tooth fairy and gold coins

When Natalie was 2 years old, she bumped her front tooth on the edge of a pool at a hotel while vacationing in Palmyra. It went gray and we thought she would lose it. However, it lightened up and she has had it ever since. . . until now! Look at the hole it left! She worked at getting that tooth out for weeks. And thanks to our brave neighbor, Katie, who pulled it right out! The permanent tooth is so big that it pushed the one next to it right out the first day of kindergarten! Natalie pulled that one herself! She has quite a collection of gold dollars from the tooth fairy! We sure love her new smile!

where is time going?

Yes, this is really Eli's demeanor. . .happy, content, joyful. And fast! He is officially on all fours and taking off! We've really got to watch him now! Love this boy!

A boy's gotta get comfortable--an afternoon of errands. And just look at these lashes! Love'em!

He's not so sure about grass, but I loved his expression.

first days of school

School has begun! We had 4 different "first days" of school this year. As I mentioned earlier, Maren began 7th grade a day earlier than the rest of the jr. high. Davis then started 4th grade on the 18th, Natalie started kindergarten on the 25th because of assessment testing the week before, and Millie began Preschool on the 26th. So it's just me and Eli for 3 mornings a week! So I should be doing my own school work. And he's still taking a morning nap! Everyone loves their teachers and enjoys being back in school. Aren't these kids cute?!

Natalie looking all grown up.

Check out Millie's pose!

not again. . .

As most of you remember, last year Millie broke her left arm (by the wrist) jumping on the trampoline.  And what about the forehead??  Honestly, don't remember. Anyway after 8 1/2 weeks in 2 different casts, we really thought that we could mark that one off!  Not a chance!  Last week, Millie fell off a bike and broke her upper right arm (right below the shoulder) and there is no way to cast this one. So we have do the "sling and wrap" about a thousand times a day, try to rationalize with a crying 3 year old about why we can't take it off about a thousand times a day--and all of this for about 4 weeks the doctor tells us.  I know you all want my life right now!  And please don't turn us in--we really try to be good parents!  Despite the inconvenience of it all, she does remain pretty happy.  And unfortunately, it doesn't slow her down a bit!  And look, we are already getting the eye rolling--I think we are in for it with this one! At least it is eye rolling with a smile, right!

off to 7th grade

Maren has been SO excited to begin junior high!  With all the right clothes, hair, and two painted fingernails (?), Maren had a fantastic 1st day of jr. high.  They had the 7th graders come a day early so they could all "be lost" together--without the 8th and 9th graders to intimidate these newbies. Smart!  She enjoyed all of her classes--she's taking pre algebra, english, science, utah history, art, spanish, and computers, with chorus and PE next semester.  Whew! While visiting the school for "meet the teacher" night, we made Maren practice, practice, practice opening her locker. (I still have nightmares about not being able to open my locker--that, and realizing that I have missed an entire school year of a class when I show up for a final--hmm, don't know what that means?)  However, she was a pro by the time we left the school!  We still can't believe that we are old enough to have a child in junior high.  

Doesn't she just look like a 7th Grader?  So cute!!  We just love this girl!

a day in the life...

Have I mentioned that we have a 3 year old in the house?! If you think that Millie looks like she has had a day, then look at her mother!   This is just a day in our life--it all began hunky dory and then, wham!  It can take a turn for the worse in a matter of seconds.  

Oh how we love this funny girl!  But the tantrums can only last for so long, can't they!? Having a tantrum soon after she had something chocolaty (probably because I wouldn't cave and give her more chocolate!),  Millie crawled onto our bed, with Ken and Fairy Barbie, made herself comfy under all of our pillows and feel asleep!  Whew!  What a day! Just wait until tomorrow...