Yikes! How did it get to be September already? My neighborhood Costco has Halloween costumes out right next to Christmas decorations and toys! Too early for me!

I've been a bit spotty with my visits to TC over the past few months. As some of you know, my MIL broke her hip in June and we brought her here to live with us during her recovery. Other medical issues were discovered over the summer. About 2 weeks ago, we brought her to live with my dh's sister. This was always the ultimate plan and she's now living on the East Coast. But our summer was filled with her care.

We did squeeze in a quick East Coast vacation after dropping off MIL. We drove up the coast to Williamsburg, Jamestown, Mt. Vernon and Washington, DC. A wonderful trip that the boys thoroughly enjoyed! We needed some family time.

Now school is underway for us. And things are busy!

I'll take a shot with some questions this week.

1. Do your stores have holiday decorations out yet? Have you started your holiday planning/shopping/etc.?

2. Do your local schools ask for parent donations due to budget cuts? What is a range of the money donations?

3. Do you write checks or pay all bills online?

4. What's the weather like in your area?

5. How often do you go to the dentist? Your children?

Have a great week everyone!

Sharon
13 year old b/b/b + 17 year old son

Nice to see you on the Monday updates, Sharon. I, too am spotty about posting answers to the Monday updates lately.

We moved 2 of the trio across the state into their dorms. I cried 2 days.....Elizabeth moved in on a Sunday and Jack moved on Monday, so 2 days of goodbyes. Jessica cried most of the way home from dropping off her sibs. She told me she thinks it's harder for her (missing them) because they are triplets and have always done everything together. She has several weekend trips planned to spend in her sisters dorm room.

1. Do your stores have holiday decorations out yet? Have you started your holiday planning/shopping/etc.? Yep. No, haven't started shopping or planning. Not in the mood yet.

2. Do your local schools ask for parent donations due to budget cuts? What is a range of the money donations? N/A

3. Do you write checks or pay all bills online? Mostly online. Just 2 that I write checks for.

4. What's the weather like in your area? a little chilly....62 degrees, overcast.

5. How often do you go to the dentist? Your children? We all go twice a year for cleanings.

Have a great Labor day Everyone. Unfortunately I'm at work.

Trish Dawson
Mom to bgg (1992 @ 31
weeks)

Trish, I must be hormonal right now (plus I always get sentimental when school starts) but I almost started crying when I read about your daugther crying after the sibs moved out! I was wondering how you managed to drive home and not cry the whole way. Ugh, my kids seem to have gone thru a maturity spurt this summer, every time I look at them they are looking more grown up and talking more grown up. Last night I even started thinking that I could easily do the baby thing all over again (good thing for DH my body really can't do the baby thing again.)
Sharon, I hope you MIL continues with a good recovery. That's great you and your family were able to enjoy a little vacation travel squeezed in there.
We have had a busy summer with one doing summer baseball and one doing Select soccer. We managed to squeeze in a few trips around WA state and a trip to see my brother's family in Spark NV. The boys are in different soccer leagues this fall and are at the age where we have to travel for half the games so we'll have to devide to conqure that schedule. Our DD has never been into sports but for her it's back to daily piano practice.

1. Holiday decorations/shopping: Christmas decorations were up in Costco on Saturday/no shopping or planning yet.
2. School donations: I have not been asked for any yet but every October they usually do fund raisers and remind parents they have the option to donate money at that time.
3. On-line bill pay: Half & half here.
4. Weather: The fall weather is here, a little drizzle this AM and it's in the low 50s.
5. Dentist: 2 x a year for routine cleaning. One started orthodontics last March so he goes about every 2 months right now.
Happy Labor Day~

Shell~
B/B/G 1/7/2000

1. Do your stores have holiday decorations out yet? Have you started your holiday planning/shopping/etc.? Just halloween stuff. I haven't even thought about Christmas shopping yet.

2. Do your local schools ask for parent donations due to budget cuts? What is a range of the money donations? Not monetary donations, but we are asked to provide kleenex, snacks etc

3. Do you write checks or pay all bills online? A bit of both.

4. What's the weather like in your area? 60-70. Finally. We were getting sick of the hot and humid weather.

5. How often do you go to the dentist? Your children? Every six months religiously.

The kids started school last week it's been so quiet during the day. Love it! I've gotten so much accomplished in just a few days. I feel rejuvinated. The only PITA is homework. It's been difficult for them to get back into the homework routine.

Have a great week everyone!

"Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears."-- Gillian Anderson

1. Do your stores have holiday decorations out yet? Have you started your holiday planning/shopping/etc.?
I have seen some Halloween things out but certainly nothing that signals Christmas!
Here in South Bend, college football is big so late Aug and Sept are decorated for tailgating!

2. Do your local schools ask for parent donations due to budget cuts? What is a range of the money donations?
My girls are at a Catholic grade school and they are ALWAYS asking for donations but not due to budget cuts. I estimate we end up spend $500/year in fundraising/supplies etc..
My son is at a public high school but no requests for themselves. They frequently do fund raising for disadvantaged students.

3. Do you write checks or pay all bills online?
My husband works for the post office so we mail ALL our bills. Got to keep him working!

4. What's the weather like in your area?
Hot, hot, hot humid summer. Even my girlfriend visiting from LA couldn't take the humidity when she was visiting last week. Yesterday we had a cold front move in so now it is perfect, beautiful fall weather- 68, sunny with enough of a breeze to wear a sweater.

5. How often do you go to the dentist? Your children?
The kids go every 6 mos. My husband and I are more like yearly. We got out of the habit when all 4 kids had braces and money could only go so far.
Really need to get back.

Sharon, I know caring for a relative takes a toll on the family. What a blessing you were able to give to your mother-in-law and to your children.



Judie and Victor
lucky parents to
Frankie 3/95
Maggie 7/96
Rose 7/96
Elizabeth 7/96

Alex twisted his ankle on Friday (doing fine now) so missed out on the backpack trip up Redwood Creek. Beautiful place and experience! Today we find out if B&C made the school soccer team!


1. Do your stores have holiday decorations out yet? Have you started your holiday planning/shopping/etc.? I don't think so...and have not planned anything yet -- except being at my parents with the boys during Thanksgiving (San Clemente, CA). One holiday at a time!

2. Do your local schools ask for parent donations due to budget cuts? What is a range of the money donations? Not yet, but we are buying more stuff.

3. Do you write checks or pay all bills online? Try to hand-deliver whenever possible, otherwise mail.

4. What's the weather like in your area? Wonderful -- ranging from sunny and warm, to foggy, to drizzle and back again. Keeps one on one's toes!

5. How often do you go to the dentist? Your children? Every 6 months for the boys and me. The orthodontist visits will be starting soon enough.

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t356/vaughn3abc/