Fullback fun

This little blue eyed boy of mine keeps me busy and smiling every single day.  He is sort of in love with me and reminds Mark all the time that I am HIS sweetheart and not Mark's.  He loves to snuggle cuddle and adores his baby sister.  He even calls her "baby girl."  His best friend is his brother and they love wrestling and getting into as much trouble and mischief as possible.
He really enjoyed itty bitty football again this year.  It is crazy that next year he will be in kindergarten and won't be able to do itty bitty.  Why is he growing up?!

Soccer this year has been so fun and good for him.  He is really aggressive and focused when he plays and has quite the sense for the game.  He knows where to be and how to defend.  And he has even made a few goals!  He loves to play and it made it even more fun because his cousin Nick was on the same team.

Hooray!!

At home during the day we are still using ABCmouse for our preschool learning.  I love this program!  It is much cheaper than regular preschool, he doesn't have to leave home, but he now knows his letters and numbers and so much more.  He wasn't even interested in this kind of stuff about 6 months ago.  I can't wait until he can put sounds together even more and starts to read.  I have a feeling he is going to LOVE reading.

Nails

First day of school

As much as the first day of school makes me sad and nervous, I love the traditions we have surrounding it.  We enjoyed back to school night and seeing his classroom.  His amazing teacher from last year moved up to 2nd grade and he got her again for this year!  We are all so beyond happy.  She really saw my boy for who he is and his goodness last year so I know she will be just what he needs this year.  The night before Shortstop's first day of 2nd grade we had our traditional caveman dinner of spaghetti, jello and garlic bread with ice cream for dessert).  We all loved it as usual.  Mark gave Shortstop a wonderful back to school blessing and of course Fullback wanted one too. 

ACE got in to the spirit of things...but food in her hair isn't unique to this dinner

The ice cream was too cold to pick up with hands so Fullback found a good solution

So handsome

Super pumped

So silly

We will miss our big brother during the day but will be excited when he comes home to tell us all of his adventure each afternoon.

Under anesthesia...again

Poor Fullback...this kid has been under anesthesia now FOUR times.  I have NEVER had to be under anesthesia so I have no idea how scary it must be for him.  This time is was for dental work...and a LOT of it.  Man alive, we floss and brush and do mouthwash every day and yet he had 8 things that needed fixing, including two temporary silver crowns which we call his pirate teeth.  He was such a trooper, walked right to the back with the doctor, never fussed as they put the mask on him and as he was coming out, he was cuddly and sweet and just wanted to know "if the doctor fixed it and did a good job."  And knowing he had a brand new toy at home waiting for him didn't hurt.  I will never get used to watching my baby walk back with a doctor knowing he will be unconscious and there is nothing I can do for him until he wakes up.  But lots of prayers and a father's blessing the night before helped calmed my nerves and his and it ended up going very smoothly.  The anesthesiologist the dentist and nurses all commented on how agreeable, sweet and cute he was.  That's an obvious statement! :)

Just contemplating the meaning of life...

Cecret Lake

I have never been a big hiker...it is not that I am against it but it is not something I seek out and do on my own.  When invited though, of course I said yes!  My sisters Rachel and Melanie go hiking with their kids all the time so I was excited to take my own kids with them and see what the hype is all about.  It was a gorgeous hike, my kids LOVED it and ACE was a rockstar in the hiking backpack.  And if I do say so myself, I was impressed with my own accomplishment of having her on my back the whole way up and down.  Who knows...maybe I have found a new hobby for the summer time...

Ward Family Campout

This summer our ward had a father/son campout AND a ward family campout.  My boys were so excited to get to go to both!  We decided that we would go as a family for dinner and games and playing and then ACE and I would come back home to sleep since she does not do well away from home, let alone in a tent.  But I am so glad we went for the few hours we did!  It was up Provo Canyon past Sundance and the perfect spot.  We ate dinner, played in the dirt, visited, Mark played football and baseball with the big boys, the boys did pioneer crafts and heard pioneer stories and ACE played some more in the dirt.  They LOVE the outdoors and I love the freedom they have and the adventures they go on.  Mark said the boys did great with sleeping and breakfast was a lot of fun.  ACE and I had fun sleeping in the next morning and going shopping for a bit.  I am so grateful the ward does camping stuff cause it is not the first thing I choose to do but I know how special and important those moments are for kids.

My husband is HOT and good at every sport he tries...(this is my blog and I will shamelessly brag if I want to)

Pioneer crafts

Why did I put her in a white shirt again?

She took a face plant, as you can tell, but it didn't even phase her.  She got up and immediately ran to the next messy thing to play with

This girl loves her daddy

Discovery museum

One of my best friends moved to California recently but came back for a visit this month!  I was so happy when she called and had time to meet up and play.  Of course meeting up with my three kids and her four kids and some of their cousins did not allow for much catching up but we were able to have snipets of conversation here and there which I just loved!  We went to the Discover museum at the Gateway mall in Salt Lake and the kids had a blast!  I love the age Shortstop and Fullback are and how they can go do what they want but know to make sure they can see me or check in when they want to go somewhere new.  ACE takes most of my attention just because she has no fear and loves to wander to the next fun place so it is very helpful.

After watching her play in the miniature house all I want is to turn my basement into one!  It was too cute!

And I want all the tiny leather couches and armchairs