{books}

I love books, they love books, we all love books!

Voluntarily reading...

such a blessing during this crazy time.
Henry took a picture of me on the phone doing church work...pretty much sums it up!

{eliza's 1st day of school}

Eliza started preschool today...

Unbelievable...

I cannot believe this little girl is big enough to go to preschool!

Yesterday she met her teachers Miss Nancy and Miss Erin and was able to play in her classroom and explore a little bit.  She was very impressed that they had paint and toys to play with.  She was so excited this morning to get ready for school and especially use her backpack.  She even wanted me to take a picture of the back of her so it would show in the picture.  It was a very weird feeling to drive away without her...even if it was just for a couple of hours.  She goes to Woodland Baptist Preschool...even though there are I think at least 14 "Mormon" kids going there:).  It is a christian based program that tells Bible stories and focuses on kindness and service to others....along with all the other regular preschool activities.  She had a wonderful first day and I am pretty sure this will be a great year for her!  See if you can guess which picture she posed herself?

{the fixed hair-do}

Well, thank goodness for Eliza's hairstylist!

She was able to fix it up the best she could and I think she did a great job.

  When I round brush her hair and help it to blend better it looks really cute.  If I just let it go the short pieces tend to hang by her face and are more obvious...but I will take what I can get! 

Disaster averted:)

Now we just need to work on growing her bangs out...ugh...and getting those short pieces the same length as everything else.

NO MORE DIY HAIRCUTS ELIZA!!!

{tragedy...eliza cut her own hair}

Yes, the day has finally come that one of my children took it upon themselves to cut their own hair... and the winner is Eliza!!!

I was in the library with Henry going over some school papers and Eliza was cutting with scissors at the table.  Eliza has been using scissors for a long while now and they are at her reach in our craft and art closet.  I gave her the scissors to do a free-lance cutting project...

well she decided to cut a chunk of hair off one side in the front and then the other.  I did not even notice until she said "Mom, I don't want to grow out my bangs anymore, I changed my mind."  I turned to look at her and that is when I noticed the chunk missing and then the hair on the floor and then the other chunk missing from the other side.  I was so shocked that I did not yell, but gasped dramatically and of course kept asking what she had done and why and on and on.

  She cried. 

 I calmed down.

Then we had a serious talk...

and we hugged it out!

Luckily I was able to get a haircut appointment for her the very next day.

I have some really good photos that show the damage better, but they are on the cell phone...hopefully I can add them later.

{happy birthday henry boy}

My big boy is seven...SEVEN!

He had a great birthday this year.  He chose to go bowling and have dinner as a family at Biaggi's.

  It was a great day celebrating a great boy! 

 We gave him his first set of nice scriptures with his name engraved on them.  We gave them to him on his seventh birthday so he can read them, specifically the Book of Mormon, and get ready to be baptized when he turns eight years old.

He loved his huge number seven balloon that we took with us to meet him at the bus stop when he got home from school...Eliza really wanted to take a picture of the balloon before Henry got home:).

Henry is such a smart boy with so many great ideas.  He can be so loving and helpful...I love when I find sweet notes tucked away that he has written me.

Happy Birthday Babe!

{faces of eliza}

Eliza has so many different looks and makes so many different faces...

we can never capture them, but today I tried.  I did get some sweet smiles in a pretty dress!

{henry's 1st day of school}

Henry started first grade today!!!

We had a bit of a rough summer this year so I think we were both a little relieved that school was starting.  He loves school and I am really excited about this year!  His teacher is Mrs. Dean, who already I can tell will be a fabulous fit for him.  He has a few classmates in his class from last year and one member of the church in his class, Eva.  It was really fun going to Back to School night with just the two of us...his teacher had us do a little scavenger hunt around the room and he got a little treat.  He loved being able to pay the lunch lady for his milk for the year and show me around the school.  I think this will be another great year just like last year!

{more pregnant}

A little bigger:)

{summer garden}

Henry and Chris planted our garden this year and it turned out great!  The kids have loved working in it and eating the fruits of their labor.  The grape tomatoes turned out fantastic!  We got so many and they were so sweet and fresh.  The kids were really impressed with the carrots...