KYLER'S FIRST DAY IN GRADE SCHOOL

I've been so excited to get Kyler in all-day school! Saturday I started to wonder how happy I was going to be. I didn't know if I wanted to let go of my baby yet. Surprisingly, I was fine Monday morning......do you think Tony was as fine! Not really.

Before the goodbye hug, Kyler was able to play at the main playground. (he calls the main playground the park and the Kindergarten playground the mini park) Here he is on the "cheese".
And here's the brave boy standing in his line. There were some kids crying, lots of parents crying, but not Kyler. He acted like he's done this everyday of his young life. I was concerned how this morning was going to go.....what had I worried about. As far as the classroom goes, I knew he would do well. He's spent two years in Mon.-Fri. preschool. Both of the teachers he's had have raved about how wonderful and smart he is. What a pleasure to have in class!

After picking up Kyler from school that first day, I was excited to hear all about it. He told me a little and then I went to the backpack. I love the information I find in these magical vessels. That's when I found it..........the purple slip of paper with three frowny faces at the top. WHAT!?! I've never, in nine years now of school with my kids, had a frowny face paper. Kyler had lost one stick for talking in class! He explained that he wasn't allowed to go to the mini park - but don't worry.....HE DOESN'T LIKE THE MINI PARK. So let me get this straight: First day of Kindergarten.....Kyler's in trouble.....HE DOESN'T CARE TO MISS RECESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What incentive do we have if he doesn't like recess! Can we say: WORRIED!!!!! I asked him what he liked about Kindergarten - the snack, lunch and seeing Andrew. I asked what don't you like - the mini park, THE RULES, they make you look at stuff and the mini park. WE GET IT.....YOU DON'T LIKE THE KINDERGARTEN PLAYGROUND THAT YOU CALL THE MINI PARK! I get why he doesn't like rules, but 'they make you look at stuff'! What is this? What was he forced to look at........THE TEACHER................THE BOARD.....................A BOOK!!!!!!! Everyday Kyler starts the day in Ms. Jones class with 3 sticks. If you don't follow the rules, then you will have a stick taken away - for this you miss recess. If two sticks are taken away, you will miss out on Friday Fun. You get to sit at your desk with a book. If you get three sticks taken away, you visit the PRINCIPAL and have DETENTION. (i made those words in all caps to emphasize the seriousness of this. kyler can't read and therefore doesn't get this!) I'm just going to say that we have not been to the principal's office...........yet. He has missed recess......and will be missing out on Friday Fun, before he's even participated in a Friday Fun. This is not how I thought his educational career at CTA Liberty was going to start! Now I'm off to hear Gloria Gaynor sing to me........I WILL SURVIVE!

FIRST DAY OF THE 2009/2010 SCHOOL YEAR

This is what 8th grade looks like! Ok, I took another photo, where I forced him to smile even, but I can't post it. It wouldn't be Colton. He's not really a sad kid.....he's a teenager - and this is what teenagers look like at 7:24 am on the first day back to school. He's really wondering why he's still in orchestra and has to be to school for zero hour. This will pass. A little sleep, get back into the routine of school and then he'll really complain. He was quite today...how refreshing!

These are my two monkey playing in the car after we dropped off the teenager. Kyler will be at Asher's school now. They are very excited to be together!
They are so excited to be together that I don't have to bribe them to stand close for this photo. It makes me proud to see what a great big brother Asher is to Kyler. I really can't wait to get them back into the van this afternoon and hear all of their stories. They can both tell good stories!!! (specializing in Fiction.....with some Non-Fiction sprinkled in)

Here's my 5th grader. I can't believe he's this old already! Don't even get me started on how he'll be in Young Mens in less than 15 months. I really enjoy Asher right now and am not thrilled about the "teenage attitude" that seems to afflict children BEFORE they are actually teenagers. Here's hoping that Asher won't get it this year - cross your fingers!

And here's my baby! I'm glad he can't read and get mad at me for calling him my baby. I really can't believe that he's already in Kindergarten. I was concerned how he'd feel. He seemed so comfortable at school.....way too comfortable for me! He really doesn't need me. Really?! I know that's wonderful. I know I should be happy with the incredibly confident kid we have. BUT HE'S MY BABY! Even as he walked through the sea of parents saying goodbye to their kindergartener, he wasn't scared. The large crowd didn't seem to confuse him at all. (ok, maybe I was a little discombobulated by the crowd) But not Kyler! He just picked up his backpack, lunchbox and kleenex and followed the teacher into the classroom.

ADVENTURES WITH KYLER

Problem: Kyler needed a bath. Solution: He got cleaned up on his own.

I know, you must think "HE WAS REALLY DIRTY!!!" Nope! He just found a container of tablets (from Sesame Street) that change the water colors. You're only supposed to use a couple.....Kyler used 14! As if bathing in dark purple water wasn't enough, guess what he cleaned himself up with.......PUPPY SHAMPOO! I have to admit....his skin and hair were VERY, VERY smooth.

And at least he doesn't look like this after a bath: Poor Puppy!

BROWN BELT

We couldn't be prouder of Asher! He's been in Tae Kwon Do for 1 year and 5 months and is already a brown belt. He did very well with his kicking techniques, poom se and his breaking technique.

WAY TO GO, ASHER!!!

I CHOOSE.....

If my life really were a bowl full of cherries......I choose: Ranier!

My favorite - DELICIOUS!

AMAZING JAKES......AMAZING MOM SURVIVES SIX HOURS!!!

With Colton going to California this week, I tried to get in some summer fun with all three boys last week. They chose Amazing Jake's last Tuesday. We got there about 15 minutes before they opened and were 2nd in line! That meant......NO LINE FOR THE GO CARTS!!! They were so happy....so was I, that we wouldn't have to deal with the WAY TOO LONG lines any time during our stay. Asher had his own car and even in his favorite color.

Colton drove Kyler in a car, which happened to be Colton's favorite color too!

There are many things my kids love about Amazing Jakes....Kyler loves the ice cream machine. He gets his own ice cream cones all by himself! (now if only this was a skill that could help him in Kindergarten, we'd really be set!) Here he is finishing a cone.

On to NUMBER TWO!

He also loves the soda machine. Sprite is a favorite of this little boy. He was so interested in the bubbles. He was practically standing in his chair looking down at the bubbly drink, then he had a great idea. Looking at the bubbles from underneath!!! Why is he so stinkin' cute!

Being the youngest kid by 5 1/2 years, he was on his own for some things.....like the carosel...

and the train...

but not the teacups!!! (sorry....the hot chocolate cups!!!) Disney must have the teacups protected by law!

The best part of all three in one cup.....they didn't really fit and it was HILARIOUS!!!!!

After six hours of food & fun, we finally left. (Ok, I was ready to go and we had Tae Kwon Do. I think the boys could have closed the place!)

HAPPY ASHER AND KYLER!

Teenager Colton!

WHY MOMS ARE IN CHARGE.....WELL, MOST OF THE TIME!

This is what happens when dads sit next to their 5 year-old.....OK, maybe just this dad. Tony unrolled Kyler's napkin and said (VERY CASUALLY I MIGHT ADD) "Just be careful with the knife." Tony, Tony, Tony!

Asher had just been to the eye doctor....like his old man shades. He fit right in at Mita's home when we went to visit her. He made a beautiful 12x12 scrapbook page for Mita and hand-delivered it to her earlier that day.

If Tony hasn't learned that you don't let 5 year-old have really big, sharp knives by the third kid......THERE'S NO HOPE! That's why moms are in charge.....most of the time!

BEDTIME STORIES

Our Young Women had a great idea for an activity last Wednesday night, they would invite the 6-7 year old children from our ward for Bedtime Stories. The children were asked to come in pj's with their pillow and a blanket.

I saw this adorable idea of setting the table like a bed for a bedtime baby shower. It was so cute for this little party!

All the children were able to make their own trail mix....YUM!

All of our Young Women came prepared with a story to share. One girl even came prepared with a craft that went with her story. The kids had a great time....THANKS, GIRLS!

I might even have to copy this idea for my kids and their cousins. I think it would be a great extended family activity. Night, night!

SOUNDS OF SUMMER

It's nearly 9:00 pm, the house is quiet - MESSY, but quiet. I drove Colton to California today to spend the week with his friend. It's hot! REALLY HOT!!! 115 degrees today - just outside though, not in our very cold air-conditioned house......THANK YOU, AIR-CONDITIONING! (not to mention the husband who loves to crank it down AND pay for it!) Kyler and Asher wanted our FHE activity to be charades tonight. Fun activity! We'll have to do it again.....then Tony took the two boys and our crazy dog outside. There was chasing....not sure if they chased the dog or the dog chased them. That's when I heard the best sounds of summer - kids and dad talking, laughing, making memories. The next best sound.......KIDS SLEEPING! What sounds of summer do you enjoy?

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Happy 4th of July everyone! We had a great time at my cousin Becky's home today. We were asked to bring dessert and I decided to make these red, white and blue vanilla cupcakes. So Yummy and Way Cute! I just wish I would have taken a picture of the inside of one too. Oh well! The kids loved swimming all afternoon and I loved holding my cousin Emily's baby.
I know you can't see her sweet little face, but trust me - Alexis is Beautiful!
This is my favorite way to spend any holiday!

Tony took this picture of our holiday cupcakes.

(the first two pictures were taken by my cousin Emily)

And could we have 4th of July without cute toes....I THINK NOT! Tuesday we went out for pedicures. I had mine painted red with fireworks - complete with a cute gem. These blue toes with the cute white star and red gem are my niece Sariah's toes.

As we awaited the fireworks, we tuned in to watch Wipeout. It's our favorite show to watch all together. I love seeing all the boys cracking up over this stupid show. Then we went out to the drive way to watch fireworks. We even brought Roscoe out on his leash. It was the first time he's been on his leash since we got his collar adjusted correctly. I didn't think we needed to have a tutorial on this until I saw Kyler dragging the dog around!

I hope we all survive puppyhood!