Soccer, Volleyball, repeat

The day after my last post (10th) Peter lost his second front tooth. His tooth was danging and driving us nuts. Casey had Peter put his hand in front of his face then he "pushed" peter's arm towards his mouth. One second later the tooth was out! (Cue the angels singing!) His permanent teeth had already come down behind the baby teeth, and he barley had a "toothless" grin before his front teeth were very visible.

Kendal also lost her last canine tooth at school that week. She said it came out at recess and she couldn't find it. Sorry kiddo.

That Wednesday (11th) was an early release day for the kids. I had Jemma that day so Kendal had to stay put with two napping little ones so I could run Peter to Holland's birthday party at the park.

Because Tuesday was a very wet day Peter's first soccer game was cancelled. So his first game became Thursday. He played Becca's team. He scored a goal and assisted in another goal that night for a win!

I volunteered to help at the Library at the kids' school this year. Friday the 13th was my first day and I (and a active Alice) went and helped with a couple of classes (including Peter's). I helped check in books, and listened to kids read. I'll be doing that every other week, and going in to help process new books in the next couple of months.
Saturday the 14th was Kendal's first round of volleyball games. They play two teams per day, and are able to get in two + games per team. Her team won three out of four of their games that first day. Kendal is picking up skills well and enjoying her experience so far!
That afternoon we went and picked apples for apple sauce. I was hoping for more varieties, but pickers can't be choosers sometimes. I spent the afternoon processing the apples. We ended up with a lot of pink applesauce and I started taking peels out towards the end so my last two batches were a bit less pink.

I've been watching Jemma one to two times a week since the beginning of August. Alice goes through phases having Jemma here; she's often a mix of helpful, kind, and an occasional side of possessive of toys / and mommy. It's been interesting to have two little ones so close in age, yet not quite play buddies yet. Heaven help those who have kids so close in age.

I've been anticipating Vanessa going into labor for weeks now. She was "ready" and contracting daily so we figured it would be any day. I was put on hospital duty if Brett happened to be gone for cross country. Thankfully Vanessa's Mom came Monday night, and true Vanessa fashion her water broke in the middle of the night and baby girl was born at 2 in the morning. She was born on the 17th (the only day this month that Brett didn't want the baby born, because he (as head coach) had a home meet he was over. (But God and babies do what they want ; ) I made a quick visit later in the morning with Alice to meet the little lady. Her name is Naomi Carol. She's pretty much perfect and so fresh from heaven! Naomi makes 17 grandkids on our Darrington side of the family (10 busy boys, 7 gabby girlies ; )

Peter had two games last week. His team tied their game on the 17th. Because it was rainy / muddy on Thursday I kept the girls home. Their team won their game and Peter scored a goal that evening!

After Peter's game Thursday I got to go have a girls night and play Bunco with some chica's in my ward! The next night Casey got his night out going to the Football game.

Kendal played a couple of hard teams last Saturday (21st) I don't think her team won a game, however (when she was focused ; ) Kendal did well, got some great serves over and got some good hits in. Cheryl came and watched with us!
That afternoon Peter got to go to Sam's Harry Potter party. He was thrilled to do spells, play quiditch, and make a golden wand! It was such a nice day we picnicked outside for dinner. We attempted to play washers but our helpful toddler took over and made it impossible. So we threw the volleyball around a bit and gave in.

This past week Peter had two more soccer games. He won his game on Tuesday evening and Tied his Thursday game. Grandma D came and watched part of his Thursday game. He's doing well this season, getting into things more and gaining some skills!

Friday was Homecoming for Kimberly. The kids wore their Kimberly Red to school! Alice and I went to do library help at the school then we headed over and joined Casey to watch the homecoming parade. It was a quick parade, and we stayed back from the Candy crowd; Alice still scored some sweets though. Peter and Kendal enjoyed watching the parade with their classes. That evening Casey took Peter to the football game (I'm not in the mood to take a 1/2 potty trained, busy body to a crowded, cold football game). I took the girls to get a bit of ice cream and we watched Magic School Bus. (Shhhh, don't tell Pete about the ice cream ; ) Casey brought Pete home at half time. The football team ended up loosing.

Yesterday I took Kendal to her Volleyball match at 8. Her team won one and lost one game. She got a good handful of serves over, and a couple of returns. She's picking it up more and more as the season continues. We had to rush out after the first games, skipping her second team play so we could make it it to Hunter and Jaxson's baptism in Pocatello. It's so neat to see these amazing cousins growing up, making wonderful choices, and spending time with them. It was a soggy day, yet the kids still found their way in and out of the house playing around. Alice got drenched at one point. I got some cuddles with Naomi. Sadly my only picture of the day is of Kenny holding a napping Naomi (He's a champ at this : ). We'll have Becca's baptism in a couple of weeks so well get the gang back together then.

Alice's up to's: Alice is fully potty trained when it comes to pee. We've hit a stand still on poops, but with loads of patience and some time we'll get there.
Picture 1 and 2 - I got out Fall / Winter clothes. She tried on every single shirt that I got out and spent some time over two days wearing this cat (fox) pink pajamas. She also had to dress up her baby in her shirt (aka pincess dress). Picture 3 - Alice is our selective eater. She doesn't eat full meals most of the time, but place noodles of any kind in front of her and she inhales them! Picture 4 - "Stam up Daddy, be a king wif me!" Alice brings dresses and blankets to Casey and I and tells us to "stam up" and join her in her princess play. We often turn on some tunes and dance around. She's the boss and she knows it ; ) Picture #5 books with babes (or boots as she often calls them) Lastly picture #6 from today - Poor girl ran a fever this afternoon and has thrown up a couple of times. Lets hope this little bug is temporary cuz we have a date with Mickey Mouse later this week.

Our weeks have been filled with sports (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday's are Volleyball, Tuesday and Thursday's are soccer.)

We've hit the Disney movies hard this year and are trying to get in our last few before we go next week! We've recently watched the first two Toy Story's, Pirates, Princess and the Frog, the most recent Star Wars, and ended with Nightmare before Christmas, and Up this weekend! The kids are all polished up on their movies and characters - we're ready and super excited to go to California this week!

Back to school, back to busy

The kids finished their summer reading charts! They earned Lego mini figures and hatchimals along the way. Kendal crushed reading this summer and went above and beyond. Peter may not love reading but he stuck with it and did a good job reading this summer! Instead of workbooks and extra to do's I had the kids make goals they wanted to accomplish this summer and we made an "I did it!" paper for the wall each time they made their goals.
Goals accomplished:
Kendal - Drove a 4 - wheeler by herself, Made pancakes, sewed her own apron, made brownies, learned to skip a rock, made fried chicken, can make a perfect ponytail,
Peter - learned to skip a rock, can drive a 4 - wheeler by himself, made pizza, made macaroni and cheese, made muffins, helped Dad build and paint a shelf, built a garage organization system with Dad, learned Dad's phone number, learned to tie his own tie, got a strike in bowling
Alice - learned to peddle a tricycle, learned to do a somersault,
All of the kids, crushed each summer reading chart (Twin library, Kimberly library, and home), helped with peaches (even if Alice's was just to eat them ; ), and hiked box canyon and the canyon rim as a family!

Kendal went in and got her teeth pulled on the 23rd. Her canine teeth were pushing some of her permanent teeth out of place and there was worry for root damage so 3 teeth pulled was her fate. Casey gave her a blessing that morning and even though she was supper chatty with the laughing gas she did great!

My parents and Katherine came that evening to spend the weekend with us. We had an easy going time together. Kendal had a Achievement Girls Stake activity Saturday morning. They got to do a bunch of activities and different work shops that revolved around Christ and learning. We went to the park for lunch. That evening we went out for dinner and hit up the book store together.
Casey and I both taught on Sunday. Casey has an extra calling teaching in Elders quorum every other month, and I offered to teach my beehives for Kristen's birthday. We had a nice family dinner before my family left for home. Late that afternoon we got pulled out to Raft River to spend time with Casey's family. Nicole came with her kids, and Brett and Vanessa came with dinner. Casey and I hiked up the hill behind the house to get some pictures of the valley. (We're lacking in Idaho pics in our house.)

Monday was the first day of school. Casey gave each of the kids wonderful blessings Sunday night and they were excited for their new school year! Kendal was so excited she was up at 5 in the morning and didn't go back to sleep! : / Oy! Both Kendal and Peter reported back with good first days at school and had a good first week with their new classes and teachers. Peter's making new friends and Kendal is making the rounds with the many kids she gets along with. Casey's schedule changed from 7 classes a day to 4 and an A / B schedule. He's adjusting to the change, I know he'll do great this year!

Alice wasn't lonely long. We had James and Thomas over Monday morning so Vanessa could go to the Dr's. (Baby girl due very soon!) Thomas didn't want his mom to leave and had an epic tantrum that rocked my morning. Tuesday we had Jemma for most of the day. Both still want my attention at all times, but it's fun when they are more relaxed and just play around. Wednesday I had a presidency meeting so Alice played with Whitney's daughter (Summery - week one Alice wasn't lonley ; ) We spent that day and a bit of Thursday running errands. I don't love doing errands with a potty training two year old, but it beats all three kids any day.

Friday was off of school. The kids were on one pretty early so I decided to shove us out of the house to change attitudes. While I don't think any attitudes were really changed we did go on a good walk to the Evil Kinevil jump site and path along the canyon rim. We ended up going over 3 miles that morning! That afternoon we decided to finally rearrange the kids' and their rooms. Alice is now roommates with Kendal and Peter is in the other room. We're hoping for less late nights and arguments, and more sleep. However, Alice is now in a toddler bed so her nights / mornings / (middle of the nights : / are in flux right now. Hopefully we'll get back to regular sometime.

Saturday Casey made book shelves for our bedroom. He's been wanting to for quite a while and I finally agreed to ones that were up on the wall out of the way. Saturday evening and into Sunday I had some nasty virus that made life miserable. I ended up making Casey take the kids to church by himself on Sunday. Thankfully it went away in a couple of days.
We had a lazy labor day. Just let the kids play and do what they wanted. We had a picnic dinner in the park to end our holiday.

I watched James and Thomas that Tuesday. Thomas had a Nintendo game that he happily played the whole, so no fits this time.
Casey is coaching Peter's soccer team and had practice that evening and Thursday. He understands their young and not much on skill or order, but he still wishes they would be. Kendal has had a couple of volleyball practices. Wednesday evening and tonight. She's enjoying herself and is learning lots!
Last Wednesday I took Alice to the library for story time. Before it even started she tripped and fell hard into a desk. She bit her tongue, got a nice bruise on her jaw, and split her head open. I wiped her up and calmed her down while Vanessa phoned the Dr to fit us in. Luckily the clinic was half a block away so I rushed her over. She was pretty good (her mouth had stopped bleeding and she had no idea how bad her head was - I think she has the highest pain tolerance of our kids). I talked the pa out of Staples and we just shaved the area and glued her back together. She was a trooper through it all and I know I was more nervous and scared than her. Besides a nice bump and keeping an eye on the area she's healing well. She was only grumpy about us going near it for a few days, and wanted a band aid on it.

Friday I had Jemma for most of the day. Alice is over the cute baby visitor and onto a battle of my lap and attention with Jemma most of the time.
Saturday the kids had a primary party at the park. They had endless popsicles, had a bounce house / water slide, and got face paints all up and down their arms and faces.

Today I had Thomas and James again. More bribes to make a better time here. (And cousins who will dress up with you.)

Kendal had her first piano lesson of the school year. She's very happy with Sister Hyde (she gives stickers and prizes) so I know it'll be a fun year learning!
Peter has had his permanent top from teeth pop in without fully losing his baby teeth. They've just turned into wonky, wiggly, issues. He finally lost one today eating his oatmeal (that's how much it too to get the tooth out). Now if only the other would follow suit.

We've got a busy month with the kids. Sports on five of the seven days of the week. I watch kids a couple days of the week and am volunteering time at the kids school. I'll be in a daze this next while, but it is what it is.

My life for the last month + well get there eventually. : /