Bedtime Routine

Following our bedtime routine, Josh usually takes the girls to their bedrooms in some creative fashion. Sometimes it's a piggy back ride. Sometimes it's over his shoulder in what he calls "sack of potato" and their new favorite is a horsey ride (all three girls at the same time). If ever Josh forgets, the girls are quick to remind him that they need a ride into their bedroom. They look forward to it every night.

Blue Thunder

This soccer season turned out to be quite a whirlwind. We were asked to coach Sadie's team. I didn't really want to because of the time commitment it would involve, but it was the perfect year for us to do it so we gave in. It turned out to be quite fun. We had a cute group of kids, twelve in all. I suggested the team name of Blue Thunder and all the kids voted that that was their favorite name. I think we lost every game by 20 or more points, but whenever we asked the kids who was having fun, they all raised their hands and shouted, "Me!!!" Soccer isn't really Sadie's forte yet, but I know she looks forward to it because she's always asking when she gets to start soccer. I don't know if it's the uniforms, or the attention, or what, but at least she goes out there and runs around. She's also very proud of the few times she kicks the ball, as are we.

Birthdays

For Josh's birthday this year, we surprised him with breakfast--french toast. Sadie came up with the idea because Josh will occasionally make us french toast on Saturday mornings. And since it reminds her of dad and she likes to eat it, there couldn't be a better combination. All three girls made him cards and we had a birthday present waiting for him on his plate. We also made him cupcakes the night before so we could surprise him, but he came home from work just as I was cleaning up the mess. The girls tried to keep him in the garage, but finally I told him to come in to act surprised when we brought them out. Sadie unfortunately couldn't keep the secret and I later learned she had told him weeks before what his birthday present was.

My birthday turned out to be a real treat. Josh surprised me by taking me out to lunch at The Olive Garden. Then he got permission to work the rest of the day from home so that I could relax. And for a present, I got a patio umbrella, which I have been wanting for quite some time now. The day turned out better than I could have hoped for.

Horsey Rides

This is the new favorite for all the girls. Kali and Sadie give Ashlyn horseback rides. She climbs on their backs while they walk around and do crazy things, all the while giggling, laughing and hanging on for dear life.

Preschool

Preschool finally started. Sadie has been counting down the days ever since Kali started back in school. I think it has been a little hard on her having that much time in the day without Kali at home. But now she's back in the swing of things and already making some good progress. We've been working on writing her name for the past month and today she did such a good job writing it on her first assignment. It was very legible.

Labor Day

Our Labor Day's tend to be anything but a break from labor. Thankfully we have a lot of fun.

To start the day off, we went up Millcreek Canyon with my family. Mom and Dad do a fabulous job of putting together a yummy breakfast and we get to visit with Uncle Mike and Aunt Trudy and their family. The girls love it because they get to explore with cousins. Notice Kali is off in the bushes. Hailey is somewhere nearby doing some exploring and pretending with her. Ashlyn thought the fence was great, especially when she discovered that she could climb on it. She also made a new little friend. Sadie spent her time going back and forth between Kali and Ashy and seemed to be enjoying herself as well.

Then we were off to Copperton Park for Josh's side of the family. We had the traditional KFC and scotcheroos and my homemade oreos are becoming something of a hit. Then we played for hours. The weather was perfect, comfortably warm and overcast.

For the first time in years we didn't have to hurry home so that Josh could get some homework done, so Josh even got to enjoy himself playing a little Kings Court tennis. He said it was a blast and something he wants to do more of in the future. Then we finished the day off by putting together a shed. Now that's my kind of fun. We finally own a shed.