First Week of School!

We've had lots of rain for our first week at school.  No flooding, just the typical summer days where it's muggy and fine all morning and then right at 1 pm the clouds darken and it pours and thunders and by 4 it's clear again.  Our lawn looks great!  but now it's growing too fast :).

Monday was pretty exciting around here.  I was SO ready (I mean the kids were so ready) for school to start!  Dan worked from home so we could walk the girls into their classrooms.  They were mostly excited.  Candy was a little nervous but we dropped her right off and she went in smiling.  I didn't even tear up until my sweet Jack went to hug his favorite playmate goodbye and said, "Bye Tandy!  I miss you!".  What a sweetheart.  Brooke walked right in and then last our big girl Megan.  Chick Fil A sent over a little catered breakfast for the kindergarten parents, so we enjoyed that before heading to our blessedly quiet house.  Ashley and I did grocery swap.  She went first and ended up helping her visit teachee move and it took way longer than usual, but man, 4 kids for swap is SO much less than 10!  I got my shopping in after she got back and then came home to put Jack and Emily down for naps.  With Dan at home, I could leave them napping for the first day pickup which was nice since it was raining and a little chaotic.  The girls were happy to be home but had nothing but good things to say about school.  Brooke taught FHE about prayer and did a great job.  Then we got them to bed and they were ready!

The little grocery swappers

Tuesday was busy in the morning.  Emily needed her x-ray of her hips and legs so I went there straight from school drop-offs.  We had to wait a while and they had to call an extra nurse to help with Emily since Jack couldn't go back to the x-ray room and I needed to stay with him.  Good news:  Her legs are the same length and her hips look pretty good.  Her left hip may be a little shallow where it connects to the pelvis but they couldn't tell for sure since the picture wasn't a perfect view (babies wiggle).  We will just watch her now and may follow up in a few months with another x-ray if she has any issues.   I took Jack and Emily to story time at the library.  Ashley was going to meet us there but ended up with a flat tire.  So I went and picked up her kids while she waited for roadside assistance.  We came home and had lunch and I put the kids all down for naps.  Ashley ended up picking up all the kids from school on her way back.  I had promised the kids cookies after school as a belated FHE treat, and they were so excited to walk in and smell them.  We shared with friends too.  Cousin Whitney came over to play before dinner so that was fun.  I went visiting teaching that night. 

We had playgroup at the small pool on Wednesday morning.  It was really nice, a little overcast but not too hot.  We had a picnic lunch there.  Jack is really getting good at breaths now and has so much fun swimming over and over again.  I spent quiet time that day and time after bed to finish my continuing education classes so I could renew my RN license.  Wahoo, that's done for another 2 years!

On Thursday I watched Ali's younger 2 kids so they could go to the temple in the morning.  It went well.  Now that I didn't have those pesky classes to do I was able to read my book club book for this month while the kids played. 

Friday was early release.  I spent most of the morning reading the book club book and then took all the kids to costco after we picked everyone up at noon.  I got new pictures printed for our mantel.  The kids were stinkers so we came home for naps instead of running some other errands.  They convinced me to let them paint after quiet time.  It was our night to host babysit swap, so after quiet time I made pizzas and the other kids came over.  13 kids is a party but they were good.  Dan went to bed early while I waited up for the other grownups and finished my book.  

Dan got up dark and early Saturday--about 3:30 am.  He and Ali's husband Ben and Beckett and another guy from the ward left at 4 am to drive to Baton Rouge.  They had some bad flooding a few weeks back so the church asked for volunteers to come this weekend and help rip out carpet and drywall.  It looked a lot like Meyerland after a flood--tons of trash in front of every house, street after street.  I took the kids to the pool all morning and met Ali and Ashley and their kids there.  After quiet time I picked up some dinner and we ate at Ali's.  We came home and I got the kids to bed. 

The kids were good this morning and I was grateful since it was just me at home.  Dan and his crew worked all morning after a quick sacrament meeting and they headed home at 2 pm.  He got home at 6:30 just as we were finishing dinner.  The kids were glad to see him for a few minutes.  We did scriptures and prayers and bedtime.  He was wiped out and fell asleep at 8:30! 

Before church cuties:  Emily LOVES the exersaucer these days.

The girls were at a friend's last week and discovered the joys of sliding down the stairs in sleeping bags.  They tried it at home.  So far it's kept them entertained for hours and no one has broken anything (knock on wood).

Jack and Emily.  He can't wait for her to get big enough to play with him.  I'm excited to watch them become friends.

Farewell to Summer

It was a little bit of a long week this week with all the rain.  I am SO ready to send the girls off to school tomorrow!  But we had fun too. 
Monday started early with the fridge repairman coming around 7:20 am.  He thought he had the part to solve our problem, but no.  So he went to another call, then drove out to Katy to pick up a second part and came all the way back, but still nothing.  He was stumped.  He called a few colleagues and they all had no idea.  So we hoped maybe we just had bad luck with the second part he brought (like maybe it was broken) so Dan and I ordered one to arrive the next day.  With no fridge, I didn't need to go to the store, but I watched Ashley's kids while she ran (and we still had Chloe and Molly from the sleepover).  After lunch, I took my crew out to Shad's to return Chloe and Molly.  Megan got a new wire (she was so sore, poor kid!) at Shad's office and we all swam for a little bit before I headed home.  Megan did FHE that night on making good media choices. 

Tuesday we had to finish registering for school which involved a long line in a torrential rain storm, but thankfully they moved the line inside so we didn't get soaked.  We hung out and had lunch with the Tracy's.  When we got home for quiet time the fridge part arrived--I put the new part in and...NOTHING.  Fridge officially dead.  Carrie had a work break that afternoon so she came to hang out for a bit and we had an early dinner so we could go shop for a new fridge.  Ali took our girls swimming and we took Jack and Emily with us.  We didn't find one in stock but by the end of the night had one ordered to arrive on Saturday (4 more days with no fridge!).

Wednesday we swam in the morning.  It was great until this big black storm cloud moved in and DUMPED on us.  Pretty fun to run to the car with all the kids in the soaking rain.  The Tracy's came over for lunch and playing before quiet time.  When the kids woke up we went to a new Kroger by us to get some food.  We bought some frozen skillet meal things and had one for dinner that night.  And had to replenish our cooler ice too.

Thursday we went to another friend's house for playing and lunch.  It was raining and we let the kids play out in the rain for a while.  After lunch I dropped the kids at Ali's house while I ran to kindergarten orientation.  Not too much new info there.  Candy will have the same teacher as Brooke and I liked her a lot, so I think it will be great.  Dan came home a little early so we could all go to the meet the teacher night at school.  The teachers all seem nice.  Megan has a good buddy from the ward in her class (and Candy has 2!), but Brookie doesn't.  She'll be ok though. 

Friday I took the big girls to a "magic show" put on by another family in the ward.  The mom let me drop them off while I ran to Emily's 4 month checkup (a little late, she's 5 1/2 months but oh well!).  She is growing great and meeting her milestones (17 pounds 11 oz--huge!).  I showed the doctor that the wrinkles in her little chubby thighs were not the same in both legs--I noticed a while back and knew it could be a sign of some hip problems so we will have an x ray to follow up on that sometime this week.  I took the kids to the little pool after quiet time to swim.  Ali and her kids met us there.  We swam for 45 minutes.  Then some lifeguards showed up and said they saw lightning and made us get out.  We played at the park by the pool for a while until I bullied the lifeguards into opening again (it was fine!  like 40 minutes plus with no thunder!).  We watched olympics with the kids that night.

Silly Emily Friday morning. 

Saturday started early with the arrival of the new fridge at 7:30!!! I was so happy!!!! It works--hurray!  We did the lawn in the morning.  Dan ran to oversee the child of record baptisms.  My kids rode bikes for a bit before we went up to the church too for Megan's friend's baptism.  Very nice.  Dan took the kids swimming in the late afternoon so I could get the house cleaned up a bit and make dinner.  I was feeling pretty ready for school to start so I can stay a little more caught up on the house!  After dinner and bedtime I headed to a girls night out to celebrate some more birthdays of friends.

Today was a great Sunday.  The kids were pretty good before church and in sacrament meeting.  Dan was with us for most of the meeting.  The talks were all about prayer and my favorite was the youth speaker going through his usual prayers--very simple, but he bore testimony about the love he felt from God as he prayed.  I taught the lesson today about Samuel the Lamanite--awesome story, great discussion.  The theme of the lesson was about how all the prophets testify of Christ.  When we got home from church we had a snack and then did Father's blessings.  One of my favorite times of the whole year.  Megan especially was paying attention this year and took it very seriously.  Brooke and Candy were a little less focused, but they were still nice blessings.  And Jack was as proud as could be to get to have his turn.  I got a blessing too.  Priesthood blessings are just so beautiful.  I always feel the love of God so strongly when I receive one.  And it brings back memories of blessings from Dad before school each year.  I'm so thankful Dan is a worthy Priesthood holder.  He's a great dad.

My handsome Jack before church.  This kid is SO CUTE!  I can't take it sometimes.  

Mid August already

I had a great birthday last Monday.  We still did grocery swap, but Ashley ran to the store first and picked up Chick Fil A for all of us to have at my house when she got back.  She even got me a frozen lemonade which is one of my favorites.  Then I went shopping while she watched kids.  Then I dropped my kids off at Ali's house--she wanted to give me some time alone, so they stayed there about 2 hours while I walked around browsing at Costco and Target all on my own.  I bought a pretty journal and some new pens for me because I like to plan out my week each Sunday and now I can do it in something pretty :).  Dan surprised me with beautiful roses when he got home from work and he also got me tickets to go see Dave Ramsey (a financial guy with a radio show that I really like) when he is in Houston in October.  Carrie and Ali and Ben's family came over after dinner for ice cream--blue bell rocky road was my pick.  We had a quick FHE on the word of wisdom and taking care of our bodies---great for the olympic week as we watch all the athletes who definitely take good care of their bodies! 

Emily couldn't stay awake for the party.  Oh those little chubby cheeks.  Love her.

Tuesday we got to take Candy to the elementary school for a quick screening with a kindergarten teacher to see where she is on reading.  She was nervous but warmed up quickly to the teacher (she was with Megan's KG teacher for it) and seemed happy about it after.  We swam with some friends after quiet time.  Jack just figured out breathing and he's pretty cute.  He is now convinced he doesn't need me at the pool as he bobs around gulping breaths.  I'm not convinced yet ;).

We borrowed a baby float for Emily.  The life of a baby is pretty great sometimes--sleeping in the pool--adorable. 


Wednesday we had a lot of pool time.  We were there from 10:30-1:30, came home for naps, and headed back at 4 pm so I could help out Ali by teaching the cub scouts some water safety and then swimming.  After dinner I got to go out with my girlfriends to celebrate a few of our summer birthdays.  We went to Bahama Bucks, yum yum.

Thursday I met up with 3 friends and we caravaned to Sylvan Beach (the one that is just 35 minutes from my house).  We practically had the beach to ourselves and it was pretty fun despite being HOT, HOT, HOT.  We were there from 10 to about 12:15 before calling it a day.  We were wiped out and took it easy in the afternoon.  Dan worked from home this day so he could go protest our property taxes (we've never done an in person protest before, so we are learning).  He opted to go to a formal hearing about the value they assigned our house, so that will be in a few weeks.  

Friday I watched Ashley's kids in the morning while she picked up school supplies.  It was Ali's birthday, so I returned the favor and took her kids while she did some shopping and got a pedicure.  After quiet time we dropped the kids at babysit night and ate a quick dinner at home before heading to the temple.  We did sealings and got to seal Baba's aunt Emily Dougherty to her parents.  Another couple there had brought a bunch of family names and we had enough people to do 2 entire families all at once, both of them with 4 children being sealed to the parents.  Those are my favorites, I love picturing the scene on the other side as the whole family of proxies kneels there.  So beautiful.  We came home and watched the olympics after picking up the kids.

Saturday we met Ali's family at the church gym at 9 and shot around a little bit.  We also did some PIG, some running, and Brookie practiced on her roller blades.  We took all the kids to costco after and they had fun tasting the samples while we walked around.  We got smoothies there before heading home.  This day was Ben's birthday (Ali's husband), so we babysat the kids while they grabbed dinner and a movie.  Dan made homemade BYU mint brownies for Ali while they were gone.  When we got ready to feed the kids dinner, we noticed that our fridge and freezer were not as cold as they should be.  They weren't cooling at all so we threw everything we could in the freezer Dad gave us and bought some ice for our ice chests for the fridge stuff.  We have a repairman coming Monday morning and we'll see what happens there 

It's been a nice Sunday.  Dan and I had to do a little swapping out today because Brooke had a low grade fever and was acting pretty tired.  He went to early meetings and came home to be with Brooke while I took everyone else for sacrament meeting and 2nd hour.  Then I was with Brooke and Emily for 3rd hour while he spoke in another ward in our building.  I came back to pick up the other kids when church was done.  He got home a few minutes after us.  We had Carrie and Shad and Amy and their crew over for dinner.  We kept Molly and Chloe for a sleepover.  The girls are so cute together.  Shad and Amy had to leave pretty quick for some meetings this evening, but Carrie stayed and we played some games.  Then we read scriptures and had prayers and all the kids worked to clean up before bed.  They were so good.  I read them some stories and then put them to bed--they were SO excited to be all together in Megan and Brooke's room.  2 in the bunkbeds (Meg and Brooke) and 3 (Candy, Chloe, Molly) in sleeping bags on the floor.  There was a little giggling but they are quiet now.  

Week after the trip

Mon. Aug. 1--we leave Bountiful by about 4:40 am to head to Amarillo.  Dan's sister Ali and her fam caravan with us.  So we waved at them a lot through the day.  We get to Amarillo around 6 pm and have dinner all together at Cracker Barrel, yummy and fun for the kids to play together after all day in the car.  We go to bed around 10 after a quick scripture time and group family prayer with the cousins at the hotel.  

 

Tue. Aug. 2--We all sleep in a little.  We have breakfast at the hotel just before 8 and hit the road about 8:30.  We get to Jamie's house at 1:30 pm and let ourselves in to swim.  Julianne gets home at 2 and says hi.  (Jamie had taken the rest of the kids to Houston so Shad could do Catherine's braces).  We leave at 3:30 pm (and Jamie got home at 4!).  We get back to our house around 8:15 pm and unpack the car and get the kids to bed.

Wed. Aug. 3--I run to the store in the morning while Ashley watches the kids.  Then I ignore the piles of laundry and take the kids to playgroup at the pool.  After most of our ward was gone for July it was fun to see everyone back home again.  We play and play and come home for naps.  

Thu. Aug. 4--We meet the Tracy's and our cousins at the 50 cent movie.  The kids loved it.  Then home for lunch and naps.  We meet cousins at the pool after nap time. My niece Whitney was so excited to do a swim lesson with me (she's 6) that they could barely get her to the pool!  (haha, I made her swim with me at Jamie's and she knew what she was in for!).  It was a pretty rough 20 minutes with that stubborn girl, but we got through and by the end she was great!  Swimming about half a length on her own.  We had a RS Ice cream social that night after dinner and after that I went and got most of the school supply shopping done.

Fri. Aug. 5--Ashley and I trade kids for shopping again--this time not for groceries.  It's the tax free days and it let me finish the school supply shopping and get some shoes for my school girls.  They all picked to use their birthday money on cowgirl boots since I was making them buy running shoes.  They are cute boots though!  Dan and I went out for an early birthday dinner to Chuy's and saw a movie while our kids were at babysit swap.

Sat. Aug. 6--Despite being a billion degrees, Dan mowed and edged while I weeded our front beds and then we cleaned the van inside and out.  It was HOT.  I took the kids to the pool after quiet time (my niece Whitney happily met us there and swam great--we are over the hump!) and we watched the Olympics in the evening.  The kids loved watching the swimming.  Haha, they also loved the women's weight lifting event that we randomly watched.  

 

Today, Aug. 7.  Dan had early meetings but got to come back home for an hour from 7:30-8:30 before heading back.  Our ward was at 11 and it was a nice testimony meeting.  Brooke bore her testimony--all on her own since Dan wasn't with us and I was in the mother's room feeding Emily!  But I heard it on the speaker in there and it was short and sweet.  My lesson today was all about Helaman 5:12 and building on the foundation of Christ.  It went pretty well and I enjoyed teaching after having been gone.  I got a nice quiet time after church while Dan got snacks for the kids and got them to quiet time and then we all napped for a bit.  We had a yummy pork chop and cream of mushroom soup over rice dinner.  After scriptures and daddy-flip-all-the-kids-over-and-over time, we taught Megan and Brooke how to play Settlers of Cataan.   We all had a great time playing.  We were nice to them and helped them avoid mistakes, but they got the hang of it and it was a good game.  Dan won, Brooke got 2nd, Megan got 3rd, and I played too :).  

It's nice to be home after being away and it's nice to have some time to enjoy our last days of summer!  School starts 2 weeks from tomorrow.