One man's trash is another man's treasure

I went to my brothers house this past weekend. Boy, did I hit the JACKPOT!! Their neighbors had cleaned out their garage and were throwing away so many amazing things. I guess the saying "One man's trash is another mans treasure" was a definite in this case. 

We left with a skateboard, a five man tent in perfectly good condition, rollerblades, a bike, an electric scooter, a regular scooter. My brother took some great stuff as well. I should have taken a picture of it all. It was Crazy!! I asked them why they weren't at least donating it and they said they didn't have the time. I was shocked because around here, you just call the Red Cross and they will come pick up items and they don't even charge you. It's a simple phone call!! They said they didn't want to wait. All I could imagine was the garbage men taking these perfectly great items and throwing them in a landfill. What a waste!!! What a great weekend to stop at my Brother's house!

I packed things happily and giddy into the van until I couldn't possibly fit one more item. My husband rolled his eyes, as he let me know how many projects I have to finish, knowing these things could easily crowd our garage. I thought, hey, if we don't use them, we can sell them, and at the least we can give them away or donate them. I have a hard time watching people throw out stuff that can be used by others. These neighbors were literally throwing things away. I just about died because there were things that in my opinion should at least be donated!

As you can see in this picture, the bike these people were throwing away was the same bike that my daughter has!! Yes, it squeaked a little, but not bad enough to throw away. Avery had friends over and they had a great time riding bikes, but after a few weeks I ended up selling it for $40. Not a lot of cash, but someone got a great deal and I was able to make a few extra bucks!

The skateboard we ended up taking was way better than the one we had at home and it has become Boston's favorite toy. Now both boys can use skateboard with out having to fight over it. Boston is actually pretty great on a skateboard, unlike his momma! He may just want to snowboard this year instead of ski. I guess we'll find out!

School Bells a Ringin!

I'm sure I'm not the only Mom that is excited for school to start back up. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and we have all kind of fun together during the summer, but the week before school starts my kids are ready to get back and see their friends again, the whole house is full of anticipation. It is so nice to have a break during the summer, but almost just as nice to have a schedule and have a few moments to myself, kid free. The kids were excited for school to start this year. Avery will be in the 5th grade- last year for Elementary school in our neck of the woods. Boston will be in the second grade and Van will be a big Preschooler! Happy first Day!

 Avery was so excited for school to start. As a 5th grader, she is now apart of the Eyewitness Eagles News crew and was lucky enough to be chosen to be on the morning news the first day of school with her friend Noemi.

This was the first year Boston did NOT want to be walked to his class. He's a big second grader now. As I watched him confidently walk up the stairs by himself I realized how independent he has become. I wish I could say he looked back and blew me a kiss, but nope- not this kid. He didn't even look back to see if I was still watching him. That's Boston for ya- not that he doesn't love us but he is definitely growing up and trying to show us that he's o.k. doing things on his own.

Next stop was Van's Preschool. As he impatiently waited with his arms crossed, eyebrows scrunched in, and a few foot impatient foot stomps at the elementary school, he was all smiles as we rushed to the car to take him to school. It was finally his turn! He was so excited to go to school with his new batman backpack. He was giddy as he walked through the doors. As we walked through the doors, he did get quiet. That's how Van is. He likes to observe. I wouldn't be surprised if he only said a few words that day. It takes him a while to warm up but it doesn't mean he doesn't like it, he actually loves school. He just likes to warm up to everyone first. I know he's going to have a great year!

Beach Bums

We had so much fun with our friends at the beach this weekend. It was so nice to relax and fun before school starts. Avery's friend K got a new surfboard for her birthday so the girls had all kinds of fun catching waves.

Do you like our sand couch? Isn't it amazing. We had all kinds of fun taking turns relaxing on it. I wish I could say that we built it, but that didn't happen. Someone else did and left it for us to enjoy. Lucky us!!
Van, Boston and R had lots of fun playing in the sand. Let's just say we took two showers to get all the sand off of their bodies!!!

While we were at the beach we ran into Morgan who was Van's little friend from preschool. It was so fun to see them again. Van had the biggest crush on her at school (refer to princess post) and he still talks about her so it was a treat to get to see her and her family again.

As much as I love and miss the Mountains, it is pretty darn nice to live close to the beach!