Another Year

Another year and here I am another year older. I always dread this day but once it gets here it's not so bad after all, however, I am glad that it's over. As previously mentioned my dad and Joanie surprised us with a trip to Desert Star Playhouse. I also got tickets for Odyssey Dance Theater's "Thriller". I have wanted to go every year but for some reason or another it just never happened. This year it is and I am so excited. Brett even said he would go with me. It was a nice relaxing day-I got to put my PJ's back on at 4:00. What more can you ask for?

Desert Star Playhouse

My dad called me up on Saturday afternoon to ask if we had any plans for that evening. We did already have a babysitter but not really any plans set yet. He said he had gotten tickets to see "Snooty and the Beast" at Desert Star Playhouse. Neither Brett or I had ever been so I was super excited. We had dinner right at our table while we watched the play. It was hysterical and my dad and Joanie are a blast to hang out with. Nothing better than spilled drinks and a stolen car to top off the night. Thanks dad and Joanie-we love you guys!!!

Pumpkin Painting Festival

The kids were out for UEA on Thursday and Friday and we stayed in the house all day on Thursday. Both the kids and I were ready to go stir crazy. I heard about a Pumpkin Painting Festival at The Gateway and the best part was that it was FREE!!! We headed down a little early hoping to beat the crowd. The kids painted their pumpkins and then danced a little with Radio Disney. It was a beautiful fall day out and it was so nice to get them out of the house.

The Park

Because life has gotten so crazy at our house we decided to take one day and spend it together doing something as a family. Since we are trying to save all our $ for our trip in November this had to consist of something inexpensive since I had already taken the kids to the movie on Friday. Brett suggested the park. We packed up a lunch, a football and a soccer ball and spent the afternoon at Murray Park. The kids couldn't stop thanking us for taking the day out and going to the Park. Harlee couldn't get enough of the slide and went up and down so many times I lost count. She was so worn out she fell asleep on Denice's shoulder at dinner. I did bring my camera but the battery was dead so I have no pictures. It was a great day and I am glad we took some time out for "us". It sure helped to start out another busy week with a completely relaxing day.

Parent Teacher Conference

So we just had the kids first Parent Teacher Conferences since starting at the Charter School. Brynlee's was first. Her teacher said she is doing very well in everything except the social aspect of it all. She is really shy and has just been standing back and watching instead of participating. She said that she has gotten better at participating in small groups but when the whole class is together or they are out at recess she is very quiet and just stands back and watches. She is doing really well and her teacher said she is ready to start sending books home and is going to start Brynlee on a level "B". McKade's was just as I had expected. His teacher said, "What can I say except that he is perfect". He is a little bored and gets his work done really fast which means that now he has a talking problem which we have never had before. I was able to get a few pointers from Trevin's teacher on what to do for McKade and we are going to start with sending some workbooks to school with McKade to work in when he gets finished with his other work. Trevin is doing very well in class but is having a hard time staying focused during silent reading time. He has worked out some goals with his teacher and is promising to do better. She said that academically he is doing very well. The boys have started learning Spanish and they both love it. I absolutely love all of their teachers and I am so excited for a great year.

Our Crazy Life

I have been so bad about bringing my camera with me anywhere lately. Life has been totally crazy with dance, tumbling, football and now soccer. Trevin's team is 3-0 and is up against a very tough Bingham team this weekend. We are hoping for another win. Brynlee is loving dance and tumbling and on Saturday she ran in the door from tumbling and straight out into the backyard. We followed her out there watching what she was doing. All of a sudden she threw herself back right into a back bend. Holy Crap-she has only been in her tumbling class for 2 weeks now. I can't wait to see that back-handspring. She is loving dance and has been showing me her "break-dancing" moves they are learning for their hip-hop routine. She is so excited to get to perform at the Jazz game in November with Erin this year. McKade just started soccer and is loving it. They are playing on a bigger field this year and that has been quite an adjustment but he has an awesome coach and he is having fun and that is all that matters. Harlee is my little buddy in the afternoon now and mostly it has been our naptime while I was trying to get over whatever it was that I had for 2 whole weeks.
I was able to meet with Bryn's teacher for parent teacher conference today and she said that Brynlee is doing well but is very quiet and reserved in small groups. She stands against the wall by herself at recess even after several kids have asked her to play. She said she is getting better at participating in small groups in class and this is something we are continually talking about at home. She has made some cute little friends in her class and Sydnee and Jerzie are all that she talks about. Other than those small issues she is doing well and is ready to start at a level "B" in reading. She has already memorized every level "A" book that we have at home so it's time for something more for her. Brynlee was invited to a birthday party for a little girl in her class today and it was at the park. Sydnee and Jerzie were there and I hope this helped to get her a little more comfortable.
Trevin and McKade's parent teacher conference are tomorrow night so I will have another update after that.

Bad Parents on 2nd Child Syndrome?

The other day I was asking the kids what they wanted for Christmas this year. McKade quietly came up and said, "Mom, could I please have a bike?". I thought about it and then told Brett about it that night. Brett says, "He doesn't have a bike?". Technically he had a bike but outgrew it a year or so ago and has never shown any interest in having another. He is very content just to ride his scooter around most of the time. We got talking about it and didn't think McKade even knew how to ride a bike. What 8 year old doesn't know how to ride a bike? We both felt absolutely horrible and promptly went out that weekend and bought him a bike and he and Trevin got new helmets as well. I don't know if it's the 2nd child syndrome or a bit of bad parenting. The good news is that McKade hopped on that bike and after a few wobbly moments he took off down the sidewalk on it. He is so happy that he can ride around with the other kids in the neighborhood now who all have bikes of their own (sigh). We were so blessed to have such a sweet spirit sent to us as child #2. I don't think that any of our other kids have the personality to put up with what he has to. We love you Bubba!!!