First Week of School Continued...

On Thursday (yeah, we're still in the first week of school here), I took the girls to our secret part after we picked up Hazel from school and I decided that we all needed a little pick me up. So I told everyone that it was "Surprise Day." The girls helped me pick up our trash from our little picnic as a "surprise." When we got home, I dug out some little gifts out of my "surprise bin" in the basement for the girls.

Oh and I did call David and mention our holiday to him and he brought me home these beautiful flowers! What a good husband and supporter of surprise day!

Friday: Treehouse again!

On Saturday, Vicki and I went to the North Ogden library book sale and scored big time! I bought all of these books plus four bean bags and a huge rug for $60.

Ever since Ellie went down the slide too fast and flipped over Hazel at the bottom...she's been a little hesitant to get on the slide. So now Gram goes down with her! Lucky girl.

 Story time.

 The next Monday, we had a tea party for the letter T! We got dressed up for the occasion...

 "T" things...

I've also started some activities with Eloise, who is at my favorite age! This was a cornmeal sensory activity we did together. She thought it tasted good at least.

First week of school

Here's the pretty little thing on her second day. I love the uniforms. I suspect it's going to get old really quick, but I like it.

On Tuesdays, we head to the library for Discovery Time where the girls like to get some computer time.

Hazel decided to stay after school in the cafeteria to have lunchtime with her friends.

Oh my goodness.

Me and my baby boy.

So I definitely have to watch Eloise with Edison at all times because sometimes she becomes overcome with love for him and does this...And then sometimes she rides him like a pony.

Ellie isn't even two yet, but she creates more of a disaster then any of the other girls so far...

(We call this the primate position in our family)

Lottie decided that she wanted to pack a lunch just like her sister today.

Lottie and I had activity time and I had to get a shot of her cute dirty feet.

Kindergarten

And despite our best efforts to keep this girl SMALL, she finally entered Kindergarten. She was the cutest, most excited little thing with two little braids and one big sign she made herself.

As is tradition, we spent Sunday night at Kevin and Vicki's and got ready early on Monday morning.

I dropped her off in her classroom and she sat right down with her friend Allie and didn't even look back. I watched her for a few minutes and then walked back to the car, tearing up a little bit. It has officially begun. She'll be married by Friday.

And while Hazel was in Kindergarten, we decided to take a field trip to the Treehouse. The hardest part of this transition was how I kept thinking that I heard Hazel say something or I would turn to her to tell her something! I'm so used to her being right by my side.

I'm excited to have some one-on-one with Charlotte and Eloise now in the mornings. Charlotte will be starting Joy School soon which will then give me one-on-one time with just Ellie.

Such a helpful older sister.

Oh how we love these horses. And even though I have so many pictures of my kids riding these horses, I continue to take one every time because they're just so cute.

We had family night at Pineview lake with our friends, the Mueller's. Ellie decided to wear her swimsuit on her head.

My babies

Here's Edison at five months:

There's a nice string of drool...

And while I was at it, I decided to take a risk and try to get a smile out of my Eloise.

And for perhaps the first time since she was five months old, she sat still for me and smiled.

She's had a rash on her face for a while now, but that smile makes me a happy mom.

I do love my babies.

The Uintas

For our last weekend of summer before little Hazel starts Kindergarten we decided to go camping with our dear friends, the DeGraff's.

And can I just say that this was such a perfect "recharge" that was much needed? While camping can be bit stressful at times with little ones, there's something so wonderful about the fresh mountain air, letting everyone get good and dirty, roasting marshmallows by the fire and simply enjoying the outdoors.

And this boy is in heaven.

I'm so proud that my girls are fearless when it comes to fish and bugs and most anything creepy crawly. Thank goodness for boy cousins.

Not sure what she's holding.

Adam with Macey.

I love a lot of things about this picture. I love David's hands wrapped around Hazel's tiny ones. It also reminds me of when my Dad taught me to skip rocks in a river.

We took a walk out to the lake here that was really low and very mucky.

Charlotte decided to step right in the muddiest spot and was stuck clear up to her knees! Cute and curious. This one will be trouble.

Thanks to Adam and Lisa for a great time!