Back to a routine!

School's been back in session for 3 weeks now and were getting into a groove. The days go by much faster and it seems were much busier. The kids go to school from 8-2:30. I'm loving having both kids on the same schedule. When they get home we usually do homework. I am amazed at how much more work Maddie has now that she is in 4th grade. Her homework usually takes an hour and a half or so. I don't remember having that much homework in high school (however I did go to Duarte High). She does take a few breaks and doesn't sit in one place the whole time but I still think it's way too much.

I love being able to put Libby back on a schedule. Summer was so hard because she couldn't stay asleep very long in our small noisy house. She is so much happier on the days she gets two good naps!

Maddie and Carter have started Soccer! Even though it keeps us super busy I love soccer season. I love sitting in the grass with the kids and watching my kids play soccer. It is such a great sport, I hope they continue to enjoy it as much as I do. We have soccer practice Monday - Thursday and once the games start, our Saturdays will be busy as well! (AYSO- All Your Saturdays Occupied)

Sawyer's first day of preschool

Last week Sawyer had his first day of preschool. I didn't put him in preschool last year because of the new baby and having a Kindergartner I thought it would be too crazy for our schedule. Next year he will start Kindergarten so preschool was a must this year. We signed him up for Tuesdays and Thursday mornings.

He was very anxious about going. On one hand he was excited to go because he knew that meant he was a big kid now but on the other hand he was very scared and shy. Chris was able to come with us on his first day which was nice.

Here he is all ready for his first day in his cute outfit and his backpack.

Here he is in the front of the school

Once we got inside he was very nervous. He would not let go of my pant leg for one second. I was nervous for him. When it was time to sign the kids in at the door I had to sign him in and say goodbye. At first he wouldn't let go of me so the teacher had to have the asst. teacher come and get him from me. He didn't resist but had a very sad look on his face and it broke my heart. As I turned to leave I started to tear up. How could I leave my baby! I felt like I was abandoning him. As we walked outside, I told Chris I couldn't leave yet, I had to make sure he was okay. I went back in and got eye contact with the teacher without him seeing me. She gestured a thumbs up and I was relieved. I knew he'd be okay.

Here he is with his teacher Ms. Heather. Isn't she cute? She is the sweetest teacher and just loves the kids. (Sawyer is so hard to get a good picture of for some reason by the time the camera snaps he has a weird look on his face)


When I went home it was so weird and quiet without Sawyer around. It was kinda nice. Libby took a nap and I though to myself, I can get used to this!

I was excited to get back to the school to see my baby so I headed back a little early with a Root beer Slurpee in hand.

I was first in line to pick him up and when he came out he gave me a huge hug and said, "Mommy, I am not a shy guy anymore! I love preschool!"

Sawyer loves preschool and has been excited to go to school each time since that day. He wakes up in the morning and gets so excited when he finds out that its a school day!

Birthday Boy

Chris turned 32 on August 18. He had to be out of town on his birthday for work so we had a few celebrations for him before and after. On Saturday before he left we got together with Chris' mom and siblings and all the cousins at Outback, one of his favorite places. It was also our nephew Quintins birthday so we celebrated them together. It was fun seeing everyone.

Here is Grandma with all her grandchildren minus Halli who is in Seattle.

When Chris got home from his trip, he and I had a date night while my parents watched the kids. We even left Libby behind which is a rare occurance. We went to Lucilles and to the movie Salt. We were on the edge of our seats the entire movie!

On Sunday we got together with my family to celebrate Chris' birthday at my parents house. I made enchiladas, which is his favorite homemade meal.

Even though Chris was gone on his birthday, we made sure to celebrate his birthday because he is such a special guy! I'm so lucky to be married to the most funny, charming, romantic, loving, amazing man in the whole world!

Seven Months Old

I'm a little behind on my blogging lately but I wanted to get this post up before Libby turns 8 months! I did take these pictures on the day she turned 7 months.

Libby is growing up so fast and is such a fun baby to have around. We truly feel blessed that we have her in our home and she has brought nothing but joy to us! I always tell people I am so glad we decided to have a fourth child becasue she is the "icing on the cake"!

Libby started sitting up right after she turned 6 months and loves to sit and watch the kids and play with toys. She is not however interested in crawling which I'm completely fine with, I'm not ready for her to be mobile! She has started babbling and saying "Ma Ma" and "Da Da". She loves her siblings and lights up when ever they come around to play with her. Lets just say she gets plenty of attention. She has quite the scream but uses it in a way to get attention. She will squak at us if we aren't paying enough attention to her! She starting eating baby food at 6 months and is a great eater. She loves food and hasn't refused anything I have given her. She even loves avocado!

We thought it was kind of funny that her lateral incisors came in before the central ones. It makes her kinda look like a vampire. We usually get a good laugh from people when they see her teeth. I tell them she's auditioning for the role of Renesme in the next "Twilight" movie. She's developed a few nick names from her teeth as well, Daddy calls her white fang!

It looks like her central incisors are just starting to come in. I think I'll miss calling her my vampire baby. This picture is awful and she was mad when we took it but I wanted to have picture to remember this fun stage by!

First day of School 2010

On Friday before school started (not long after getting home from our trip to Palm Desert) we went over to the school to see the kids teachers. The kids both seemed very happy with who they got. Maddie also enjoyed seeing some of her friends at the school and finding out who everyone had.

Our school starts incredibly early compared to the rest of California. No we are not on year round school we just start early and end early (before Memorial Day which is kinda nice) Anyhow it does feel kinda weird to be in school when the rest of the country (or what seems like) is still in Summer.

Needless to say, we had a long Summer and the kids and I were certainly ready for school to start. Our new school year began early Monday morning at 6:00 am when the kids awoke very excited for what the day would bring. Maddie had her clothes all ready set out.

The kids got ready, and I even got showered and ready too! (I know crazy huh? Probably the only day all year I don't drop them off wearing PJ's) Chris went into work very early that day so he was able to come home and join me in taking the kids to their new classes.
Here are the big 1st grader and 4th grader ready for a great day.

Aren't they just adorable! They are growing up too fast (sniff sniff..)

(Chris would have you admire his freshly cut grass)

We got there early at 7:30 am and the school was already bustling with parents. We dropped off Carter first. He was excited to be in the big kid classrooms and to have his own desk.

His teacher this year is Ms. Aleman. She was very nice to pose for a picture. Carter has had a hard time adjusting to a longer school day, and I feel a little bad for him.

We said goodbye to Carter (no tears this time) and went over to the big kid side of campus to Maddie's Fourth grade classroom. She has a male teacher, Mr. Lawrence whom she is very fond of and seems like he's gonna be great. We noticed a stark contrast from dropping Carter off to dropping Maddie off. With Maddie there was no pose with the teacher, or dramatic send off. The teacher was talking to the students and had them sit down and didn't really acknowledge the parents. There were only two parents there. The desks were piled high with 5 huge textbooks and there were so many desks 33 to be exact! Carter's classroom only has 18 students, BIG difference.

Just in the first few days we've noticed that fourth grade is going to be a lot different than 3rd. Maddie has a planner and homework every night in just about every subject. She has to bring her textbooks home and it just seems like she's given a lot more responsibility which she is gladly receiving. It makes me a little sad to see my little girl grow up, just in the past week I feel like she's no longer a little girl. When we talk she understands more about the adult world I live in. I can see how I'm going to like having a buddy like her around while I'm cooking dinner or taking care of little ones. She's had to grow up a lot in the last 6 months since Libby has joined our family as I've given her much more responsibility and that has also made her mature.

I'm so proud of my Maddie and I'm starting to feel kinda old with a fourth grader! (My own memories of fourth grade are not so distant)

Oh, and I forgot to mention, Chris and I went to Coco's for breakfast after to celebrate!

'Twas the night before School starts

Twas the night before school starts and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring not even a spouse,
The back packs were hung on their hooks with care,
Their crisp new outfits laid out nicely (so rare).
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
with visions of pencils, crayons and notebooks in their heads,
The kitchen was quiet lunch boxes laid out,
ready for a big day tomorrow no doubt!
Bright and early we'll rise for the new school year ahead
"Lets make it the best!" Mom joyfully said.

Tomorrow is the big day, the kids can't wait, and I can't wait. Summer's been hard with all four home. Don't get me wrong I love my children but it is really hard entertaining them all day, keeping the house clean, keeping them from killing each other, and getting anything done. Luckily my kids are still at the age where they love the first day of school and they are excited. Carter is in first and Maddie in 4th. Carter gets to stay all day so no more running back to school at noon to pick up Carter. He'll be done at the same time as Maddie which is sooo nice. Sawyer starts preschool next week so much more to come on that.

We've had this fun tradition for the past few years of doing a fashion show the day before school starts. The kids get really into it and I love watching them model all their new clothes. This year we invited Chris and Amanda and my parents over for dinner and we had them watch the fashion show. Here's the kids posing for the camera. Sawyer was a little shy at first but warmed up.



The kids were so excited with each wardrobe change they threw their clothes off and put on another outfit. This is what their "Dressing Rooms" looked like when they were done!

Our last Hoorah of Summer!

We had a fun Summer and maybe didn't get to do all the things that I wanted (like go to the library once a week, and spend many hours having the kids read, and have the house clean every day before going out to do something fun, and going to the pool every week) but we tried to have fun and do stuff with the kids as much as possible. We had one last hoorah before school started. Chris' dad let us stay in their time share in Palm Desert for 3 days last week since he couldn't use it the entire week. Chris also had some work to do out there so it worked out perfect! Now the weather there in Summer is beyond HOT but we didn't mind because we literally spent all day at the pool (except Chris, he had to work so he went to the pool as much as he could) The pools were nice and refreshing and the kids love the slide. There was also a new pool at the resort that had a sandy beach and a walk in salt water pool. We had a blast and can't wait to go back to Palm Desert!

One night while we were there we took the kids to the JW Marriott hotel and it is simply beautiful. The kids love to go to our favorite restaurant there BY BOAT! The boat picks you up inside the hotel and takes you out on the grounds and docks at the restaurants there. I think it's pretty neat. (that and one of my favorite shows as a kid was filmed there, Saved by the Bell. Remember when Screech takes Lisa on the boat)

The kids under 7 have to wear a life Jacket. The boys don't look too happy about it. Maddie put one on to be a good sport but then took it off later.

Libby was not a fan of the life jacket. Once we went out onto the water she was so excited. She loved the wind in her face and made the cutest cooing sound and closed her eyes while the wind blew in her face. Just precious.

We just love the restaurant Mikado, the steak is amazing and the kids love to watch the fancy tricks the chefs do.