Off to Dancie Class

Today the girls start ballet. They are over the moon excited. I signed them up through the YMCA that I attend last month. This has meant for almost 3 weeks we have had daily conversations about when their dancie class is going to begin.

There are few guidelines for the program. I think it is very low key and mellow. I never figured out if there was a leotard color requirement (the lady at the front desk said they usually wore pink so we went with that) and I am not certain that they require hair all up or not but my personality required me to put it all up.

It is just so tidy that way. The girls both have their dance bags for class and because I don't want to  be buying tights every other session they are not getting dressed until we get to class. But I will be taking my camera and getting some of their adorableness on record.

Ashkalee...

Miss Lucy Lou has a favorite word, ashkalee. Actually for the rest of the population. She pops that word into most conversations and practically every other sentence. We keep repeating it the correct way so she will hear how to really pronounce it but she doesn't care. Ashkalee, it is pretty cute just the way it is. I just might be sad when she can say it correctly.

Not Missing the Big Boys At All

While the brothers were off learning all kinds of fun stuff at school, the little ones and I hung out at home. We had our normal day of the gym and lunch and a nap for Reid.

The girls watched a movie and I got some bible study done. Then there was some bike riding and an otter pop.

We finished off the day with waiting for the bus to come so we could hear all about the first day of school. I was by far more interested in that than the munchkins were. In all they did great without the big boys. I missed them but apparently I was the only one.

First Day of School

 The first day of school typically starts with everyone up on time and ready much earlier than necessary. Other than Andrew falling back asleep (I finally woke him up about 7:20) the morning went exactly how I anticipated.

Zane was excited and bubbly and ready to go out and conquer 1st grade. Back to school night went great and although he has wanted summer to last forever, he has conceded that seeing his friends from last year may be fun. So he wants to go to the first day of school and then the last week. That's when all the fun happens you know.

The girls was very ready to go this morning as well. This will last for a few weeks until it get cold. Then they will stay home while I walk the boys to the bus. Although Gwen REALLY wanted to go to school this morning. She was sobbing that she didn't get to ride the bus too. Clearly next year, when Lucy goes to kindergarten and Gwen still stays home, is going to be a lot of fun. Insert eye roll and sarcastic tone.

 Andrew was ready for school but very nervous. He wants to have a good year, and I am sure he will, but the reality of lots more work and expectations make him nervous. He just needs to get into the swing of things this year and he is going to be fine.

It is almost impossible for me to believe that my boys are getting so big! And when I put Zane next to Andrew it is shocking how tall he is. Sweet mercy this boy is going to eat my pantry bare.

Hooray for the first day of school!

The Day Before the First Day of School

I love my kids and I am always sad to see the start of school arrive. Partially because I just really love summer but mostly because I really love hanging out with my kids. They are pretty amazing little people and I just enjoy their company.

Today however was a very long day.

I don't know if it was that everyone was feeling wonky because we just finished a 3 day weekend with Eric and it was a lot of fun, or if it was because school is starting tomorrow, or if it was just the phase of the moon, but everyone was acting CRAZY today. There was more pestering and fighting and just being obnoxious to each other than I could shake a stick at. I was about ready to string Lucy up by her toes and she isn't even the kids going to school tomorrow!

The boys were bored. And fighting. And fussing at Lucy and well, let's just say that I am excited for the school year to begin tomorrow. And I hate that I feel that way. But they are bored, they need more to do and school is a very good outlet of energy and friend interaction.

So let the school year begin.

The Ice Caves: A Daddy Adventure!

We have really missed having Eric this summer while we went on our adventures, so it was with great delight that we set off on an adventure with him to celebrate Labor Day.

It has been a LONG time since I have been up to the ice caves and several of the kiddos have never been at all.

It is a well known fact that hiking is not my activity of choice. However, it is Eric's favorite thing to do and the ice caves are a nice, easy, kid friendly hike to go on.

Reid, Gwen, Zane and Andrew all are super hikers. They are ready to attack the trail and climb over logs and rocks until they fall down exhausted.

Lucy on the other hand is more like me (at least she was today). She fussed about mud. And bugs. And kids falling and getting hurt. And the bridges were scary. Eric informed me she sounded like me. Whatever.

Reid hiked almost the entire way up to the ice caves. We were almost to the top when he totally tuckered out. He wasn't sure about the backpack at first but once he got in it he discovered how very nice it was to be carried he was a happy boy.

Andrew has really started being super brave when it comes to adventuresome activities. Eric dared him to walk up this huge log (totally undoable) and Andrew gave it a shot. He made it much farther than my super scared of heights mind wanted him to. I think he went a lot farther than Eric wanted him to as well. Good job Andrew, calling daddies bluff!

After a nice lunch at the top we let the kids play on the very bottom of the snow. Those blasted caves freak me out totally.

It doesn't help that there was an avalanche up there a couple of years ago and a girl died. So yeah, we didn't play too much on the hill.

A quick photo to document the day and then it was time to head back down the mountain. Gwen and Andrew did great on the way down. They were troopers. Lucy and Zane... well, they were tired and a bit whiny. I played a game with Lucy to pass the time (we counted the bridges we walked over. 19 by our count) but by the last quarter of a mile she was crying and sobbing and collapsing on the ground. So it could have ended easier.

Reid was packed out but obviously he was a good boy the entire trip down. All in all a great time and I am so glad we had a chance to go!

Zane's Angry Birds Space Party

Zane was thrilled to be turning 7 and celebrating with an Angry Birds Space party. I don't have anything that plays Angry Birds but he seemed to know an awful lot about it and was really thrilled with the theme.

Add family, friends, presents and cake and we have a party! Originally I thought about making Eric dress up like a green pig so the kids could throw water balloons at him. I ran out of time though and forgot to buy the water balloons. It was a nice thought though.

Zane made out like a bandit and got a whole bunch of really fun and cool stuff. He is excitedly playing with his new toys right now.

Happy 7th Birthday Zane!