After getting home from Colorado, we had exactly TWO days to get ready for the first day of school!!
I feel like I should get an award for taking all 3 kids to Target for 2 hours, buying supplies. I spent $150 just buying what was on their school lists + backpacks. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS!!!!! That does not include new clothes. And I only have two kids in school! What the heck?! They wanted specific brands of pencils and colors of folders and HEADPHONES. I had to buy $20 headphones!
I was able to take the boys to meet the teacher night while Trav stayed home with Olive. We found Collin's classroom first and met his teacher, Mrs. Cameron. She has been teaching here for 10 years and seemed really nice.
I'm not posting the picture of Weston with his teacher because it will just bring back bad memories. We found his portable classroom and walked into a terrible smell. Like water had been leaking. I looked around and there was almost nothing on the walls and supplies piled up in corners of the room. It looked like she had moved in 2 hours ago. She had taken her class list with size 12 font and cut up the names and scotched taped them in the corners of the desk. No chairs for the kids to sit on. No pens or pencils out for us to fill out the papers she requested us to sign on the spot. No welcoming packet or cute surprise for the kids to take home. It was a mess. I don't know if it's the past teacher in me, but I started getting mad the longer I stood there. I tried to reason that maybe she had JUST gotten her room switched and was scrambling to get organized. I was honestly talking myself down so I didn't say something rude or behave poorly towards her. With all my effort I mustered up a smile and introduced Weston to her. Instead of smiling back or squatting down to say hi to Weston or ANYTHING of the sort, she just stood there like.. "what do you want me to say?" Normally, I'd have jumped in to alleviate the awkward silence but I was ticked. So we stood there for 15 seconds until she finally managed to say something. I don't even remember what. I asked her if she had taught here before and she said this was her 4th year. I almost lost my jaw to the floor. By the time I got the boys outside they begged to play on the playground and I called Travis and started bawling. Right there on the tether-ball court. I couldn't believe it!! Here I had applied to this school back in February... had held my breath until we got in... fist pumped that Weston would get to be in half day Kindergarten.. organized his music lessons around this schedule and it was the day before school and I knew there was no way I could send him back to that room. Of course the office was closed and there were signs everywhere saying that class rosters were permanent and they could make no accommodations for changes. I felt sick about it. Travis tried to console me and I decided I'd call the next day and just try to get him into a full day classroom if there was an opening. I had peeked into the other Kindergarten classrooms and they looked bright, cheerful and void of stink. I really didn't want to call up the principal and complain and be "that parent" right off the bat, but I had to. When I very tactfully asked the office if I could get on a waiting list for full day, the lady asked more questions and I ended up telling her how disappointed I was in what I saw in Weston's class. She was super nice about it and told me I should talk to the principal. After I did, she told me they had one opening in a full day class and Weston could have it. OH THE RELIEF!!!! A friend of mine whose kids have gone to Neely for years, confirmed his new teacher was great. Hallelujah!!
The boys got blessings the night before and had a special, Mickey mouse pancake breakfast that they barely touched. I'm realizing that with first day jitters, stomachs aren't ready for a big breakfast.
Second grade and Kindergarten.... here they come!
With high tops, a long comb over and Star Wars backpack, I think he was very "teens"... or how do you refer to the styles of this decade? You could say someone looked very 80's, but what about now??? Hmmm, mystery.
Weston picked a "Secret Life of Pets" backpack and was so excited to eat in the cafeteria and ride a bus!
They begged to ride the bus to school, but I insisted I take them on the first day. I hadn't even met Weston's teacher yet!
Walking into his classroom was like a breath of fresh air. Now THIS is what a classroom should look like.
I liked Mrs. Sims instantly. She was happy and excited to meet Weston and just seemed like a "with it" teacher. Hooray!!
He met his first friend, standing right in front of him, named Anderson.
I never saw him look back! I couldn't believe how weepy I felt. I never pictured my sweet Weston finally growing up and going to school. It all happened too fast.
The most embarrassing part was when Collin walked in, I peeked my head in just as a girl was holding up this white circle thing with a look of disgust and confusement. Mrs. Cameron took it with a similar face as I realized it was Olive's Babybel cheese! She must have discarded it on someone's desk when we walked in earlier to drop off supplies. I have never felt so sheepish! I should have just ducked my head and booked it out of there, but I hurried over to explain and take it from her. Her face did not change as she handed it over. Ugh. Great second impression. Dang, Olive! I have too many kids to keep track of, I tell ya.
It was weird walking back to the car with just Olive for the day. We had to take a selfie to text to Dad to say it was just the girls from now on!
They got to ride the bus home and were eager to tell me all about it.
Very concerned, they informed me, "Mom... the bus doesn't have any seatbelts!!!"
"Um, yeah, I guess you're right," I replied.
"And there is no air conditioning!!" they exclaimed.
"True..just pull down your window," I suggested.
And finally, they bewilderingly explained, "And when we get to railroad crossings, it just STOPS! *Dramatic pause* and with hands outstretched in exasperation and the most confused exclamations yet, they finished..." BUT NO ONE GETS ON!!!"
I got the giggles BIG time. Oh, life being discovered by a child. It's too funny. I had to admit, I had no idea why they did that, although I'd seen it before. My brothers later informed me it has something to do with a law requiring any vehicle with hazardous material to stop. Are children hazardous? There must be other stipulations.
The homemade cookies as an after school snack were much better received than breakfast.
It is so wonderfully convenient having the bus stop across the street and through the church parking lot. The general scene when they get off is Weston running to give ME a hug...
and Olive running to Collin to give HIM a hug.
My heart.
Now that it's just us girls, we've been going to open gym every Friday then hitting up Chick-fil-a with cousins for lunch afterward.
We also LOVE having Lindi over!! Seriously, this girl is heaven sent. They will play for 6 hours straight without so much as caring where I am. It is beyond wonderful. Then, when Shelley has Olive, I get to go to the temple or run errands, kid free! It's like a whole new life just opened up to me!
Monsoon season is my favorite. I feel like we didn't get enough storms though. I wish I could play in the rain in my underwear. ;)
A new restaurant in downtown Gilbert came highly recommended from a friend. It's Italian though, so we went half-halfheartedly. Oh no no no no, my friends. This is not your Olive Garden type Italian.
It's called Nico's and they make all their pasta homemade. Our waitress was awesome and told us all about the menu and made suggestions. We got the grilled asparagus as an appetizer. It came with bacon candy (yes, bacon CANDY), a duck egg and foie gras hollandaise that absolutely melted in my mouth. I have never been more tempted to lick a plate in public.
Travis got the fillet mignon and I ordered the penne sugo that comes with a spicy tomato cream sauce, parmigiano, prosciutto and peas. It had a little bit of chew to it, perfect texture and a subtly spicy sauce. I do not like pasta and I wanted to marry this dish. Our waitress recommended a bowl of polenta to dip the steak into and I wanted to kiss her feet for suggesting it. Never had polenta before. It's like top 10 favorite foods now.
Are we noticing the sprig of rosemary in the silverware?
There was even a cute little candle lit that I accidentally blew out getting excited over something or the other.
And don't judge me for taking a picture of the bathroom. Most adorable bathroom I've ever been in, and that includes people's homes!
Nicos.... standing ovation.
There is nothing more grand than going into a restaurant with low expectations and being treated to the most delicious meal of the year.
It was my parent's 34th wedding anniversary and they wanted to treat us all to a day at Big Surf to celebrate! Who are we to argue how you want to spend your anniversary?!
It was a fun day in the sun. Big Surf is just a whole different ball game than Sunsplash. The ocean-like wave pool entertained everyone and it was nice to set up camp under some umbrellas and pretty much be in the center of everything. Craig was Collin's slide partner and Trav and I switched off with Weston. Add some pretzels and cheese and Dippin' Dots and I'd call it a successful pool day.
Olive took her job of helping Uncle Jefferson with the surf board VERY seriously.
Sunday dinner at Grandma and Grandpas...
Collin still struggles with eating. All the kids had finished and taken off when I noticed who was right in the middle of grown up talk while he stared down his Everest. When he knows dessert is on the menu, he's ever the more determined.
Collin started piano lessons!!
He takes from a college girl in the neighborhood. (Sure didn't make it any cheaper though.)
I remember hating practicing piano as a kid because my mom would get SO MAD.
So. I was determined to provide a different experience for my kids.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
I was as cool as a cucumber for the first practice.
Ever since? Well, I can't believe I don't have broken blood vessels in my eyes. Honestly. How do mothers do this?!! I'm reevaluating whether this was a wise decision after all. My blood pressure is through the roof!!!! I'm not even kidding, I actually contemplated getting a prescription to mellow out my nerves in preparation for practice times. Torture. It's just plain torture. We'll be lucky to finish out the year.
Whataya think of my onsie?! Hmmmm?! Or I guess it's a jumper. Either way, I was laughing at myself putting it on. I met some friends for lunch and got compliments so that was encouraging. It was for sure the most comfortable thing I've ever worn.
I'm going to go on record as saying I hate that "haboob" is what monsoons are called nowadays. It's so weird to me. If it was "hapenis" would we perpetuate this term?
I digress.
I was putting Olive and the groceries in the car of Fry's parking lot when I noticed it suddenly get a tad darker. I looked around and within 30 seconds we were enveloped. And what you see in this picture is not spots on my windshield, but debris flying everywhere! Craziest thing.
It lasted just long enough to get a picture.
I think this is what we sent Dad on the day he left for a dental conference in Florida. He was gone from a Wednesday to Sunday. Big things came from this conference. Jerry Seinfeld performed one night and they got to see a One Republic concert another night. Sounds more like dentists gone wild, than a continuing education conference. ;) Oh, and he bought a Cerec for the office. Which is a big, expensive crown making machine. Deep breaths. Welcome to the family, Cery!
Olive got to come with me to her preschool orientation meeting. Her friend, Posey, from church is enrolled too! After Mrs. Janae took their picture, she game them a sucker. When I found out this was the first sucker Posey has ever had, I had to take a picture!! Some moms give their kids healthy snacks and hide the sugar. I bribe my 14 month olds with chocolate to get them to finally walk. Ya know, we're not going judge here. I'm just glad Posey's mom lets us be friends with her. ;)
It just so happens that Posey also celebrated her birthday that weekend!! So I took all the kids to Krazy Air for it. (If you're keeping track, Krazy Air is the king of trampoline parks. I just hate that it's so far away!)
These kids jumped their hearts out. We also witnessed a kid pull his pants down and do a doodie on the trampoline.
Not. even. kidding.
And the dad just whisked him away and let an employee clean it up!!!!
You could not pay me enough!
I am telling you. What is the world coming to?!!
My pregnant friend mentioned that her latest craving is Velvetta. When she said the word, it was like Pavlov's dogs. My mouth instantly salivated. This is what I gained my Freshman 15 on, at BYU. So while Travis was away I got us two boxes for dinner. I'm not even ashamed.
Ok, maybe I am just a little bit.
What do parents have to do to get a little nap in on a Sunday, huh?!
Travis and Olive.
My favorite....My favorite is when you're gathering up supplies around the house for a Cubscout science activity and you drop a can of soda in the middle of the floor. There was drippage going on EVERYWHERE. Down the walls, off of pictures, into the kitchen...
The only consolation was it was a stevia sweetened soda and the stickiness was nothing like a regular can would have been. Thank you, Sprouts.
Ohhhh, this story.
So. It was a Wednesday. Shelley had taken Olive for the day and I was shopping around Mesa for Olive's birthday. Suddenly I realized I needed to hurry or I would be late picking up the boys from the bus stop. I raced over to get Olive then hurried back to our neighborhood, pulling into the church parking lot with one minute to spare before the bus would be coming. I was breathing sighs of relief that I had noticed the clock and made it in time. Except that when I pulled in, there were no other cars or parents waiting. It took me about 2 seconds for it to sink in. It was early release day. My stomach sank and my heart stopped. I whipped around and felt like I was holding my breath for the one minute it took to get home. My mind was racing. Where were they? Had they gone to the neighbors for help? No... she would have called me if they had knocked on her door. What were they doing? I can't believe I did this!!! Collin's other school didn't have an early release day so it just hasn't been on my radar. I could kick myself!! I screeched into the driveway and ran to the front door. No boys. I ran to the side gate and saw shadows and heard noise. I ripped open the gate to find two, very sweaty boys on the other side. I collapsed next to them almost on the verge of hysteria, but too relieved to find them unharmed and in one piece. Their shirts were soaked in sweat where their backpack straps had been. They didn't look concerned or upset as I gushed how sorry I was over and over again. I explained what had happened then asked what they had done. They said when I wasn't at the bus stop they just walked home. They remembered that I had felt sick this morning and just assumed I was taking a nap. They had been banging on the doors and windows trying to wake me up. Then Collin had boosted Weston, up and over the side fence. Then with a running jump to catch his hand over the top bricks, Collin climbed the wall himself. He said they went back and forth over the wall several times. He also told me they had even said a prayer that I would wake up. Then, with twinkle in his eye, he said, "And it kind of worked, huh?! You came home!"
"Yeahhh, I stammered. I guess it worked." Eeshh.
Olive had fallen asleep in the car so I got them inside so they could change clothes then told them I was treating them to Dairy Queen. They were thrilled, but then Collin kept saying, "I feel bad. You don't have to get us a special treat just because you forgot us."
Um. Yes, yes I do.
Ohhhhhh man. I was not expecting so much understanding and forgiveness. Sometimes kids can really surprise you.
After talking about it with them so more, it seems they kind of had a ball. Like it was a fun adventure to be "on their own".
Feeling like I needed to confess, I told some friends what had happened.
One commented back,
"Here's what I just heard, your boys have learned 3 very important things..
1. to walk home
2. to pray
3. mama needs her nap
I think this is a win."
Hahahah. I love my friends. Not only do they not turn me into CPS, they make me feel better about making the WORST mistake of motherhood to date.
Our adopted sis, Alison celebrated a birthday!!! Masa sushi provided the perfect GNO!
My cousin, Jimmy ran for a seat in the state senate this election. His wife, Rachelle, asked if I could help host a meet and greet. It was on an already busy night, but I was able to invite some people and make it for the beginning before rushing to our niece's baptism...
Kayda looked so pretty. I'm realizing that baptisms are one of my favorite things. I always feel the Spirit so strongly and get misty eyed. Such a happy occasion!
And I made all the cookies for it without eating ONE!! These are moments to celebrate.
Olive got to start her birthday a little early with presents at Grandma's house. A princess kit with crown, shoes, purse and bracelet and a pretty, silver, ballet shoe necklace. Oh, and a pillow pet! Grandma spoils her good.
The dark cloud that hung over this night was the realization that Carrie's son, Joshua, was acting pretty sick. She said that he had been more and more lethargic over the past few weeks and eating less. We all noticed and agreed he should see a doctor. Well, the next day she took him in and they did blood work, revealing he had leukemia. I got home from my High Fitness class that night to a distraught husband who had just been told the news. When he told me I completely lost it. It was unbelievable. I can't even describe how it felt. I just crumpled to the floor crying. Nothing can prepare you for horrible news like that. I kept imagining how Carrie felt and a new wave of sobs would hit me. How can a child have cancer? It's just not fair. There's nothing fair about it. A CHILD. I couldn't help but picture myself in the same situation and the very thought was too much to bear. I was OVERWHELMED with sorrow. My heart felt like it would be crushed by the weight of it. The kind of sadness that's so real and oppressive you can't see past it to any goodness in the world. I cried all night and all the next day. And really, all week. I felt frantic to help and yet so so helpless at the same time. I was grateful to take them dinner and go with Karen to clean their house that week. We had their daughter, Sesily, stay with us that weekend. Drops in their ocean of need. After more testing, it was determined that he has Acute Myloid Leukemia.... the more rare of the two forms. He started chemo immediately and will be at Phoenix Children's Hospital for the next 3 months. I'm ashamed to say that the only way I've been able to cope with this is by not thinking about it as much as possible. I mean, technically, I THINK about it constantly. We pray for him all day, but if I REALLY let myself think about it, I fall apart all over again. I just can't picture it. I can't picture him on that bed, getting procedures done. Being in pain. Not understanding. It's too much. It's just too much. He's only 3. Him and Olive are such good little buddies. It hits SO close to home. If anyone reads this blog, please pray for little Joshy.
Deep breaths... how do I even continue this month?
OK. Mustering some happiness...
Olive had her first day of PRESCHOOL!!! Woohoo!! Did you ever see a more excited girl?! She goes twice a week for 2 1/2 hours and wishes it were every day. This picture is shooting right up there to top 5 favorites. The pink dress, curls, gelly sandals and clasped hands under the sweetest face is about all I need in life.
We met up with the high school gals for a late birthday lunch for Shelley and me. But it was two days after learning about Joshua and I just couldn't smile. I wasn't sure how much fun I was going to be at a girl's lunch. Enter Jenni, Jessica and LaRee. Their energy and happiness swept away my gloom. It was like a weight was temporarily lifted and I was so grateful!
We settled on going to Liberty Market.
Ring the first timer bell!
I've heard so much about this place and knew why the moment I tasted the food.
I got their griddled bread pudding and a plate of sausage gravy and biscuits. (Because I knew Olive really needed her own, full sized plate. ;)
Carb-a-licious.
But really, this place is quality.
And since I had splurged on paying for a macro coach and would be starting up with her in a couple days, I figured the time was now to eat 5,000 calories.
I got so many compliments on this cute thang.
Never mind that her tiny 18 month old dress shoes full booty when she bends over. I swear this was a new development. We'll get leggings, asap.
August 26 means it's Olive girls birthdayyyyy!!! She had been anticipating it all week.
On birthdays, we always pull out the blog book and look back on the actual day they were born.
This was the face she made when I told her she was born in Gallup.
I kid, I kid.
Collin came home from piano lessons that week with the most pleased as punch expression on his face. He must have told his teacher it was his sister's birthday that week and that she loves Barbie, because she let him borrow a barbie shaped cake pan that her mom always used for them on their birthdays. I looked at it and groaned. I am the WORST cake decorator. I had been all set to buy her a nice pre-made girly cake at the store. Oh, well, at least it gave us an activity to do that morning. I went all crazy and even let her crack the eggs. She did it like a pro! Guess I underestimate the kids sometimes in the kitchen.
We met up with friends at open gym!
Then continued the fun with lunch at Chick-fil-a.
Grandma Cat came over in the evening to see her! She got her a huge, Barbie bust that has long hair you can comb and style. She loved it.
Homemade macaroni and cheese was her dinner request. Grandma even stayed to eat with us!
I was so darn proud of myself! It's no fancy, fondant cake but I was picturing a disaster so this was a success to me!
She also got an Elsa dress from Grandma Dog, a big box of pretend food for the toy kitchen, some dress up skirts and a Sophia the First figurine set.
She wears the dress everyday and has effectively glittered our whole house.
A few things about Olive at 3!
She still sleeps in her crib and will even take a nap several times a week. She can climb out on her own but just wont.
She loves pink, dresses and dressing up like a princess.
Her favorite (and only) show she watches is Sophia the First. And has learned to"hex" people from it. Thanks, Sophia.
She is a sassy pants and if I tell her "don't.. fill in the blank" she'll scrunch up her face and indignantly point her finger in my direction and yell, "No, YOU DON'T!" Ugh. Seriously?
Gum is the way to her heart. She'll swallow it in about 5 minutes.
She hates washing her hands after going to the bathroom and always asks me if she HAS to afterward.
She is a pretty good eater, but lazy. She'd much prefer if we just spoon it into her mouth. The delicate flower.
Her best friends are Lind, Olivia and Posey.
She can sing the alphabet and recognizes "O" for her name but that's it.
Sometimes she can count. Sometimes she jumps all over the place.
Sucking her thumb and holding her silky, pink blanket are her therapy.
She has gotten into the habit of telling us "you know" at the end of many sentences. i.e After eating a snack and with quite a bit of sass she'll comment, "I'm still hungry, ya know."
Her favorite songs are "I Love to See the Temple" and "Book of Mormon Stories" and we've sung them so many times that she can sing them herself word for word. It's theeeee cutest thing of my life.
She has this laugh. This deep belly laugh that she'll let loose without any inhibition when something is just soooo funny to her. It makes me giggle every time.
I feel like I've got a 3 year old going on 13 but my gosh if I don't want to eat her up at least 5x a day.
Winner winner, chicken dinner!! I'm the first one in Arizona to find Jefferson's Jone's bottle!! I've looked almost every time I've been at Fry's, since we found out his picture was being used, but this was the first time I hit pay dirt! It felt like unwrapping the golden ticket in the Willy Wonka movie. I clanked through the whole shelf and it was the only one though. It sits on our counter like a trophy, thoroughly annoying the kids that they aren't allowed to drink it.
One Saturday was crazy busy. I went to my Cardio Barre class, then to the grocery store, then to Jimmy's house for a couple hours to help him make phone calls for his campaign, then to the church building to help set up for a wedding. I took pictures because I just couldn't get over how beautiful it was! Everyone (including me) puts their nose up at the idea of having their reception in the cultural hall, but this one showed me it can be done and still be amazing!
From there I went home with just enough time to clean the bathroom and shower, then meet my siblings at the temple! We did sealings at the Mesa temple then got dinner at Charlestons. First time we've ever done this and I'd love to make a habit of it. It's times like these, I'd like to thank my mother for all the stretch marks, stress, and general trauma of raising a big family.
How 'bout this ensemble? ;)
When it's your birthday you get to pick a special candy out from the bishop's stash!
I had so much fun meeting my old boss, Diane, for brunch one morning while Olive was at preschool! We went to Henhouse Cafe and since I had started counting my macros, I got the quinoa bowl (boo). When they brought out a pancake the size of Diane, I had to snap a picture. (I cut out her face since I hadn't given her any warning and she wasn't prepared for it. I would like her to not hate me and hopefully do this again, haha.)
I love Diane! It was so fun catching up, but felt like we only scratched the surface before I had to rush off and grab Olive. This has been one of my favorite parts of moving back to AZ. Getting to visit and go out with friends I haven't seen in forever!
Oh, and Kenny Chesney was our waiter!! I asked him if people say that to him a lot and he said he's actually tours and sings as his look-a-like!!
I finally have a child in Let's Play Music!!!!!
I wanted this so badly for Collin but no one taught in Gallup and we missed the start date for last year. Shelley's boys have done it and she cracked me up when she emphatically warned me, "Get out while you can!!!!" the day before Weston started. Parents are required to attend every other class the first year. When I went to my first one, I understood what Shelley meant. NOT my cup of tea. But Weston LOVED it. He kept crawling into my lap and putting my arms around him. When it was over, he gushed, "That was so fun.. I got to spend time ALONE with you!" I'll just have to remember his enthusiasm and put on my happy face. His teacher is amazing and straight off of Sesame Street. SO gleeful and kind and sort of like she lives in this music bubble of rainbows and unicorns.
The first year is called Red Balloons so lookie what she had for them on their first day!
A woman in my parent's ward knew about my trip to Africa and asked if I'd come speak to her Laurels about it. I hadn't even looked at my pictures since I'd gotten home so it was exactly the deadline I needed to get them downloaded and organized. The girls were super cute and had tons of questions. It was such an incredible experience I don't get to talk about much, so I was grateful for the opportunity to share it with others! (Now if I can just figure out how to not drown in a pool of my own sweat when speaking to others, that would be greaaaaat.)
