Kindergarten: The beginning of the end.

We survived Carter's first day of school ever. In the days leading up to it, I would get teary-eyed any time someone would say the "k" word. I felt anxious, not about Carter being successful in school, or enjoying it, but wondering if I have done enough. I know it's not like I'll never see him, or have any sway over him ever again, but you know, it's just a reality check.
Yesterday was the meet and greet at the school. Jefferson had a small chunk of free time so he was able to attend with us. We went and met Carter's teacher, Mrs. Sahni, saw his classroom and found his hook and supplies with his name on them, and walked around the school a little bit.Last night we had FHE on the priesthood, and priesthood blessings and then we started the "start of the school year, Father's blessing" tradition. Both Carter and Andi received blessings. They were so quiet and reverent during them. Then we laid out Carter's outfit and got his back pack ready.This morning I made pancakes per Carter's request and then got ready for school. When we got to school I walked him back to the playground outside of where his class lines up and was holding his hand. He let go and said, "Mom, it's okay if you just walk next to me." And there was pretty much no looking back after that. Then when we got to the playground Carter said, "Mom, you can just stand there. I'm going to go play on the playground." When the bell rang he ran over and stood in line and waited patiently to go inside, found his hook and hung up his backpack, and sat at his desk, all before I even made it to the door to peak in. Then I snuck a few pictures and said goodbye, and with a little flip of a wave, he said, "Bye, Mom!" and went back to work on his picture. So ready! I am fairly certain, in my completely unbiased opinion, that Carter will be the teacher's favorite in no time. When we went to pick him up after school he stood in line and waited his turn to be excused. He really is such a good boy! We then went to McDonald's for lunch so I could debrief him on his first day of school. He loved it and is excited to go back tomorrow. I'm so proud of this boy!

Happy Half Year!

Miss Bentley is six months old! She doesn't look it, scrawny little thing, but she is. About Bents:
*loves playing with her binky, pulling it out of her mouth, putting it back in, chewing on it, etc.
*can be a little chatter box
*loves her mommy
*has the most kissable nose. I love planting a kiss right on the end of her little round button nose
*does not love sleeping through the night
*HATES rice cereal. We have tried and failed at four attempts. One of these days...
*Kicks her legs lots
*is a rolling machine
*is getting close to sitting
*loves being held and sitting in her bumbo
*enjoys bath time
*no longer is swaddled for naps or bedtime
*to get to sleep she grabs this gauzy blanket we have and she pulls it over her face and nestles right in and usually goes right to sleep without a peep
*drools a lot
*loves sucking on her fingers and fists
*will not take a bottle
*loves being outside
*has actually turned into a pretty content little thing. Sometimes I feel like she's kind of fussy, but I think it's just because when she's mad, she's really mad and has a scream that can be heard around the block, but then I have to remember that her fussy moments aren't that long, or that frequent.
*has the biggest, bluest eyes

Ali + Will

This darling couple moved away a couple of weeks ago so we had a quadruple date to celebrate their moving on at Barbacoa. Such a fun restaurant, by the way. Pretty good food, nothing too exceptional, but a really fun atmosphere. Plus we got to eat on the deck in the beautiful summer evening. And the fried ice cream was pretty delicious.
Jefferson + yours truly
Shawn + Ashlee Jenn + Josh

Yesterday I told the kids I wasn't feeling well. I went out into the garage to put some things away and pretty soon Carter and Andi pop through the door and yell, "We love you!" They then proceeded to tell me that they wanted to surprise me to make me feel better. They each had a stamp on their hands and I asked where they got them. They were trying to get into my craft stuff upstairs to make me something. They hadn't made it that far, but it was really cute and the thought that counts. I felt much better.

Big Girl Bed

We moved Taytum to a big girl bed last night. She did great! We bought a new bed and trundle for the girls room and after just a little bit of playing, she was sound asleep on her bed. They slept in to their normal time too. Hopefully this easy transition continues!

Carter drew a little red guy in church on Sunday with the inscription "Mreo" next to it. He had drawn Mario! It was so cute. Smart little guy.

Shawn + Ashlee

Ashlee and Shawn got married on July 21st. They had a simple, but beautiful ceremony with just family there. We are so glad that we were able to be there and are excited for them to start their life together. We are also excited to have a new cousin, Jordyn. She is Andi's age and the two of them get along great!

Library Carnival

The library carnival left something to be desired, but my kids enjoyed themselves. They got free t-shirts, stickers, candy, otter-pops, balloons, and all the bounce house they could handle. It was an enjoyable way to spend a morning.

Tay's birthday

We had a little family dinner, sprinklers, cake and ice cream and presents on Tay's birthday. She loved all of her presents and had a good time celebrating. Every time we would say, "Happy Birthday Tay!" She would yell "Yay!" and start to clap and shake and cheer, like only Tay does.
Some things I want to remember about Tay at two is how excited she gets over everything! Like shaking, cheering, excited. Over ev.ry.thing. It's adorable and makes you feel great! I love the way her chubby little hand feels in mine when I hold it, which she loves to do. She always wants to hold my hand walking down the stairs or in the store. She hates sitting in the shopping carts at stores. Tay is one tough cookie. She can take a hit, push, shove, bite like nobody's business. When you say, "Give me some sugar" she'll pucker up and give the most delicious kiss. Tay loves shoes, any shape or size. She has a very high scream. It's a happy, excited scream, but very loud and very high. She loves nursery, thanks to her nursery leader, Joyce. Speaking of, Joyce stopped by and delivered a birthday present to Tay. It was so sweet and Tay loved it! We took Tay's binky away about three weeks ago and she's done great without it. The first four days or so were rough at nap and bedtime. She would cry for as long as 30 minutes. But now she goes down without a peep. I have noticed that she doesn't sleep as long at naps as usual. It doesn't seem to phase her though. She is still just as happy and joyous as ever.

My girls...

Had Dr's appointments for these two girls today. They did AWESOME with their shots. Andi took them like a champ. Taytum cried for all of ten seconds and then was over it when I gave her a starburst.

The weigh in:

ANDI 39lbs = 90% & 44 1/2 inches = off the charts!

TAY 29lbs = 75% & 37 inches = 97%

So my girls are solid. What can I say?