Training Them Young

Well, as most of you know, college football started yesterday, and Dave couldn't be more happy.  Dave, his brothers, and some friends have season tickets to the ASU games, and so they went to their first game last night.  Tyler was able to go with his dad, and had a great time.  They put all their bikes in a truck and drive down to Tempe, park away from the crowds, and then bike into the stadium.  Tyler loves this time to spend with his dad and uncles, and especially liked the snow cone he got!  Jessica and Ashley are looking forward to their turn to go to the game with their dad.  (Me too!)  I told Dave, next year we should get a few more tickets so more of us can go......

Dave said Tyler was screaming so loud the whole game.  He was a good fan.  Tyler said next time he goes, he wants to paint his face yellow.  Anyone know where to buy yellow face paint??

Uncle Mikey bought Tyler this ASU foam finger, and a new shirt.  We decided to get Kelsey trained while she was young, and teach her how to wave the foam finger.  She thought it was pretty fun!  A few more years, and she gets to go with her dad, too!

We're also excited for the BYU games.  Go Cougars!!!!!!!

Kyle Starts School!

That's right, you read the title right.  My Kyle started school today.  He got accepted into the preschool program for speech.  He was tested and they found that he does indeed have a speech delay.  Everything else tested out great, but his speech is hard to understand.  So, today he started preschool.  

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing.  On one hand, I think about how young he is.  (He doesn't turn 3 till next month.)  I've never sent a  kid to school so young.  And it's EVERY day.  I've never done a preschool EVERY day.  I've been nervous about the whole thing, but the more I talk to people who have had their kids in this program, the more I am comforted.  I hear it is great for the kids, and that it really helps them.  So, I am excited for him to improve his speech and be able to communicate with us better.  He was so excited to go today.  He sees his older sisters and brother go to school every day, and now it is his turn.  

I dropped him off, and my friend happened to be there.  I asked her what she was doing there, and she said she was subbing for preschool.  She just happened to be subbing for Kyle's class!  So, that was kind of fun.  I grabbed a camera when I was heading out the door to take a picture, but the kids had just used it and changed something on it, and it was acting all funky, and the color was all weird.  So, when I go pick him up, I'll have to bring my good camera and get a picture for the blog......  I'll be back!!!

So, I just got back, and he did great.  He thought it was fun, and wants to go back tomorrow, so that's a good sign.  The teachers all said he did great, and adjusted well.  That was nice to know.  He fell asleep in the car on the way home.  I guess this preschool thing is hard work!  :)  So, I think this will be a good thing.  I can't wait to see how much he learns!!  (And it was also really nice to have a couple of hours of quiet time with Kelsey napping and Kyle at school.  Now I am thinking of all the things I've been wanting to do around the house, but haven't had the time for.  Oh the possibilities!!!!!!)

Proof My Kids Are Getting Bigger......

I was going through our pictures on the computer, and I hadn't looked at some of the old ones for a while.  It was fun to see some of the shots of when the kids were younger.  I thought I'd post a few that really showed how much the kids are changing.....

This was Tyler's 2nd birthday.  It was only a few months after Ashley had chopped off all her hair.  Her and her cousin Lexi were playing at our house and took the scissors into the bedroom closet and gave each other haircuts.  I walked in after wondering what they were up to, and hair was everywhere!  I about died!  I called Kari (my SIL) and she came over to see the damage.  At the time it was awful, but we were able to laugh about it later.  The girl at the hair place didn't really have any choice but to cut it really short.  There were lots of parts that were just an inch from the scalp.  It is because of this incident that Ashley doesn't ever want short hair again.We have a tradition in our family of waking the kids up on their birthday with breakfast in bed.  This was Jessica's 6th birthday, and I love the bed head on all the kids.  My family did this growing up, and it's been fun to carry on the tradition.

I love this picture of Ashley and Kyle.  They still to this day have a special bond with each other. Whenever Kyle talks about his brother or sisters, he always talks about Ashley.  She is so sweet with him, and he recognizes the extra love she gives him!!!  
And this is my baby, who isn't so much a baby anymore.  Kelsey is growing more and more independent each day, and let's me know it.  I'm glad I look at this picture and still see so much of her in this face.  As they get older, they lose that baby look and Kelsey hasn't lost it to me yet.  

I just look at all these pictures and wonder, "How did they all get so big, so fast?!"

One More Day!!

Wheweeee!!  The kids can hardly stand that there is ONE more day till school starts.  (OK, really MOM can hardly stand it.  Yea!!)  We really have enjoyed our Summer, but we are all really excited for school to start.  I'm getting so sick of watching ICarly, being begged to go to the mall everyday, and wondering what I'm going to do to entertain the kids for the day.  Thank goodness the big day is TOMORROW!!!!!

Thankful Sunday

Well, I haven't stayed up to date with my 52 Blessings I was posting each week.  I started off strong, but then the summer hit.  I don't want you to think I ran out of blessings, because lately I've been especially aware of how many blessings I truly do have.  So, even though I am behind, I just wanted to post how thankful I am for the Gospel.  I have the opportunity to serve in church as an Activity Day Leader, and I was reviewing the Faith in God requirements with my girls last Tuesday.  So, today I decided to go over it with my own two daughters, and I was feeling especially grateful for the programs the Gospel has, and the guidance it gives to us in raising our families.  Raising children in today's world is not always easy, but knowing our purpose here on earth, and having the blessings the Gospel brings into our lives, makes this a much easier task.  Today Dave gave the kids their father's blessings for going back to school.  It is a tradition my dad always did for my family growing up, and something I always looked forward to.  Now, we have the opportunity to do this in our own family, and I am grateful for the Gospel and the blessings of the Priesthood!