I didn't even cry...

when I dropped him off for his very first day of Kindergarten this morning. I can't believe my "baby" is big enough to go to school. He loved it, but he came home really tired! He told me that he couldn't tell me all about his day since "way too much happened." But I did get that recess was fun - he played pirates.

We signed Gracie up for dance classes that start tomorrow. She got her new ballet shoes today and can hardly wait to wear them. Dallin is going to a tumbling class tonight at the same studio to see if that's what he wants to try this year. He had his heart set on karate, but we'll see about that.

Here's a couple more photos from this morning. I took a couple after school, but they're still sitting on my camera.

It's About Time

I updated this silly thing. I had great intentions in the beginning but that was before summer hit. I had no idea how crazy my life would become.

DS will be starting Kindergarten in a couple of weeks and it hit me that this summer may be the last time he'll really be exctited about spending time with his mom. Hopefully I'm wrong, but you never know. Anyway, I was determined to make time to have FUN with him before he heads off to school. We've been having a BLAST, but boy am I tired!


Last week was our county fair. This was the first year the kids have really cared about any of the events going on. DH went to scout camp during the week, so I was flying solo with the 2 kids to some of the events. We did the movie night, the exhibits, the carnival, the live entertainment. Last, but not least was the parade. DD was so funny pointing at everything as it passed and waving her little heart out to all the princesses and queens riding on the floats. (I think I'm in big trouble!) Of course they walked away with a huge haul of candy and tummy aches, but it was worth it. It's funny how having kids makes all the little things in life fun and exciting all over again. We had fun, but I tell ya, I was completely exhausted by the end of the week.


Then come Sunday, it was my week to teach the lesson in Relief Society. I know it's shocking, but I actually prepared in advance this time. (I usually procrastinate it until Saturday night.) I didn't want the kids to miss out on the fair while I was home preparing a lesson last-minute, so I started early this time. I even digiscrapped some handouts, which turned out so cute. I was glad I had prepared well, since the stake leaders showed up unannounced. I was a little nervous to see them, but it all turned out OK.

I'm setting a goal to start blogging at least once a week...wish me luck!

Spontaneous Getaway

We did something crazy this weekend. We left our sick kids on a moment's notice and went to Wyoming. This really isn't like us AT ALL! So how did it happen?



It was actually a "company retreat" for a little company that offered dh a job a few weeks ago. He really agonized over the decision, but in the end he turned the job down. They said they wanted to "wine and dine" him...I think it was really just to show him what he's missing out on. The people were all so friendly and fun! We stayed up late playing card games and laughing so hard that it hurt! The owner of the company cried he was laughing so hard! Then we stayed in our own little luxurious cabin! It was so cute and cozy! Dh loved the HUGE log bed. I loved the jetted tub...and spending time with him. Ahhh...I think I forgot what it was like to just sit and hold hands!

It was so fun to just leave our worries behind and hit the road. And it was good that it all happened so quickly. I didn't even have time to stress over it for days...all the packing, laundry, house cleaning, worrying about the kids, etc. I was a little surprised to find out that my MIL came and stayed the night while we were gone. I hope she enjoyed our messy home as much as I enjoyed the cozy cabin. LOL!

I'm convinced this would be a good place for dh to work. So, when can we do it again?

How can something this sweet...

be so destructive?

Our little artist strikes again! She KNOWS she's not supposed to color on anything except paper...trust me, she KNOWS!!! But knowing doesn't stop her. It might even encourage her. She created her latest masterpiece with a regular blue ball point pen. She hit EVERY seat and every cushion plus the armrests on our leather couch and loveseat, the entertainment center, the kithcen cabinets, the dishwasher, the walls in the hall, her bedroom door and trim. I suppose I should be proud. After all, only a true artist would be so free and unihibited.

I thought I was relatively calm, considering the extent of the damage. I reminded her that we only draw on paper and immediately put her in time out. Dh was pretty upset with her. He actually sat on the arm of the couch and cried when he saw what his sweet angel had done. He's usually not here when the kids do something like this, so I was glad to not have to be the only mean parent this time. But honestly now, what's a parent to do? It's only walls and furniture, right? And she's our little girl...what's REALLY more important?

I guess that I've come to the conclusion that scribbled walls and furniture can be a sign of happiness. They're a constant reminder of what matters most in life. Step into our home and it's obvious that kids live here. So maybe we don't have nice furniture or an immaculate house, but we can choose to enjoy our kids while they're young and embrace their creativity. The artwork is just a sign of a carefree, happy child...and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world!
















Here's a really bad picture of some of the "artwork" - please excuse the glare from my flash. I think I'm going to order some of this and see how it works. I'm sure I'll need more than one! We've used this cleaner before, which wasn't too impressive, but this protection cream is amazing!

Girl Party

It's been a fun weekend so far. DS went with his dad on a scout camp. He was so excited to "eat steak, build a fire, roast marshmellows, and sleep in a tent." DD started feeling a little jealous that she wouldn't be going, so I told her we could have a "girl" party at home.

She decided she wanted the two of us to eat ice cream cones, put on our pajamas, dance, paint our fingernails, and watch a movie. She picked triple brownie ice cream at the store - chocolate...YUMMY (That's my girl!) Next came pj time and then the dancing began. We put in a cd of her favorite Disney songs. She was spinning around as fast as she could, twirling her nightgown, then she got down on the ground and was rolling around and posing. She even used toilet paper for a prop (like a long ribbon) and added a kazoo for a little umph. It's been a long time since I had this much fun with my little girl. We'll have to have girl parties more often!