Our Version of Minute To Win It

After watching an episode of Minute To Win It with the fam, Lee and I decided to make our own version for the kids. The task was to find the paper with words on it in less than a minute...

Hyenas, Lightning Dragons, and Yellow Ladybugs

Time for Soccer! This year we have three soccer stars in our house. Emma decided she wanted to try it again after several years of not playing. They had their first game of the season on Saturday and they all did very well (despite the ferocious winds). I think it is going to be an exciting season for them. Go teams!!

(I don't know how excited I am to be yelling for the Hyenas but I will take that name over the Vampires, which is what Emma's team originally called themselves. What a silly bunch a girls.)

Back To School

A few things I'd like to document about Back To School:

When we first found out what teachers the kids had and who was in their classes I immediately started to worry for Emma. She had a teacher she didn't really want and no friends in her class. All her friends stayed together in a different class except her, but the worst part was that a couple of girls that had been mean to Emma last year were in her class. After hearing this Emma had a really hard day. She was very sad and was dreading the school year. I told Emma I would see what I could do.

After pondering what I should do I decided I would talk to the principal and explain to her that Emma has had a hard past two years at school and that she really needs to have a good year before going into Junior High. I had never tried to switch classes before for my kids and was a little unsure of what to expect, but I had to do something. I told Emma my plan and then totally out of the blue she proceeded to tell me that she didn't think I should say anything. She said that she won't always be able to have her way and that she would have to learn to deal with upsets for the rest of her life and that she might as well start now. I was floored. What happened to Emma? She was like a totally different person. So after pondering some more, I decided I would honor and respect Emma's wishes and not say anything to the principal.

A couple of days later I got an email from the school saying that for various reasons they had to redo all 6th grade class lists. When we went to see the updated list we learned that Emma was moved to the teacher she was hoping for AND the two mean girls were no longer in her class.

What a tender mercy that was. I am so grateful for that experience. It reminded me how strong Emma is and that our Heavenly Father is very aware of each one of us and our situations.

*

Ella, my baby, is in Kindergarten. We went to her orientation and she was so very excited and everything went very well. At the end when we were walking to our car I noticed Ella's ankle was all red. I tried to remember if she had red socks on. No she didn't. I stopped her and pulled up her pants. The whole back part of her ankle was all bloody. She had blood all over her adorable new pants and it was pooling in her adorable new shoe. She had no idea. I took off her shoe and carried her to the car with her ankle dripping blood the whole way. I initially wanted to walk the kids to school but had the thought to go ahead and drive. If Ella and I had to walk home that day we both would have been miserable. That was just one more tender mercy, that I was given the thought to drive.

We got home and as I got Ella all cleaned up I asked her what she thought happened. She had no idea. She was just as baffled as I was. She wasn't even crying either. She was being so brave. I noticed something protruding from her wound. It was fleshy tissue. I know, so disgusting. I wasn't sure if I should take her to the doctor. I decided that because the bleeding had stopped I would just put a band aid on it and watch it for the next couple of days. It is almost all healed up now and I am still wondering what in the world happened to Ella's poor ankle.

*

As I mentioned Emma is now in 6th grade, Eva is in 4th, Ben is in 2nd and little Gal is in Kindergarten. I have all four kids going to the same school. CRAZY! I told myself not to volunteer this year.

I need a serious break from volunteering, or so I thought.

Last night, at Back To School Night I signed up to help in all four classes AND help with a handful of parties.

Why do I do this to myself?

Truth is, I love it. I love getting to know the teachers and I love being able to take a little peek into my kids' day. So, I am going to be busy once again this year, but it's for a good cause, right?

*

I am hopelessly devoted to my kids.

I miss them SO much already.

Just like last year I am having a serious case of the back to school blues. I take comfort in the fact that it only lasts a short while and then I wonder how in the world I was ever so down in the dumps. I think I get so down because I am realizing I only have a short time left with my kids, in the grand scheme of things.

I used to want time to speed up. Now I am pleading for it to slow down.

Having said that, I am really excited to clean and organize after a crazy fun filled Summer. I am looking forward to dejunking every space in my home. I am also looking forward to something else which I will elaborate on in another post.

Happy Back To School!

(at least that is what I am trying to tell myself )

Last Hurrah

Last weekend we were invited by some friends to go to their AMAZING cabin up in Brighton as a "last hurrah" before school starts. It was very refreshing and a great way to end the summer.

We started off by doing some canoeing.

There were so many little ducklings along the way. They were adorable!

After canoeing we took our little ducklings to the trail that wrapped around the lake for a little hike. I was amazed at the beauty of nature.

The kids all got along so well. They had a great time together.

Emma and Eva couldn't get enough of cute little Lizzie. She was pretty smitten by "the big girls" as well.

Curtis was so cute with the kids. He had a craft for them to make and everything. They worked hard on cute little containers that they could put all of their "special finds" in during our hike the next morning. That's Ella showing off her finished product.

The next morning we set out to hike to Twin Lakes. I think my kids were expecting a hike like the day before, calm and leisurely. This was a little different. Ben, of course was in his element. Ella asked if we could never do this again. Emma and Eva struggled here and there as well. This was definitely the hardest hike they have been on. But it was all worth it when we saw this view...

Oh no, we didn't stop there. We had to keep going to Twin Lake. Again, gorgeous...

I was so proud of my kids. Part of our family motto is "...if it's hard, we can do it!" They sure proved themselves that day.

Thanks to Curtis and Allie for a very fun weekend. We felt one with nature and very appreciative of our surroundings. And best of all, we were with good friends.

It's What Fun Is!

This Summer some friends of ours had extra tickets to Lagoon and asked if we wanted them. Of course we took them! We had been to Lagoon a few times for Stake Lagoon Day but this was our first time actually staying more than a few hours. The kids had a blast. We met up with Heidi and Chrissie (husbands came later) and all of their cute kids and stayed the whole day...

The Odysea ride was Eva and Ella's favorite ride.

Ella doesn't look very happy in some of these pictures but she did have a super fun time.

Ben could not get enough of Colossus. I have no idea how many times he went on that ride that day.

I thought this picture was so cute of the little girls peeking over the cart thingy in Dracula's Castle. Do they look a little spooked?

I have to say that even though that day was one of the most hot, humid days of the year I still had a great time...just as much as my kids. I am now thinking that Lagoon Season Passes may be in the future for our family. Thanks again Heidi and Randy!

Yellow

Last weekend Ben became a yellow belt in karate. He was very surprised because he wasn't expecting to advance so quickly. I think he was kind of in shock. You can see it on his face...

Ben with his buddy Ian and Master Te

I am really proud of Ben. He is working hard and having a blast at the same time.

Congrats on the yellow, bud!!

Saved By Grace

We were saved by Grace again this Summer. We love her and her beautiful yard. Here are a bunch of pictures...

Swinging Avie

The Three Muskateers

Ben mastered his flips off the diving board

These boys could not get enough of the hammock

Sweet friends, Amalie and Ella

Boys will be boys

Brothers

Girl Power

This is what Grace's place can do to you

Lizzie, Hannah and Emma

Emma N. aka Tarzan

Mr. Washington

Kora taking a little relaxation break

Best buds, Natalie and Eva

Finally, the girls get a turn on the hammock


Like always, we had a ton of fun at Grace's.

I mentioned to her that I thought her yard looked like a mini version of what I picture the Garden of Eden to look like. She said she has always tried to make it look like exactly that. She sure did a fine job and I am very grateful that she is always willing to share it.