Fall finally arrived!

Our weekend weather was finally fall-like. We have been running in the 90's through last Friday! Insane I tell you, insane! But this weekend was sunny and warm, not hot though! It was perfect!
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The kids raked some leaves this weekend - they were hoping to get enough to jump in, but that didn't happen!
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I made vegetable soup and served it with crusty bread. YUM!
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I decided to take a month-long challenge to make my home a haven. I know I need to work on ME and I am hoping this challenge will help bring peace to our home. There are a lot of things that brought me to this decision. The issues with Spirit lately got me thinking. I also got to thinking about a friend of mine who is having some issues with her two boys, and I wondered if it is the parenting or is it the child? I then read on my sister's blog about a boy who who pulled the fire alarm and felt so terrible after ward that he writes letters to the fire department apologizing. It got me thinking - did his parents do something differently in raising him? Maybe, maybe not. But either way, I know I need to work on who I am and how I react and think in order to be a better example for my kids. {note: I also am premenstrual this week which doesn't help a thing!}
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I was speaking with a friend of mine last night about some family relationships that are sour right now. She told me to just keep trying to reconcile and if it doesn't work out then I know I did all I could to make it right and then I let it go. Sometimes I feel like I try and try and this person just doesn't want to reconcile and continues to find things to be upset with me about. When do I say enough is enough? Maybe right now. Enough!
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Lady Bug and I cleaned her closet and dresser to get rid of summer and bring in the fall stuff! she was so thrilled! I had been given some clothes from a friend and there are some super cute things in there! Lady Bug tried everything on and couldn't wait to wear a "new" outfit today to school!
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I was asked by Lady Bug's teacher today how she is doing with her reading. After we talked a bit, she said that Lady Bug failed an assessment test - she said she is surprised because she knows Lady Bug is reading quite well. There are only 2 kids reading at a high level in the class and one is Lady Bug. So the teacher wanted to know how I feel she is doing. I told her she is reading cereal boxes and other books (besides the ones she brings home from school) so I know she can do it. She said she will talk with her today and maybe Lady Bug just wasn't focusing during the assessment and they will re-assess her.
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I was also asked by Lady Bug's teacher today if I would be willing to make calls to parents to encourage volunteering in the classroom. She said she has asked but hasn't gotten any responses so she thinks maybe if I call and tell parents how fun it is to be in the classroom they might agree to it! We'll see. Hee!
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One more thing about Fall - as I walked the kids to school, it was chilly! YAY! AND we had to turn our heater on for the first time this morning! I am loving it!