Wednesday, August 31, 2016

I'm working on a new writing style for calligraphy.  It's much more modern and whimsical than classic Copperplate.  My mom wants me to do her Halloween invitations in the new style, so I'm trying to figure out how it works!


We are down another tooth with this one!  She lost it at school, and came home with a little bracelet holder to leave for the tooth fairy.  They are all growing up.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Student Council Applicant

Sweet Mac wants to apply to be on the Student Council at school.  She has to fill out an application and write a bit of an essay describing her leadership qualifications.  It's actually a pretty advanced set up, and I'm proud of her for wanting to try.  It's a hard line to walk as a parent, knowing that these questions are kind of above her head, but knowing the importance of having her do her best with some guidance.  Then add in the knowledge that there will surely be other kids whose parents answer the written questions for them, and obviously present themselves better than the average 3rd grader.  Her teacher said she takes that into account, and I really hope Mac gets the chance to try this out!


Monday, August 29, 2016

No!

Master Thomas is SO cute.  Today was the first Monday in a long time that it was just me and him for the day!  He is getting pretty funny with answering questions!  Even the dreaded 'no' is super cute coming from him!

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

First Day of School!

Here is Leiden, ready to head off to the MIDDLE SCHOOL.  I think I'm in shock.  She looks so mature.  I dropped her off without any trouble, and off she went!


These two little ones are up next!


Looking all cute in their new clothes, we have a brand new FIRST grader!


Equally excited and decked out in new duds, we have a brand new THIRD GRADER!


They are so cute, and growing so quickly.


We found their class line ups, and got a pic together.  With Mac's eyes closed, of course!


Gah, these girls pull on the heart strings!


And then in they go!  High five to the principal, and they are off to a whole new year of adventure and learning.


They all had a great first day of school, which I was relieved about.  Leiden seemed great with middle school, and shares several classes with her friends from the elementary, and Mac and Mimi came home all smiles.  This is going to be a great year!

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Getting Ready For School

The middle school had an orientation and presentation of their elective options today for the 5th graders.  It was bizarre to walk in there with Leiden and know she's going to be here next year!  After seeing the performances of the choir and dancers, and musical instruments, Leiden decided her first choice for her elective credit is Ceramics.  Knowing Leiden, this makes sense to me!


She's pretty excited, though!


Next up, a new school outfit for Leiden, and school supplies all around.  She was very excited about her new leggings and shirt.


Meet the teacher was today at the elementary.  Mac is super excited to have Mrs. Barnhart as her 3rd grade teacher.


And Mimi has Mrs. LaFleur, just like Mac did!


The girls are sad about summer ending, but are excited to start school nonetheless.  I think the routine and schedule will be good for them.  I will have a bit of finagling to do with getting Leiden to the middle school at the same time as the other two need to leave to walk to the elementary, as well as timing conflicts at pick up time, but we will figure it out!


Leiden wanted to arrange and organize all her supplies.  What a mess, but we'll be ready!

Monday, August 22, 2016

Eek!

This not so little guy was found in the bathtub.  They are honestly just so gross.  Creepy little crawlies.  And way to big to try and smash with toilet paper and your hands!  The thought of smashing their bodies creeps me out.  And when it's that big??  No way, Jose!  I ended up swishing it down the drain, and then running the water for a really long time.  Ick

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Emigration

I took a long run down Emigration Canyon today.  I figure that in order to avoid my leg and foot hurting, I should probably train on the hill of the actual race!  It was darn hot, but these little sunflowers were all over the place as I ran down.  Something pretty that took my mind off the repetitive footfalls and the how much longer?!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

This Is the Place

The girls love the petting zoo at This Is the Place.  The little goats are so cute, and I love that they can be in amongst them.  They are growing up without animals and they desperately want them!  Perhaps the little goats will be a sufficient stop gap!


This one really liked Leiden.  They are funny...not shy at all about nosing into you if they want you to pet them.


We've spent a lot of time here, this summer, as well.  Hopefully with our pass, we will be able to make it up here during Christmas time and see the Christmas village!

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Summer Winding Down

We have spent SO MUCH time at the pool this summer, and it's been really great for the girls.  They have enjoyed so much swimming and playing at the pool.  It's been our go to for counteracting the boredom of the long summer days.  But these days are winding down, and fast!


After swimming today, the girls and I took a bike ride to Straws, which is a decent distance to go, the first time since Mimi has learned to ride without training wheels.


Our slushies were amazing, as usual, and it was fun to spend the evening with the girls.


School starts in just a few days, and I for one am pretty excited!

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Temple

I went to the temple and did initiatories this afternoon.  I was planning on a session, but didn't get there early enough to be home when the girls were done with school.


I walked around the grounds for a few minutes afterwards and was stunned to see a tree that had a handful of these gorgeous leaves on it!  It's the beginning of August, which seems pretty early, but they sure are beautiful.  And they make me excited for fall!


Saturday, August 6, 2016

Still running several times a week.  It seems harder this year.  Maybe I'm getting older, or maybe more lazy!  But I still just feel blah sometimes when I'm trying to get out there and do it.


I have, however, added to my list the goal of strengthening myself enough to do pull ups.  They are SO HARD, and make me feel so weak.  So I looked up some strengthening plans, and I'm trying to do it.


Tonight was the wedding reception for Max and Taralee.  It was at the reception place in Trolley Square, and it was really nice.  Leiden wasn't with us, which was too bad because Jonathan took this really great picture of us girls.  It was fun to dress up and head out to an event.

Friday, August 5, 2016

Science Experiments

We performed some science experiments today!  We looked at the effects salt has on ice.  I froze some large chunks in tupperwares and bowls, and after sprinkling salt on the ice cubes, we used pipettes and colored water to see what the salt had done to the ice.


It was a pretty good mix of fun and mess!


Tonight was the wedding dinner for Max and his bride to be.  It's up at Mike's barn in Midway, and Jonathan and I headed up.  Mylene asked my mom to bring ice cream, which she agreed to do, then realized she wouldn't have time with watching Thomas.  So she asked me to do it.  So we headed to Costco and got ice cream which we packed with dry ice.

The evening was beautiful, and we enjoyed spending time with family.  It was good to see Tom and Mylene.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Leiden is Leaving

Leiden has the opportunity to go to Maycie's cabin with her family for the weekend, and she's very excited to spend some time with Maycie.  Adria was behind with errands, so we took Leiden to meet her at the Costco she was shopping at.  The girls are sad to see her go, along with the inevitable 'why does LEIDEN get to go??  But they pulled it together for a picture before we left Leiden with Adria.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Naomi!

Today we got together with Naomi and her kids!  It's been way too long, and when she texted that she would be in town, I was super excited to be able to set up a meeting time.  The kids don't remember each other very well, but they still had fun at Naomi's in laws' house.  Naomi has had two kids since we last saw her, and her others have grown so much.


It was wonderful to have the opportunity to see such a dear friend! 

Monday, August 1, 2016

Tonight we went to a bridal shower for the girl my cousin Max is marrying.  The girls were invited, and luckily the shower was outside, so they could just play on the lawn the whole time!  They had my phone and took lots of slow motion video...here are some highlights!



The girl Max is marrying seems like a really nice girl, with a really nice family.  It was also good to see Mylene and Rachel in town.  Bridal showers are so fun!