Work hard, play harder

Hard to believe we're already four weeks into school. But here we are, and I'm due an update. Going back to labor day weekend. . . We had a lax couple of days. The kids had Friday and Monday off of school. We had a Harry Potter party since Kendal finished the third book (It's hard work reading such high level books, but she loves them and does a great job!). We made and enjoyed pumpkin pasties and butterbeer. It's been so fun to read books and then enjoy movies together! 

 
Over the weekend we made and enjoyed home made mint chocolate chip ice cream! Monday we meet up with cousins and went craw fish fishing at twin falls. While we didn't catch anything we had a good time together. We also flew kites that weekend. Not a lot of success with the kites. It's more work than fun, but we still try.
  

The following weekend we went out to pick apples. Alice ate her way around the orchard while Kendal helped and Peter played in the car. We got to meet our new niece Jemma coming home from Apple picking. She pretty perfect and we loved getting to see her! 

This past weekend we went down to Utah to celebrate Campbell's birthday. After lunch we went to the Ogden train museum. The kids liked going around and seeing everything. Kendal kept saying different displays were creepy (because they were old or  oddly placed) I think Casey was the most interested in everything we saw, but the kids had their moments of fun.
After the museum we meet up with everyone at Layton Hills mall. The older kids and "big" kids had a  Nerf gun war. They all had so much fun on teams, shooting each other and playing their hearts out. Alice and Elliott enjoyed a kiddie area. Alice tried out every little car and Elliott liked the bounce house the most. Next they got to drive around RC cars settings a room full of obstacles. Finally we got to see the aquarium at the mall. The kids enjoyed themselves and got to fed and feel some fish. Alice was tentative  at first, then warmed up to it. We finished the day off at Andy's for dinner and more birthday celebrating.

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We're petty much in the groove of school. The kids are liking their teachers and classes. We're still trying to get a good routine before and after school. Kendal has it down and generally gets going and gets her to dos done. Peter is another story; no day is the same. Some days he'll do what's asked and get things done well. Other days he's dragging his feet in the morning or its a struggle to get his homework finished after school. Fortunately he's learning that if he just gets to it and finishes his to dos then he gets more play time before dinner.
Kendal is back in piano lessons this year. She's also joined choir and will begin that next week! I fill lesson time keeping an eye on the kids (mainly these two ; ). They're quite the pair sometimes.
Alice doesn't seem to mind big brother and sister being gone tho school most days. She's got Mama and the house to herself! She will babble on about peder and ado often though, and even held asst the door as if their on the other side listening. We read, okay, and go on id fit a bit.

 

Soccer is up and running ; )! Kendal wanted to play this year so she's happily playing with Casey as her coach. She's not afraid to play and get in there, plus she really wants to try; however inexperience and lack of focus are her weaknesses. 

Peter is enjoying soccer also. He's getting in there and is in the thick of things this year which is great! When he's focused he'll get the ball and take it down the field, then like his sister when he's in the mood to la di da, he's  in off in his own world and not into the game, it's not as often, but it's still happens. After a night of playing chase with Alice she's been stuck in her stroller since. She mostly does well, however she lets it be known when She's done. She likes cheering for peda,  watching the kids run around, and clapping when others clap. We've got a few more weeks, let's  hope the kids keep up the good work, Alice can tolerate the stroller, and the  weather holds out!

 

BACK to life, BACK to reality

I was able to go down to Utah in the middle of August.  My dad was having back surgery and I wanted to be there to help out. Casey did his work day early in the week so I could go. The same day my Dad had his surgery Casey took the kids to Burley to the fair. That morning the kids got to go to the parade. They spent the middle of the day out in Raft River. The older kids rode in the tractor with grandpa, while Alice was back at the house with grandma. Later Casey took them back to the fair to walk around then they joined the Welches and watched the cowboys separate cows in a competition.

That same day I was down at Mcaydee with my parents and sister. After seven long hours we got to see my Dad. His surgery went extremely well! However, recovery is never fun. He's had it rough since with a few decent days amongst the hard. He's got a road ahead of him, but I know he can do it and he be better off than before! I brought everyone back home a couple of days later and did my best to help out with post surgery needs. I came home for a couple of days. Alice held my face and jabbered at me for awhile.  I got in some loves and spent Monday morning cleaning, grocery shopping, and getting to dos done. Then I headed back to Utah with Kendal. Tuesday I took my mom to an appointment while Kendal played nurse to grandpa. Kendal was wonderful and did her best for grandpa. She even got to craft a bit with aunt Linda. Later Kendal and I were able to visit Nana before we headed back home. Nana gifted Alice an adorable nurse cherished teddy and let me take home "my" precious moment figure from her "grandkids" figure collection.

 

While I was gone Casey was super Dad and did an amazing job with the kids. I got to focus on my parents and let go of home a bit knowing Casey had it all in hand. The kids got to have a couple of days with cousins over the last couple of weeks. They hung out with Brett and the kids while I was gone. Peter and Alice spent last Tuesday with aunt Vanessa and the kids, then we got to have cousins over for awhile a few days later. I love being so close to cousins!
(Random pictures from the last couple of weeks! (P.s. I love the stage Alice is in. She's a busy body with a budding imagination. She learned the word no while I was away which comes out "nononononono" and she shushess us. I also enjoy her love of accessories and dolls. ; )

 

Kendal had a Stake achievement days activity on Saturday. She got to have a bunch of mini classes, learned, and enjoyed her morning there. She did Zumba, a spiritual class, music, manners, and a craft. Peter went with Casey to go do corn. Peter, Hunter, Jaxson, and Ashley got to play their hearts out, watch unlimited movies, and sneak snacks all day long because with adults were busy doing corn! 

The kids had back to school night Thursday night. We got to meet the kids' teachers and take their supplies. Peter was shy with his teacher, but liked exploring the classroom. Kendal was quiet, but super excited! 

Peter has had a loose tooth for awhile with a second loose right  next to it. His adult teeth are already coming in so we encouraged extra wiggling. We gave Peter the option to shoot his tooth out with a nerf gun. Unfortunately after failed attempts due to floss that slid off or a broken bullet he just let Casey pull it out! No fuss!! He's never liked the idea of the tooth fairy and finds it scary; (when you think about it, it's a creature sneaking into your house and taking your stuff - shouldn't we all be scared? #creeperoftheteeth) however the thought of money and excitement over his first tooth won out and he happily put out his tooth. The next morning he came in with a golden dollar coin and certificate for his first tooth from Floss the fairy!

 Yesterday 27th, was the first day of school!! The kids were a mix of nervous and excited! They both got ready quickly and were antsy to go. I walked them to school and took Peter to his class, he dropped off his backpack and then I dropped him off in the playground while I rushed back to a sleeping Alice. Kendal headed off right away. The kids came home with good reports about their first day and their teachers! Peter has Miss Breeding for first grade, it's her first year and he already loves her! Kendal has Mr. Maki, She's happy with her class and looking forward to this year. Peter had a bit of a melt down after school. I think it was a long day, his sensory overload was tapped out, plus he needed a mental break. Once he reset he was better. This morning was a bit harder to coax to get the kids moving, but it's early, and we're just getting started in the year. With time routines will start to flow. Alice doesn't seem to mind brother and sister gone since she gets me all To herself, however I'm sure my novelty will wear out sometime.

 

  

So our lazy days of summer are behind us, it's back to life. . . Back to reality!

Feeling the heat!

We've got up the Library most weeks during the summer. (good way to get out of the summer sun) Story time is drawing to a close for Peter (that's five years of going) he'll be in school all day now so he's done. I'll probably continue with Alice, but it's a definitely a new chapter. The kids got to play with bubbles a couple of weeks ago at story time. Kendal and Peter had fun Alice came out the pretty wet though. 

We hadn't made it to Dirkies all summer so we went a couple of weeks ago one of the many hot days. The kids played their hearts out! I'm glad Alice had on her life jacket because she's pretty fearless in the water. Kendal and Peter had fun helping a couple of kids build a mini pool in the sand and practice their swim skills a bit.

The kids have earned quite a few state park passes through the Library reading programs so we decided to go on an adventure and check a few off our list plus earn some Jr Ranger badges along the way. Friday the 3rd we went to Castle Rock and City of Rocks. As we dove up to Castle Rock Peter decided the big rock looked like it had a face on each side. (I love kids point of view!) We walked around a bit there and had lunch. After lunch we headed over to City of Rocks. We made multiple excursions at all the different named rocks. We found Pioneer names in the rocks (p.s. We found a McAllister!!), climbed, and enjoyed exploring the area. I think we'll go back in a few years when Alice is bigger to do some of the harder / longer trails and maybe camp there.

We went to Mom and Dad D's house that evening. Got to spend some time with them, made some delicious Dutch oven potatoes, and spent the night. 

Saturday our adventures continued. We headed out about 11 and went to Masacre Rock. We explored some more, learned about the area, and had a ranger talk to us about rattle snakes (let's just say the kids were more willing listeners than I was - notice they're right by the tank and I'm out of the picture on the other side of the porch at a safe distance ; ). We went over to Register Rock to eat lunch.
Afterwards we made our way to Lake Walcott. We decided to do a bit of the disc golf course and let the kids finish their Jr. Ranger badges. (They earned four over that weekend!) We thought about fishing then changed our minds because our patience with the kids was waining and we didn't think Alice would leave the water be. So to make up for lack of fishing we got ice cream on the way home. It was a packed weekend, but such a good time.

We spent last week playing around and just enjoying our lat bit of summer. Casey and I each made a temple visit during the week! We went and picked peaches last Monday. So so many peaches! Alice was in heaven for a few days sneaking into our room and having peaches to eat at will. I canned most of the peaches over a couple of days and made jam with the rest. We also registered the kids for school! Peter will have the new teacher Mrs. Breeding, and Kendal will have Mr. Maki. Both kids are excited for school. They have their supplies bought and ready and their first day outfits set. Casey is back on the 20th and the kids are back to school on the 27th!

 

The kids and I hit up splash pad with some ward friends this past week to beat the heat on the hottest day of the summer. Kendal and Peter were in and out of the fun and Alice eventually warmed up to played in the mini water spouts.

The kids have been working all summer on their work books. They finally finished on Monday and earned their rewards! They were fun workbooks with lots of activities to do! Peter earned a Millennium Falcon Lego, and Kendal got to pick out a pair of earrings as her reward.
They also finished three reading programs each this summer! (Kimberly library, Twin falls library, and Barnes and Noble reading programs) We are very proud of their hard work and all that they've accomplished this summer.