Fun Run

The kids ran in the Boosterthon Fun Run at school awhile back in October. We didn't pledge or ask anyone to pledge money, but the kids enjoyed running in it. I helped tie-dye Parker's class shirts. It was my first time ever tie-dying. Hopefully next time, if ever, I will do a better job. Each one of the kids ran 40 something laps. They thought it was great. Bensen and Addie did not enjoy themselves as much since we were there for a couple hours (and it was hot), first to watch Parker and then to watch Staucie. But then we got to take the kids home early from school that day, which was nice.

Staucie's class made a treat before we left and she let her siblings help her eat some of it. She's a good big sister even if she is "bossy" sometimes.

She made me take a picture of the cupcake. It's a scarecrow because that is what they had been talking about in class.

My new neice, Heidi

My brother, Austin, and his wife, Amy, had baby girl #4 in September and then they moved far away to Michigan. They named her Heidi after Amy's sister who passed away this summer after a long battle against breast cancer. Baby Heidi looks so adorable. I wish I could have snuggled with her. I have no idea when I will meet her, but I am in love already. I want a baby. Congratulations Austin and Amy! I love you all and miss you so much!

preschool, gymnastics, love bugs...

I always forget to take pictures when I teach preschool but I took these the first time I taught. This was before Noah joined our group. He was really unhappy at his other preschool so he joined ours a few weeks into it.

They were playing really well together at this moment.

When we go to watch Staucie at gymnastics the kids always want to show me their "tricks" and make me take their picture. I have tons of pictures of their "tricks" on my phone.

 

Rolling down the driveway one morning after taking the kids to school.

Addie was being Staucie's doggy...

And then Staucie was Addie's doggy.

One day I left the room for a minute and when I came back Bensen had HAMMERED golf tees into the carpet...

Okay so this September the Love Bugs were OUT OF CONTROL. The weather had finally cooled down, but we could not go outside without getting attacked by swarms of Love Bugs. It was crazy. The kids, especially Addie, would just scream. If you don't know about Love Bugs, well they are good for nothing. All they do is make more Love Bugs. They are awkward. I do not appreciate them landing on me while they make more babies. Gross. Staucie drew one once and it was a bug with two heads because that is what they look like. Kids all over the place were asking their parents why these bugs were always "stuck" together. It was hilarious to hear what kids were saying about them. They are very rarely seen "single." I'm glad they are all dead now. When they finally started dying, there were piles of dead ones on everyones porches. Good ridence.

One night we went to check on the kids before going to bed and couldn't find Staucie... until we looked in Addie's crib... Cute. We moved her back though since both girls are wild sleepers.

Although Bensen and Addie have their quarrels, and a lot of times Bensen bothers Addie in the car, I often find them holding hands in the car. Too cute. (When we first got this car the boys rode in the front next to each other and I went crazy. They fought constantly. Our other car was spacious inside and none of the kids sat RIGHT next to each other. Now they do and Bensen and Parker are not aloud to sit next to each other.)

Bensen was almost a lion for Halloween. My mom mailed me the costume she made many years ago for my little sister. It was so cute! But then he ended up changing his mind a million times...

Saturday breakfast

One Saturday morning in September we went with our friends to Denny's for breakfast. They had some coupons and invited us along (and shared their coupons). We put most of the kids at a table together and we sat at a table next to them. It was a lot of fun since we never do stuff like that!

No makeup or shower yet and still in my pajama shirt!

Bensen started preschool

My little 3-year-old Bensen started his first year of preschool this school year. I ended up doing a co-op with 5 other moms. His cousin, Noah, is also in his "class." We take turns teaching each week. He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I teach every 6th week. It has worked out well so far. I was the first one to teach so on his first day we ran outside to take pictures before everyone got there.

Addie enjoys participating in preschool on the days I teach. She thinks she is one of them and has done well. It is weird to just have one kid for a few hours on the days I don't teach. It makes shopping too easy and I think I go too often :)

Bensen will start primary this coming year. He will turn 4 on January 3rd, right before he starts primary. He will be the oldest in his primary classes. I hope it will be good for him since he is a little on the shy side. I was worried about how he would be going to different homes all the time for preschool, but he has done great and apparently opens up and talks. Yeah! Huge deal for him! All the kids are really cute together. It is a little crazy teaching those six little, wiggly 3 year olds (plus Addie), but they are cute and hopefully it will get easier the older they get and the more used to it. They are all still in nursery except for one of the girls that has a December birthday. I also cannot belive how quickly this school year is flying by!

Addie and Bensen

Addie and Bensen are really cute together. They are also naughty together and fight with each other. It is easier to go somewhere with 2 less kids, but it isn't that much easier at home with these two. Without Staucie and Parker coming up with ideas of what to play, these two are left to come up with their own ideas while I try to fold a load a laundry. For example, put food in the light hanging above the kitchen table, empty the entire contents of a bag of pretzels I just bought by throwing them across the house, you know things like that. I am grateful for vacuums when you have children. A two-year-old mind and a three-year-old mind work wonders together. But they sure are cute and I do enjoy the time we have to spend playing together.

 

Them, being cute at one of my many doctor appointments.

School Started!

Staucie and Parker started the 2012-2013 school year on August 27th. They were very excited; I was very sad. The night before they went to school, they took a bath, we picked out their clothes, and tucked them in bed. I was sad to send them both to school. My mom had said once, that once the first one starts school, before you know it, they will all be in school. I couldn't believe that Parker was starting all day school now too. When I was singing to the kids while they were tucked in their beds I started to cry. I am sure that someday I will appreciate when they are all in school. Ha ha. I just wish they didn't have to grow up so fast.

 

Staucie started First Grade.

 Parker started Kindergarten.

 

Their wonderful Aunt Brittany took them to get Icees after school on their first day! They love their Icees, except for Bensen who must be more like his mama and chose a soda.

(And now I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving again already and Christmas is next month. Life has just flown by. I do not like school. It has really sped up time.)