Lagoon!!

Scott, Shelbi and Jensen on the Tilt-a-whirl

Anja took a quick 20 minute catnap around 9 p.m. then woke up and asked for more rides.

The boys on yet another roller coaster of some sort (they all started to blend together after the first hour or two)

Nadia getting ready to do some crashing.

Jensen getting ready to hit Nadia and Mom (although he could barely see over the steering wheel).

Anja and aunt Kristin.

Anja's favorite ride.. around and around and around and around and around and around...

Jensen felt vindicated after spinning his car to the point that he made uncle Scott and aunt Shelbi nearly sick...

Some were not happy we made them ride...

Nikki talked the boys into riding everything.

Road Rage at Lagoon

No explanation needed...

I've never had a child exhibit road rage at Lagoon. But then again, I've never had a child like Anja.

Half way in the grave??

...not quite, but I'm really not a fan of getting older. It's awful. I'll be one of those 80 year old women they do news stories on who can't give up her youth. I'm a full supporter of plastic surgery, liposuction, body shapers, tanning creams and high heels. If you don't have it any more, find something that can give it back to you!

That said, I did have a wonderful day thanks to my kids (they went back to school on my birthday), my girlfriends (who expressed their love with streamers and balloons) and my husband who handed me plane tickets for a trip next month-- top secret location TBA.

I have a deep love for flowers, which my girlfriends indulged.

And a deep love for chocolates which they wholeheartedly supported.

Rich also knows my desire for Mrs. Cavanaugh's chocolate dipped strawberries.

Thank you to everyone for making my day so wonderful!

First Day of School

Monday morning brought enthusiastic cheers (from me), belly groans (from Carter) and cautious optimism (from Jensen) as we pulled on uniforms and headed out the door for 1st and 4th grade. Carter said changing classes seven times a day was nice-- "Now I only have to listen to the same teacher for an hour a day."

Jensen was bored out of his mind and said, "It took so long for the day to end!"

Anja was happy to send the boys out the door and be left with just mom.

The best part was the phone message I had left around 11:30 a.m. on the answering machine. Carter called during lunch while I was gone.

"Mom, this place is a zoo! It's so unorganized and the lunchroom is just crazy. People are just being dumb and not staying organized. It's like they've never been at school before. I know I can't come home-I'm a Coombs and I know what that means, but really mom, everyone needs to get their acts together and stop being so out of control. So, I just needed to call and tell someone. See you after school."

Our home thrives on structure, can you tell?

Chuck E. Cheese

Yes, this place does still exist. We promised a trip there this summer and had to make good--

Something a little sweet

Our last play group field trip this summer was to Sweets Candy Factory. Anja thought she had died and gone to heaven and Carter now informs us he wants to make candy when he grows up. I suggested he be the engineer who designs the machines that makes the candy.

"No," he said. "I just want to make candy."

Jensen was a little grossed out, but liked the chocolate machine. We only have one picture because there are no cameras allowed in the factory. Thanks for organizing it, Dawn.

Look at me!

Ah, trying to keep up with her brothers.