Happy Birthdays!

Today is my mom's b-day and I want to wish her a Happy Birthday. She is the best mom ever and I love spending time with her. I would be lost without her...really. I love you!! Also, Beckett turned 20 months on Monday and I wanted to post this picture I took of him on Monday doing what he does best and most often which is....climbing.

Posh Camping

Last weekend our dear friends, The Maloys, invited us to go camping. No it was not at a campsite but actually at Jason's place of employment-kind of. State Farm has a huge park exclusive to their employees. They free access to golf, a very nice pool, volleyball, tennis, a lake etc...etc... I am often very jealous of all the perks they receive. It is a very family friendly company that organizes a ton of fun family activities for their employees. Fortunately, they are often able to invite other families. Fortunately for us, about 66% of this town works for State Farm so we sometimes get invited to stuff by the Maloy's and of course, Jeff and Shelly. Anyways, the camping was very fun. It was for one night. I wish I would have taken a picture of our van loaded up for just one night. A lot of stuff is needed for camping with a family of 6. We had a great time. They provided good food, crafts and games for the kids, a movie, smores, snacks and a great breakfast the next morning. Thanks for the invite, Maloys!!!

Exclusive 'New Moon' Trailer Premiere

Exclusive 'New Moon' Trailer Premiere



Just click on either line to view. I know I am a geek but it is so good!!! Just wanted to share.

Just a little braggin'

Both Faith and Sawyer made student council this year. It is the first try for either of them. It is only for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. They do things like take care of the recycling, work at the school store, make posters for various things and have meetings. To be honest, I don't like my kids to try out for anything because I don't want them to experience rejection. I know it isn't good because life is full of rejection but if I could ever keep my kids from experiencing it, I would. The kids both brought home applications. After they turn those in, they get chosen for an interview. I was just thrilled that both of them got interviews. There are a couple of teachers at the their school that oversee student council and I wanted to email them and ask them to either take both of the kids or neither, but I didn't. But, they both made it and I am so happy for them and they were happy for themselves. I think this will especially good for Sawyer-to have some leadership type experiences and some other responsibilities. We had to help him A LOT with his application but he must have done well in his interview.

I think I posted in my last entry about all of Sawyer's homework!! He has nightly homework which isn't a big deal but he has 3 to 4 tests every Friday to prepare for. The most stressful are his 15 spelling words that he has to write in dictation sentences. Writing, grammar and punctuation aren't Sawyer's strong points in school. He does a pre-test so we know what they will be and it takes us all week to "perfect" them. He also has a math test, language reading test and sometimes a reading comprehension test from a story they have done earlier in the week. He has brought home two C's and has been very upset and has cried. I have to admit that I am happy that he cares. This is the first year for letter grades so it is taking some time to get used to it for him (and me). Anyways, his spelling test from last week he got an A+ on both the sentence part and spelling part. He (and I) were so happy. The spelling words have been easy for him so far, it is just getting those sentences right. I am hoping we will find a good "groove" in these next couple of weeks.

Behind

I am really behind on my posts so I am going to try and fit everything into this one with out of order pictures and stuff. The first couple of weeks of school have been great for the kids. Eden had one tearful day where "she missed her mommy" but other than that she seems to love school. She loves telling me about who got into trouble and talks all the time about a boy named "Alex" who is very funny. She also LOVES music class. Sawyer has a ton of homework. However, he has had a great attitude about it and is working so hard with rarely a complaint...this is very unlike him. I think he is growing up. He has even been very motivated to get his 100 minutes of piano practice in-he usually averages about 20-30 minutes. Eden and Sawyer both have VERY YOUNG teachers. They are great. Neither are married and no kids so they spend a lot of time perfecting their classrooms and class time. Faith went to an instrument exploration night for 5th grade band. She got to try out 4 instruments-she tried the clarinet, bells (which go to drums in 6th grade), violin and trumpet. It was my dream and desire for her to pick the violin (it was her least favorite). After much consideration and agonizing, she chose the clarinet. Her 2nd choice was the bells but didn't want to carry them to and from school. Also, her best friend, Emma, is playing clarinet so I think that helped. I did the rental and she has had it out several times-should be easy for her since she has 3 1/2 years of piano under her belt. Faith's teacher this year is not what I am used to-no OCD qualities at all-rarely any homework-projects all to be done in class-lots of group work, etc... Not sure what to make of it so far but Faith really likes her and since she is such a good student I am trying to adjust to the change and not worry too much. I am really enjoying my time home with Beckett. He has been SO GOOD!! I think that he has been so good because he doesn't have to compete for my attention. He is such a mama's boy. He is taking 2 hour naps-that has NEVER happened and I think it is because there is NO NOISE in the house when he sleeps. He is always happy and ready to do errands and is so good while we are out and about. To be honest, I was worried he might drive me crazy but I am loving it. But, he still climbs all over everything. He is trying to say a lot more words now too.

Oh yeah, a couple of weekends ago we went to Old Settler's in CP. This is a yearly tradition for us with Kyle's parents. The kids love it and I have posted a few photos.