Rhett started school a week ago on August 22. He has really loved being back with his friends, taking the bus, and being able to learn some new things. His teachers are really cute. On their first day they gave each kid some gourmet apple-flavored popcorn with the attached note "Look who 'popped' into 2nd grade. We know it will be an 'apple-lutely' fantastic year." So creative. He also has a few friends from 1st grade in his class again, one friend from our ward who transferred in, and his "girlfriend" Greta.
Also a week ago was my last day of work because I got laid off. It came a couple months early which was a bit of a shock it happened so fast. Cons: no wages, no get-away to work, not seeing my friend. Pros: spending every night with kiddos, helping kiddos with homework, family dinners, no more late late nights, no more expensive gas trips to SLC 4 nights a week, not as much wear and tear on my car, no more nascar driving into work, no more crazy holiday schedules, more time to get my schoolwork done, more time with friends, more time to skype and play mariokart with family back east, less stress for J and his crazy work schedule... I am sure there are more I could think of, but making a list sure helps to show that the pros far outweigh the cons. I know its a blessing in disguise, but I am still getting used to the idea of not going into work everynight.
Also this past week the kiddos started soccer and summer decided to stay with a vengeance. It has been a hot week and I am sure ready for some cooler weather. But depsite being hot and sweaty, Rhett enjoys it much more than Ry does. He really gets the concept and is much more confident when playing; which is due to lots of practice and a good coach. I was really glad to be off work because I was able to be there every night....another pro!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Summer Lovin
We've had a wonderful summer full of activities. Last summer we didn't do anything so I vowed this summer would be different. We couldn't really afford a vacay like we usually do in the summer, so we made sure to find other low cost alternatives. Including:
...Trip to St. George to stay with J's family...
...Lots of Walks and Bike Rides on the Trail...
...Playing at the Park...
...4-Wheeling in the Mountains...
...Using our yearly passes to Lagoon and the Zoo...
...Swimming...
...Camping...
...Girls Night Out to the Dollar Theater...
...and Ladies Lunch!
So sad to see summer end, but we made lots of fun memories. Now looking forward to the fall and the fun holidays that come with it.
...Trip to St. George to stay with J's family...
...Lots of Walks and Bike Rides on the Trail...
...Playing at the Park...
...4-Wheeling in the Mountains...
...Using our yearly passes to Lagoon and the Zoo...
...Swimming...
...Camping...
...Girls Night Out to the Dollar Theater...
...and Ladies Lunch!
So sad to see summer end, but we made lots of fun memories. Now looking forward to the fall and the fun holidays that come with it.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Odd and Ends
My heart has been so full lately watching and listening to my sweet little kiddos. I have been fortunate to spend all summer with them. I wanted to share some of whats been going on with them lately, especially some candid things they've said.
Rhett has been growing like a weed. He keeps outgrowing everything I buy him and constantly says how hungry he is. I can only imagine how much he'll eat as a teenager. He has lost 4 teeth this summer, grown 2 sizes in shoes, and grew 1 inch. He'll be baptized and enter scouts in 3 months. He starts 2nd grade in one week. He has been keeping up with his art projects and kept a summer journal. Its just so much to process just how fast kids can grow. Some fun things he has mentioned and done lately...
He flexed his arms the other night after helping me carry groceries inside. He says "Mom feel my muscle." So I did. He then goes, "See. I am so much stronger and bigger since last time. All cause I eat my veggies."
Yesterday after church we walked inside and he said, "Mom I cant wait to watch the little girls. But I can only do it when I'm a young adult. Like in my teens."
When Rhett goes to bed he likes to give goodnight loves to everyone in the family. Sometimes Kenna and Ry are in bed before he says goodnight. So he'll go to the outside of their closed doors and blow kisses at them. Then he'll hug himself, as if he's hugging the girls, and blow the hug at the door.
It just amazes me how much Rhett really observes everything around him. He truly is such a little smarty-pants and I am super proud of him.
Miss Ry, has kept me on my toes for sure. She is just naive to the world which has its pros and cons. She just had her check-up and school immunization (a few months behind) The dr. says she is really petite; so good thing her bday is the middle of the year so she wont look so small.
Height: 40 inches (29%)
Weight: 34.2 pounds (26%)
She is doing really well on cognitive goals. I am so proud that she has loved learning. She still loves her babies, barbies, setting up picnics all over the house, playing restaurant, singing along with songs on movies (especially Tangled) and being my little Mommy. In fact she loves Tangled so much, she refuses to let me cut her hair because she wants to be like Repunzel. Her supply of phrases and sentences never cease to amaze me and crack me up. Some few things lately: she calls headaches...head-ups, ponytails...ponyhair, and granola bars...icka bars.
Following Rhett's comment on how strong his muscles are, Ry couldnt be outdone. So she flexes her biceps and says "Mom, don't forget about my muckles! I eat my veggies too!"
A couple nights ago we played The Quiet Game in the car with the other kids. Last night I was coming home from my mom's with just me and Ry. As we are driving home she says, "Mom, I want to play the quiet game." I told her its only you in the car. She then replies, "Well yeah. This way I'll win!" She just has the best personality and you can't help but love and adore her!
As for Kenna, she's been so fun...for the most part. She's getting too independent which makes me super sad cause she's always been my cuddler; Though, I have been enjoying all she's learning. She too just had her check-up and immunizations (also a few months behind)
Height: 32.5 inches (36%)
Weight: 25.2 pounds (42%)
Head: 18.25 inches (28%)
According the the dr, she is growing and learning right on track. Lately her favorite thing is reading books. She just LOVES to point at things and squeal as she says what everything is. Its the best jumbled gibberish ever! Her fave things right now to say: car, horse, kitty, dog, moon, boat, Pascal (from Tangled) and Mickey. Her fave movie right now is Tangled as well. Everytime it comes on (especially when the Disney castle and fireworks are on screen) she just gets so excited and yells Mickey!
She loves to be a little Mommy too. Whenever I yell downstairs to the other kids for anything, she goes to the top of the stairs and yells "Rhett. Nee-Nee," until they come up. Its so adorable.
A couple clips of Kenna watching Tangled
Rhett has been growing like a weed. He keeps outgrowing everything I buy him and constantly says how hungry he is. I can only imagine how much he'll eat as a teenager. He has lost 4 teeth this summer, grown 2 sizes in shoes, and grew 1 inch. He'll be baptized and enter scouts in 3 months. He starts 2nd grade in one week. He has been keeping up with his art projects and kept a summer journal. Its just so much to process just how fast kids can grow. Some fun things he has mentioned and done lately...
He flexed his arms the other night after helping me carry groceries inside. He says "Mom feel my muscle." So I did. He then goes, "See. I am so much stronger and bigger since last time. All cause I eat my veggies."
Yesterday after church we walked inside and he said, "Mom I cant wait to watch the little girls. But I can only do it when I'm a young adult. Like in my teens."
When Rhett goes to bed he likes to give goodnight loves to everyone in the family. Sometimes Kenna and Ry are in bed before he says goodnight. So he'll go to the outside of their closed doors and blow kisses at them. Then he'll hug himself, as if he's hugging the girls, and blow the hug at the door.
It just amazes me how much Rhett really observes everything around him. He truly is such a little smarty-pants and I am super proud of him.
Miss Ry, has kept me on my toes for sure. She is just naive to the world which has its pros and cons. She just had her check-up and school immunization (a few months behind) The dr. says she is really petite; so good thing her bday is the middle of the year so she wont look so small.
Height: 40 inches (29%)
Weight: 34.2 pounds (26%)
She is doing really well on cognitive goals. I am so proud that she has loved learning. She still loves her babies, barbies, setting up picnics all over the house, playing restaurant, singing along with songs on movies (especially Tangled) and being my little Mommy. In fact she loves Tangled so much, she refuses to let me cut her hair because she wants to be like Repunzel. Her supply of phrases and sentences never cease to amaze me and crack me up. Some few things lately: she calls headaches...head-ups, ponytails...ponyhair, and granola bars...icka bars.
Following Rhett's comment on how strong his muscles are, Ry couldnt be outdone. So she flexes her biceps and says "Mom, don't forget about my muckles! I eat my veggies too!"
A couple nights ago we played The Quiet Game in the car with the other kids. Last night I was coming home from my mom's with just me and Ry. As we are driving home she says, "Mom, I want to play the quiet game." I told her its only you in the car. She then replies, "Well yeah. This way I'll win!" She just has the best personality and you can't help but love and adore her!
As for Kenna, she's been so fun...for the most part. She's getting too independent which makes me super sad cause she's always been my cuddler; Though, I have been enjoying all she's learning. She too just had her check-up and immunizations (also a few months behind)
Height: 32.5 inches (36%)
Weight: 25.2 pounds (42%)
Head: 18.25 inches (28%)
According the the dr, she is growing and learning right on track. Lately her favorite thing is reading books. She just LOVES to point at things and squeal as she says what everything is. Its the best jumbled gibberish ever! Her fave things right now to say: car, horse, kitty, dog, moon, boat, Pascal (from Tangled) and Mickey. Her fave movie right now is Tangled as well. Everytime it comes on (especially when the Disney castle and fireworks are on screen) she just gets so excited and yells Mickey!
She loves to be a little Mommy too. Whenever I yell downstairs to the other kids for anything, she goes to the top of the stairs and yells "Rhett. Nee-Nee," until they come up. Its so adorable.
A couple clips of Kenna watching Tangled
Family Reunion
August 4-7 was our annual family reunion in Mantua. The Allen's got up there Thursday afternoon and set up camp. Everyone else joined us Friday night. Camp was a little different this year. One, it was muggy with lots of insects. Two, we actually had a schedule they wanted us to follow. Three, there was a black bear sighting in town so we had to be extra careful with our food. (so Dad wasn't too keen on our paranoia) Four, the town's alarm went off all wknd, which it never has before...since its such a small town its how they call the firemen to the station.
Friday, we sat around and let the kids play down by the river, played card games, roasted smores/marshmallows, and of course cooked our famous Allen dutch oven dinner-pulled pork sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit tray, KFC coleslaw, and Aaron's yummy peach cobbler. Thank you to Kyle for cooking everything to maximum taste. That night when the rest of the Anderton clan came, we did a big "get-to-know-you" game, then sang campfire songs. It was a little cheesy for me so I got the kiddos ready for bed during singing time.
Saturday was the day for activities. We started bright and early with crafts. Followed by Bingo, games in the field, potluck dinner, and then the auction-which Bryson and Jace entertained us with their "buying" skills. After the auction, we talked around the fire making smores and finally calling it a night.
The kiddos did get scruffed up a bit. Rhett was pushing his 2nd cousin, Cole, on a homemade swing. It got a little high and knocked him over giving him a bloody and bruised mouth. Ry, as graceful as she is, was more on the ground than up. As soon as I would clean and bandage her up, 2 minutes later she'd be back all muddy and bloody again. At one point she had scrapes on both eyelids, nose, both arms, and tummy. She even got so frustrated she cried "I can't stop falling down." We couldn't do anything but laugh. Poor Kenna got it the worst. She fell off the bench while eating dinner and got a black eye so we thought we'd strapped her in her stroller to contain her better. That didn't work cause 10 minuites later she tried to get out of the stroller, flipped forward, and smacked hard into the concrete giving her another black eye and a huge goose egg. Then the next night as she and Justin were walking the trash to the dumpster, our uncle reversed and backed over poor Kenna. Good thing she only got hit by the bumper and not run over by the tires. But it scared her and Justin pretty good. All in all, good thing my other uncle, a fireman, was there to be our paramedic. And luckily nothing was too serious that couldn't be fixed.
Along with the bruises, fun stories and memories, and sleepless nights (due to some rockin lightning and thunder, the town alarm, many snoring men, and "bear" noises) we cannot wait till next year when we can attempt it all over again.
Excited for camp with our new 'do
The girls all ready for the drive up to camp
Mom taking a snooze by the fire
Kyle and WMRs
Kortnee "helping" the fire
CRAFT TIME: Making Bracelets, Magnifying Glasses, Foam Cars/Airplanes, and Magnets
Mom, Celine, Amos, and me
Amos, Celine, Rhett, and me
Jace, Bryson, Kenna, and Ry
Enjoying our last morning
Friday, we sat around and let the kids play down by the river, played card games, roasted smores/marshmallows, and of course cooked our famous Allen dutch oven dinner-pulled pork sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit tray, KFC coleslaw, and Aaron's yummy peach cobbler. Thank you to Kyle for cooking everything to maximum taste. That night when the rest of the Anderton clan came, we did a big "get-to-know-you" game, then sang campfire songs. It was a little cheesy for me so I got the kiddos ready for bed during singing time.
Saturday was the day for activities. We started bright and early with crafts. Followed by Bingo, games in the field, potluck dinner, and then the auction-which Bryson and Jace entertained us with their "buying" skills. After the auction, we talked around the fire making smores and finally calling it a night.
The kiddos did get scruffed up a bit. Rhett was pushing his 2nd cousin, Cole, on a homemade swing. It got a little high and knocked him over giving him a bloody and bruised mouth. Ry, as graceful as she is, was more on the ground than up. As soon as I would clean and bandage her up, 2 minutes later she'd be back all muddy and bloody again. At one point she had scrapes on both eyelids, nose, both arms, and tummy. She even got so frustrated she cried "I can't stop falling down." We couldn't do anything but laugh. Poor Kenna got it the worst. She fell off the bench while eating dinner and got a black eye so we thought we'd strapped her in her stroller to contain her better. That didn't work cause 10 minuites later she tried to get out of the stroller, flipped forward, and smacked hard into the concrete giving her another black eye and a huge goose egg. Then the next night as she and Justin were walking the trash to the dumpster, our uncle reversed and backed over poor Kenna. Good thing she only got hit by the bumper and not run over by the tires. But it scared her and Justin pretty good. All in all, good thing my other uncle, a fireman, was there to be our paramedic. And luckily nothing was too serious that couldn't be fixed.
Along with the bruises, fun stories and memories, and sleepless nights (due to some rockin lightning and thunder, the town alarm, many snoring men, and "bear" noises) we cannot wait till next year when we can attempt it all over again.
Excited for camp with our new 'do
The girls all ready for the drive up to camp
Mom taking a snooze by the fire
Kyle and WMRs
Kortnee "helping" the fire
CRAFT TIME: Making Bracelets, Magnifying Glasses, Foam Cars/Airplanes, and Magnets
Mom, Celine, Amos, and me
Amos, Celine, Rhett, and me
Jace, Bryson, Kenna, and Ry
Enjoying our last morning
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