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!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Makenna Dear!

Happy 5th birthday to our sweet Makenna! Makenna, you are simply amazing - we don't know what we ever did without you! Your sweet, shy smile melts our hearts. You love the simple pleasures of life and your smile is so big, it turns your eyes into little half-moons! So CUTE!

We all had a fun birthday celebration with you today. You had a few friends and cousins over for a swimming party in our backyard - you all enjoyed playing in the kiddie pool, slip-n-slide and sprinklers and had fun making "Mini Oceans" with water bottles. Thank goodness the weather held out (pretty much), but it was cooler than a normal August day - lots of kids got cold quickly! So we opened presents and had cupcake-cones, then goofed around till the kids went home.

For dinner, we told you we would take you anywhere you want. Your eyes got big when you suggested the "spicy beans" from Cafe Rio. So that's where we went - with Granny too, which made it even more special!

We just love you so much, Makenna, and are all so blessed to have YOU in our lives! Happy birthday, Sweetie!

Here It Is!

Okay, so some people might think I'm weird, but here's a picture of our brand-spankin' new recycling can!! Yippee!! For years I was diligent in sorting our recyclables and taking them to the recycling center in Bountiful. But when that closed last year, it felt so strange to just toss everything in the garbage. It hurt! After several letters to the Centerville Mayor and closely following the news about the City's decision to offer curb-side recycling, I have to admit that I'm ecstatic that it's finally here! Well, almost. They won't start picking up till September, but I can start filling that can, teaching my girls, and making a difference!

Stuff

Well, Wednesday was the last of our Neighborhood Field Trip outings. We've gone to most of the weekly events this summer and we'll miss being able to look forward to them. Wednesday we went to Cherry Hill for some miniature golfing. The girls' closest friends were there - all girls - and they all enjoyed doing the course. Kasidee especially loved picking up the ball and dropping it in the cup! With the end of the summer field trips, I guess the countdown is on - only a little over 3 weeks until school starts. Can you believe it?! I'm already feeling a bit sad. I'll miss having all of my girls home with me all day! (P.S. Kiera and Makenna didn't pause long enough for me to get a good picture of them. Better luck next time!)






One evening this past week, Quentin got in the mood to do a project that has been on "The List" for just under a year. He put together our new porch swing! We had our eye on it all last summer and watched the price go lower and lower as the season went on. Finally we got it for half price toward the end of summer! But it's been sitting in its box in our garage, waiting patiently for its turn to come up on the Project List - and now we finally have it up and can enjoy it! Yahoo!









Finally, this has been sort of a "date weekend" for Quentin and me. My mom wanted to have Kiera and Makenna over for another sleepover before school starts, and Friday was the date they had been looking forward to. They went over in the early afternoon then shooed Kasidee and me out the door so they could have Granny all to themselves. When Quentin got home the 3 of us went to Cafe Rio then rented and watched a movie. Even though Kasidee was with us, it felt like a date - we could actually finish a sentence, and the house stayed clean!! The girls had a blast at Granny's and we "checked in" around noon the next day. Then we left all 3 girls with my mom so Quentin and I could go to Hale Center Theater's (in Orem - who knew HCT had a location in Orem?!) production of Singin' in the Rain. First of all, Singin' in the Rain is one of my all-time favorite movies, and second of all, Quentin and I are addicted to live theater. So it was worth the drive out to Orem. And you know what? I think this was the best play I have EVER seen. My eyes didn't stop watering - I was either laughing so hard or was entranced by the awesome dancing. SO GOOD! My only regret is that today was the last day. If they had more shows, I would go again and take everyone I know with me! Maybe I'll just have to settle for watching the video. Again!