Ellie's First day of Preschool

Ellie started Preschool this year. She is attending Desert Foothills Lutheran. It is the same school Chloe went to and we love it! She even has the same teacher as Chloe, Mrs. Hayes, who is so wonderful.

She is so grown up and loving school!

Hayden turns 9!

I can't believe my oldest child turned 9 this year. Granted, it happened in August so I've had awhile to get used to it, but still- hard to believe. Hayden had a fun birthday, as always. His big day fell on a Saturday, so we had the friends' party in the morning, and the family shin-dig that night. It made for a very busy day, but it was nice to get it all out of the way in one day.

Since his birthday is in August, Hayden has a swim party every year. This year he invited the 5 friends that he wanted, chose a soccer theme (suprise suprise) and even held a mini-world cup tournament in the yard. Instead of cake we had ice cream sundaes, which were a huge hit on the hot, hot, hot day.

That night, the cousins and grandparents came over. There was more swimming, more presents, more food and more good times.

The sad face is because I had to yell at Hayden to stop singing to himself. Looking back, I don't know why I cared that he was singing to himself. Another mommy mistake, and I have a picture to capture it all so I can relive the guilt someday when he is in therapy and is discussing with his therapist how his 9th birthday was ruined by me.

Okay, not totally ruined. It did end with an soccer ball docorated ice cream cake, after all.

First Day of School

I'm slowly catching up!

Hayden and Chloe started 1st and 3rd grade this year. We had our annual photo-shoot out front. Chloe was so excited- she has Mrs. Tenney, who was Hayden's teacher and she is soooo sweet! Hayden wasn't as thrilled- school isn't his favorite thing. His teacher, Mrs. Chamberlin, is super nice, too.

Ellie was upset that her school didn't start on the same day- she misses the big kids so much when they are gone!

Nothing like a morning stroll in a 100+ degrees!

Waiting at the bus stop.

NEW SHOES!

This is Ellie after the kids left for the day. She only asked 100 times when they were coming home that day. My face looked pretty similar- I miss my babies when they are gone!