College Spirit Day

I just wanted to share with all of you something really cool that Emma's school does. Every Friday is normally School Spirit Day, and everyone wears the school colors. Then once a month they have College Spirit Day. Everyone wears a college shirt and the teachers fly a college flag outside their classroom, etc. Maybe this is not a new thing to some of you, but I thought it was a great way to get kids excited and thinking about college and its importance at an early age.

October Fun

Okay, so I know its not quite October yet, but we just couldn't wait any longer. Today after school I took the kids out to a place called Davis Ranch, and we did a little pumpkin selection. They were amazed at the amount of pumpkins to choose from. It wasn't quite going out into the field to pick one, but it was just as fun. Then we went over to the farmers market area and got an apple to eat on the way home. It was the perfect way to start our October (tomorrow)!

PS--We got the decorations out too! More pictures to come!! Happy Haunting!!

The Transformation

Primary Program

We did it!! I work with the children in our church ages 3-11 years old. And every year we do an hour long presentation of the things that they have learned throughout the year. This usually includes speaking parts and musical numbers. For the second year now I have been in charge of this program. There are many, many hours spent preparing for this and the kids did a fabulous job!! Its always a little scary when you put a 3 year old in front of a microphone, but things turned out just fine. Emma was one of the kids to participate, and she sang her heart out! I'm not exaggerating when I say she knew ALL of the words to the 8 songs that we sang! Good job Emma!!

Sleeping Beauty

Even though I had a post earlier about Sleeping Beauty, this is the true picture of Sleeping Beauty (at least for the mom of a 2 year old):

13 1/2 Yards!

Yes, that is the amount of gravel/rock that we moved this weekend to complete our backyard. Jamie is an animal and came home early from work on Friday to tackle "the piles" and he and Papa moved quite a bit--even though it was close to 100 degrees. Then later that night, around 8pm, when it had finally cooled down, Jamie and I worked for another hour or so. Saturday morning came and we were all out there by 7am for another round! Luckily the Lewis family took pitty on us and brought reinforcements and we finished all of it by 9:30am. Then off to soccer we went! It feels good to get it all done, but not so good on the back and legs this morning!

I'm not quite sure why we even moved the piles. Grant and Emma were kind of dissapointed that they couldn't play "king/queen" of the rock pile when we were done. Hopefully they'll still like it in the playarea spread out!

First Fieldtrip

Today Emma went on her first kindergarten field trip to see the play "Go, Dog, Go!" with her class. Since seating was limited they held a lottery type drawing and picked 5 parents to go with the class. So I didn't attend this one. But we talked about it a lot and I pointed out the parents of her friends that would be going, talked it up about going on a big yellow school bus, etc, etc, and I think she will do okay. We'll give an update after she gets home.

To The Dump.....

One of Grant's favorite things to do with Papa is go to the Dump. They even have a special song they sing about it. So today Papa was kind enough to pick Grant up so I could get the primary program done for our practice tomorrow, and take Grant to the dump. Then they stop at the Hot Dog wagon on the way home and get a drink. This morning when I told Grant where he was going, he informed me that he had to wear his tennis shoes, because "The dump is dangerous!" Thanks Papa--we love you!!

Oldies But Goodies

It does my heart good to know that the "good ol' movies" are still around. This morning Grant brought me Sleeping Beauty (on VHS I might add--didn't even know we owned it) and said he wanted to watch it. So I put it in, knowing that I would probably see him 5 minutes after it started (knowing his attention span), but now I am going to have to go pull him away from it to go get Emma from school. And yes, I got the laundry folded, dishes done, and toy room picked up thanks to Sleeping Beauty!

Life's Little Requests

I just put Grant down for a nap (which can be a challenge sometimes) and at first he protested, but then he asked, "Can I sleep with my backet ball (basketball)?" My initial reaction was to say no, but then I realized, "What would it hurt?" So off we went, tucking in Grant and Backetball, for a long nap (I can dream can't I)!

5K For Mommy

Today my good friend Angie and I ventured out for a 5K TRAIL RUN!! So Angie and I have been good "walking" buddies and decided to try our hand at a 5K, not a problem. The part that we didn't quite get was that the 5K was around Folsom Lake--literally on a dirt trail. Let me clarify, not just dirt, but sand too!! Yikes!! But we made it through and feel very accomplished. Yeah me!! (for all you Zach & Cody fans out there--you get that one)

Fall Is Here??

Can it be true? I LOVE the fall and feel like summer has been hanging on FOREVER!! So last night I broke down and slept with the windows OPEN--it was great! Today is only supposed to be 75 degrees--it's like a dream come true. Okay, maybe its just wishful thinking because I saw on the forecast this morning that we are back into the 90's by middle of next week! YUCK!! Anyone for some California weather?? I might have to take a trip and come visit someone who has to wear a jacket and leaves are falling off the trees--ANYONE???

Learning How to Clean

Today I realized something that I take for granted--that I know how to clean(some of you who have been to my house on a bad day might disagree). But for the most part it is just something I do--on a daily basis. Today after school Emma wanted to play Webkinz on the computer, so I sent her up to clean her room before she could play. While I was unloading groceries, Emma came downstairs and announced to me that she needed my help because she didn't know how to clean. (I promise, Emma has done this before--by herself). But today she was a bit overwhelmed by the task of cleaning her room by herself. So we spent the next 30 minutes together, cleaning her room. And I realized that it really is something that I needed to teach her. Sometimes it is just nice to "stop and smell the roses." Even if the roses need to be cleaned!

Handy Manny

Today we (okay not us, against Jamie's better judgement he gave up control and hired it out--I'm so proud of you honey!!) started putting in our backyard. When the workers showed up Grant had to get his tool belt and hard hat on and go check it out. He came back inside and declared to us, "No understand them, they talk like Handy Manny!" The things kids say!!

Ode to Oreo

On July 2, 2008 we ventured into the world of pets. Emma is deathly afraid of animals (all of them), and has been forever. So our attempt at helping her get over it was to get a dog of our own. So Oreo, which is a havanese, came to live with us. But since then, Emma has lived her life on top of the furniture in fear. Needless to say, it has been a little over 2 months and it hasn't been getting any better for her (and I'm about to go crazy trying to referee Oreo & Emma on a daily basis). But we have some friends who watched Oreo while we went on vacation and fell in love with him. So Oreo will be going to live with them this Saturday (thanks Garrisons). This decision was made after many tear filled conversation with Emma, but one that had to be done. She has come to terms with it, and has informed us that "When I'm not scared of dogs anymore, we can have Oreo's sister come live with us!" Here is a glimpse of our short time with Oreo--We love you!

Homework Time

Today I was trying to be a "nice mom" and let Emma do some of her homework while watching TV.(Gasp--I know, not a good habbit, but come on, this is kindergarten and it was just coloring!) Anyway, of course Grant wanted to do his "homework" too, so I had to get him a "desk" just like Emma. (if only is enthusiasim for school would last)

**Notice how she lined her crayons up in colors. A girl after my own heart!!**

1st Soccer Game

Today was Emma's first soccer game. As you can see by the photos above, this is 5-6 year old soccer. The highlights were, talking with her friends, water breaks, and ORANGES!!! No, really though it was a good game. I think they won like 5-0! Emma didn't score any goals but she was a contributing member in other ways. It looks like defense might be here niche--once we had a conversation during halftime about moving around the field, even when your on defense. She said, "Oh, I thought my feet were supposed to be glued to the field!" One down, nine more to go. I can't believe by the end of the season we'll be wearing jackets and gloves, because today we played in 100+ degree weather! YUCK!!

Money See Monkey Do

Okay, here's the situation today. Grant is in the office for awhile, and before I know it he comes in say, "Mommy, child of dog (God)." That is a song that we sing together almost every night. So I say, "Sure we can sing it", but that just wont do. He keeps saying it over and over and is getting more irritated at me because I'm just not understanding what he wants. Here's the final outcome:

He wants to listen to I Am A Child Of God on the computer and sing with IT!! (not mommy)

Recently I have attempted to join the ward choir. Well, practice for 45 minutes once a week just doesn't cut it for me (she who has LIMITED musical ability), so I found a site that I can pull up the music on and practice with. Well I guess he saw me doing this and wanted to brush up on a few of his own skills. Gotta' love him!!

Kindergarten

I think I would be the worst mom in the world if I didn't post about the first day of Kindergarten for Emma.
She had to start off the day with a bowl of oatmeal. She said it would make her smart










Then of course mom had to make her pose by the front door. I know we all remember taking that first day of school picture.













And then Grant of course had to be in the picture too. He really thought he was going to go to school with Emma (notice the backpack)!!














Emma was very excited to meet her new teachers, Mrs. Casillas. We couldn't have asked for a better person suited to Emma's personality. She is as sweet as she looks in this picture.













She was ready and eager to get started right when we walked in. They started off with a picture while we told the teacher pick up plans, and then went right into their day. I had to catche her attention when we left--she was SOOOOOO ready to be in kindergarten.

From what she told me after school, this was the coolest thing of the day: "When we are doing something, and its time to do something else, and Mrs. Casillas wants us to stop, she turns off the lights, we put our stuff away/down, and we put our hands up in the air!" (all said in one breath)















And this was Grant at the END of the day. After getting over the inital shock that he wasn't going to school with Emma, the backpack went with us EVERYWHERE! And just this morning, we had to get his backpack before walking out the door. Oh well, whatever works!

WE'RE BAAAAAAAAACK!

Okay--so we haven't fallen off the face of the earth--and I promised I would start blogging again. So here we are! I'm not going to try and catch you all up on the last 4 months or this would probably be the last blog you'll see for ANOTHER 4 months. So we'll just start with this weekend. We went on a road trip to Bosie to catch up with college friends!! I was really great to see everyone and fall back into our 20 year old personalities!! Thanks so much to all of you who opened your lives and homes to us! We have to do this again--SOON!! And for those of you who could make it--you missed out!! Maybe next time. But until next time--Love ya, love your show!


Here are a few random pics from the weekend:



Emma's wonderful photography skills. One of the many she took of Teri this weekend! Sorry Ter!


This is what we came home to after the girls left to get lunch and Jamie was home with 5 kids! Whatever works!


Emma and Beck having fun in the Kennedy basement. What a great place to hang out. For 20 year old college friends, or 6 year olds!


Almost the whole gang just relaxing by the pool!


Jamie and Teri battling it out at "Guitar Hero"!! Wait until you see the video!