Early Sept Misc.

Here are just a few pictures of what's been happening in the Ruddick household since school started: 

We found a great deal on a hot tub on craigslist, so Josh finished preparing the spot for it in the corner of our little backyard and figured out a way to get it back there.  It fit perfectly and so far it's been a lot of fun for the kids and Josh.  I'm looking forward to getting to try it out when I am no longer pregnant. (:

We've been keeping the water warm (not hot), so the kids don't cook!

Sometime at the end of summer we lost Griffin's precious little monkey. ):  We couldn't find it anywhere, and it was very upsetting to Griffin--well, we all felt bad for him!  Little monkey was Griffin's favorite toy and sleeping buddy.  So, after searching and searching our house without any luck, I decided to look online to see if I could find a replacement.  I found one that looked like the same one and ordered it...and when it arrived, it was just perfect!  Griffin was so happy and surprised, and he's been sweeter than ever with his new little monkey, newly named Monocito (thanks to his newly spanish-speaking big brother). (:

Daddy and Ronan have been riding bikes together to school once a week.  I think it's a highlight of the day for both of them--Josh says that Ronan is so happy and talkative when they bike together. (:

I had the three Temple kiddos over one Friday when their parents were in a jam for childcare.  Ronan was at school, so Griffin got to have some buddies to play with. (:  It was fun and surprisingly easy, thanks to big sister, Grace, who was a great help & such a little mommy. (:

We have had to work on remembering our house rules since school started.  Ronan is loving the fact that he gets to go to school with Tyler and Sadie, and carpool with them--but they all have a hard time saying goodbye & staying at their separate houses when we are back home (especially when the weather is nice!).  So, one day while Ronan was in a timeout for disappearing from our backyard & appearing in the Chase's backyard, he asked for a pen & paper so he could make himself a reminder.  It is taped on the wall by our front door, and it kind of works sometimes... (;