First day of Preschool

Today was Emilee's big day!  First day of her last year of pre-school.  She was SO excited to go this morning and was up and running first thing!  Here are her on the front porch pics. . .

Good luck little miss!  I'm sure it's going to be a great year!

Dancerella

Emilee has been enjoying her ballet class for the past year and a half.  It took place in a friends living room.  When we moved to this house, I knew we had the perfect place to have the class so the girls would have a little more room to move (it was getting tight!)  I just wasn't up to signing up to host with the little baby at home.  But now, I am!  So, we have opened up a little "ballet studio" in the basement.  Every Tuesday, Miss Katie hosts 3 ballet classes for 2-5 year olds in my basement.  It is so fun to watch them coming and going out the windows (they just come in through the back basement door) and I get to make dinner and send Emilee to ballet with just a word.  No driving.  Hurrah!

 Aren't they cute?

Ice Ice Baby!

Guess what!  We have a new member of the family, and one I've been longing for, for a long long time!  A FREEZER!  Oh sweet heavenly day!  This will be such a relief on me.  Anyway, when I saw this brand new freezer was being given away (somebody in the ward) I jumped right on it.  When Gordon got home I had to do a little coaxing to help him see how valuable it would be to interrupt his Friday night with freezer fetching.  When we got it home he said that it would be so fun to fill it with giant tubs of ice cream so he could open up his own garage ice cream parlor.  So, Monday morning, to thank him for his services, I made his wish come true. . .

As you can see, he liked the surprise.  So come on over for a dip!  Gordon is serving it up all week (and maybe month) long!

the Backyard is done!

Well, pretty much!  We just need some finishing touches now, like flowers.  :)  Here is a view from the tramp of our new beautiful grass. . .

 and from the sport court.    You can see we painted the spindles on the deck so they're not two tone any more, and got the patio cleaned up, mulch and bark nuggets, etc. Anyone have any suggestions for what I should plant here in that bark nugget area on the left?  Preferably something that will provide some color and come back year after year as well as survive a stray Bball or two.

 And this was our last little thing we had to finish up.  We poured this cement block for FHE last week and pressed all the kids hands into it.  Heidi was VERY difficult to get a clean stamp on, she would grab for the cement as we took her hand out.  After about 5 attempts, we called this one good enough.  I love it!

 Hurray!  We love our yard!

Back to Work

Happy Back to Work Gordon!  

We will always remember this summer as the one when daddy had the summer off too.  It was magical!  We will miss you at home, but we're glad you're bringing home the bacon for us!

(At Intel, after your sabbatical, your buddies traditionally decorate your cube with a theme based on  what you did.  Gordon's is obviously a beach theme, and yes, the floor is COVERED in sand!  I'm sure the janitor's LOVE this tradition!)

Back to School

It has been a very successful re-entry into school and work for us this week.  We started off the week with our traditional back to school feast.  We chose "Work Hard, Play Hard" for our theme this year, and are trying to keep that in our minds as we get through the chaos of five children and their activities, homework, practices, etc.  So far, we're afloat.

 Ethan was almost too cool to wear his crown this year, now that he's in middle school and all. . . but he was persuaded.

 Chandler saw the crowns and asked if I had one for Heidi and when I didn't, he made her one.  He said she has "home baby school" this year.  I like that.

 And here we are on the first day!  I sent Ethan off to be eaten by the middle school sharks, but he survived and I don't think I've ever seen him come home so excited before.  I think he's going to thrive and not sink this year, and I'm so happy for him.  He's excited to be in the band and is learning the trumpet this year, as well as keeping up with piano, boy scouts, and starting a swim team.

 Here is Aidan, starting at a new school for 4th grade.  So far, so good.  Most of our church friends are at this new school so it eased the transition.  And, he has a class pet named "nibbler," which is always fun.  I wonder if we'll ever get the "privilege" of babysitting him over a weekend.  Aidan is doing soccer this fall, and starting the beginning strings program through the school, as well as Bear scouts.

 Chandler marched off to full day 1st grade with smiles!  How can you not smile when your teacher is named "Mr. Purkeypile!"  He is doing just great so far and loving the all day schedule.  I love how much easier it is on me.  Chandler is also doing soccer this fall.

 Check out this spontaneous hug!  I didn't even request it!

And that's how school started!  Stay tuned for Emilee's back to school this week.  As for me, I've enjoyed having the schedule back, an hour or two with a clean house each day, time with Emilee and Heidi, and happy kids who thrive on the routine and stimulation.  Happy Back to School!!!

Black Eyed Susan

Poor Emilee!  She took a nasty tumble down the basement stairs.  I thought the bruise was going to be pretty bad, but it's actually turned out to be more of an abrasion, which developed quite a big yucky scab.  Thank heavens she's not a scratcher, it's healing up well!