Volunteering

 B is part of the Activity Girls at church,  in August they went and volunteered for Feeding America.  They worked on an "assembly line" putting together  food bags to be distributed with the Backpack Program.

 They worked hard and put together 860 bags!!!    They were all sweaty when it was over - but B enjoyed it and asked if she could come back!   They let volunteers sign their names on a wall  - which she thought was cool!  Good activity!! 



D's Birthday

D isn't much on birthday celebrations - he planned to play tennis on his birthday - so we took him a yummy cool treat to his classroom after school before a meeting! (FYI - this is staged - we didn't break the rules of no lit candles in the school.)

 Bike rack that holds 5 bikes!!!  :)

D came home to change clothes and then decided to stay home for his birthday and spend time with us - the kids were SO EXCITED!!!!   Ak was like, "Well, it IS his birthday and you're usually with your family on your birthday."  As if there were no other choices . . . . she hasn't had a choice in her life yet.  :)   So we quickly made up a strawberry cake.   As I was about to pour it in the pan - Ak asked why Dad didn't get a shaped cake like the sport cake Z did . . . which reminded me I had bought a pan at the consignment sale for D's birthday and had hid it so it would be a surprise!  I was so glad she said that - so I quickly went and got it out!!!!  :)   This is what the cake could look like . . . 

 but the majority here doesn't like icing (the birthday boy does) and since we didn't have time, we didn't put any icing on it, sorry  . . . maybe next year D!  :)   Luckily he likes cake, so he didn't complain!!!    Happy Birthday D!  We love you!!!

   

Ak lost her 2nd tooth!

Awhile ago her first tooth came out while biting a cold cucumber . . .

This time while at school she bit into her corndog . . . and somehow realized her tooth was out of her mouth . . . but she didn't know where it went.  Ms. Kim looked around the tray and in the corndog . . . but it was never found.  :)  Ak still hoped the tooth fairy would come and suggested writing her a note to explain:                

Random things this month . . .

In Kindergarden they had two weeks about "Color" where they are encouraged to wear a certain color each day . . . it's kind of fun digging out stuff to go with that.   On PINK day - D happened to be wearing pink to his school too (the men teachers pick certain days to do that all together.)

Z got to go to cub scout welcome day - for all the kids that will be turning 8 this school year!  He was excited!  He has to wait longer than the other boys - but since picking up a friend at cub scout day camp this summer and hearing his stories - he's learned more and is very interested!  He's growing up . . .     
And we were excited to see a friend that had moved away and is back visiting!  :) 

A super hero to the resucue!   Got to love the opportunity to design your own outfit!  How do they come up with this stuff!  I love it!!!

My kids LOVE to ride bikes!  Often they get off the bus and go straight to their bikes and ride around the house a few times before coming inside.  :)   It's about time for them to move up to the next size!

She made a book about "ME" . . . her favorite foods page . . .  peas, chili, corn on the cob, black olives, blueberries, cheeseburgers, granola bars, peanut butter & jelly sandwhiches, apples!   Not a bad list!!!

Grandma and Grandpa invited us over with Uncle Rod's family for lunch and they showed us something they got in Taiwan . . . a stick game!  It was fun to figure out the rhythm and how to jump in between the sticks!  (Cousin Kalie did a nice job sweeping up too.)  :) 

 Ak and Z went to a friend's super hero birthday party!  They got to make masks and play lots of fun themed games!  :)  I thought this one gift he was got was a great idea to get ride of suckers in my future!  Stick them all in a styrofoam ball . . . . looks fun!  :) 

Parade!

We were lucky to be able to park at a friend's house which was close to the parade route!  We sat with them and had a great time!

A few floats, fire trucks, dogs wearing slippers, a car blowing bubbles, about 6 marching bands, these fun little cars, and candy throwing, and . . . and . . .   :)

 These horses were at the end and B looked on longingly . . . . I remember loving horses at that age too!!!  :)   She's been reading a book series called "Pony Pals" - nice that she found something age appropriate!  :)  

St. Louis Trip

An old mission companion of mine who lives in CA (that I hadn't seen since either of us were married) was visiting her family in St. Louis . . . so I took the kids on a roadtrip!!!  Her mother's house was an excellent place for a visit!  It was so fun to see her in her life as a mom to 4 kids.  She always was so positive and dedicated on our missions . . . and she still is!  Fun visit!  Plus I got to see/read the book she made of all the pictures of her adventure on the show "Wipeout"!   :)

Ak drew one of her sons.   :)

The next day we got to see an old childhood friend and eat lunch with her family!   She is always a gracious hostess and fixes such yummy things!!!

Adair still sounds the same, laughs the same, and loves the same - but she has matured so much and it's so fun to see her as an adult!  Another fun visit! 

We stayed with some friends that moved out of our ward ealier this year -  it was so fun to see and play with them again!!!!

I caught Z just chilling on the guest bed . . . made me laugh - had to take a picture. 
My friend is pretty crafy and I was SUPER impressed with her newly painted floor for her sewing room . . . pretty creative huh!?!

We got to go to church with my brother!

And before leaving town - my kids wanted to touch the arch!  A couple years ago when we drove by it was raining - so we only got out for a couple of pictures - this time we went up close and underneath.

We visited the free musuem there - but we didn't want to pay to go up in the arch without the dad's (plus I was nervous that one of the kids would freak out and D deals better with that!)

 

But we got to sit in a sample car that takes people up to the top!  One day . . . .

 

I always loved these steps!  

We said good bye to our friends in the parking lot then got on the road to come home.   Feel blessed to have been able to see good friends!!!

Within the 2nd week

 I got a call from the principal at 12:35 pm telling me that B had been leaping in gym class and fell.  (She thought she was going to hit her head she said so she stuck out her hand/arm.)  They thought she broke her arm but asked if I could come to the school to look.   ???me???  I wouldn't know more then they would - but luckily I was with my orthopedic surgeon friend's wife and she came with me!!!  She was able to get ahold of her husband and he met us at his office (without us having to wait in the waiting area) - took an extra xray - said it was "broken" (more like "bent" and the Dr. said kids bones are still pliable) and would need a cast.  He set it and we went home.  Got there before 2 pm.  Less than an hour an a half between the call and back home.  AMAZING!!!!  I felt blessed!   D was a little upset that I didn't call him and interrupt his class to let him know - but  it all happened so fast and I emailed him as soon as we got home!    She didn't cry at all.   So brave!!! 

Rest of the first week

Z got glasses last year to see the board (he's near sided - so he doesn't have to wear them all the time).   Ak got glasses.  She's far sided . . . maybe that's why I have found her sitting closer to the TV than my other kids???   Cute huh?  :)   

 We got hooked up with an apple & pear connection - wonderful to get free produce!  Feel blessed!  Overwhelmed, but blessed!!!

First Day of School!!!