First day of school

This year was very different for me than years past. I feel like I am in school with all the anxieties that I have about my kids school. The district changed year round school and the change has made things different. First of all we did not know who the girls teachers were until last Friday. We normally know that at the end of the previous year. We thought we knew who Allison was going to have but the school had to make some last minute adjustments for the unexpected last minute enrollment. Second grade had way to many kids enrolled and they weren't quite sure what to do so the solution that they came up with was a 2nd/3rd grade combo class. Allison was chosen to be in this class. She is very excited about the new prospect but I think it might be going to her head. Kevin and I are very excited at the possibilities that this will open up for her. She is so passionate for learning and I love to watch her embrace it. I have been very nervous all summer for the teacher that Madison was going to get. She had very strong feelings about one teacher that moved from 4th to 5th grade and I had heard some things that concerned me about another teacher. Madison ended up getting the teacher that moved from up from 4th grade and she was not happy. She worked with her in science last year and didn't like her. Kevin and I talked with Madison about having an open mind and going in with a good attitude. She came home today excited for this school year and really likes her teacher. This year is so important and I feel like it is going to be good for her. It makes me so happy that she took her our advice and is giving this a shot. Ashley was still asleep when the girls left so when she woke up to a quiet house she was upset. She did not like the idea of the girls going back to school and leaving her home. It didn't take me long to change her mood because her friend Mikayla was coming over to play and she was so excited for that. She had the best day playing with Mikayla. The house was a little quiet for me. They get along so well I hardly knew they were here. This is going to be a great year. The girls are going to do great in school and Ashley and I have so much to do here at home.

Madison's final cake

Madison had the best time in her cake decorating class. She loved learning everything that she could about decorating a cake. She also likes to say that she can make a rose and I can't. I love this picture. I was trying to get her making a rose and the rose wasn't cooperating.

I love it when they get along

I love it when my kids get along and are nice to each other. I walked out into the living room one evening and found Madison and Ashley watching a movie. I thought it was so sweet the way they were so I had to take a picture. Ashley has been having a hard time so this was just great of Madison to sit and love on her like this.

Summer update

Summer has kind of been a blur for me since it is moving so fast. It is hard to believe that we only have 2 1/2 weeks left and the kids will be in school again. I have got nothing accomplished that I have wanted too but we sure have done alot of stuff. We started our summer out with swimming lessons. Both the girls really enjoy this every year. Allison was so excited because she got to learn to dive this year. Madison basically knows how to swim so they focused on fine tuning the strokes that she knows and life saving tips that would help her in the water. I love that she is still smiling after treading water for more than three minutes.

Ashley is not old enough to take lessons where we go but it really didn't seem to phase her, she had a fun time watching the girls. I am glad she gets to start next year because I don't think I will be so lucky again.

Next Madison got to start a cake decorating class with some friends. She is loving it and has two classes left. A good friend of ours is doing it at her house and Madison is having the best time. Here are two of her creations.


Allison and Ashley are good sports about Madison doing the class without them but I decided it would be nice for them to have fun also. We went to a local park with a water feature. It was freezing that morning but they did not seem to mind at all.
We have had our cousin Kylie come visit which was a real treat. Ashley and Kylie had the best time riding bikes, driving the Barbie car around, going to the mall, (I love this picture and Kevin hates that I love to take pictures like this :) playing on some toys at the mall, becoming super sleuths in the Disney store, and then finally getting matching nightgowns. We had a great weekend with Kylie. It is so fun watching Ashley and her play.

Out latest adventure this summer was just this last weekend when I went to Kimberly with Madison and a friend. Madison was really excited to show Alli where her Nana lived. They had lots of fun adventures planed while they were there but unfortunately we did not have enough time to do them all. We were able to go roller skating. Ashley was very excited to go skating for the first time but did not make it very far before she told me she was done. We had a great weekend.

Kevin and Allison stayed home and this is what they were up to.

They are so much alike. They would be happiest in front of a computer all the time.

4th of July

The 4th of July is one of favorite holidays. I love the fireworks and picnic's. I don't remember doing alot with my family growing up but I do know we celebrated in some way. Back then I never really thought about what the holiday means and now that I am older, it ways on my mind more. We try to explain to our children the meaning but they are kids so I am not sure how much they get out of it. Hopefully something sinks in and they remembered. I am very grateful to live in this country and have the freedom that we have. I am very grateful to the soldiers that have fought for our country and currently are fighting. This country would not be the same without our brave soldiers.

This year for the 4th of July we got together with of our good friends and their families. We had a potluck picnic, with way to much good food. The girls had alot of fun with their friends around. I don't know why but Ashley decided to sit with the boys at their table. We have always kinda joked that she is our little boy. I guess she just feels more comfortable with them. We all a great time with our friends. All sorts of different activities went on through the night. Everyone stayed busy and had lots of fun. Madison showing off her new haircut while she is playing Mexican Train. Ashley loves her dad and loves to do whatever he does. Kevin taking on Jacob at tether ball. Ashley trying to serve bad mitten. She thought she needed to get the birdie stuck on the racquet before she could swing. It was so funny watching her. MOSQUITO'S Unfortunately we did have some uninvited guests and Allison got bit. Of course it always has be on her face. The mosquitoes really think she is sweet.
We also had entertainment. Allison and Alyssa had so much fun walking around and singing there song to everyone.

Finally it was getting dark and we were able to start the fireworks. We started out with a tank war. The Ewing's have done this every year so we brought our tanks and joined in with them. Remnants of the tank wars. The wars were one of the favorites of the night. Allison with a sparkler. Another favorite of the night. Ashley didn't like the noise of the fireworks so she spent most of the time on Kevin's lap with her hands over her ears. We really had a great time with some great people. This was a 4th of July to remember.

Homemade Ice Cream Yum

Sunday night we thought we would try out Kevin's father's day gift. We got him an ice cream maker ball. The girls have been patiently waiting to make ice cream in it. It was really a lot of fun passing it back and forth making ice cream. We really made them work for the dessert that night. It took a little longer then we thought it would but we also didn't read the instructions completely so I think we could have eaten sooner. Kevin wanted a pineapple upside down cake to go with it but didn't want to do it in the dutch oven like normal so I told him I would attempt one. The recipe I found was from scratch. Kevin was a little apprehensive but it turned out. It was fun to make.

SUMMER TIME

Summer has officially begun for us. Today marked the end of 1st grade for Allison and 4th grade for Madison. We are very ready for the break, even though it is hard to believe another year has come and gone. It has been an exciting busy year. I truly believe school is harder when you are the parent. Madison and Allison do everything 110% and it takes a lot of work to get it all done. I have no idea how I will survive it when I have three in school at the same time, especially since I will have a high schooler, junior higher and elementary student all at the same time.

Today was a very busy fun packed day. It started out with an awards ceremony. Madison and Allison both got perfect attendance. We are so proud of both of them. I never in a million years thought that I would be as lucky as I am with them. They love school and we would actually have to fight them if they were sick to stay home. Kevin and I have always wondered when our luck is going to run out. Our fingers are crossed that we make it all the way through college with all the girls before that happens. Allison receiving her award from Mrs. Davis the principle. Madison receiving her award.

After the awards ceremony we went to the end of the year picnic and then the kids were released for the year. Of course we could end the year without one last picture with their teachers. This is Allison with Miss Keeney. We loved her. She is the best 1st grade teacher that we could have asked for, for Allison. She kept Allison challenged and helped her work on a few little areas. We are truly going to miss her. This is Madison with Mrs. Dunsworth. It has been fun for Madison to have her again. She was her kindergarten teacher. It is fun to look back and see how much Madison has grown. I remember that Mrs. Dunsworth thought Madison was tall in Kindergarten. Madison had a great year learning all about Idaho History and we have found that she is very strong in Math. It is hard to see her move on to 5th grade because it will be her last year at Chaparral.

We couldn't let all the fun of this day end when school got out so both the girls got to invite a friend over for a mini party sleepover. Kevin was out with some guys to see the new Transformers movie so we painted nails and watched a movie. All girls stuff. It is good he wasn't here, it got kinda crazy.
Ashley has been a gem the whole night and fit in so well with everything we did. I don't think she is quite ready to be as big as she would like because before we even turned the movie on this is what we found.
Days like today really help me remember how blessed I am to have the best girls that anyone could ask for. I am so proud and grateful to call them my daughters.