Month: August 2007

Last night was back to school night. There was a big turnout and lots of excitement in the air. We did rotations and were able to visit with both teachers to get a feel for their style of teaching. I was able to sign up to help with their classroom parties and they both seemed very excited about that. After that we rushed over to Grandpa and Grandma Jenkins for our monthly FHE. Elder Anthony Jenkins was able to report on his mission and share with us. It was a question and answer type forum. The best question Brian could come up with for him was, “Is it harder to be a missionary when you are a second child?” It made Anthony laugh–I’m always blown away by our spirituality! We topped the evening off with banana splits and socializing. Gwen ate most of the ice cream out of left-over bowls and was very sticky going home. Aunt Amy brought her world famous kettle corn, cotton candy and sugared almonds. The girls were chattering up a blue streak from their sugar high! Some how we managed to calm them down to get into bed for the first day of school in the morning.

The morning went very smoothly. Baths–check, lunches–check, roundbrushing hair–ughh check, pictures–check——–I WANT SUMMER BACK!!! No really it went pretty smooth and we NEED a more scheduled morning. So the neighborhood had a breakfast kickoff at the bus stop and then they were off. They looked so cute and squeaky clean—too bad they don’t stay that way! I had to wipe abby’s d-nut face off before she jumped on the bus. She has better things to do than worry about manners let alone wiping off her face. I think she’s a candidate for etiquette school. Grace on the other hand is more reserved–she told me she was embarrassed to go back to school. She doesn’t like too much attention. Here’s to a smooth first day…wish us luck for tomorrow–the real test!

More pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

yes two posts in under 24 hours–enough already. I finally downloaded the pictures of Gwen’s round-brushed hair. The pictures don’t do it justice–she had some serious volume going on. Now to grow out the mullet!

This morning Brian stayed home and worked from home. This was nice because Abigail and Lucy had hair appointments at Images Salon and I didn’t want to drag the whole crew. I have been cutting their hair since we moved here and decided it was high time for a professional cut before these girls start school. Abigail went first and they left the length but just cleaned it up and added some stylish bangs. She got her hair shampooed and the royal treatment.

Lucy insisted on taking her terrier in her purse. She was such a big girl holding so still and admiring herself in the mirror. I think the haircut matches her sass or at least attempts to. She walked out of the salon with a BIG smile and on the tips of her toes like she does from time to time. I was relieved not to have to clean up the mess and was glad to pay for it.Later today we had Jasmine over to play–what a cute little girl and she really looks like the Jasmine! We played out front and Adelaide came over shortly for some fun. Brian and I are gearing up for another co-ed softball game–I’ll try and take some pics. We joke that we are almost geriatric when it comes to athletics anymore–but it really is fun! I’m off to get pizza and a babysitter. If you missed the photos I posted last night they are here @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

Brian hasn’t been blogging much lately so please humor. We are finishing up on the last few days of summer and I have to admit it makes me sad! I have talked to many who are ready to boot their kids back into school but I guess I struggle with this because another summer gone is another summer older for the girls. That tugs at the heart a bit. Our summer has been a whirlwind of cooking classes, gymnastics, movie/swim day & blockbuster has provided some classics movies to watch. Thank goodness for Arctic Circle and the complimentary kiddie cones as well (Thanks for the tip, Amy). We watched The Sound of Music recently and the girls were mesmerized by it. I forgot what a classic musical it is–one we will have in our collection. Yesterday we went swimming at the Pleasant Grove pool which is literally down the street. I didn’t realize what a great little pool it is and my girls loved it–especially the over-sized ice cream at the snack bar:) The picture above is of all the kiddos feet and Gwen. Don’t the feet just ooze summertime and childhood? My sister-in-law, Eliece and her sister, Teri and I were laughing while sitting in the pool–talking about the days when running in a swimsuit was acceptable and freeing–there are some real perks to being a kid! It was good to soak up some vitamin D and watch the kids soak up some summer fun.

We are still working on getting on the school bedtime routine. The girls are faring much better than we are. Brian and I are now watching 24 season 4 and have had some real late nights and the dark rings under the eyes to show for it. I was driving around town and saw a car with “Jack Bauer is a hottie” written in shoe polish (for all the 24 fans). It made me laugh out loud. Tonight was girls night out with the neighborhood gals and we went up to Sandy to see the movie Becoming Jane–about Jane Austin. Very interesting true story! I really liked it, but I also really like English films–so I don’t know if it would be a unanimous thumbs up. It always takes me 10-15 minutes when watching an English film to understand the lingo and what’s going on. I sat next to my friend Ki Ki who has the same ailment and we were both clueless for about the first quarter of the movie. Speaking of Jane Austin, Grace is reading Little Women right now and I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never finished the book. Pretty soon I’m going to have Abby and Grace reading to me instead of the other way around. I am reading the Magicians Nephew to the girls right now. I believe it’s the first of seven of the Chronicles of Narnia. Can’t seem to hold Lucy’s attention but the older girls like it.

My girls are ready for school now. All of us conquered Target recently to get all the supplies. The girls had worked hard all summer to earn money to buy their supplies. I’m really proud of them and they really helped me as well doing chores and tasks. I find it fascinating that I am buying them clothes just like the ones I used to wear in grade school. It’s all very 80’s buying Leggings, skirts/scooters now we just need to add the side ponytail and they’ll be set. Speaking of hair, I got a chance to round brush Gwen’s hair for the first time today and it was POOF big and stacked–the older girls couldn’t stop laughing at her! She did look pretty funny and sniff sniff–OLDER! She has taken the spice to a whole new level and has been throwing some pretty heated tantrums lately. I felt in her mouth and lo-and-behold her two-year-old molars are coming in–poor baby! That would help explain the most recent flopping and tantrums. She is quite mobile at the pool walking a good distance away from me before ever thinking to check back. Awe Gwenyth!

Last night I was able to sneak out of the house over to my parents to meet Kara (my niece) and Todd’s new baby girl, McKenzie. Kara & Todd came up to show her off to Grandpa & Grandma Jenkins. She is really truly one of the best babies I’ve ever held or seen. WOW! Kara and Todd seem so happy and are so cute with the new baby. Kara also looks so great after just having a baby. Well, I’ve been burning the midnight oil and that is why the writing in this blog is so flat. I thought better to update than do nothing so enjoy the pics and here’s to a great summer! more photos @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/”>