School time!

School has begun! AJ was so nervous about switching schools, that we have had several pep talks over the last few weeks and promised J would give her a blessing the night before. She was feeling better about it the closer it got and after Back to School night on Wednesday she could hardly wait! Thursday morning she and AP both got up and ready to go without any trouble. Elizabeth came to our house so she could walk with us and Stephanie was leaving with Kyra the same time we were headed out so we all walked together. Ella didn't start until today. Emily always gets her girls matching outfits and wanted AJ to feel included so got her one too. They wore them today (Ella's first day). LOVE it! They all had a great day yesterday (very positive reports) and I am excited to hear how today goes!

Visit to Grandparents and Bridal Veil Falls

Last week I took the kids to visit my parents for a few days. I forgot my camera, so no pictures but as always we had a great time. AJ and Grandma took some fun walks up to the waterhole. AP got his fill of Disney channel but also had fun playing in the creek and Grandpa help him make a sailboat (out of scrap wood) to play with in the"rapids." One of the kids' favorite things to do at Grandpa and Grandma's house is design plush friends to make; Grandma has tons of extra fabric to choose from as well as all kinds of buttons and whatnot to embelish with, and is really good at helping them with the sewing. AP made a little pancake guy out of green flannel and AJ started (can you guess) a cat. The kids also had a lot of fun playing with the neighbors' 3 new kittens! Two are almost identical to Taikaro and Simon and of course the kids couldn't get enough of them, and we even saw Hopper (Tai and Simon's sister), who ran away months ago. We had such a great time and love visiting Grandpa & Grandma!

We came back Friday morning and AJ (as usual) asked when we were going to be able to climb the waterfall (that we pass on the way to Grandpa and Grandmas). So we decided to spend Saturday afternoon at Bridal Veil Falls. The B's came with us and we had a blast! The trail was a little scary in spots but not too bad. After we got to the end of the trail J took Elizabeth and AP a little farther up while Mark, Emily, and I stayed to herd the little ones.












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Childrens Museum

A couple of weeks ago we headed to the Discovery Gateway for a day of family fun! The older kids and I have been there numerous times, but D has only been there once (before he was old enough to enjoy it), and Jeff has never been so off we went!

We stopped off at Spaghetti Mama's (a favorite of ours) because we had heard they revamped their gluten free menu and wanted to check it out. Our only choice used to be the angel hair pasta with meat sauce, which was good, but they have so much to choose from now! I got rotisserie chicken with penne pasta, Jeff got lasagne, AP got a personal pizza, and AJ got her usual angel hair with parmesan. Since D never eats that much we each gave him a small portion of ours. Of course we all tasted each others' anyway because it all looked so good we couldn't resist. So yummy!



And then off to the museum! Once we got there Jeff surprised me by sending me off to shop while he took the kids around the museum. I was a little torn, but I have actually never shopped at the gateway. The only reason I've ever gone up there is to take the kids to the fountains, the planetarium, or the museum. It was really fun to walk around and check out the stores. And the kids had a great time at the museum with their dad! Thanks Babe for treating us to such a great day!

Everything is Wonderful

Conversation with my 2-year-old:
Me: Hi Bud.
D: Hi Mom.
Me: How are you?
D: So happy
Me: You're so happy?
D: yah, swunder-ful.
Me: What's wonderful?
D: Every-ting swunderful. Mom. I'n so hap-ee!
Me: I'm so happy too!
D: Yah, Mom. swunderful.
Me (giving him a hug): It is wonderful!
D (hugging me back): Yah, Mom. Love you.

Other cute things he says:
Every time AJ shows him something she has made he says, "Wow. Ob-wee. Dat's so coo-al!" Because of that she loves showing him everything. When he wants to be picked up or carried he says, "I Hode you," and if he wants to sit and be held he says, "cuddle a me. cuddle a me on da couch," or "cuddle a me over der" (pointing to where he wants to sit). He will also go around with a grin saying, "Dat's so citing!" or "I'n so cited!"

He is such a bright spot in our home and despite the messes he makes and his often stubborn little personality he is so sweet and does make everything wonderful!