Fresh starts and self discovery

With school starting things have settled more into a routine but we also aren't doing as many activities so I don't have many pictures to post so might only write every 2 weeks or every other one with pictures.
So as I was doing yoga this morning it gave me a chance to quiet my mind and go over the last few weeks.  School is going good, the kids have met some friends but it is quite different.  They aren't used to so many people cussing, or the fact that all sports are played on sundays but it opens the door for a lot of conversation regarding the uniqueness of each individual as well as the choices we make - if we are going to be our best self that day or go along with a crowd.
The most fascinating part to a fresh start is not all the new things around you but what you discover inside.  I'm often pulled back to the fact that we need to have balance in our lives.  So often I find when something is off, it isn't vastly off but ever so slightly out of balance, from diet, to activities, sleep, thoughts; it amazes me.
So as I was lying thinking I had to be thankful for my husband and children and I realized I am shifting a little too much towards the serious aspect of my personality and missing out on the laughing for no reason and just being silly part.
As the kids have started school and we have had conversations regarding who they are, what they believe, its been fascinating to watch their little personalities unfold.  We are all so complex for every "trait" or word we or others use to describe us their are 5 more that could be used.  I let my mind roll over the aspects of all the personalities in my family and realized how wonderfully we balance each other out.  Sometimes I get frustrated that Stuart isn't taking life seriously enough- after all we are in a war mentally and emotionally not unlike that of the 2000 stripling warriors, but as I lie going over his personality I realized how his free spirit balances my often too serious nature and how I can put a little reality into his child like fun to make sure we are having fun while at the same time learning a lesson.
So for this week I want to find a different "word" or "trait" each day for my family members - open myself to a broader view of what they each bring to my family as well as what I can bring.  With my own traits I want to make sure I am maintaining balance, to step back and laugh at myself a little if I am being too serious, to move a little if I am being a little too relaxed - to find that balance where I am all of me, not just a part of me.  What balance will you find this week?

End of summer fun

Well here we are at the end of summer.  So much fun and interesting experiences this season.  We're going to get one last beach day in this week and we had a nice time at plimoth plantation with the kids.  

Kyler and Stuart hadn't been yet, so it was fun to take the whole family.  We were so inspired by the Wampanog Indian site that we decided to make some canoes' ourselves.  We hollowed them out in Wampanog fashion with fire, then chisel then more fire.  

We're going to miss the warm summer nights at the baseball fields, but we've been enjoying the change of weather as it has gotten cooler, the frogs have been out more and the kids are catching a few each day.  We also caught a cool caterpillar with some awesome mimicry - what appears to be snake eyes to scare away other insects.  Now he's in his chrysalis and we'll see if he comes out this year or next.  

We loved our summer outings, from home to Maine: beaches, baseball, bugs, swimming, hanging with family and day trips.  

We're excited for school to start back.  The kids have been to tour the middle school, McKye had back to school night.  Kyler is missing Tanner quite a bit, but I'm hoping he'll make friends as he starts his classes.  He's been having a good time with the boys in Young Mens so hopefully he'll make some closer to home as well.  

Addie is missing Emily and Payton, but she too has enjoyed starting Young Women's, and has been making friends.  She's super excited to start middle school so she can get into drama and arts.  She's also quite the little baker.  She's been fattening me up with all her treats and snacks, they taste as good as they look, and she loves to decorate them all fancy like.