It's still amazes me how much we cram into a short period of time. It's been just a little over two months since my last post and I have so much to write about. It's crazy busy, but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
On August 13 I turned 32! I had a great birthday. Jason sent me shopping, which was a little less dangerous this year as I'm still trying to lose baby weight. Jason also got me a beautiful necklace with all of the kids names on it. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Then we went to dinner and a movie with our good friends the Wilson's. We ate at The Cheesecake Factory, which seriously has the world's biggest menu. How does one decide what to get? How do you not pig out when you go there? Simple answer, go with a group of people and everyone shares and inevitably you pig out anyway! Although I could easily eat about a dozen pieces of cheesecake by myself. So YUMMY! It was such a fun night!
Lots of things started in August this year. Faith, Emma and Charlie all started their first year of soccer. Faith loves to play defense, and she's actually really good at it. Her team is named Skyscrapers, it's an all girl team and they play on a regular sized field with all the actual soccer rules. Her team has lost two games, tied one and won three. Emma who is normally our least aggressive child, is an animal on the field. She doesn't back down from anyone. She is on a co-ed team and I use this term loosely here because she and the coaches daughter are the only girls on the team. They are called the Blue Cobras. Her team is really good. They are undefeated! Hopefully they can keep it up when they resume playing in the spring. Now, poor little Charlie. I have to admit he isn't the most graceful player. But he sure has a good time! He too is on a co-ed team, called the Yellow Bees (like there is any other kind). I think he has a little crush on a girl named Rachel on his team. He has fun with his teammates but, unfortunately they haven't won a single game this season. Hopefully with some practice over the winter break we can come back stronger in the spring. Honestly though, as long as Charlie is having fun he'll keep playing.
Some of my favorite moments from this season have been: 1) watching Faith play goalie. While she had some "downtime", waiting for the ball to come her way, she would be out there bustin' out her Justin Bieber dance moves. I only wish I'd had video of it! She's a hoot! 2) Seeing Emma make her first goal. At her age they still kind of follow the ball in one big herd, but she was able to get the ball and made a break away down the field! She was all alone out in front and Jason is yelling next to me "SHOOT, SHOOT, EMMA SHOOT!" She shoots and she SCORES! The look of excitement, shock and pride was great! That was the only goal scored (by either team) that game. She won the game! I think that was the moment she really fell in love with soccer. 3) Now, while Charlie's team hasn't won a game it's still fun to watch. I love watching how awkward Charlie is. I know that may seem mean, but it's a reminder that he hasn't quite grown up yet. I've never seen a kid trip over his own feet so much in my life. It reminds me of Bambi. I also really loved watching Charlie cheer his team on and how excited he would get when one of his team mates scored. He wasn't upset that he never did, just happy for the team and the person who did. He has such a great heart! 4) I have enjoyed watching Jason become his father. I remember many a football game where Jim was the loudest parent in the stands. The love for, and pride in, his children was so apparent. Jason has become that same man. I love it. At Emma's last game this past Saturday Emma was running down field with the ball. Jason is yelling "GO EMMA. DOWN THE MIDDLE!" She is surrounded by the opposing team, her teammates trying to catch up (who would have guessed Emma could run so fast). She finds herself in a position to score. Jason screams...seriously he was screaming..."SHOOT EMMA, SHOOT!" She kicks the ball as hard as she can. Jason jumps from his chair yelling like a mad man "GO IN!" She missed the goal by a hair. It was hilarious to watch Jason though. I love him so much.
As much as we have enjoyed cheering Faith, Emma and Charlie on it'll be nice to have our Saturdays back. I won't miss the rushing from one game to another, or cranky younger kids who have missed their naps. I'll very much enjoy being able to sleep till 8 am. It was so much fun though and the kids have learned a lot about team work, team spirit and how much we love them.
Around the same time as soccer, school started as well. Faith entered the Third Grade, Emma entered Second Grade and Charlie started Kindergarten (half day, which is way lame. Miss the full day they had in Georgia, but it is what it is). Faith's teacher is Mrs. Taylor. We LOVE her. She really pushes the kids to excel! Faith's math has greatly improved since entering her class.
Emma has Mrs. Smith, Faith's teacher from last year. Mrs. Smith is a character. Emma is doing awesome in her class. Mrs. Smith says Faith and Emma are night and day. While Faith was the talker and often off task because of it, Emma is little miss quite and on task. Emma is enjoying her class and has made lots of new friends.
Charlie is in Mrs. Reiber's class. She is a great teacher for Charlie. Charlie is wicked smart, but he can be lazy if something doesn't interest him. His writing and drawing have come a long way in a short time under her. He loves her and he loves being in school. I will love it even more when he is in school all day.
We had Leah's baby blessing at the end of August. We were so happy that my parents were able to be there, especially since my dad was able to participate in her blessing! It was a beautiful day and Leah looked like a princess. Her blessing was beautiful and we are so blessed to have her as one of our children. Our family wouldn't be the same without her.
In September we had a busy month. Jason's parents, Jim and Pam, came to visit! We had a blast going to soccer games, playing cards and talking. One weekend is never long enough. We spent a good portion of the trip trying to convince them to retire and move out here. I think we're wearing them down. :) September we also celebrated Hyrum and Payton's birthdays. Hyrum turned 4 which means he got a BIG birthday party. After a lot of thought he settled on a Mario Bros. themed party. We ordered him Mario Bros. invitations, plates, cups, napkins, a Luigi cake (that's his favorite character) even a Mario Bros. bounce house. We bought about 30 thirty cans of silly string for a silly string war as well, and it's a good thing too. Every party has to have it's hick-up right? Well, ours manifested as no bounce house showing up. I was freaking out! We had planned the whole party around that showing up. How else do you keep 30 kids entertained for three hours!? Supposedly our order was never sent to the warehouse on the day of the party. So lame, lame, lame. Thankfully we had silly string and Jason! After the silly string war we busted out the Nerf swords and Nerf guns. The kids spent about 90 minutes shooting and hitting Jason. I don't know who was more tired at the end of the party, Jason or the kids! At the end of the day Hyrum had a good time and that was all that mattered. We are so blessed to have him as one of our children!
Payton turned 2! Thankfully his affair was much simpler. We had cupcakes and sang happy birthday. Much less stressful. I can't believe how much he has changed in a year. He is talking so well. He has no problem articulating his disdain for certain foods or chores he doesn't want to do. I think his favorite sentence is "No, I don't want to!" Another favorite is "Hyrum (or some other older kids name) did it!" He is learning to pass the buck onto a higher up. Despite those few examples I do love that he can speak in full sentences and that I can understand most if not all of it! He's still our most stubborn and determined child. Even though there are days I don't love those qualities as much, I know they will take him far in life. Love his little face off!
As is becoming our family tradition, we took the kids to Cornbelly's this month to do the corn maze, pick out pumpkins, eat way too much and generally have a rockin' good time! So, last year we never completed the corn maze. We got lost, it was really windy, cold and we weren't dressed very warmly (can you tell it was our first fall in Utah). This year we were prepared and it was warmer, so yeah for that! We made it through the corn maze this time! Thanks to the fact that we worked as team this year and we had a map! Next year I think we'll break into teams and see who finishes the fastest. I love a good competition! After the corn maze the kids and Jason went down the big slide. They loved it, unfortunately it was a really busy attraction so they only got to go once. Then it was off to the big hay pyramid to play. This is where we lost Hyrum. I was feeding Leah and keeping an eye on Payton. who usually is the most trouble, Jason was with everyone else. The girls and Charlie went over to the wooden horses to play (it's literally, two feet from the hay pyramid). Jason goes over for a bit to play with them. I guess Hyrum didn't want to play on them so he took it upon himself to wander over to one of the many playgrounds to go play on the slide. Jason goes back over to the hay pyramid to get Hyrum and he's gone! We figured he's just gone over to the playground closest to us, but he wasn't there. We got that sick feeling in the pit of our stomachs, now we are franticly looking for him. We broke up into two groups and literally checked the whole park. He was nowhere to be found. I start picturing the worst in my mind. I'm crying, searching and praying. At this same time, unbeknownst to me, Jason and the girls get on their knees and give the most heartfelt prayer to find Hyrum safe and sound. I get the idea all of a sudden to go check by the information booth up front, even though Jason had already checked up front. What do my tear filled eyes find, HYRUM! He's just sitting there on a stool talking to the lady who was working the booth. Once I saw him and had him in my arms I completely broke down. We were so lucky that no one took him. Just then Jason and the girls come up and we are all hugging and crying. Hyrum was just as scarred as we were. We gave him a good talking too and I don't think he'll ever do that again. Thank God for answered prayers! After that it was all good times and smiles. We ate yummy corndogs, seriously they were AMAZING, a fried snickers (you heard me right, and they were heavenly), a fried PB & J (also amazing, but honestly why wouldn't it be) and a fried twinkie (which actually wasn't very amazing), we got our faces painted and jumped on the jump pillows. We had such a great time! Can't wait to do it again next year, except for the whole losing a kid part.
A little over a week ago Leah had tubes put in. She hasn't passed a single hearing test yet. She had a build up of fluid behind her eardrums. Not only were they full of fluid, but it was all infected. Poor thing had two major infections and still managed to be a sweet, cuddly and wonderful baby! Since her surgery we have noticed a big change. Her whole world got a whole lot louder, and you know how loud our house can be. I was worried that she might not stay the same happy, sweet little girl with all the noise, but she is even happier now. Didn't know that was possible. She is doing well and she'll have another hearing test (this will be her sixth one) in about two weeks. So thankful for her wonderful pediatrician
and her wonderful ENT. She is getting bigger everyday and despite her baby mullet she is absolutely beautiful. She has eyelashes to die for and is always so happy. Everyone spoils her with lots of holding, kisses and hugs. She melts my heart every time I look at her.
On Tuesday we painted small pumpkins with the kids. So messy, but so much fun! They had a great time and it was so neat to see what their imaginations came up with. The girls did theirs completely on their own. The boys needed a little more help. Charlie and Hyrum painted theirs as Mario and Luigi with Daddy's help. I helped Payton who wanted a zombie. Faith did a unicorn and Emma did a witch. Mostly Payton just wanted to try and eat the paint. Then on Wednesday we had our ward Halloween party. So much fun! The kids had a great time doing all the games and eating lots of candy. The kids ended it with dancing, Hyrum threw some of his own special moves in it too (it's a little hip thrusting, booty grabbing and break dancing. Don't ask where he learned it, it beats us) . We were just glad when they all crashed from the sugar!
Now we are gearing up for Faith's birthday, her last single digit one, and Halloween. Faith is going as a girl Frankenstein, Emma is Strawberry Shortcake, Charlie is a Blue Power Ranger, Hyrum is a Gold Power Ranger and Payton is going as Spiderman. All the boys costumes come with built in muscles, it's hilarious! I'll post pictures after Halloween. We're going to carve our pumpkins this weekend, so that should be fun. Then it's lots of sewing for me, got to get those Christmas gifts done, and going home for Thanksgiving. How has this year just flown by?
1 comments:
Love the catch-up! Your kids are so cute... and growing up so fast!
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