Friday, August 13, 2010

Back to School

We've had a full and fun summer.  Just before school let out I had dreams of spending this summer like we were in a summer house ... like families would do in the 40s ... mom and kids off at a summer house somewhere while dad stayed behind and worked, sometimes joining them on the weekends.  Spending the entire summer as a vacation, for everyone.  GR's summer was filled with deadlines, so he worked nearly non-stop most of the summer.  There were weeks when the kids would go DAYS without seeing him ... not far off a 40s summer, eh.  While the summer wasn't a constant vacation, it was fun and oh so memorable, and looking back, it was probably one of our best, and for that I'm grateful.


I took Alexander to his preschool to pay his tuition fees and show him around a bit.  He doesn't remember it.  He didn't want to go.  We talked about it being Sam's preschool and how much Sam liked it, and how he and I would take Sam there.  He said he didn't want to go to, Sam's preschool.  He wanted to go to preschool at his friends houses.  He ran and played, while I wrote out checks and signed my name.  He met one of his teachers and they talked about The Jungle Room and what it would be like.  They hugged at the end and we went and got ice cream before picking up the big kids.  I think he's excited to go now.  I think he's decided that he doesn't hate his teacher, either.  Let's hope he doesn't change his mind in the next three weeks.  

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Nine is Fine

Sunday Emily turned Nine!  Can you believe it?  We got back in town last Sunday, giving us just enough time, thanks to the wonders of the internet to plan a friends birthday party - something I don't think she's had since she was three.  School starts Wednesday so it served as a little get together before school too.  The girls swam, broke open a pinata, and had chocolate cake and ice cream.  



FYI: Sparkler candles while fun and super cool, are best used and enjoyed outdoors.  Lesson learned.  Thankfully the smoke detector didn't go off!

* * * * 

Sunday birthday's are always a bit tricky in this house given Papa's responsibilities and this was no different than Becca's birthday this year.  It means one-on-one conversations with papa and the birthday child expressing love and his the need to fulfill responsibilities.  Hopefully we are finding that balance, while still helping them feel special and the center of attention.  Last year it was a wedding, for Becca it was a fireside, this year stake priesthood, where the Bishop felt a great need to lead by example in an effort to have a greater number of the priesthood brethren rise to the occasion and attend. 

Consequently we took every opportunity this weekend to Emily's birthday.  Saturday night we had friends and Grandma over for dinner so GR could practice making his ribs for next weeks contest again, and ended the evening with ice cream at our favorite local shop. Sunday morning we had our traditional special birthday breakfast ... many of her favorite things.  We did gifts before Papa left for the evening, and we ate chicken stir-fry for dinner - another request of Emily's.  Monday we had her afternoon birthday party and then went out to dinner, as it was already 6:30 and we didn't have anything in the works for food.  She was smiles all weekend long.  I'm thinking getting to open presents three days in a row helped!