First day of Kindergarten

I've been dragging my feet about posting this. I uh, well... I was a little disappointed about how the first couple of days of Kindergarten went. I had a very sleepless night and spilled some tears over the whole thing, but feel a little calmer today. Plus, the pictures are just too cute not to share! ;)

So, I asked Dillon to smile for the camera if he was excited about his first day of Kindergarten.... I guess the picture speaks for itself!



I figured the first day would be hard. I just didn't expect it to be so disappointing. I was just beside myself, even though HE was absolutely lovin' every minute of it. I knew trusting my oldest child to the CA public school system was going to stretch me, but MAN! I may keep my reasons for being so disappointed to myself for now. I'll just say that if I don't find a good reason to feel better about things soon, I may have to investigate my options!

On to the cutest of cutenesses. I love this boy. He's so amazing - the way he just LOVES to conquer the challenges of life and be a big boy. After all the anxiety issues he's dealt with, seeing him slide right into this like it was nothing was very refreshing.





Charlie packed his little backpack with all his hotwheels and thought he too was going to school. Needless to say, he was a tad disappointed when the truth came out! Poor kid.



Of course, recess is just a huge bonus to the whole thing!




On the mat they sang "getting to know you" songs, the "speckled frog" song, and read a book about a naughty little boy who didn't obey the school rules. There was a short recess, then hey wrote and colored in a little journal about what they did over the summer. That was pretty much it!

More Reasons to Smile

Here's a bit of what I've been working on this week..




James, Dillon and I put the rocker together yesterday which was the last little bit! The room, at least, is all ready for her! I have had so much fun putting it all together despite my decorating limitations :)



The other project this week, was to organize my scrapbooking desk. It may not look all that tidy to you, but BUH LEEEEVE you me it looks a lot better than it did. I think it's totally workable now and truly it is organized (in my own organized chaotic way).

I would venture to say that tomorrow is going to be one of my life's most memorable days.. or at least most heart wrenching. I can NOT believe Dillon starts Kindergarten tomorrow. I KNOW that I've said this 1000 times, but c'mon - its a BIG DEAL! He's totally ready. We met his teacher, we washed all his uniforms and set out the ones for tomorrow, we've packed the backpack (with a notebook, crayons and pencils) and even planned what we'll pack in his snack sack. Whew. Now I just have to somehow "get there" mentally. I've already warned him about how much I'm going to cry and he thinks I'm crazy. I even get to go with him for the whole time tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll be choking back tears the whole time. I have a friend who said sending off her cute little daughter to school this year was harder than giving birth to her! Now, I don't know about that, but I feel where she's coming from.



For Dillon's Soccer Camp, we dyed his hair purple for "Wacky Wednesday." The coaches encouraged them to come with crazy hair and hats and boy did they! Dillon's was mild compared to some of the kids. His little friend, Lucas, did the Sanjaya mohawk.. it was adorable! Buuuuuuut, it was supposed to be a "washes out in 8-10 washes" type of a thing and well, after dozens of washes, a trip to the ocean and several trips to the pool, his hair is STILL a lovely shade of pink! I was hoping it would be all out before school started, but it's not too horribly noticable - only to those who know how blonde he normally is.

So, wish me (and Dillon) luck and you can start anticpating all those cute "First day of School" pictures and pages in upcoming posts ;)

August Paper Posies kit

I've been meaning to post my August Paper Posies kit designs b/c the gallery there is down so here they are! Had some fun with this one - I wished I'd have had more time to work on it!







I also said I'd update you all after my DR appointment, which was Thursday. It went well, though I ended up having to take the boys with me. It could've been scarey, but luckily they were really well behaved and we didn't have to wait very long either.

I really like my Doctor. I've never had a female doc and she's so great. James has been working with her quite a bit lately in the clinic and she had some pretty amazing things to say about him! She thinks he's gifted in OBGYN. I don't know, he does really like it, but enough to switch or pay the expensive insurance, I don't know. Anyway, the baby is measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule, but she won't change my due date!!!! :( I hope she comes early on her own then! No high blood pressure, no signs of preeclampsia nothing! I'll be 34 weeks Wednesday so 6 more weeks or so. Not too bad. If this heat doesn't let up here, it might as well be an eternity, though.

Something that made me jump up and down!

Check out this adorable dress that ALLIE made for Annabelle!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH Allie!! It's just too cute and I can't wait to see her in it! I have this cute little cardigan that will match it, but I absolutely must go out NOW and find a some matching shoes, a bow and maybe even a bracelet ;)

Last Wednesday we got a call from the bishopric and were asked to speak SUNDAY. I was STRESSED OUT about it, but I am happy to report that it went really well. We were so blessed b/c James actually got to sleep during his call shift Saturday night, then finish his talk in the knick of time when he got home. I was so nervous up until right before I spoke, then had that old familiar calm come over me, and (sigh) didn't even cry at all until right before I was done. Also, there was a musical number but James still had JUST enough time for his talk. So it went GREAT... well, that is if you don't count Charlie yelling out the "S" word during the sacrament.

Honestly, and I tried to explain this to James, I think it's hereditary. We don't swear at home. I only every so often swear in my pillow, so I don't know where he learned it. BUT, that's kinda my point.. he didn't! It's totally hereditary. We come from a long line of truckers and farmers and I think it's just built in to his vocabulary! He hasn't said the other bad word he used to say in a long time and that one was way worse, so that's good ;)

Dillon started a British Soccer camp yesterday... SO CUTE! These real British soccer players come and do the cutest camp for them and Dillon is WAY into it! He's on team Scotland and he's learning, not only the rules and game of soccer, but all about "toad in the hole" and "Bangers and mash" and all that funny British stuff. Tomorrow they are supposed to come with crazy hair or a crazy hat for "Wacky Wednesday." Then Friday is the World Cup and closing ceremony. I love having a little boy in sports. Its as fun as I always imagined it would be! And isn't he CUTE??!!




That's the hospital where James works in the background of the first picture. He watches from his office on the third floor when he gets break time. :)

Doctor's appointment Wednesday. I'm getting nervous b/c I am meeting a lot of other pregnant moms who are going LATE. I mean third and fourth babies and they're going like a week late at least! They simply do not induce here - not until at least 41 weeks. If I begin to show signs of high blood pressure or toxemia, then yes, they'll induce me. Is it wierd to want to have those problems?

Hundred and First Post!

I just noticed that this will be my 101st post! Kinda crazy!

I just had to try this celebrity look-a-like thing cuz I'd seen some pretty crazy results from other peoples'. Well, I must say, it was a self esteem boost and that was not what I expected! I expected like a white Keenan Thompson, but I guess they couldn't see my chubbiness and It was a rather subdued picture of me (my profile pic came up NO results, but that could be b/c it's black and white and I'm wearing my glasses, who knows). So blah blah blah... here it is ---->

http://www.myheritage.com

I left out the photos of Nick Lachey and Ben Affleck.. even though they were in my top three matches! I refuse to believe that.

I gots my sweet little brother visiting me this week! Love him. Such a great kid- the boys just eat him up and wear him out so I get a nice break! ;) Here's some pics of our trip to Hollywood to see WICKED!








We had tons of fun goofing around in the wax museum with Nate. Too bad the pic of him posing with Chuck Norris didn't turn out.. it was pretty funny!

Hollywood was not that impressive, really, but I'll say this- going to see WICKED was probably the most exciting and fun thing I've done in years! I loved it, and really I don't know how else to put it that I was like a silly little goofy-grinned girl on the verge of ridiculousity (if you've seen the musical you know), jumping out of my chair and burstin into tears. It was SO GOOD. I know that seems crazy, but that's just me. I love the theatre- musicals, tragedies, drama the whole scene. I'm an in-the-closet thesbian. Unfortunately the photos didn't turn out well.. :( But here is one I got off the internet- the climax of the show!!!



And yesterday we went to the beach! Always always a good time!! Look at Nate and those boys... they are such cute pals!

I admit it is difficult to get Charlie to smile for the camera, but I tried to tell James that just because HE does a huge cheesy smile doesn't mean Charlie will be inspired to. hehe

I finally did it!!

I finally customized my blog and now it's all so much easier! Happy i am. (yoda)

Like the banner? I made it a couple of months ago and due to technical difficulties have not been able to get it uploaded... 'til now! The size is still off a little, but I'll work on that. Want an updated belly pic? Well, whether you do or not, here it is, and wow look at the expression on my face! Thanks for taking this photo Dillon- you did a great job ;)

******CAUTION*******



I seriously cannot believe I just posted that. Oh well. If you read this blog, you probably loved me before I was this gigantic and fat-footed. Thanks.

I had been counting down the days for months to the release of the following book. In fact, I had a copy reserved and went and picked it up early in the morning the day it came out (July 21). Since that day it has sat here... untouched.... until last night. I just couldn't get myself to start it, knowing that once it was over it was O V E R. you know?



Well, I finally started it- read 4 chapters and wowza! It's going to be tough to put it down now SOOOOOOOO suspenseful. Love it and LOVED the Order of the Phoenix movie too. If you've already read it, please reassure me that after you finished you didn't just sink into a deep depression??!!??!!



Last Thursday James turned 30!!! It was quite warm that day, like 88 degrees, and without AC in the house we were miserable. SOOooo I broke out the ol' Slip N' Slide! Got some great pics of the kids.... ALL THREE OF THEM!!! ;) 30 goin' on 13 let me tell ya!




I think I grinned the entire time I edited these photos! I wish I'd have taken this next one about a milisecond later b/c Dillon crashed into James and Charlie and they were all in a big tangled pile.






I'm sorry about this next photo.... I should probably do another **caution** sign. I had to take it. I hope it doesn't offend anyone. Gracie, if you're reading this, you might have your mom cover your eyes now. It's good evidence of all the time we've been spending at swimming lessons and the beach this summer. Plus, to me it's just plain adorable and I'm proud of those little bums:)

30 weeks tomorrow!

I'm three quarters of the way through this pregnancy!!!! 10 weeks should fly by, but from where I'm sittin' it still seems like forever. As much as I want to be done being pregnant, I know it's easier with her in my tummy than out, and at least I'm getting some fairly decent sleep at night in between potty trips. I thought I'd share this lovely photo of my swollen feet. Maybe a belly shot next time. I've tried taking them and I just can't stand it. I shudder, then immediately erase them.

Charlie is totally annoyed by my big belly. He wants to snuggle, and it just isn't the same, I can't wrestle, play steam roller or airplane, and for sure can't carry him around EVER. He told James he wants to take her out, "RIGHT NOW DADDY!!" and James asked him how we were going to get her out. You could seriously see the little brain wheels turning, then he said, "Mousketool?" For those of you who don't know what that is, you either don't have kids under 6 or you don't get the Disney channel.

Heres some pics from the kids' swimming lessons. Dillon is "advanced for his age" and is in a class with kids much older than him. He loves it, but 1/2 an hour is not enough time for him to practise diving, swimming freestyle, backstroke, and even butterfly! Charlie is also quite a fish and I think by the end of this session, he might even be able to swim without help! Crazy kids.





We went to Del Mar beach Saturday with my sister, mom and step dad. It was super fun. We (they) boogie boarded, dug holes, made sand castles, cooked wieners and smores. I mostly read my book, which was awesome too.





I've owned a purple Dodge Stratus for 10 years now, and today sold it to my little sister. I cannot believe it's not sitting in our garage right now! Now that I have the van and James has a new Civic, we really didn't need it and she did, so.... It's been quite the good little car. It drove both of my babies home from the hospital, moved us from UT, to AZ, to CA and drove us to many many places in between. I'll miss it.

On another note, I recognize myself in the mirror again! Well, from the neck up anyway. Last week I finally cut my hair short again. I LOVE IT! I am just meant to have short hair.