keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times

today was a big day, i can't really believe it's already here -

the first day of school!

(and these might be my worst first day of school photos ever - bleh!)

at the beginning of the summer, i knew it was going to fly by, because it ALWAYS does. and i end up feeling a little robbed on the first day of school. robbed of the carefree TIME i love to spend with my kids that only comes during the summer. this year is no different, worse even, because it rained all of june and i feel like summer didn't really start until july when the sun came out and it was hot enough to play at the pool.

but i guess it doesn't matter how i feel about it, school is officially back in session. this is a big and exciting year for my kids - taylor is starting high school, allie is no longer a newbie to jr. high, spencer is a newbie to jr. high, and ethan is getting ready for pre-school in a few weeks. the kids' excitement to start a new school year, see their friends and have some fun adventures makes it hard for me to be too sad about them leaving again, i am excited for all the fun that school can be for them.

but oh man, the roller coaster ride that is homework, busy schedules, volunteering, carpooling, and trying to stay on top of their crazy lives in between all that needs to be done around here....i'm bracing myself, because here we go.

we're back from our trip to "the happiest place on earth" with phil and lauri and their family. it was a whirlwind of fun that seemed to last only five minutes. i'm completely exhausted, my feet are aching, i have blisters and i'm starting to understand that some time in the future i might need a hip replacement. but, it's all worth the fun we had, especially, the fun they had. for now, this tiny post is all that i have the energy for. when the suitcases are unpacked, maybe i'll post a little more...

ethan

Ethan is often the source of entertainment around our house, it's like we're all waiting on pins and needles for him to say something. He was evaluated by the Early Intervention Team on Monday, they all agreed he is a very smart little boy who just doesn't want to talk yet. This was good to know, I was worried maybe was autistic or any of the other things moms worry about with their growing babies. Lately he loves having the kids home for the summer, he has enjoyed dragging them outside to play on the trampoline and also to have more people to bribe for treats. He is so his own person and knows how to push everyone's buttons to get what he wants. Do I dare say spoiled? I don't think so, there's no such thing, only happy babies! He has definitely turned into a mama's boy lately, he's right at that nursery age and so of course he's having anxiety about leaving me. Rich is trying not to take it personally. Ethan's latest obsessions are with Lightning McQueen from Cars and also popcorn, he wants us to have it available all day long...

spencer

Spencer is a whopping 10 years old, i can't believe he's already in the double digits! Spencer is very focused on playing as much nintendo each day as possible! We did set some limits this summer to how much he can play, I swear it's like taking away his air sometimes! He does enjoy other things, he just can't always think of them right off the bat when he's looking for something to do...The best part about moving to this new neighborhood is how many kids their are his age to play with and how well of them get along and play together. I need to take a picture of all of the new friends he has made, I'm so glad about this, it was a struggle in our last ward for sure. I can't believe he is going to start the 5th grade at Reading next year! It's crazy! For so long he was my baby, where does that time go? He had a ton of fun in fourth grade learning about Utah and loved performing in both of the fourth grade programs. He is a great little singer and isn't shy about performing either. Spencer is playing golf again this summer with Taylor, James Moore and also James Merrill. Every Wednesday he is up with the sun with his visor and teeth brushed and clubs loaded in the car, waking me up way too early to tell me we're going to be late! He is always very happy to go, and especially this summer to golf with grandma Smith and also Great Grandmpa Smith who will be visiting from PA for a week. I'll be sure to get some pictures of that rare event! Spencer is getting very good at his piano work even though he hates to practice. He set a reading goal for this summer and is so excited about his June reward, taking a friend to the rec center for a day, that he has been faithful to read without being reminded! This has never happened before. When he is finished reading he does his piano practicing and I have to say that I have been very proud of his effort. He is also Ethan's best friend, taking him everywhere, to jump on the trampoline, to slide down the slide, all the time. Ethan will be so sad when Spence and the rest of the kids have to go back to school in the fall, he won't know what to do with himself!

allie

Allie is the 11 year old firecracker in our house. She has this infectious smile and even though we are learning the new art of "attitude", I wouldn't trade her in. She has been very busy this past year with all of her various activities. She danced in her 8th dance recital this past spring, she contiues to put her all into her routines and every year Rich and I feel genuinely shocked by all grown up she looks on that stage! One year Melanie (her dance teacher) commented about her beautiful dancer arms and ever since then I've always noticed how graceful her arms always look no matter what dance she's doing. She also has continued to take piano lessons and now helps Spencer with his lessons because she has surpasssed my abilities for sure. She makes it look so easy too with all of the confidence in the world! This summer she signed up for a Photography class through the city, this is where her love of sewing began, so why not? She has really been enjoying it and how great to learn it in the digital age when you can see your results right away and learn how to make them better right away with the next try. She definitely has an eye for it, she's more artistic than me, I'm going to try and talk her into shooting some stuff to enter in the Davis County Fair, we'll see. She's also the child most willing to pose for a picture, she's like my little model to experiment different techniques on. It's been so fun to have her home for the summer, Ethan loves it too. We are crazy about this girl...