kindergarten

It's the start of a new era.

I have a kid in school.

I can't believe it.

She loved it.

Her teacher is great!

I didn't cry.

I was pretty proud of myself.

Granted, she's only half-day and I pick her up at 10:45,

So she wasn't gone all that long.

My sweet kindergartner . . .

being silly . . .

This was the only part where I almost cried.

Standing in line with the 18 other kids.

Her cute little wave to me, and her "bye mommy".

But, I held it in.

I love this girl.

I'm so proud of her.

my girl is five

Lily is FIVE!

We're pretty stingy with birthday parties around here.

You only get a "friend party" when you turn 5, 8, 12, 16.

Lily had her party a few days before her actual birthday.

She wanted a "rainbow/art" theme, since she loves to do art projects.

First of all I have to say "thanks" to this beautiful sis-in-law of mine for taking pictures for me during the party.

I'm REALLY sad that she moves to Germany today.

Like, REALLY sad.

Having her here in town all summer kind of spoiled me.

We started with Mimi leading the girls in the "chicken dance".

Mimi was SO helpful at the party.

I was so glad to have both she and my Mom helping me out!

The Aunt Lara lead the girls in the peanut butter song.

I read them a story about rainbows.

Lily loves a good story.

She's gonna love kindergarten.

We decorated cookies with all different colors of icing.

Mimi painted rainbows on their faces.

This was the only boy who was invited to the party.

Lucky guy.

We had a pinata...

we had cupcakes...

eating the cupcakes . . . Cannon looking pretty comfortable in the middle of all the ladies . . .

and finally - opening presents!

What a fun party it was.

Glad I don't have to plan another one until Cannon turns five in two years.

Can't believe little Benson is turning one in a month!

first

Little B had his first sucker at Lily's birthday party today.

See that death grip?

He wasn't lettin' go.

More to come on Lily's Rainbow party.

turning a corner

I'm probably jinxing myself just talking about this, but Benson has had some GOOD nights lately.

Last night in particular, he ate at 9:30 . . .

squirmed at 3:30 so I stuck his binky in . . .

**At this point I was feeling so rested from 5 completely uninterrupted hours of sleep, I was tempted to go run laps around the neighborhood**

. . .and didn't eat until 5:30.

What a stud.

I'm so glad that he's chunking out.

That way I don't have to feel bad for sticking his binky in, instead of feeding him.

Here is a picture from this morning.

He was getting tired.

Lily asked to cuddle him.

He was out within seconds.

He loves that girl and she loves him.

In other news, I ran my first post-baby race this weekend.

It felt good.

Gave me a little boost.

I'm contemplating training for another marathon.

Utah Valley - June 11, 2011.

Dave says do it.

I'm still on the fence.

Lily sat down next to me on the couch today while I was nursing Benson.

She told me she couldn't wait to get older so she could get a cell phone.

And so it begins . . .

inauguration

We got a new camping trailer the day before Benson was born and Dave was insistent that we use it at least once before it gets too cold!

I happily obliged (*note sarcasm*) and we headed up to Bartlett Lake, AZ.

Neither of us had been to Bartlett Lake before, and it was beautiful.

Here's a view of the lake on our way to the campsite.

Here's our new camp trailer all set up.

It's little, and perfect for our family.

I totally felt like I was at the Hilton.

(*note sarcasm again*)

We couldn't find enough logs for a good fire, so Uncle Spencer built the kids a tiny fire, and Cannon was mesmerized by it.

The "big" kids slept great, and were so excited to play in the dirt when we woke up.

We got a camping oven at Costco not long after we got our trailer and we tried it out on our trip.

It was pretty nice to be able to bake!

If only this little man had slept like this during the night!

I think Dave and I each got about two hours of sleep.

It was Benson's second bad night in a row, so I was TIRED on Saturday.

Just a cute shot of Lily, before she got all dirty.

And, one of the little man.

He was saving the rest of that muffin that is all over his face for later.

The kids wanted to go play "by the water" and throw rocks in the lake.

It started all out fine and dandy . . .

And ended like this . . .

And my favorite part of the trip?

Cannon's diaper after splashing in the super-duper-clean lakewater.

A still picture didn't do it justice so you gotta watch this 5 second video clip.

If you need some more laughs, watch this 15 second video clip . . .

I swear, how did the pioneers do it with just rags for diapers.

I mean look how much liquid that diaper is holding.

Amazing . . . and hilarious.Amazing . . . and hilarious.

All in all, a fun trip.

Memories were made.

Jammies were ruined.

Sleep was lost.

Looking forward to seeing everyone's Halloween posts, lots of cute costumes I'm sure!

start 'em early

tour de lily

Dave decided to try and teach Lily to ride a bike on Friday night.

I rolled my eyes (yes, I did).

In my defense, it was 100+ degrees, and I didn't think she was going to learn anything before she and/or daddy suffered a heat stroke.

Little did I know . . .

And here she is today.

A bike riding fool.

Best part?
Nanny and Poppy were here to witness it all!
Way to go Lily, we think you are pretty cool.

**The grand prize still goes to Uncle Chance who took his own training wheels off at age 2 1/2, and rode off...**

sweetest

Wherever you are is where I'll be.

That is Lily's motto when it comes to Benson.

If his eyes are open, she is THERE.

What am I saying, if his eyes are closed she is there, begging me to hold him while he is sleeping.

It's cute.

Yesterday he was sitting on my lap and she was kissing/hugging/mauling him and she asked me to take a picture of them on my phone.

She's hilarious.

As for Cannon, I'm not sure where he went.

He was replaced with an impatient, feisty, little pest who LOVES to bug his sister.

Someone told me that the youngest always has a little "anger", because they've been replaced.

They told me I need to give it two months and it'll calm down.

We're 3 1/2 weeks in - 5 1/2 weeks to go, but who's counting?

*if you want to hear about something other than my kids, just give me a little more time and then maybe I'll blog about how I got my braces off (it's only been like 6 weeks), or how I recently became a minivan mom (yes, you read that right, I'm CHOOSING to drive a minivan), or a million other things I really should blog about . . .

almost open

He doesn't open them much, but here's a peek at those almost open eyes . . .

And, here is my sidekick, right alongside me taking her own pictures of Benson.

She is always right there trying to get a peek at Benson, or a sneak a kiss.

It's surprising to me how much she and Cannon already love him.

It's crazy to think that I was supposed to be getting induced tomorrow night at 9:00, and that my actual due date isn't for another 6 days!

Amen for having your water break early.

Didn't love the preeclampsia part, but not complaining that I got a few weeks cut off my pregnancy!

We're just glad that Benson is here and healthy.

Summer fun

Is summer almost over yet?

It's hot.

I'm swollen.

I'm cranky.

I'm uncomfortable.

September 13th CANNOT come fast enough.

I'm getting induced that day.

21 days.

But who's counting?

Enough whining, I'm sure my poor family and my girlfriends have heard ENOUGH to last a lifetime.

Here are few pictures from the last couple of weeks . . .

Dave planted two new trees in the front yard.

Cannon enjoyed playing in the holes.

Lily got a used car for her birthday.

(a great craigslist find on my part)

She wants to drive it everyday - regardless of the heat.

I've decided we can only drive it between 6:30 am and 7:30 am right now.

It's just too hot for me to stand outside while she drives it.

Cannon tries to keep up with her on his little four-wheeler, but it's just not as fast.

Usually they just end up carpooling down to the basketball court for some drive time.

Cannon can't drive the big car yet, so he's a permanent passenger, but he doesn't seem to care . . .

ready reader

Lily started Miss Lisa's Ready Readers Preschool yesterday!

She was so excited.

She'll go three days a week for 2 1/2 hours each time this year!

I've heard such great things about Miss Lisa's school and I'm excited for Lily to learn.

Hard to believe she'll be going to kindergarten at this time next year!

Here she is last year on the first day of Miss Heather's preschool.

She's gotten so much bigger!

Lily Dear

I love this girl.

She turned 4 a few days ago and we had a little family party for her tonight.

Swimming with cousins is always fun, especially in August.

Cannon is the daredevil of all daredevils in the pool.

Turn your head for ten seconds and he'll drown for sure.

It's really not scary at all.

Lily saw some purple cupcakes with red cherries on Max & Ruby and requested those for her birthday.

Trying to decide what to wish for . . .

Oh Lily dear, you are so loved!

You are smart.

You are caring.

You are sweet.

You are a great big sister.

Everyone who meets you loves you.

We are proud of you little Lou-Lou.

And . . . just for fun.

Here I am on my fourth birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Spitting Image

My dad emailed this picture to us yesterday and the subject of the e-mail was "Auburn or Lily?" . . .

Dave and I showed it to Lily yesterday morning and asked her who it was, she thought it was her.

So curious who this little boy will look like!!

112º

I need to do a post from our trip to visit Rob & Corinne.

It was so fun.

I'll do it soon - I promise.

We got back yesterday.

I'm feeling like it's slightly hot here.

I love Arizona, even in the summer.

But 30 weeks pregnant and 112 degrees do not mix.

Quote from Lily this afternoon while getting in the carseat:

"Mom, it's hot. I'm sweating like a man."

Um, do you think she's heard me say that?

my swimmer

Lily had swimming lessons with Shelly for two weeks again this summer and she has turned into such a great little swimmer!

She loves to practice all her new moves when she gets home.

Here are a couple of short videos.

The first is of her diving.

The second is of her going down the "big" slide.

I can't wait for Cannon to go to Shelly for lessons next year!!

pied piper does it again

I just LOVE when Lindsay comes to town!

Once again she managed to capture some gorgeous shots of my marginally cooperative kids.

Such a happy face . . .

begging to be kissed . . .

a perfect poser . . .

a look we see all too often these days . . .

To see NINE more amazing shots check out the post on the Pied Piper's blog here.

I wish I could share them all with you - they are amazing!!