(okay, this set of pictures goes beneath the other blog of the day, but I still don't really know what I'm doing)

Change of Seasons

Not so long ago this is what my kids were doing outside in the front yard. It was close to 60 degrees, and it was the end of November.

This is what my kids were doing yesterday in the front yard. 2 weeks and 40 degrees can make a big difference!

mini mozart

Eliza just loves to play the piano. Sometimes we will put her on the bench and let her go to town. But one day I was in the kitchen when I heard her start playing. I hadn't put her on the bench, and the other kids weren't home, so I had to see how she was playing the piano.

I guess she figured out that her little scoot-along car thing made a good step-ladder. I don't agree--things with wheels do not make good ladders. We'll have to work on that bit of advice.

Moments like these . . .

It's true that I adore my children, but some days I'm surprised I have any hair left for all of the pulling I do. And then there comes a moment that just reignites my flame of motherhood. This is what happened:

Adam was having a hard time opening some kind of snack. I can't remember if it was the pickle jar or a go-gurt. I offered to help and he handed it over with a "Fanks, mom" (th's are a bit of a problem). After I completed the menial task, Adam took his snack and commented, "I don't know what I'd do without you." I responded that I didn't know what I'd do without him either, and he said, "Yeah, I know."
And truthfully, I don't know what I'd do without any of them. Thanks for reminding me, Adam!

Happy Halloween

Okay, so it's a little late, but we wanted you to know that we had a good Halloween. Our Daisy,

our extra-cheerful pirate (maybe he's been hitting the rum a little much),

our sombre vampire,

and our own Elphaba (wicked witch of the west) wish you a great Autumn!

UEA Trip

A couple of weeks ago we headed to St. George to do some Temple work for my grandma. While there we had lots of fun:

Emily finally managed to land on the inflatable alligator,

the boys engaged in some deep conversation,

and Eliza pointed out just how cute she is!

Sleepyhead

Okay, I was sitting at my kitchen table working on the computer, and Eliza was sitting on the floor by me eating a cookie. It got really quiet. I quickly figured out why. Yes, that's the cookie still in her hand!

Call Me Crazy . . .

I thought it might be fun for the whole family to attend the BYU game on Saturday.
And this was even while I watched little specks of snow falling from the sky.
I didn't know the seats were on the very top row!

The boys had a great time (until the 4th quarter)

Emily had a great time with her cousins

Eliza thought it was nap time.

But all in all, it was fun. It has been at least 7 years since I've attended a game of my Alma Mater, and it was appropriate that it was the Homecoming game. Maybe we'll all go again in 7 years!

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Hooray! Isaac finally turned 6. He's been waiting almost patiently through all the summer birthdays for his turn. We had a mini-olympics party with friends to celebrate, and then went to dinner at Brick Oven. He also had a party in his school class. Great day!

Boy's School

From the last blog you certainly assumed that Emily started school successfully, but she's not the only one frequenting Geneva Elementary this year!
Isaac started Kindergarten on August 25. He goes in the afternoon to Mrs. May's class, and has loved it so far. I don't necessarily count on him learning a lot this year, as he entered ready to go to at least first grade anyway, but he's sure having fun. He assures me on a regular basis that he's one of the quietest and most polite students in class. I hope he's right.












Then there's Adam . . . Our school provides a full-time pre-school for those students who need extra help getting ready for Kindergarten. I figured we'd have a fair chance at being accepted considering Adam was not even 4 yet during testing week. I underestimated him. He had never written his name at home, but he did during testing. I was sure the teachers would say right away that Adam would be great for the pre-school. Instead he was asked to serve as a model student for the special needs pre-school which is also at our school. So instead of 5 afternoons a week, we only get 2, but he's having fun just the same.




So I have 6 hours a week with only one child at home. It's a start.

And the winner is . . .

Today were Student Council elections at Geneva Elementary. Emily made a few posters earlier in the week and was the first to give her campaign speech this morning. Then when she got home from school, she announced that she had been elected to Student Council! We're so proud of her!

What did we do in the Summertime,

We visited Grandma Sheila in Tehachapi, California,















Boys camped in the backyard,















Isaac lost his first tooth (teeth--it's the fused tooth bud pair) less than a week before Eliza got her first!

















And we even went camping a few times at East Canyon!

When all the World was Green?

We played in the pool,

And visited a Burro rescue ranch in California!

Eliza's ONE

Hooray for birthdays!

Love that cake!

I'm finally 1!!!!!