Fall

The first day of fall arrived this past weekend.  We are a few weeks into school and sadly had to officially say goodbye to summer.  Ryley and I are still trying to hang on to flip flips a week longer and the boys refuse to turn their shorts in all together and make the switch to pants.  It's getting a bit harder to hang on.  The mornings are getting cooler and the sun is setting earlier at night.  There is a cool breeze in the air and the leaves are starting to fall.  It's time to embrace it.  What better way to embrace fall then to start with a hayride at the farm along with apple picking.  The Dargan kids love a hayride and every time they go on one, they act like it's the first time.  They always have such excitement.  They stuffed the bag with more apples than it can hold.  They were all smiles as usual.  It's hard to say goodbye to summer, but Ryley, Joey, Owen and TJ make the transition to fall a little bit sweeter!

Happy Birthday Ryley girl

You will always be my baby girl. Happy Birthday to my 8 year old sweetheart. I sometimes wish you could be 8 months old again. I am proud of the beautiful sweet girl you have grown into. I love your energy, spirit and heart of gold. You have a sweet soul Ryley and are a gift from God. I remember this day in Sea Isle. It was the first day you crawled. I love you with all my heart!

First week of school

Me and my babies! I love these guys more than words can say.
Our first week went great. The days were a little busier and our mornings started a little earlier, but we made it. I snuggled with Ryley Friday night and my boys cuddled in bed with me Saturday night. Thank goodness for weekends.

Owen was all smiles on his first day at Lollipop school. So proud of you Owen! That face makes me melt. Another Dargan boy with all smiles. Joey expressing his confidence on first day of kindergarten. Happiest kid around.

My girl! Second grade and smiling this year. The sweetest!

TJ starts tomorrow. There is a chance I may pull him out and take him home with me. He says he doesn't want to go to school. I cry at the thought of it. Lots of tears tomorrow!

End of summer

I have been in denial the last few days. The dreaded first day of school starts tomorrow. Ryley just came down the stairs crying because she doesn't want to go. I of course had to act strong and tell her everything was going to be fine. I told her she should be excited and she was going to have a great year. I really wanted to tell her that I can't stand school and I wish I could keep them all home and I am more upset than she is at the thought of school beginning. I wish school could be 3 days a week and I sometimes can't stand the fact they they spend more time there during the week than with me. I can't believe Ryley is going into second grade and little Joey is starting kindergarten. I have to send Joey now. I already held him back a year. Well, I at least still have Owen and TJ home with me. Owen starts preschool tomorrow. Thankfully he only goes for 2 hours. TJ starts Monday for a couple of hours and I know I will be an absolute mess then.

We did have a wonderful summer together. We were together every day and did something every day. There were lots of beach days and pool days, cousin days, zoo days, bike riding days, rollerblading days and cuddly mornings. We hiked and we talked and we read and we walked. It was an amazing summer. I just have to remember that and continue to have our time and not get caught up in the crazy school days.

Not letting summer go

Ryley said to me yesterday that when she goes back to school, she is going to write in her school journal that she had the best summer. She doesn't think there is going to be enough room because of all the fun adventures she had. The last full week of summer vacation is approaching. I am happy that we still have 1 more week, but I am so sad to see these guys go back to school. Owen has no interest in starting school. Joey is looking forward to Kindergarten and TJ says he wants to stay with mommy. Ryley needs another month. So do I! For now, we just have to keep the fun coming!

On Thursday, we met GG and Grandpa and Uncle Denny, Cailey and Denny Ryan. Family is most important to the Dargan kids. They will pick hanging out with their cousins over anything. We went on a hike to Nyack State Park. We hiked along the Hudson River. We had a picnic lunch along the river. They skipped rocks, looked for bear caves, and spotted deer right in front of them on the trail. The highlight may have been going in the water with their clothes on, shoes and all. Thank God for crocs. (except for Owen who did it with socks and sneakers) You just have let kids be kids and not care. They had the best time doing it.

Anything goes

As I write this, I have TJ sleeping next to me in bed. Ryley, Joey and Owen are sleeping in their sleeping bags on the floor. They said, "mommy, can we please sleep on the floor in your room?" It is summer so why not? How much longer will they do this? This summer, Joey, Owen & TJ have slept on the floor in Ryley's room almost every night. I know that someday they will want their own space so why not enjoy it while I have it. It is summer and our theme this summer is that anything goes. Today we went hiking along the river with our cousins. I just watched as the kids threw their shoes and went into the Hudson River knee deep. They were soaked. I watched them try to push a huge log into the Hudson. Their clothes were wet, their shoes were off and their feet were covered in dust and mud. Owen had socks and sneakers on and not a care in the world that they were in the water. They all had a huge smile on their face. Some days or most days with me, you just have to go with it. Enjoy each second especially when you have 4 kids who are so innocent and just living life doing the most simple things.

Enjoying each day

It's summer 2012!

Ryley, Joey, Owen & TJ - I am loving every second of every day being with you guys. I love our beach days, pool days and rollerblading days, bike rides, hikes, and mornings in our PJ's. I love not knowing what day it is or what time it is and not caring. I love being in bathing suits and flip flops. I love our morning breakfast chats and love not having to be anywhere. I love our summer freedom and being together and doing what we want. I love enjoying our summer together.

Joe, I love that you are home with us in the afternoons and get to be part of all this too. We appreciate everything you do for us. We have been married for 9 years and life is amazing! So if you are reading this at work in the middle of the night, I love you.