First Day of School

It has been our tradition to take the girls' First-Day-of-School pics in front of the plum tree, but apparently Robyn is growing too tall for this!

They were excited to make their own lunches and pack them into their new cute lunch boxes we found at Target. (The "Eyeball Store," as Macy calls it).

Me: Carly, how was your first day of school?
Carly: Long...the lunch room was cah-ray-zeee! There was nowhere to sit, so we sat on the floor...My teacher was really nice. I'm glad I got her. She got out her guitar and sang Willaby Wallaby Woo.

Now that Carly is a big first grader, she's waxing philosophical on us. Some of her observations and thoughts during her first week of school:

Why is it that things are getting more expensive these days, but smaller at the same time. You know, like yogurt?

I would say that kids who buy lunch throw about two thirds of it away. That's sad, really, really sad.

(After a guy listening to his iPod walks right by her) I liked it better before we had all those things, you know like iPods and cell phones and stuff like that because then people talked to you and they were nice.

I wouldn't want to be really rich 'cause then you'd just be sitting around piles and piles of money wondering what to spend it all on when you should be worrying about things that are more important.

I wouldn't want to be a queen because then you could never do things for yourself. You'd be sitting there ordering people around all day and that wouldn't be very nice.

On the second day of school, we woke up to no power, which ended up lasting for 24 hours. After hearing many of us adults whining and complaining about such an inconvenience, Carly asked what happened. When I told her a semi truck tipped over and knocked down a few big poles which snapped a lot of wires, she said very sincerely, "Oh, that man must feel really bad."

Dry ice saved our food from spoiling. Myles is always a man of good solutions!

Robyn is enjoying choosing her hair accessories every day. She's excited about her new school and teacher. "She is like the best...ever!"

She's already made salsa with her class from their school garden. Man, you'd think we lived in Oregon!

I'm sad for summer to be over, but am sure grateful for all the new things the girls will get to learn this year.

The next several posts will be catch ups from summer.

Our Shining Star is 9!

Dear Robyn,

As you can see from this picture, you are now into trying out some of your own hairstyles. You've always seemed so mature, and yet I can't believe you're 9!

I was really touched by your awareness of others when we were waiting in the lab at the doctor's office. You were deeply engrossed in the movie playing (or so I thought) when a mother with a new baby and 3 other kids entered the room. The 2 oldest children sat down first. The toddler wanted her own chair next to the mom, but there weren't enough empty ones in a row for everyone. I thought for sure that the college girl sitting by you would get up and offer her seat, but she remained oblivious. You hopped up and offered your chair before I even had to suggest it. That made me so proud!

Just last week when I was teaching Primary, I asked if anyone could tell a certain Bible story. You shared details I didn't know about Jewish customs. I was so impressed!

You continue to have an amazing memory and an unquenchable thirst for books. Some of our favorite memories are Mother Daughter book club at the library together.

I'm so glad you're my daughter, and a big sister to Carly and Macy. Thanks for being a good example to them and for being their friend. They look up to you. They were SO excited to pick out B-day surprises for you.

I love you and look forward to another year with you.

love, Mom :)

Flour Guys

Every Monday night, we have Family Home Evening. This is a special time the girls always look forward to where we sing songs, learn something and do something together. One of the biggest hits on our road trip was a flour-filled balloon guy that Gram put in one of the girls' goodie bags.

We decided to make our own, and it worked pretty well. We used a funnel to get the flour in, and the girls had fun drawing on their own faces. These flour guys can be molded into different shapes and are just fun to play with...until they get a hole.

You Know Your Uncle Loves You When...

he gives you the M&M folders, "Scrubs" hat (as Macy calls it) and an old Palm Pilot that he found in the boxes he's been storing in your basement for the last ? years. He should have wrapped these treasures up as Christmas presents. Honestly. They've been telling everyone about them.

Viva Espana!

Robyn was excited to be on Team Espana for our church's "World Cup" Soccer Tournament. They sure played hard, especially for how HOT it was! Yes, Robyn has inherited the RED Robins face.

Cinderella

Robyn, Cinderella, Carly and Sara. The children's production of this fairy tale was so cute!

Cousins' Kittens

Amber with Stormy's kittens. They were abandoned, and Stormy bottle feeds them every 4 hrs, even at night!

Macy Jane

Robyn Girl

Good Morning!

Carly: This morning, I got up real early to go to the bathroom. But, before I went back to bed, I saw the beautiful mountains and just had to take this picture. (Too bad our camera doesn't do it justice, but I did think it was awfully cute of her).

An early morning glamor shot of Macy and her "fountain."

101 Ways to use an old pillow case

Make a ghost puppet that helps you pronounce sounds when learning how to read.

Rip up strips to use in your Sunday School class to act out The Good Samaritan with the kids.

Use those same strips to do a mummy dance with your sister.

The fun goes on!

A Hidden Treasure!

If you are in the area, or ever will be, this is a fun, short hike with little bridges along the way and waterfalls at the end. We loved it!

The last few pics. are of Myles doing "Dippity Do Dah" with the girls to get the mud off their sandals before we got back into the car. We were taking advantage of our last day of our rental car with AC. When Myles tried to go back to work that morning after our road trip, he was locked out due to Pioneer Day. We wanted to do something fun, and he found the perfect place!

Road Trip

There are some things you can see and do (besides save a couple thousand bucks) on a road trip that you just couldn't do if you were flying.

As you can see, Myles is hand feeding squirrels. (I reminded him that they were wild animals, NOT pets). We were surrounded by these guys at a fun park in Cheyenne with a big pond, playgrounds, and art gallery, where we even saw a pelican. We were sad we just missed their rodeo days.

Most people thought we were crazy to attempt the 21-hour car ride (each way without stops). My brothers reminded me of our "fond" childhood memories of making the same trip in our old station wagon. Those who sat in the back (which was extra hot) got cooperation quarters if they didn't complain.

Our girls did really well. They enjoyed making and playing with finger puppets. Myles read The Phantom Toll Booth. We also listened to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Junie B. Jones, part of The Black Stallion, and Bill Cosby's stand-up. (His Chocolate Cake is one of our favorites)! Grammy equipped them with their own bags full of stuff to do on the ride home.

We had fun stopping for picnics and treats along the way. I had to take pics. of this safari-themed McDonald's in Iowa City because when I was a little girl, I dreamed of having my very own monkey room. My mom told me I could have one when I grew up and had my own place. I haven't made one yet. Surprising.

Pioneers

One of our highlights was stopping at Winter Quarters in Omaha, NE. We got to dress up like pioneers, take a tour, and see the temple.

Our 2-day drive in a rental car (with AC) was really put into perspective when compared to the hardships the pioneers had and the sacrifices they made on the same route! It was good timing to have that experience just before returning home to celebrate Pioneer Day.

We were surprised to step out of the car and have our glasses fog up. It was so hot and humid (129 degrees with the heat index) that the local newspaper headline read, "A Day When A Sauna Seems Inviting."

Camp Grammy 2010

I was so happy to finally pull into Camp Grammy at the Tim's River that I had to hold back the tears! Seriously.

Traditions we kept alive:

Swimming everyday possible
Starved Rock
Ruffner Party
Ping Pong
Camp Craft (hair clips and puppets this year)
Swimming with Maryn and Avery
S'mores over the grill
Jukebox party
Mouse Trap
Mary Poppins (with popcorn, of course)
Playing on the driveway
Having fashion shows with good deals from Gram
Big spider sightings
Frogs in the pool
Lightning Bugs
Pizza with Allen

New Memories/Traditions:

visiting our old schools, parks
feeling Robins Jr. kick
Aunt Jeanne's blueberry pie
Rita getting in the pool with the girls and being Macy's nurse
"Sleeping" down on the deck by the river
Toy Story 3 in 3D
DC shirts from Mike
Macy and Carly learning to jump in and swim across the pool
Sparklers for Camp Grammy Closing Ceremonies

Funniest Moment of Camp Grammy 2010:

Tyler thinking Mike was his dad. (My brothers are identical twins). When Tom took off his glasses in the pool, Tyler reached out his arm to Mike and cried, "Dad, Dad, Dad!" When they stood by each other and Emily asked who was his dad, he said, "Two."

I was sorry I didn't get more pics. of the Ruffner party. We're so glad for everyone who drove down, and really missed everyone who couldn't make it this year! (I'm still in denial that you've really moved, Tom and Sue).

Joys from June

Macy: Mom, I think I love you more than myself.

Macy: I love you across the river and over the hill, to Grandma's house and back...I love you more than the sun.

Carly: She was starch naked!

Our pet snail crawled out of its container during the night. In the morning, Macy found it stuck to a cantaloupe on our counter and carried it into me, saying: This is SO random!

Macy: Today, I am as happy as a smile.

Carly: Mom
Me: What?
long pause
Carly: I love you, Mom...that's what I always say when I forgot what I was going to say.

Macy at the dinner table: Raise your hand if your name is I Love You.

Macy's version of the 4th Article of Faith: We believe that the 1st principles and ordinances of the Gospel are--1st faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2nd repentance, 3rd baptism by "emergency" for the remission of sins, 4th laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Should be immersion).

Macy: Mom, would you rather be in a trash can or a crocodile?

(While I was doing her hair) Macy: Mom, I love you.
Me: Singing a song to her
Macy: I can feel the Spirit.

Carly: I'm sorry, Mom.
Me: For what?
Carly: For being crabby today.

Myles: Usually, you want to marry someone who has the same beliefs as you...
Carly: Yeah, and the same height as you so you can kiss each other and dance together.

(While cleaning up Carly's milk spill) Macy: I'm treating you as if it were your birthday.

What a fun age...

when it's so fun to help!