First Day of School 2012-2013

Dylan (4th Grade)

I can hardly believe how grown up and handsome my first born is.

Alivia (Kindergarten)

What a beautiful little princess we have.  I'm so excited for you to start school, what a great thing for you. 

It's comforting to know they will have each other at school, even if Dylan pretends to be mortified by her when he's with his friends.  They might have their share of brother-sister spats, but when push comes to shove they are each others protectors and defenders. 

 Isaac wanted in on the action.

One last wave and they are off to school.

Mr. Giovannoni gave each of our children a beautiful Fathers Blessing Sunday night before bed.  Alivia was very excited about the idea of having a special blessing.  Afterwards she kept saying she felt different inside.  I hope she will grow to recognize that it was the spirit making her feel different and what a blessing it is to have the Gospel in her life and a daddy who worthily holds the priesthood.  

It's just me and Isaac at home now and I'm excited/terrified for this next step in our lives.  I have not had the chance to have much one on one time with him, so I look forward to the opportunity.  He is going to miss his siblings so very much though, and I'm quite apprehensive of the mischief he'll get into since they are not here to keep him busy and out of trouble.  

Let the adventures begin...

Huntsville State Park

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Our friends from church invited us to come out to Huntsville with them.  I was more than happy to make one last fun memory to end our summer on.  I'm always so grateful that the Pearson's invite us along on all of their adventures, it makes my life so much more exciting and it gives our family a chance to experience the different areas and aspects of Texas.  
Today couldn't have been more perfect either.  The temperatures weren't scorching and were in fact LOVELY the scenery down there was beautiful.  The kids had a blast and I couldn't get enough of the wooded/foresty vibe this place gave off.  It reminded me of fond memories of hanging out in the canyons in Utah with friends and family. Everything reminded me of home except this of course.

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It wasn't until we were almost half way there that  I realized I forgot my camera, but I did grab a few blurry photos with my cell phone camera they just don't do the place any justice though. 
There are lots of hiking trails, a big lake with a swimming hole and a pier for the kids to jump from.  The trees offered lots of shade and there were a gazillion picnic tables. 
I most definitely will be going back there again (even in spite of the alligator warnings).  Hopefully the next time around I'll take the Mr. along and pack a great picnic lunch and maybe we can explore some of the hiking trails. 
Sister Pearson was kind enough to bring her canoe and her kayak along with her and her neighbor and friend Dan who came along rented a paddle boat for an hour so the kids kept themselves really busy. 

Alivia and Isaac out on a canoe ride

 Dylan on the Pier

 

I think jumping from the pier was probably the favorite activity though, even Isaac got in on the action.  The kids had so much fun, it made my heart happy!  I wish everyday could be like today was.  

Sunday Snippets

Our Week in Review

• Miss Alivia is finally registered for Kindergarten.  I have all her school supplies bought, but I am struggling to find her school clothes.   I have one week to get that problem solved!
• I did a lot of scrubbing this week.  One night Isaac decided to travel through bedrooms and throw-up in each one,  bless his little heart.   Thankfully it was only on the bedding so a dozen loads of laundry later everyone had a clean bed to sleep in. 
• Isaac refuses to keep clothing and diapers on.  I made the mistake of taking a nap while Dylan and Isaac were watching a TV show and when I awoke I found the WORST mess I have ever had to clean up.  There was poop EVERYWHERE!  The walls, the carpet, the blinds, the windowsills, and a poop trail that led me all the way through the first floor right into my master bedroom where I found a tub full of poop water where Isaac was trying to bathe himself.  Oh the horror!  I did a lot of crying (and cleaning) that day.  Can I just say I'm rather grateful for owning a carpet scrubber.
•  I decided to start a painting project.  It was quite a mess but I finished it none-the-less. 
• At the beginning of the week I decided I needed to be more positive about my life and my circumstances.  And then this week happened and all the positivity was sucked right out of me.  Maybe I'll start by being more positive this next week.

Sunday Snippets

Our Week in Review

• Miss Alivia had five different immunizations this week so she could get registered for school.  I had to haul all three kids to the Dr's. office.  Between Alivia's dramatic screaming and her hysteria rubbing off on Isaac I hope and pray I never have to take all three kids to a Dr. appointment again.  We were like a circus act!!
•  It's HOT down here folks this 106 degree "feels like" 112 degree temperatures are awful!  Even the pool water is hot and offers no relief.  August can't come to a close fast enough for me.  
• The two week count down to school starting has begun.  Pretty soon it will just be me and Mr. Isaac hanging around the house.  He's very attached to Alivia so it's going to be a tough transition for him I think.
• I'm headed out to Utah in October for 4 days!  It's what I live for these days.  I can't wait to breath in the cold and crisp October air.  I can't wait to see the mountains again.  I can't wait to meet my little nephew Kru.  I can't wait to spend time with my friends and family.  I have all 4 days packed with things to do I'm afraid it's going to be the fastest 4 days of my life.  Now I have to figure out how I can get the next 9 weeks to just fly by.

Potty Training Whisperer

This morning as I lay in bed, in a half awake, half comatose state, I could hear Dylan talking to Isaac.
The words scoot back and point it down roused enough suspicion in me that I started to intently listen.
"Isaac, scoot all the way back and point it down...No point it down." kept being repeated.
Then Dylan burst through my bedroom door and says, "Mom, has Isaac ever peed in the toilet before"?  "Because he just did"!
That's right my 9 year old son sat our 2 year old on the toilet and said the magical words and Isaac actually peed in the toilet for him.
I have not tried to potty train Isaac yet, but the day I decide to, I know who gets to potty train him, and it's not going to be me!
Who'd have thought... Dylan the Potty Training Whisperer.