Soccer, soccer, soccer

Ryan and Andi had their first joint practice last Friday.  I tell ya, these kiddos are troopers for playing in such extreme heat.  They loved every minute, though, so it's all worth it.

Andi's little friend, Penny, is super excited Andi joined because she didn't want to be alone with all the boys.  I don't blame her ;)

Saturday the heat was disgusting especially at 3pm.  The kids had red faces within the first five minutes of the game.  But seriously, this is going to be an awesome season.  They played so well and they won, according to their count.  8-6 with Jackson scoring four of those.  So fun to watch!!!

Cheerleaders included mom, dad, Andi, Cole and grandma and grandpa.

Our New Life - Work, School, Soccer, Flip...

This stage of our life will require me to dig down way deep and find that nurturing, supportive, patient, loving wife part of me.  I swear it's in there, somewhere, and it's about time I pull it out.  Along with running his own business, Andrew will now also be attending school for his teaching credential and Master's degree WHILE also working on flipping a house in Acton.  Oh, my!  The fact is, we know it's all supposed to be happening so we're putting our heads down and moving forward.  Go big or go home!  I know we'll make it but even more so, I know it'll be worth it!  

The kids' favorite past time, as of late, is sneaking my phone and photographing or videotaping one another!

One minimum day last week Jenny and I took the kids (ours, Spencers and Milhoans) to the pool because the afternoons have been deathly hot and miserable.  Cole, of course, spent more time chowing down than swimming but I suppose that's to be expected.

Thursday grandma shopping came over to watch the kids while I did Back to School Night and Andrew went to his first Thursday class.  The kids were happy to have some time with her.

Fridays are awesome because we get to hang with Baby Jake.  Seriously listening and watching Cole and Jake interact is one of my very favorite things.  On the way to preschool pick-up, they watched a "Jesus movie", as they've been coined, and got into an argument, of sorts.
"Baby Jake, it's Jesus!"
"No, Cole, it's Jesus Christ"
"No, Jesus!!!"
"Nooo, Jesus Christ"
Oh my, it was awesome.
That afternoon we took home nine kids - it's a good thing their booties are still teeny.

Friday was also Ryan's first soccer practice.  He is over to moon to be able to play with Carson and Brandon especially now that they are no longer in preschool together.  And I get to visit with their fabulous mommies.  The only downfall of this league is that it's all the way in Stevenson Ranch.  It's a bummer but it was cheaper and with good friends so it's all worth it.  Oh, and to top it off, they could still use players on their team so we decided that day to sign up Andi as well.  It's perfect!

Saturday morning breakfast - why they brought the toaster into the living room I'm not quite sure, but hey, at least they weren't bugging us at 6am.

LABOR DAY

We were supposed to be at Lake Mead Labor Day weekend and I'm not gonna lie, I was quite upset about not being able to go.  Escrow has just closed on the Acton house and our funds did not arrive in time so we were stuck at home.  When we got an invite for the beach Monday, I knew we needed to go because we were all going crazy being home so much.  It was a beautiful day in Malibu although I don't think I've ever been to the beach with such a crowd.  If we ever go again on Labor Day, we will be arriving no later than 11am because after that point, it's just plain crazy.

Britney talked me into boogie boarding - it's been years and it showed.  Man I'm lame!  Aside from having my clothes stripped off of me, my hair wrapped around my head and my clip being ripped off my board, it was a rather enjoyable experience.

Because Andrew is gone so much, the kids were super stoked he was able to come home in time to join us.

Andi had fun digging and of course collecting sand crabs.  She loved playing with all her little friends and has asked me multiple times today if she can have a playdate with "one of her best buddies from preschool that she doesn't see anymore but knows his name".  Hahaha, they crack me up.

Cole also loved digging and acting like various creatures crawling around the beach.  I love that this little guy can hold his own - it's just another thing that reminds me we are out of baby world... wohooo

I would venture to say Ryan and Jackson spent about three to four hours swimming, boogey boarding or playing in the water.  It wasn't until 4:15pm that Jackson came over to me to say they were done and ready to go home.  I love that these two have one another.

And so, today, we lounged and cleaned.  I got to work in Ryan's classroom and the kids got to hang with grandma shopping.  I found Andi singing and playing with her dolls on her bed and although toys are not allowed in the sleeping room, I couldn't make her break up her party.  It was too cute.
But I'm not real sure what to make of her song lyrics:
I love you with all my heart but no one else does, no one else does....
ummm, something along those lines....
interesting.....

Back to Routine

Life is good.  Routine is good.  Distance is good.  Structure is good.  Socializing is good.  Exercise is good.  And yes, even homework, is good.

We have all enjoyed being back in school and I am grateful it is unanimous.  Although, I have to say, Cole has some rough mornings when, with backpack in tow, he too can not stay at school.

Last Saturday grandma shopping treated us to Rattlers for dinner which was perfect considering Andrew, our cook, was gone working, again.  Can you tell Andi enjoyed her meals and all those around her!?!?

RS Stake Craft Activity - some good stuff this year.  Now if only we could get some Fall weather ASAP

This girl was beyond herself the first day of school.  She was over the moon to see her teachers and friends again.

Poor boy just wants to go to school.  He is that little one that often has his backpack with him when we do drop offs or pick ups - this is a first for us.

A sweet friend offered to have us all come over and pick some apples from her tree.  These have been heavenly to have as they are truly the best snack for the kids.

Tuesday morning picnic - I swear we do feed our kids.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Michalle.  We headed to Santa Monica, mid week, just to hang out and wander aimlessly kid free.  It was such a nice treat that made me wonder why Andrew and I haven't gone on a date there.  I mean really, it took maybe ten minutes longer to get there than it does to get to Valencia!  And yes, Jenna and I are cuddled up on our romantic date on the ferris wheel!
Funny thing about this evening is it resulted in a surprise text the very next morning from Kelsey.  She told me someone anonymously paid for a cut and color for me and she was ready to schedule my appointment.  I'm pretty sure I know who it was but man, some people never cease to amaze me.  I can't get over what incredible people God has put in my life at this time.  The cream of the crop, that's for sure.

Being an Anderson, you get Petey at the very start of the year.  I prefer this - let's just get it over with ;)  But seriously, the kids adore Petey and Jackson especially becomes quite obsessive.  

One of my favorite things about this little man, and there are many, is that he's good at entertaining himself.  You wouldn't expect this considering he is rather high maintenance but it's true, he can keep himself happy most mornings just reading, playing, eating, dancing, singing, whatever.

So, yes, we made it.  The first full week of school and it was wonderful.  The kids loved going and were in good moods each afternoon.  Friday night they had a sleep over at grandma and grandpa's and they had a blast.  Saturday morning I picked them up and took the straight to the park for the Primary Activity.  Sadly there weren't too many there but some of the kids favorite friends were and they loved it.  

Can someone please explain to Cole why he cannot eat the raw egg???

Now that's true friendship - tied together and happily joined at the hip despite the fact one is picking her nose... ewwww

Cole finally found the courage to go down slides on his own and it has resulted in journey after journey!

WEEK TWO

Ryan had his first hw folder for Kinder and he did well.  I am fearful of doing HW with this kid this year but was pleased with his cooperation our first go at it.  When he did ask, "Can I be done now?", we had just so happened to have finished; whew!  But the poor kids started coughing Saturday, the end of the first full week and so we started treatments right away.   He's doing well now but hit a wall at 6:30pm after participating in Jackson's first soccer practice.  Poor kid!

Andi has always loved HW and I pray that never ends.  I know, who am I kidding.  Anyway, she willingly and gratefully started her HW the second she got home.

Why are little boys obsessed with mom's shoes?  Heels, to be exact.    They all took turns and I'm just grateful they didn't break the heels of one of my shoes.  Dorks.

Week Nine - Including the start of the new school year

Juana and Ito were still in town Sunday so we contemplated skipping Stake Conference.  But when plans were made to meet for lunch instead of breakfast, we got dressed and headed off to the Stake Center.  Well, after a little naked reading, of course.

Juana was so happy to have the family "complete" with Andrew in attendance.  It was a nice way to end our week long journey and it's always a bummer saying good-bye to those two.  Umm, can we thank Andi for trying to get Cole to look at the camera???

That night Jackson wanted to know if he could start school the next morning.  We were talking about the start date on Thursday and he started thinking aloud:

Jackson:  I'm kinda excited to see Ryan's reaction to starting school... will be like it, will he cry or be happy, will he make new friends on his first day???  It's kinda exciting to see.  I am so curious what his reaction will be.  Hmmm.... Where's my journal???

Monday Cole's bandaid came off and he wasn't too happy about it.... that is until I applied the Cars bandaid he picked out.  I am so happy it's healing quite well.  And that he's a boy and no one really cares if a boy has a scar across his forehead.

Grandma Shopping spoiled the kids yet again.  But we seriously found some great deals and this made the kids even more excited for school.  (J's shoes, $9.99!!!!)

On honor of Michalle's 29th birthday, we headed out for a hike over in Fair Oaks.  These ladies have blessed our lives over the past two years or so and it is so much fun getting together.  Happy Birthday, Michalle, and I'm glad you made it down to slopes so you can hopefully live to see 30 :)

I had to take care of some Relief Society business Monday or Tuesday morning, I can't even remember, and so I was able to split my kids up between Fran and Laurel which worked out perfectly.  Thanks, ladies.

Tuesday and Wednesday we were invited to swim with some friends and the kids had a blast.  The splash pad was perfect for Cole and other littles or simply a break from the pool.  I truly do not understand why our parks do not sport splash pads.  We have plenty of warm days during the year to make it worth it!!

Tuesday night we celebrated Laurel's birthday... well, we almost didn't.  Once we had all arrived and the table was ready, we realized Laurel was still at home waiting to find out where the heck we were going.  Hahaha, fabulous planning, Jenny.  But she was a trooper, found a work truck and headed out to Valencia to meet up with us.  It was hilarious and sad all at the same time.  This was such a good night where we spent most of the night laughing.

 Cole has had a rough go at naps as of late and so when he fell asleep from the pool, I decided to keep driving to Acton to see a house Andrew is interested in flipping.  He has wanted this house for months and is trying to find a way to make it all happen.  It is nice seeing him so excited and eager to pursue a dream but it's a bummer this one probably won't work out for him.

From there we hit up the ice cream parlor in the new Acton Market.  The kids were over the moon - as was I getting my $5 Acton Market sandwich which is always delicious.

Thursday morning I woke up at about 6:06am.... this is what I found when I came out into the living room.  Apparently Jackson woke up just as Andrew was leaving for work at about 5:30am.  He went to sleep on the couch which of course he could not do.  When he went into his room to get his pillow, he "accidentally" woke up Ryan and that was the start of it all.  Jackson had made a checklist (see below) of the things he needed to do the morning of the first day of school.  He had also made a sign that stated it was a school day and he needed to get up and get ready.  So here they were, 6:06am, dressed and ready to go making their lunches in the middle of the living room.  Adorable.  Jackson kept asking if it was time to go and he couldn't believe just how much time he had before school actually started.  These two were so super excited for school and I love it.

Take note: Ryan's stack in disarray on the left and Jackson's neatly folded on the right.  So different!

All morning and all the way to school Ryan kept exclaiming, "I'm so excited, I'm so excited!"

Check out all the boys!!

Gagey asked me three times for a picture with Ryan - SO ADORABLE!!!  Ryan was super excited to be in Kindergarten with all his friends.  Jackson is also with all his friends - the same ones since Kindergarten.  Feel so blessed to have them with good teachers and good friends.  Couldn't ask for more.

It's funny how different it is now that he's in 2nd grade.  There was no teacher greeting or warm hugs - he simply walked into class and found his seat.  Same with after school, he was simply released.  WHAT!?!?  He's getting so old.

Headed home with my two buddies for the year - time to get them bathed for the day, hahaha

When I got home, it made me smile to see Jackson's list.

The end of his first day - total success!

In keeping with tradition, grandma and grandpa took us all out for lunch after the first day.  We switched things up a bit this year with Mom Can Cook but then they wanted to finish it off with shakes at In-N-Out.

Day two the boys slept slightly later, maybe 6:15am, but were just as eager to get to school.  It was Ryan's day to pray on the way to school and let me tell you they have matured so very much.

Friday night we hung out at home while Andrew stayed in Laguna Beach for work (he'll be staying there again tonight).  So this morning I heard Jackson saying he wanted to make me breakfast.... eggs.  7am on a Saturday morning - nope, they never sleep in.... anyway, I got out of bed to watch over this production considering I had just showed him how to do this Thursday.  He did well!!  (and yes I ran into bed so they could present me with my tray)

This morning we had preschool orientation.  It's funny, we don't really need to go as this is our fifth year with YoungStars but you try telling my kids we aren't going to Grandma K's.  Holy cow they hounded me all morning until we left.  We just love this place.

 But the most adorable part of the morning was Carson giving Ryan his note.  I so wish these two could live closer to one another and attend the same school.  Match made in heaven.  Maybe if Andi and Carson get married they'll be bonded buddies for life :)  I think Julio would approve.

The week isn't quite over, yet... Andrew is gone again tonight and so I am on my own.  Not sure what we'll do this afternoon - maybe swim??  If it wasn't so hot we could hit the park.  So, with that said, this post may or may not be added to.....