rolling into fall

A quickie run down on a few of the events of the last couple weeks. I baked. You know that thing where you put ingredients in a bowl and mix them up and then put them in the oven? I did that 3 times this week. My family isn't sure who I am or what I've done with their wife/mother.

Penny learned how to swim. Until two weeks ago our Labrador couldn't swim. She was a bit of a weirdo. But we've been taking advantage of the new off leash dog park at Invermere Beach (which by the way, is just so awesome) and Penny learned to swim from the other dogs.

Like her friend Bonnie. Good dog, Bonnie! Way to teach Penny to swim. If Penny was at all appreciative she would have let you have the ball.

Good dog Bonnie. Let me come and throw that ball for you.

Here we have Katie, Erica, Bonnie, and Calvin, all enjoying the water. The dark blob waay out there is my new swimmer. Good dog Penny.

After swimming with dogs a girl needs a healthy and refreshing drink. I think they both had Swampwater. Nothing beats a Swampwater brain freeze.

We all went out for dinner to Montana's. You know how you get a cardboard ship when you order a Pirate Pack at White Spot? Katie was horrified when her meal came to the table in a cardboard pick up truck. Driven by a deer and a moose. Not dignified for a 10 year old. Well, really not dignified for anyone. Where I grew up, pick up trucks were not something you thought of when considering your meal presentation. They were the vehicle you drove in to go kill your food.

We shopped for school supplies. This is a big school year. Katie is going into grade 5 and has big plans for herself academically. She also has outfits picked out for the next month.

Aidan is starting high school. High school y'all. He is totally ready to go. I'm sure I'll be ready for him to go when he's...20 - or 25.

Look - off he goes with his buds - he's the tall one, go figure. Things that have already been learned about high school? Get on the right bus, and get off at the school. Or when you notice other students getting off the bus. I called Aidan today and asked how school was. "Umm, funny story" he says.

Aidan learned that you get homework the very first day of classes. Isn't he studious? He gets that from me.

Aidan also learned that you should not make assumptions about things in high school. Like whether you'll like your teachers or not, or whether you'll find your classes. Or whether your locker will have a door.