Cole's First Day

Finally, it was Cole's turn to go to preschool!  Since the girls started school almost one month before him, he had been waiting a long time.  He had mixed feelings about going and in some ways, I think he would have just been fine staying home with me....but we both needed this new challenge and opportunity.  He goes to the same preschool that Ashton and Regan attended.  It is crazy to think how time flies...it seems like just yesterday we were taking Ashton there at age 3.
On the first day, he was so excited to get there...then when it was time for me to go, he wasn't so sure.  But every day since then, he has just bounded into the room with hardly a good-bye.  I am so happy to see him enjoying it and learning.  And for the first time in 10 years, I have a few hours each week to myself.  I hardly know what to do.  So far, I've done nothing exciting- just enjoyed taking a shower without interruption or going to the grocery store by myself!

First Days of School

We have survived the first couple of weeks of school!  It has been an adjustment for all of us...leaving behind  carefree summer days...but looking forward to all the fun and excitement that the new year always brings.  Here are the girls all ready for "Unpack Your Backpack" which is held a couple of days before school starts:

It's hard to believe I am sending all three of my girls off to elementary school this year!  We have fabulous teachers this year, and it was great to meet all of them.  They all reflect a love of teaching and learning which is so important!

Everyone was ready when the big day finally came!  Mom is always a little sad to see them go...Cole didn't know what to think!
Jordan Marie- 3rd Grade

Regan Cynthia- Kindergarten

Ashton Kim- 5th Grade

I love to take these pictures to capture their carefully selected backpacks, lunch boxes and new outfits.  It is so fun to look back and remember.
It is always so bittersweet to send a kindergartner off to school, but Regan was so ready and excited.

Here is to another great school year!!!!!

36

I celebrated a birthday last week and it was really fabulous...not because of anything big but because of a whole bunch of little things.  The day before my b-day, Tod surprised me with an afternoon date.  He had gotten the babysitter and everything and told me to wear active clothes.  We enjoyed lunch at our favorite Mexican spot and then drove to the bike store where he bought me a beautiful bike.  I have been wanting one for so long!  Then we did our first mountain bike ride and also rhode down by the river.  It was so much fun and just to spend time together was the best part.  We always have a good time.

The next day I got several dear phone calls from family and friends, also emails and face book messages.  My amazing visiting teacher stopped by with a yummy treat.

That afternoon, we headed to Nauvoo for the pageant.  I was so excited when I heard that the pageant was going to be held through the first week of August.  I couldn't think of anything better for my birthday than a trip to one of my favorite places in the whole world.  It is just an incredible place and for me it is because I consider my time there (when I spent a semester there during college) as life-changing.  It was during that time that I made some significant decisions and really decided what direction I was heading.  As I watched my own family enjoying the beauty of Nauvoo, I couldn't help but feel so thankful for the experiences I had there that have impacted my life.

The activities before the pageant are always so much fun.  Regan wanted to wear her pioneer dress for the festivities!  We went with some of our good friends and the older girls were happy to wander around on their  own.

 Cole absolutely loved the puppet show.  He never sits this still!

It was a beautiful evening and the perfect ending to a wonderful birthday celebration.  Here's to loving "36"...looking forward to a great year.

(We had left our house open so some friends could watch the Olympics- when we got home there was a delicious birthday cake sitting on the counter that they had baked!  It was a great surpise and so yummy, especially the frosting!)

Summer Update

Summer is flying by, and we have been busy having a lot of fun around here! It has been hot, hot, hot, and we have had to get creative to beat the heat!
Regan took swimming lessons and did great.  She went from being a non-swimmer to being able to do the front crawl across the pool.  I was very proud of her fearless attitude, and so was she!!

We have been doing lots of bike riding.  One day we went, and the wild flowers were so beautiful!

We have been trying to cut down on the use of electronics during the week, and that has really helped the kids to become more creative.  Ashton made up a game called "Dogopoly" (like monopoly).  It was so detailed, and provided hours of fun.

Jordan is love the extra time for "summer reading".  She can almost always be found with a book in her hands and has read over 40 chapter books just this summer!

Cole and Regan like to play with the dominoes and make all kinds of messes!  Some times we can wear Cole out enough to get him to take a nap.

Our afternoon spent on the Celebration Belle riverboat with some wonderful friends was spectacular.  The weather was beautiful and being on the river was so nice.  I love how there were flags everywhere.

We recently finished reading "Anne of Green Gables" out loud. (one of my favorites)  After finishing, we wanted to have a tea party and watch the movie.  I had forgotten that the move is over 3 hours long!  We had to split it up into 2 sessions!  Poor Cole, he always has to put up with these "girlie things"!

Only one more week left until school starts.  I can't believe it!  We are going to try to fit in a few more fun things!