him.   I went and watched Taylor play in one of her first volleyball games of the year . . . she is a fabulous athlete and will be off to college next year!  Cole is on Kabb's soccer team again.  Chase is now taller than I am!  He was shorter than me just a few months ago! 

I am coaching Maisie's volleyball team again this year.  And got roped into being the 4th and 5th grade coordinator as well . . . so I am often on the phone with parents and setting up game schedules etc etc.  I so hope Maisie learns to love VB!  At this point she is not very happy with me for making her play.  All the other girls think I am great!  Oh, well.  Maybe that is another tween trait.  Mom's are so frustrating, right?  Why can't she just do what she wants to do?  Maisie is currently walking around the house in a pair of my heals.

That is about it for now!  Hopefully I will post soon . . .  with pictures!