First Day - For Real

So even though school started last Monday, Kindergarten is a little weird. Quentin, Kasidee and I got to stay with Makenna the whole time on Monday and then the kids didn't have to go back for the rest of the week, except for a 20-minute appointment for the Kindergarten Assessment. So today is the first "real day" of Kindergarten. Makenna has been so excited, and the thing she was most excited about was being able to stand in line outside the door till the teacher came to get them. Simple pleasures, eh? She was just beaming this morning, and I could tell she felt so grown up!

I was surprised as I felt the sting of tears while I was walking back to my car. I know Makenna will be fine and she'll have so much fun. I'm excited for her! I guess it's just hard realizing how fast time goes - and knowing that part of growing up requires {ME} letting go - knowing that her world is expanding and that I won't be the only one taking care of her.... Big day for all of us!

4-Wheeling!

Quentin had last Thursday and Friday off. Even though Kiera had school, we tried to make the most of his time off. On Thursday he took Makenna for a 2 1/2 hour ride on the 4-Wheeler. They packed a picnic and enjoyed their one-on-one time. Makenna loved being on the 4-Wheeler. When Kiera heard what they did while she was at school, she felt a little sad so Quentin took her on Saturday. It's so nice, because the trail that leads to the Centerville foothills is just 2 streets away from our house. And from there, you can go to the "B" in Bountiful, or go north into Farmington Canyon. Quentin (and the girls!) love riding!!

Random Pics

Just a few pics that were too cute not to post!!

Having fun at the neighbor's swimming / ice cream party . . .








Having fun at the park with a few of our neighbors. Since Makenna didn't have kindergarten, she was the oldest kid there - but she had fun pulling the "little ones" in the wagon!



Kiera loves to be in charge of bedtime stories - and she loves reading to Makenna and Kasidee . . .

First Day

Well, today was the Big Day. Second grade for Kiera, Kindergarten for Makenna. Wow - how'd they get that old?! They've both been so excited and have been counting down the days. Quentin, Kasidee and I got to stay with Makenna for her whole day, which lasted a whole 1 and 1/2 hours. She won't go back till next Monday (besides an assessment test on Wednesday), so I guess today was just a "pretend day." But I could tell she felt so grown up and was excited to start on her "homework" as soon as she got home.

Kiera, on the other hand, gave us hugs at the classroom door and walked in on her own. A few parents lingered outside the door, anxiously peering in. But the kids all seemed to act like it was "old hat." Big kids.

So it's been a big day for all of us. A new phase, a new schedule, a new start. Here we go!

Last Days

Well, only a few days left till school starts, and we're trying to milk it!! For the last couple of weeks, I've been "mourning" the passing of summer. Fall is my favorite season and I love looking forward to it, but since I've had kids going to school, I get so sad around the middle of August - I start missing them before they're even gone!

Sorry to get sappy. Anyway, Thursday we enjoyed a perfect Summer evening at the Bountiful Farmer's Market. I love it there - the live music, and all the yummy food! We got some peaches and blackberries. Oh, yum! We met Granny there and then we all went to El Matador for dinner afterward. More yum!

Then yesterday the girls and I met Quentin at his work during his lunch hour. We got sandwiches from Subway and french fries for the girls, then let them splash around at the Gateway fountains. Fun fun! Then the girls and I visited the Salt Lake library and checked out lots of books (thanks for your library card, Dad!), then browsed at Wild Oats (or is it Whole Foods now?) and Restoration Hardware.

Quentin had suggested a backyard campout for yesterday night, so when he got home from work we set up the tent, got out the firepit, roasted marshmallows and made smores, and Kiera entertained us with some Mad Libs. Bedtime came, and I realized that we've been spoiled with our tent trailer. When we go camping we take our tent trailer - it's so nice to have a spot that's clean with soft, comfy beds. But in our backyard in our little tent on the hard, lumpy ground (even with the awesome air mattress my sisters and brother-in-law gave us), it just wasn't comfy - especially knowing that my nice bed was just a few feet away in my bedroom. But the girls were so excited so we stuck it out...and woke up with mosquito bites everywhere!! I got one on my lip, and poor Kiera got about 10 on her face - including her eyelids. Poor thing - I feel so bad for her!

But all in all, it was a fun experience and certainly one that we'll remember!

Last night as I was tucking the girls into bed (including Kiera's imaginary friend), Kiera said, “Mama, some people say there’s no such thing as an imaginary friend. But that’s exactly what an imaginary friend is – just pretend – so it has to be real. And besides, it’s good for your brain.”

Freedom Hills

We picked another hike on our little "Take A Hike" brochure yesterday evening - this time the Freedom Hills trail - and we asked Quentin's brother's family to join us. It was fun playing at the playground, taking our hike, then having ice cream at Dairy Queen! Ahhh, Summer!!

Borrow the Dog

As I've mentioned before, my girls think we need a pet. We've reminded them over and over that they have lots of pets - 3 fish and about a zillion sea monkeys. But they think they need a pet with fur. Well, since we're not quite ready to take that big step yet, we decided to borrow the neighbor's dog. Actually, Makenna's Primary teacher, who happens to be our next door neighbor, offred to let Makenna walk her dog. She told Makenna on Sunday to call her on Tuesday - and it has been a long 48 hours, waiting to be able to walk that dog. I'm surprised Makenna likes "Pepper" because she is a big lab dog. But she's also 15 years old and is a "grandma dog" - very calm and gentle and, well, slow. So that's good for Makenna who has been having fear issues with dogs lately. She had a blast walking Pepper down the street and back - just long enough before Pepper got tired!

I Love My Dishwasher!!

Okay, so I've always had a dishwasher. In my parents' house, in our first house, even in our first apartment. So maybe I've been spoiled, but I don't think I've ever realized how much I love my dishwasher until about 2 weeks ago when our dishwasher just stopped working. It sounded weird and didn't spray water. Since Quentin had a billion other things to do, he couldn't check it out till last Saturday. I'm always amazed at what Quentin can do - even if he's never fixed something before, he can usually figure it out. But after over 5 hours of trying, he gave up and he agreed to call in the Big Guys to fix it.

The repairman came this morning, and 15 minutes and $69 later, we have our dishwasher back! I can't tell you how excited I am!!! I used to grumble a bit about having to unload or load the dishwasher, but I can tell you I will never complain about those silly things again. It sure beats having to hand wash dishes for 5 people at least 3 times a day. I can't tell you how I dreaded that chore - it took forever! But now I have my beloved dishwasher back and I am rejoicing!!

Ford Canyon

With the fabulous fall-like weather yesterday, it got us in the mood for an outdoor activity. We've been wanting to work on Centerville City's "Take a Hike" incentive program, so we picked one of the five hikes and went for it. We chose Ford Canyon, which is just up the street from our house. The girls really enjoyed it, but once the path got pretty narrow and next to a big drop-off, we turned around and tried another hike - by the Centerville waterfall. The place where Quentin took me to ask me to junior prom (I think), and the place where we took Kiera when she was about Kasidee's age to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The girls loved it, and it just made me even more excited for the great weather ahead - perfect for the things our family enjoys doing most: hikes, bike rides, picnics, walks.... Ahhhhh....

Here We Go!

Well, it's official - check out my other blog at http://scootlebugs.blogspot.com

Yahoo!

Happy Meal!

Since 4/5 of my little family doesn't eat meat, it pretty much goes without saying that we aren't big fans of McDonald's. HOWEVER, the girls and I get as excited about some of their Happy Meal toys (which, by the way, can be purchased separately) as Quentin gets about their Big Macs. We've collected Strawberry Shortcake dolls, Hello Kitty figurines, and we especially love their little Madame Alexander dolls. Anyway, after a month of begging for their mini Beanie Baby toys, I finally decided to let the girls get a Happy Meal (Quentin would eat their meat) when their friends came over for dinner last night. Unfortunately, 2 of the McDonalds in our area had run out of the Beanie Babies and gave us yucky "boy toys" which the 3 girls and their 2 friends snubbed. So much for that.

Well, imagine our surprise and delight when, while we were at Walmart (another store I'm not too excited about patronizing) this evening and saw the brand new Happy Meal toy.... Mini American Girl "books!" Each of the 8 books contains a short story, a craft idea, and 2 fold-out scenes from the story which can be decorated with the included stickers as well as some paper dolls. How cute is that?! They were irresistable, and we snatched up one of each of the 8 books - the McDonald's employee was very patient to look for us! Now, the only dilemma is, should I get a set all for myself that I can play with on my own? Because they're just so darn cute!

Happy #2 Birthday Kasidee!

Our sweet Kasidee turned 2 on Sunday! I'm three days late posting about her birthday - I'm not sure if it's a result of us having two kid's birthdays within three days, or if it's due to the "third child syndrome" (just kidding!) It's just been a crazy, fun, busy time and I'm just getting around to posting.

Kasidee was so proud to turn 2. Every time someone would ask her how old she is, she would hold up all of her fingers in strange formations and say, "Who!" Since her birthday was on a Sunday and she's too young for a "Friend Party" like her sisters, we had a (sort of) quiet celebration with family. A few family members who didn't come to Makenna's birthday party on Friday also got to celebrate Makenna's birthday Sunday too. It was a "2-fer!" Cake, ice cream, and loads of presents.

We're just so grateful for our little Kasidee. She is simply amazing. Sweet, smart, beautiful. Perfect!