couple things

*Time is just FLYING!  All of last week is a blur!  Seriously!  I need to s-l-o-w down a bit.  Do you know that we went to Disneyland the middle of September and I haven't even LOOKED through the pictures I took!!!!  Now that is just SAD!  I almost forgot my password to check on to my own blog... because it has been so long since I have written anything!     --I will never catch up.--    Maybe if I just make peace with that, I can quit feeling behind.   NEVERTHELESS...  a couple things tonight, so I will not forget these precious days!

*Fall Break is this week.  Yep, a week off of school.  I personally am looking forward to NOT getting up at 5:30 am to get Riley off to seminary.  --I was really excited until Riley told me his football practice schedule.  7-10 am, which means we leave at 6:30AM!  Ugh, oh well... too good to be true! 

*During fall break, Preston will be studying the location of each state in our Grand United States of America.  He had a test the day before break and did not do so hot!  His teacher called me and said he could take it again the Monday after break and average the 2 grades.  He just needs to spend some time.  --Another fall break agenda item... Preston and Wyatt need new Sunday pants, and Brenna needs new Sunday shoes... in a bad way.  Items that are essential this week!

*Tonight Bryant came upsatirs to ask me for a snack.  I was in the middle of something and asked him to ask dad (Vince was downstairs).  After a few more minutes of whining and asking for me to pu-lease make him a snack...  I said, "Bryant, why do you want ME to do it?"   He then looked me square in the face and with puppy dog eyes said, " Because you are my Best Friend!"   Ahhhhhh!  Of course I will make you a snack, best friend!!  :)

*Vince is giving the kids PPI's tonight.  My parents did this when I was young.  Kind of a "how are things going"  interview.  Both my parents sat down with us individually and chatted for a bit.  We could ask questions, talk about what was important to us, anything really.  Well, I was thrilled when Vince wanted to do this.  But...  he wanted to do it by himself.  I'm not invited.  What?  He thought the kids would be more comfortable with only one parent.  He also doesn't get as much one on one time, so this will be his "thing".  I'm glad.  I'm glad he will fill me in later, I'm glad he gets to have this time with the kids.  I'm really glad our kids have such a loving dad who wants to spend time with them and cares about each one individually.  We are all lucky!

bed time

Vince's work schedule is 6pm to 2am.  Some nights we are lucky to have him home for his "dinner break".  But more often than not, I am flying solo at bed time.  Tucking in is quite a process... Tonight in particular.  First, Family prayers.  Then the kids scatter, claiming they need a drink.  (not a drink from the bathroom sink, it must be a cold drink from the frig.)  Brenna insists that the bathroom water tastes funny because it is warm.  :)  I usually find Bryant hiding under the covers in Wyatt's bed.  His giggle always gives him away! Saying goodnight to the boys,  Bryant gives a hug and kiss to Preston and Wyatt and I carry him off to his bed.  I tuck him in, give him a kiss, talk about what we are going to do tomorrow and we decide how opened or closed he wants his door.  Then Brenna gets a little attention, or should I say A LOT!  She talks my ear off like any girl should!  Tonight she told me all about how her new desk mate is Wesley and how he has 2 gold teeth.  She thought it would be really cool to have gold teeth too, but then she realized that he has gold teeth because he "probably doesn't brush them very well because, woo, wee, his breath is bad."  "I was just sitting there mom and then a breeze went by and, oh my goodness, I smelled something awful and I thought it was just him, but it was his breath!!  I'm sure that is why he has gold teeth, he should brush better!"  As soon as we discussed the need for good teeth brushing, I gave her a kiss and a hug and said goodnight.  THAT SECOND, (as if waiting for me to finish with Brenna),  Bryant said, "Mmmoooom! ... you forgot to give me a song!"  Oh, of course, I say.  Which one would you like?  "Twinkle, Twinkle".  We sing our little song together, hand gestures included and then I say, "Love you, see you in the morning!!"  Just as I was leaving, Bryant called me back to his bed side.  He had something very important to tell me... "Preston and Wyatt did not practice their piano today mom!!!"  "Just wanted you to know!"  ---HAHA!  He is right.  It was a busy afternoon and evening.  :)  I then make my way back down the hall, I tell the boys what Bryant said.  We all had a good chuckle over this one. They promise not to forget tomorrow! - I remind Preston and Wyatt that it is getting late now and to quiet down.  (Preston has a very loud voice, even when he tries to whisper... kinda funny :)  I tell Riley that it is now past his bed time, (5:00am comes very early!)  I make another trip down the hall to quiet the boys, AGAIN.  Urge my teen to wash his face and make sure his phone is charging in my room.  --Another "shhhh" down the hall.  And finally ... some quiet time.  I get ready for bed and then appears my teen who should be sleeping by this point.   "What is it you say?"  "Oh,you forgot to wash your dingy, dirty, grass stained football pants for your game tomorrow??"  Lovely.  :)

a few things...

Here are a few random things from this past week.  We are into the swing of school and loving it!

Bryant and I had a fun day of errands.  I really treasure this time because before long I won't have such a willing shopping companion.  We had fun at the library picking out books and then off to walmart.  Bryant talked my ear off the whole time we were at Walmart.  He was just SO talkative!!  It was sweet!  I love spending time with this boy. 

This is my Brenna after school.  Now when I sent her to school this morning, her hair was combed with a small half pony with a flower.  When she got home her flower was holding back bangs and she had hair pulled out of the pony.  She is a cutey... but what exactly is happening at school??  :)

A new batch of pickles!!  Vince is awesome!!

Making cookies for our FHE treat.  Bryant LOVES to lick the beater... maybe a little too much. :)

This is Riley heading to seminary at 5:55 AM.  We drive him to Missile Base Road and the train tracks where we meet Alex, a senior boy from our ward.  Alex drives Riley the rest of the way into school for seminary every day.  So thankful to him!  I'm so grateful that Riley associates with good kids like Alex and wants to go to seminary!  Even at that early hour!!  Good kid!

big boy undies

Potty training is going well.  We have spent the last week working on it.  We have spent a lot of time together and talking about the whole process.  He KNOWS.   Now if I could be confident enough to take him out with underwear...  not yet.  We are still doing a pull up for errands and at night.  Getting there. 

First Day of High School

Riley is ready for this new school year more than any other.  He is excited!  He got up on his own at 6:00am so he was ready to catch a ride by 6:50.  He enjoyed watching ESPN in peace while he ate breakfast and was happy to wear whatever he wanted.  Wednesday seminary starts and he will have to leave at 5:45am. (Getting up at 5:00am).  Early... but he doesn't seem to mind.  He is ready!! 

First Day of School 2010-2011

Just look at these happy faces!  Ready for a new school year and new adventures along the way!  I have a First Grader (Brenna), a Third Grader (Wyatt) and a Fifth Grader (Preston)  (with a tag along preschooler :).

It is always a little rough getting used to waking up early again. (We are such night owls around here).  The kids did well.  We got up at 7:00 to get ready for our day.  We are walkers, so we left our house at 8:00am to get to school for the 8:15 bell. 

Brenna and our neighbor Cameron were the only kids who wanted to pose with the balloons.  How fun!

I checked out Brenna's class.  She is lucky enough to have her same teacher this year as last.  Mrs. McKinney is so sweet and loves these kids so much.  She was thrilled to be able to loop with them this year and so was I! 

Wyatt has Mrs. Roseberry for 3rd grade.  He got right down to business!!

Here is Preston in Mr. Dwyer's 5th Grade.  I asked if these kids were too old to have their picture taken on the first day?  They said it would be fine... but look at a few of those faces.  Is this the year Preston will be embarrassed of his mother??  Thankfully, he is smiling... I think I'm still OK for awhile. :)

Oh, the first day of school...  I looked at Bryant and said, "What should we do all day?"  (Like I don't have a care in the world...?!)  We decided to play a few games, lay on the couch and treasure the quiet house,  watch a show and OH,  ... start POTTY TRAINING!    Good luck to me!

new schedule

Riley was excited to pick up his schedule today at the High School.  He has a good line up of classes. 

 1. English   2. Journalism   3. Basketball   4. Biology   5. Freshman Foundations   6. Geometry

Early Morning Seminary is taught at the HighSchool.  It begins at 6:25am.  School then starts at 7:30am.  School is over at 2:30pm and Riley has football practice from 2:45 to 4:45.  The activity bus will leave the school at 5:00 and we pick him up from a bus stop near the Marana exit about 5:35.  All in all, he will have a 12 hour day for these first few months (with football).  Overwhelmed?  Not Riley.  He is excited and looking forward to this new adventure!