"Are you happy I have school tomorrow because you will have less kids to take care of?" OK, so maybe that's a perk, but really, when it comes down to it, we're all simply happier on a schedule. Three weeks of break was way too much. Jackson came home Tuesday, his first day back, as an angel. The youngers went down for a nap and Jackson did all his homework for the week with very little fight. He was so loving and affectionate towards his siblings. He was so helpful and enthusiastic. He was back; my son was BACK! Oh how grateful I am for school :) Ryan too was so excited to go back to school and speech and Andi was stoked to have her regular Thursday play date.
This of course does not mean it was a perfect week. School comes with a price and the price we pay is rather steep: NAPS. With 2:15 pick-up and kids getting older, the need for a 1:30pm nap time is rather difficult when I have to load them up 20min. later. So, I am trying this every other day thing because I can't imagine doing naps every single day at 2:45ish. That would mean way late bed time and that's not happening.
*Juana, Ry is obsessed with this pillow and wants nothing to do with his normal pillow.
So aside from school starting again, we have had Mint Cyn. playgroup, errands at Children's Orchard, praying for dear friends, boot camp, speech, play dates, babysitting, card making, cycling (thanks Dad and Nikki), birthdays, and just plain life....
Tuesday night we had the privilege of celebrating Becky's birthday and I know it was just what we all needed. Becky is a fabulous friend and I will forever be grateful for her - Happy Birthday, Becky!
Thursday night was card night and I am realizing I need to invest in some more paper and fancy tools! But it was a fun night out and again I was in awe of how very talented people are.
Mr. Cole has done surprisingly well with the nap interruptions this week. He continues to grow and keep us smiling. I am enjoying him but I am not a huge fan of this stage - the point where they become tired of baby food which forces you to be more creative during meal time and the point where they can't walk but want to so desperately.
Beans, yogurt, pasta, tofu, rice, ground beef, bananas, waffles, crepes, apples, pizza, squash (or whatever else you want to stick in front of him)
Not featured, but should be, are the walks I have been taking with my friend, Jenni. She walks "the loop" about six times in a week and I have finally committed to joining her. Jackson begs to go because he loves riding his scooter with his friend, Owen. They have been 99% blissful - until it happened. We were just making our way home; I was about three houses away but Jackson was across the street from our home. "I was excited to see the house" so he quickly scooted his way home. I yelled, screamed, hollered and he did not hear me. He did not stop until he was directly in front of the car that nearly killed him. It was not a car I recognized and so I am confident that she was more cautious than many of the drivers on the street, including myself. It was so close, too close. Jackson made his way across the street and the lady just sat there in her car. I am assuming she was as shaken as we were. Once Jackson made it across, he collapsed and sobbed. It was close but he knows God saved him. He was lucky. So lucky. And I just hope and pray it was a lesson learned for all the kids that day.
On to happier moments - our dear friend, Matt, is having a birthday this week and being the Amazing Race fan that he is, his spectacular wife put together a Canyon Country Amazing Race.
Oh my gosh it was an incredible day. I would love to do something like this every couple of months. Amazing! But for future races, I will not be doing an hour cycling class the night before. My legs were failing me. Who knew this would require so much stamina! Tina nominated me to drive and so I did, in an old Expedition with no guts. Grrrrr. But I admit, it was still fun being in the drivers seat.
*more pics later
But, despite the car failing me off the line, and my legs resembling jello, the girls were still victorious! It was great being able to hang out with friends and family and so something so exciting.
Our final destination was Chili's for lunch. We were famished at this point and our food could not come fast enough. It was so great of the Elton's to join us even though they couldn't make the race.
This being Conference weekend, I had the chance to attend the adult session last night while Andrew stayed home with the kids. Today was not as peaceful. We showed up and sat up on the stage. It was a great start hearing from Elder Snow and catching the shout out to his son and daughter-in-law, Garrett and Dayna (Wes' date during our Pepperdine days - hehe). So cute. (It made me a tad emotional because minutes before we left for Conference, I got a FB message from Garrett letting us know they were thinking of Wes today, on what would have been his 30th bday.) But Cole was difficult and so during the middle of the second talk, we made our way to the halls and Primary Room. We roamed for a bit and Andrew caught up with Justin Barnes until Jackson had difficulty with his belt which resulted in peeing on his pants. That was it for us - 11:15am and we were out of there.
After quickly changing, we headed to my parent's house for Bri's birthday celebration. YUM. Delicious. The kids were so excited for Bri's party. And I can't complain about winning the Farkle game as well.
We were exhausted and not the liveliest bunch, but it was a nice afternoon with the family. That was until Andi lost it and we packed up to head home. All are in bed now and despite how exhausted that girl is, she is still yelling for me. These no nap days are really messing her up!
These past five years have been interesting. You think about the fact that today, Wes should be turning he 30 but he's not here to celebrate. Then you think about how much better off he is because really, life on earth is tough. Then you think about Bri and the fact that she is here and we can celebrate with her. It was always a day we had two celebrations and we try to continue that tradition. The funny thing is these two are so similar; which I guess you would figure considering they share a birthday. But it's nice, it really is like he's still here and Bri carries a bit of him. Does that even make sense? It does to me. So, Happy Birthday to Bri and Wes - the two that are often known as the life of the party!
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