Tap Returns!

Priss returned to tap this evening with very eager feet. I tried to convince her to wear the same leotard as last year so that I could see how much she had changed, but she really wanted to wear her pink tutu. She posed for a couple of pictures and then it was off. When we arrived she saw many of the same faces from her tap class last year. Many of the little girls had started kindergarten this year so they were chatting about school and who their teachers were...too cute!

Swee, Jason and I attended her first lesson this year, and Swee actually sat quietly!

They are mine but aren't they adorable!

PS Family your copies are coming soon!

I thought life would slow down some!

With both Jason returning to and Emerson starting school this fall I was certain that life would slow down some for me....I mean just having Sawyer at home, life should be slower right? Well, it is NOT! Sawyer over the past few days has been trying my patience to say the least. I have caught him doing things that I was shocked he was doing but not surprised.

Life will not be slow this school year! In fact, I think it will probably be the most chaotic school year since I started teaching! Best wishes to everyone in their upcoming school year!

Do I really have to eat lunch there?

Last night at bedtime Jason gave Emerson her first Father's Blessing. In the blessing she was told many touching things about herself and what her school year will hold. She sat so nice and quiet throughout the entire blessing and was just smiling at Jason when he finished.

As she went off to bed with my Mom tucking her in she was so excited for kindergarten. Jason, my Mom and I sat and marveled that 5 years had past and that she really was going to kindergarten this year.

When this morning came Jason had to leave before anyone else was up since it was his first day with students also. I was up next and got ready so that when Mom and the kids got up I could just focus on getting them ready so Priss could be at school on time. I, like my sister, am not allowing Emerson to ride the bus to and from school this year. I don't know any kids or really any of the neighbors (my fault) and so I don't want her riding the bus when I can easily take her and pick her up. Anyways, I had to wake Emerson up this morning which is very rare! When she finally was awake she began crying and when I asked her what was wrong she said that she didn't want to eat lunch at school! Her biggest stress was nothing academic or social, but the fact that she had to eat lunch at school and not at home. Once she got dressed she was ready to go and didn't look back.

Mom, Sawyer and I accompanied Emerson to her first day of kindergarten after a short photo session on the front porch. She was so excited to see where her seat was and who was in her class. Her teacher, Mrs. Ferguson, was very happy to see Emerson. Mrs. Ferguson promptly showed her where to hang her backpack and her lunch box. As soon as Priss did those two things she sat down in her seat, gave me a kiss and started working on the papers on her desk.

When Jason (who left work early so that he could go with me) and I went to pick Priss up she was so happy to see us and commenced on telling us story after story about her day. She loved lunch and saw many other kids from her preschool. She read "The Kissing Hand" and was sang to since her birthday was over the summer. Emerson loved school and can't wait to return on Friday! Yeah!!

Party Pictures

Prissy's Party

Emerson's party began with a cookout that several family members were able to attend, but before anyone could eat Emerson wanted sang to. We sang to her and then proceeded to eat some good food. When everyone was finished eating Emerson opened her presents and loved all of them. She received a large map to keep track of where family members are or are traveling to, a putting green and putter, a Madame Alexander ballerina, and some clothes for her American Girl twins. Along with these gifts she received some wonderful chapter books for her and I to read together.

After present opening was over the kids put their swimming suits on and went out back to play with some water balloons. They managed to burn through about 20 balloons in under 10 minutes, and were begging for more. More were made and kids were soaked especially when Matt joined in the fun.

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it and a fond we missed you to all those who couldn't!

Tonight at 6:05

Five years ago at 6:05 p.m. Jason and I welcomed a 6 lb 15 oz 19 1/2 in long little girl into the world. She was to be due on August 2 but wasn't in any hurry to make her appearance.

It is incomprehensible to me that she turned 5 years old today, that she will be going off to kindergarten this year, and the realization that those years are forever in the past. I still remember when the doctor said...It's a girl! I just couldn't believe that I was the mother to a little girl. I also didn't realize just how much a mother loves... how deeply...how hard and never could have understood the way that your heart would break when someone was mean to her.

This little girl has brought so many wonderful experiences into my life and continues to mystify me on a daily basis by the way that she loves me, her Daddy, and her Swee! She is an amazing little girl that I thank my Father in Heaven for on a daily basis because she made me a Mother for the first time!

I love this little girl more than she will ever know, until she is in my position sitting in front of some type of technology many years down the road reflecting on her own children.

Thanks Prissy for allowing me the privilege of being your mother, for it truly is a privilege to have you as my daughter!

Ready for Church or are they?

I snapped these pictures of the kids within 10 minutes of each other. They were all dressed a ready for church but then it all changed.....

they got into a wrestling match and ended up standing in separate corners.

Moving

No, we are not moving at this time but Jason's parents are. His dad has accepted a position for a new company that is requiring him to move to Asheville, NC by October 1. We are excited for their new adventure but also will miss having them so close. They are feeling a lot of mixed emotions right now but overall are relieved that Ed is working for a stable company once again. Good luck and we love you!

Watch Out World

Emerson received a new bike at the beginning of the summer because last year's bike was too big and had been returned. She loves her new bike with training wheels. Well, Sawyer loves it too! Every chance he gets he is trying to convince her to let him ride her bike when we go on bike rides/parent walks in the evenings. Sometimes she would allow him to ride it and other times there was almost a knock down drag out fight in the garage over her bike. Jason and I finally decided after watching Sawyer zoom around the neighborhood on Emerson's bike that Sawyer needed a big boy bike. Well, we purchased one for him about two weeks ago and life hasn't been normal since....he rides as hard as he can whenever he can. One literally has to run to keep up with him.

I finally got a video of him on his bike. It is a scream to watch.

Adventures in Potty Training

I decided that Sawyer would be potty trained by the time he was 2 1/2 years old. Since next month will find him turning 2 1/2 I embarked on the grand adventure of potty training him. I was armed with all types of info on how hard it is to potty train little boys and that girls are so much easier. Since Emerson was potty trained at 2 years 1 month I was pretty sure that Sawyer would be a little harder since we had already passed that date a couple of months ago.

I informed Sawyer that once sis started school he would be potty training hardcore! He wasn't really into it, especially since I decided to begin potty training camp before Emerson headed off to school. I picked up a book at the library and we were off. He has his moments when he begs for his diaper to be put on and still has accidents but progress is being made. We made our first car trip with Sawyer in his whitey tighties yesterday. He is beginning to realize when he needs to go and letting us know. Woo hoo!

Jason caught him pretending to be using the little potty that is kept in the living room a few days ago. Be prepared for a little nudity!