First Day Of School

Siobhan had first day of kindergarten on Monday. She was so excited!!!! She goes to a charter school called American Preparatory Academy where she gets to go to all day kindergarten and wear a uniform. She thinks the uniform is super cool! We're not sure if she's more excited about taking her lunch to school, having three recesses or writing in cursive! But she's loving every minute of it all the same!

Here's Siobhan right before leaving.
Kindergarten-2011
And yes, we're that family who makes our kid bring a gift to the teacher on the first day. I just think that teachers are some of the most unappreciated people in the world, so we wanted to make Mrs. Neidig feel special. She (Mrs. Neidig) is from England and has the cutest accent. We're told that sometimes her students end up having slight accents at the end of the year which is fun!

With Carson just before leaving.
Siobhan's school is a little bit of a drive and she has to be there early. Fortunately, it's not too far from Carson's work. So he goes tot he gym in the morning (which is just down the street) comes home to pick her up, and takes her to school. It works out perfectly and they get some fun daddy/daughter time!

Me and Siobhan right before heading off with Daddy.



Audrey started pre-school on Tuesday and she loves it!!!!! We were planning on homeschooling her for pre-school but then decided at the last minute that it wasn't going to be right for her. Luckily, I found a great school just up the street and around the corner that had some spots open. She loves being in Miss. Lynette's class and she gets to have recess too!

Audrey just a few days before school started. I'm not sure why, but this pictures reminds me of a mean school teacher.

Audrey on her first day just before leaving. She's wearing her bee necklace. She also gave the teacher a gift-not to worry, the teacher gifts were nothing crazy, just some yummy smelling hand sanitizer.

Me and Audrey just before we left. Love this little girl so much!!!!

Back To School Feast

On Sunday we started the tradition of having a back to school feast (yes, I totally stole the idea from Nie Nie-I make no apologies). We let Siobhan pick the food because she's starting kindergarten this year and that's a really big deal. Next year when Audrey starts Kindergarten, we'll let her choose. We chose a theme for the school year of what our family is going to focus on and we decorated accordingly. Our theme is this year is.....

To go along with the theme, at least once a month, one of our family home evenings will focus on President Hinckley's 'Bs'. If we live by those, it will help us 'Be the Best [We] Can Bee'.

Oh yeah, on the menu was:
Carbonarra (Siobhan's personal favorite-the girl could eat her weight in it)
Rolls
Lemonaide
Potato Skins for an appetizer

I had fun decorating the table. The centerpiece was a bunch of sticks that have bumble bees on them and I wrote out all the Bs on tags and hung them off the branches. Then I put framed pictures of the girls growing up-it happens so fast!

I made both of the girls a crown in the black, yellow, white color scheme which they loved!

Mr. Will was sad that he didn't a crown, but he enjoyed wearing my Jazz hat.

Later, the girls modeled their first day outfits. No real fashion show this year. Siobhan's going to be wearing a uniform everyday, so there's not much to see. She didn't even end up wearing that jumper. She wore a navy one instead.

Right before bed, Carson gave each of the girl beautiful, inspiring blessings for the new school year. Then it was time for a visit from the 'Back To School Fairy' (another idea I stole). She brought each of the girls a necklace that has a bumble bee charm and a heart so they can remember to 'Be The Best You Can Bee'. Unfortunately, the Back to School Fairy has never made jewelry before and both necklaces have broken a few times. I'm working on a way to attach the jump rings so they don't fall off anymore.

Coming up....First Day of School Posts

Today

Today was particularly hard with Siobhan. I seem to be saying that a lot and then blogging about it. Not sure if that's the best thing or not. Anyway, I think when school starts things will be better. I think the hardest part was actually the last hour or so. And since I just put her to bed and am now cooling down from the shenanigans, I'm going to list some things that she did today that were great.

*She fed Ethan his dinner while I put Mr. Will down for sleep and she actually did a good job of it.

*She helped me get the plates ready for dinner. Anything have to do with helping prepare dinner and she is all over it! It also helps if allowance money is involved.

*She colored an awesome picture of a lion this morning. Seriously, it's really good! See!




*I needed someone to carry some important papers when we were at her school this afternoon and she willingly helped me out.

*She requested my favorite place for lunch...Taco Bell.

*She told me that she loves my homemade gravy!

*She loves Mary Poppins!

The girl knows how to push every button that I have, but I think I'll keep her around!

We Interrupt This Program

To bring you and awesome way to help those in need. Remember the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan? Who could forget right?!?!? Well, I have this Friend in Portland who served a mission for our church (back in 1989) over there in the same region where the quake and tsunami hit. Now she's headed over the land she loves to help with the ongoing clean up. Obviously a ticket to Japan isn't cheap especially when you have 7 kids. So she put together a fundraiser to help fund her trip and I think it's super cool....cookbooks!

Head on over to the Hesses Madhouse and purchase one of her cookbooks. The ordering deadline is July 20th-this Wednesday. I'm ordering s few because they would make some good gifts. Julie posts some her recipes on her blog every now and then, and I must say, they all look and sound amazing!

So if you're still looking for away to help with the tragedy in Japan, check out her blog and buy a cookbook. Also, if you order, you may be able to include a recipe of our own!!!

Iamges From The Fourth

Mr. Will, Kate, Audrey, Siobhan, Caroline, and Lindsay...all the cousins (who were present) waiting for the parade in Grandma's neighborhood.

Carson and Mr. Will

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge? Nope, just William and Kate

Audrey loved the parade! She and Siobhan received lots of compliments on their dresses from the parade participants.

Sir Ethan

It's been a long long long time since I've put anything on the blog about little Ethan. I know, I'm so lame! It's true what they say about the youngest....never any pictures or anything! Believe me, I know!

So here's some updates about the little man. Ethan has rolled over a few times but has yet to do it regularly. He is pretty much the perfect baby. I was worried that it wouldn't last, but he's just so mellow! He just goes with the flow everyday! He has the cutest little ticklish spots and that are so unusual...the jaw bone and chin are always good for great giggles, and I just found a spot on his lower back along his spine that gives him the squirms...so adorable! I can't handle how amazing he is and how much I love him! He puts up with his sisters incessant hugs and kisses and his brother loving on him. Mr. Will has only once lashed out on him in anger and it was more directed towards me than Ethan so it was all forgiven. Long story short, we all love this little boy! Now, enjoy some pictures!

They all love him!!!

He loves sitting up!

Look at those big, bright eyes!

Love that smile!

Always content!

At the beach last week-first time in the bumboo!

Juvy

For an update on Siobhan and the arthritis, go visit our other blog, A Stint in Juvy. You can also get there by clicking on the link on the side bar.