nEveR a duLL moMeNt

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

...and so it begins...

Sent everyone back to school today...bittersweet day for me. The kids do need to be on some sort of schedule again, but I could do without the 5:30 a.m. mornings and homework. Everyone came home today with praises and love for their teachers (mostly because they had no homework) ...we'll see how longs that lasts! Kenzie came home with lists of more supplies/gear for her classes. Oh good, more money... and she only went to half her classes. Jace was more than happy to have everyone gone and have me all to himself. We played old maid, go fish, crazy 8's, and monopoly...all before noon. We reviewed his letters, sounds, and numbers and then found a minute to grocery shop and visit grandma & papa. I truly think he would be content spending another year at home with me. Come to think of it, I'd be content to do that too. He has already informed me that we need to go to Bajio "without all the other kids so we can sit in the tall chairs and share our salad". Guess I'm gonna have to pack a lot of fun "mom and Jace time" into my schedule for the next week!

the embarrassing "picture in front of the school" I insist on taking every year

the 2nd grader

the 4th grader

the 6th grader

the 8th grader

Wow! What a difference a year, one less set of braces,
and a little makeup can have!

the BFF

Here's to hoping for a fun year with a little less homework than the last!

soccer baby

So yes, this is my baby...playing soccer....I'm not sure when he grew so big...but he is obviously thrilled with himself and his soccer skills!

pretty sure he's saying "boo-yah!"
...since that is his new favorite phrase.

bring it boys!

...the five year old face off...

more skill in this kid than all my others

crossing his fingers that someone on his team will finally score

the "awww, we didn't make the goal" throwing of the hands

As crazy as soccer schedules/practices are, totally worth it for a face like this!

Monday, August 23, 2010

the do's and don'ts of back to school

For family home evening tonight, Tim taught the lesson on what we can do to prepare for going back to school. As the discussion progressed, it quickly turned into a 'Things to remember when going back to school" list. I just had to share.

1. get enough rest-- Tim
2. don't pop your wrist in class-- Jace (who then showed us how he pops his wrist by pushing it onto the table)
3. don't sing in class when you're not supposed to-- Lady (apparently, she did some impromptu singing in first grade)
4. don't wander into la-la-land-- Carter
5. always tell your teacher if you swallow a tooth-- Jace (cause that happens so often)
6. don't pop your knuckles-- Madison (in response to Kenzie continuously popping her knuckles during the lesson)
7. eat a good breakfast-- mom-- to which Jace added: it should be a quick breakfast so you are not late for school, cause that isn't good
8. if you're sick, grab the garbage can and then tell your teacher you might throw up-- Tim (he speaks from MANY experiences)
9. always tell your teacher if you're bleeding-- Jace (so he plans on having tooth and blood issues)
10. double check your work-- Kenzie
11. if you don't listen to your teacher, that is bad-- Laityn

I know, I know...you are feeling WAY more prepared for school now!

Friday, August 6, 2010

a day in Salt Lake

Yesterday we finally took advantage of our free pass to the Children's Discovery Museum at the Gateway. We LOVE this place but rarely go there because it is pretty pricey. Lindsey and her kiddos tagged along and we spent most the day doing the "Salt Lake things". The museum was filled with stuff that kept the kids entertained for hours. Even Kenzie and Hunter got into the blocks/building/earthquake simulator.

You can't see, but Maddy is turning a wheel that makes
the paper spin...very cool pictures.

Ty was thrilled with the machine that vacuums the ball up into a tube .

Lady playin' tunes on the xylophone.

Water is always a hit with kids

... more vacumming...

Kenzie checking out the view from the balcony
while the kids checked out the helicopter.

Look mom! I can fly like a bird!
...apparently....he really can...

rock climbing wall....not nearly as big as it looks...
I had to crop out the floor :)

Future newscasters

This is the kids walking into temple square. There is a new exhibit in the south visitors center that has a replica of the Salt Lake Temple. It has miniatures of the rooms/murals/furniture so you can actually see what much of the temple looks like. There is a whole big display all about the temple....very cool. We went over to the Church History Museum and saw my parents. We took the kids on a treasure hunt through the museum, and papa turned a movie on for us in the basement. We finished the day at Texas Roadhouse (YUM!) and Tim suggested letting the kids walk through the mall (that is a rare and surprising suggestion). Kenzie and Maddy were super excited...Carter, not so much. All in all, great day with people I love!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

pAysOn laKeS

Every summer I look forward to the three days we spend at Payson Lakes with my family. We've been going there...to the same campsite...for more than 20 years. As traditions go, there are usually some changes over the years. We have gone from tinfoil dinners on Friday night to halibut fish and chips followed up with scones...yay for Tim D. and his mad cooking skills! As our kiddos are getting older, we are spending time at the lake and using the old raft again...reminds us of being teens on the lake. Fishing on Saturday morning is a timeless, ageless tradition...we always love it! Tim D. helped the kids have a flag raising ceremony, complete with their own, handmade flagpole. Lindsey put together a treasure chest of swords and pirate-ish stuffs and the six littlest had a treasure hunt. There was a fire starting competition for the older cousins...the girls killed the boys with their fire making abilities. Nicole and I got whooped in nerts (crazy, fast game of cards) by Damon and Lindsey...we're so gonna take 'em down next year! Nobody got enough sleep and we all had more than enough sugar. We all came home dirty, smelly, full of way too much junk food, and already looking forward to next year!!