SCHOOL!!

On Monday evening, we went to back to school night and Eli got to meet Mrs. Arens, his first grade teacher. She was so kind and let Eli know that she is also new to the school. 

On Tuesday morning, I woke up and was sad that it was it was the last day of summer. I treated everyone to donuts and then Eli asked if we could go to the Hallmark museum. 

I loved this - "Where there's love there's laughter." 

We also checked out the Hallmark visitors center for the first time. 

On Tuesday evening, Aaron gave us all back to school blessings. He reminded me that I can't be with our children every second of every day, now that Eli will be gone all day, but Heavenly Father can be with them. It was a peaceful reminder that Heavenly Father is always close.

On Wednesday morning, I woke up early to get my run in before everyone woke up. I've cried lots about Eli leaving for school. I ran to the temple and prayed so hard for him to be brave and adjust to a new school. 

Morning time came and Eli woke up and got dressed in his new school shirt. I made waffles and Aaron stuck around to see Eli get on the bus. As we sat at the breakfast table, Eli was talking about school and then his facial expression changed - he originally wanted Aaron to walk him to the bus and then he looked over at me and said, "Mom, I want you to come too. " He started crying and I cried too. I stood up to hug him so he wouldn't see the tears in my eyes. We said family prayer together and then gathered everyone up to walk to the bus stop. As we crossed the street and started walking to the bus, several kids gathered around and Eli instantly perked up. He loves friends. One kid was so kind and came over and put out his hand to shake Eli's hand and said, "Hi, what's your name?" It was an answer to my prayer as I prayed Eli would be brave as he got on the bus. This kind gesture gave Eli the confidence that he needed to bravely get on the school bus. When the bus finally appeared, Eli said, "Okay mom, I'm done with you now." He hopped on the bus and waved to us as the bus drove away. I cried and Austin cried harder. It broke my heart. We got home and I couldn't find Austin. He had run upstairs and crawled into his bed and was sobbing. I laid beside him and we cried together. Change is tough and it stretches us all. We counted down the hours until Eli returned!!

Eleanor makes us laugh all the time. These are scratch and sniff stickers and it smelled so great that she put it on her nose. 

To help cheer us up, we went to the park with a friend from church! We love being outside.

He survived the first day! He wanted a popsicle and to listen to this book. 

We received the kindest note from his teacher. 

On Friday we went to the Science Center. We miss Eli so much and think about him throughout the day. We're trying to take advantage of the time we have with Austin before he starts school next year. 

Austin created this amazing reading fort. 

We had our cement lifted in the front of the house. 

My uncle Johnny use to mail a family newsletter every few months and I've now taken over that responsibility. A few of my cousins and I put it together and now we send it out electronically. August 10 is my grandma's birthday. I loved the memories my extended family sent to us for the newsletter about my grandma. 

Here is Eleanor making us laugh again. And our neighborhood had an end of the summer pool party where we enjoyed pizza and Kona Ice. 

On Saturday we did our chores and Aaron and the boys helped a family load a moving truck. I was able to go to the temple at 7 a.m. I planned to run, but when it was raining, I decided to run to the temple. It's a blessing that we live so close to the Kansas City temple!! That afternoon, we went to a birthday party at a splash park. Austin is a climbing machine.

And each Sunday when I go to the library to get supplies for primary, I've seen this framed quote that I love. I finally remembered to take a picture. 

Aaron and I got to sub for Austin's sunbeam class. I'm a permanent sub in primary and so far I've been in Eli and Austin's class. I love it!!!