End of August

Aaron's been busy preparing for seminary. He wears these headphones and I really try not to bother him while he's studying. It's hard for me not to talk with him while I'm cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. 

Last day of summer: We went to kaleidoscope and then enjoyed lunch at Fritz. We've made a million memories this summer. It was a good one!

Tuesday evening family party: The kids requested tortellini for dinner and I surprised them by serving some Sprite we've had in the garage that I bought for Austin's birthday, but we never used it. Our theme for this year is CHOOSE THE RIGHT! Aaron gave us all blessings and then we played a choose the right game where hi-chews were the winning prize. Chews the right. :) 

I couldn't fall asleep thinking about the boys heading back to school. I thought back to the memories I have in second and fourth grade. I was so excited to run home and tell my mom all about what happened at school that day. I love that my mom was there to welcome us home. 

Wednesday morning we woke up with lots of emotions - excited for the new school year, nervous for the unknown and sad the boys wouldn't be with us all day. 

It was a reunion at the bus stop as we gathered with neighbors and friends. The biggest blessing this year is that our bus comes 10 minutes later than it has in the past. With Aaron teaching seminary, this will allow him time to come home so we can say family prayer, study the scriptures and give goodbye hugs. Definitely a tender mercy! 

As the boys hoped on the bus, I had a moment of reflection realizing how quickly time really does go with my kids by my side. Several parents were crying at the bus stop as their kindergartner's got on the bus and I started crying too. I can't believe Eleanor will be starting school next year. We came home and I pushed my to-do list to the side and we went to the library for story time. Wasn't I just taking my little Eli and Austin to story time?! 

Eleanor remembered how we got a donut last year on the first day of school so when she asked if we could do that again, I agreed! 

Eleanor loves doing the preschool box together. 

It was fun to see this picture of Austin on the first day of school that the principal sent out. 

The girls and I enjoy a morning walk and it's a treat when the cows are close by the fence so we can tell them hello. 

We went to the park and Adelaide loves the slides while Eleanor loves to run through the water at the splash park. 

On Friday we went to the children's museum. Our free entry only lasts until next week so we're trying to visit as often as possible. We couldn't believe it was free donut day. Two donuts in one week?! 

Adelaide loves pickles so much, she'll even eat them for breakfast. 

On Sunday, our friend invited us to his baptism. I loved seeing all these friends there to support their friend as he was baptized. 

I love these little kids that are growing so much. 

Sunday night Adelaide is extra exhausted. Hopefully next year we'll have morning church as church at 1:30 p.m. is tough on a napping toddler. 

Aaron had his first day of seminary!! He'll probably be exhausted when he gets home. Hopefully we can all get in a good routine - early to bed and early to rise! 

Eleanor is getting better and better at swimming. She jumps off at 5 feet and swims to the side. She's definitely determined to keep up with her brothers. 

This week starts SEPTEMBER! 

 

Finishing Up Summer

My phone completely died so I'm missing a few pictures from some of our summer adventures. Thankfully, I did post recently, otherwise I would have been devistated to lose all of our summer pictures. 

I don't really feel that domestic at times, but a neighbor brought over a ton of tomatoes so I made tomato sauce we can use this winter in soups. I also canned peaches for the first time since we've lived in KC. The kids also helped me make peach jam. They're so helpful! 

The kids made a bobsled out of this diaper box and they all laughed so much. It's moments like this that I'm so grateful my kids have siblings to enjoy their childhood together. Yes, they fight and get on each other's nerves, but over all, they really are friends. 

Here's our annual ice cream date. Eli decided he wanted frozen yogurt. My kids like putting a million toppings on their yogurt. I can't believe Eli will be in 4th grade. Wasn't he just getting ready for kindergarten? He's excited for school and I'm excited to see what he'll learn this year. 

Adelaide is speaking so much and has recently said, "Ponytail." You can't really see it in this picture, but she does have enough hair for a ponytail now!

The boys completed a football day camp and had a great time.

Eleanor's sunbeam teacher had a dance competition in KC so when she mentioned giving tickets out for free, I jumped at the chance to take the girls on a little date. We had a great time!

We grabbed dinner after and we were the only ones in Panera so we had a quiet little dinner date. I sure love these little girls. 

We took advantage of having a free entry to the Truman Presidential Library and spent a few hours exploring and learning about President Truman. 

Masks were required. We haven't worn masks for a while now. It's crazy to think we wore them as long as we did. 

Library visit. Adelaide is going to miss the boys when they're at school all day. 

Austin's turn for a frozen yogurt date. I laughed when he picked the same flavors as Eli and even similar toppings. These boys are different but also very similar. He looks ready for second grade!

It was on the cooler side one morning so we walked over to the temple. The boys rode their bikes and the Eleanor rode her scooter. I wish the temple route wasn't on an extremely busy rode with no side walk, otherwise, I'd let my kids walk over there any time. 

Eleanor looked very relaxed at the pool this week. She has learned how to swim so much this summer! She did take swim lessons and it's been great seeing her learn a new skill. 

Another morning adventure - we went on a walk and found this little creek. The kids fight me at times when I suggest going on an "adventure," but I am grateful that they usually end up saying, "Wow mom. this was fun! Sorry we didn't want to come at first." 

Back to school night! We had the best time meeting Eli and Austin's teachers and see their classrooms. They dropped off their school supplies and got ready for a new school year. We haven't been able to go into the school for the past two years so it felt better than ever to be able to spend time in the school. I'm helping with PTA this year so we even got to help with the back to school lunch for the teachers. 

Our last summer hurrah - we went to a preseason Chief's game (because tickets were only $25/each) and it was a great way to wrap up the wonderful summer that we've had. The Chief's won and we even got to see some of the starters play at the beginning of the game. 

A friend offered to watch Adelaide during the game and at first I felt like it was too much to ask, but when my friend persisted, Aaron and I felt like it was best for all of us. Adelaide got to go to Costco and have ice cream!! Her siblings were jealous. We did really miss her. 

These two sisters are so cute in the morning. Adelaide yells out, "Eleanor" when she first wakes up. I find them often like this reading and playing together in the crib. I also dreamed of having twins, and since that didn't happen, I'm sure grateful Eli and Austin have each other and Eleanor and Adelaide have each other too.