September iPhone Dump

And now to sum up September:

The kids complained of boredom.

They will never make that mistake again.

 At her sweetest.

 Ryder built himself (mostly himself) some closet shelves.

 And Tessa lost her first tooth!!!

Equally noteworthy: the toothfairy made her appearance on that very same night.  It's a true tooth miracle!!

We survived you September.  Dare I say, we even enjoyed you!!

So high fives and fist bumps all around!

Minnesota Megan Comes to New Jersey!!

We were so excited to welcome the Rogers' to our playground!!

We began our adventurous weekend by taking the Path to the World Trade Center.

And marveling at the sobering National September 11 Memorial.

 Next we walked our way down to Brooklyn via her bridge.

 She's a natural beauty.

 We had ourselves a most satisfying meal at Grimaldi's, then subwayed our way back to the sexier side.

The day ended soaking in the stunning cityscape.

 Blondest babes.

 Our remaining days were spent swinging, eating and laughing.  

So. Much. Laughing. 

 The weather was perfectly cooperative and the cousins were perfectly content.

 I honestly believe our little weekend could not have been any more perfectly perfect.

 Megan and Adam are the most pleasant guests and it's an absolute shiny treasure to have my sister by my side.  

But that was all expected.

Surpassing every expectation were these 7 children.

They all just loved each other.  In the most real and tangible sense.

 It was such a pleasure to watch our families coexist in such a flawless and natural way.

We can't wait to make this happen again, because it was just too good.

 Thank you for making the trek to us Rogers Family!!!  

We love you like we love us.  

And that's saying a lot.

Yippee, Eden is Three!!

 This child is the naughtiest most mischievous little gremlin I have ever had the privilege of raising.

She also happens to be the wittiest, snuggliest, most clever little angel I have ever had the pleasure of nurturing.

 I use the term "angel" loosely.  Very loosely.

 She's hot or she's cold.  

The favorite or the foe.

 She lights up the room or she drags you into an endless abyss.

She is Eden.  

 And she is adorable.

 She specified a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, pink sprinkles and a princess crown.

 As you wish, your majesty.

Happy birthday Eden Rose!!! I'm so lucky you're mine!

Surfing off the Season

September showed herself to be splendidly warm.  

And these Zimmerman's took full advantage.  

We spent every last weekend of warmth on the lake.

Learning knew tricks, even.

Introducing: 

Wake Surfing.

Learned it like a boss.

  And finished with some pretty sweet jumps.

 And no shortage of adorable.

 This season was the best yet.  But I am absolutely positive I'll be saying the exact same next year.

They're just so much fun to watch, and their excitement is just so contagious.

Hashtag: proud mom.

The Start of School

We began with our annual pre-school  fashion show.

It's a tried and true favorite.

Then came the day of the dread.

I don't think there was one of us ready for the commencement of classes.  Nevertheless, they got gussied, glued on their gleemiest smiles, and put their best {and well-shoed} foot forward.

Tender Tessa Jane flung herself into first grade. 

She goes to school all day long now.

Lovely Linley Brooke floated into Fourth grade.

She does long division now.

 Roaring Ryder Kimball sailed into Sixth Grade.

He likes girls now.

 Mom is desperately trying to figure out how to manage getting three kids to three different schools in a timely fashion.  And how to make the butterflies cease every. single. time. I watch my little man walk away from my car.  

Middle school is no joke.

I am so very incredibly and endlessly proud of these little humans.

Knock 'em dead troops.