stepping stones part 2

Noah Starts Kindergarten!  I remember when we moved to Utah when Noah was just a few months old feeling bummed that he would miss the September 1st cut off and would have to wait a year to start school.  As time drew closer I felt and still feel so grateful to have had that extra year with him.  He is ready, I'm (mostly) ready.  This week has gone so smoothly.  He is in afternoon Kindergarten so I spent most of my morning answering how many more minutes until school.  If you know Noah, getting this boy out of pajamas is a struggle but first day of school he came bouncing down the stairs SO proudly in a red, star wars Lego shirt and  size 3t basketball shorts.  I was a bit beside myself (in my head I had laid out a cute polo with plaid shorts etc.)  do I assert my agenda and get cute pictures or let him choose what makes him happy?  As you can see, he sported the Lego shirt and took my offer of an alternative pair of shorts that might be more comfortable.  My mom validated my decision saying, "If he feels confident in what he is wearing will be confident at school." 

 

Josh was working from home and I told Noah to go down and tell Daddy goodbye and come up to watch the girls so I could take him.  He and Josh headed up from the office and Noah exclaimed Dad was going to take him.  I was so bummed, we had a thumb war, and rock/paper/scissored but in the end we let him choose.  Noah's pretty smart, I am pretty sure he was going with "who will make less of a scene?"  Josh loved the opportunity, the boys are true buddies.

People from the ward thought I gave birth early and this was a birth announcement on the door.  Nope, just one crazy mommy trying to make the first day feel as monumental and exciting as I could.  Noah liked the bus ride the best and his super nice teacher. He ate a ton when he came home and was asleep by 7:15pm, Big Day! He is such a cutie, I so wish I had him in my own Kinder classes.

Stepping Stones part 1

Clara starts Preschool.  The orientation was a bit rough, causing me to be extra apprehensive about the first day.  No worries, she was great! 

She is a funny girl. She found a "lucky" feather that morning to put in the book bag.  She chose her outfit.  She was looking for a "surf girl" outfit...the Roxy skirt made the cut.  When she spoke of her first day she loved the "wobbly bridge" during recess and learned to "hold a bubble in her mouth" to keep quiet.  I am proud of you my little, big girl!

Summer Projects

After struggling so much with my first 4 months of another "high risk" pregnancy my Relief Society President suggested a darling family of girls that might be able to help.  So, this summer I hired an amazing girl come in two days a week for a couple hours.  It has been heaven sent, she cheerfully does laundry, involves/plays with the kids, and even taught me some basics of sewing/quilting.  She's off to BYU next week, and she will be missed. I don't think I've rested as much as I should of, but it feels so good to get more than basic housekeeping done.  (I've got the pantry, some closets, and craft room organized and several crafts that had been beckoning me to finish).   Here are a few...


This is a doll quilt made from the scraps of the one for the new baby.



Becky and I worked on this art for Clara's room.




Dressing up Clara's Preschool book bag.



Gardening.



Field Trip Fridays

Enjoyed a quick trip to Thanksgiving Point.  It was fun to see a line of my own kids on the pony ride.  

In the evening we went up the canyon for another little family hike.  The kids love to throw rocks in the river, find big forest ants, and secret paths.  Rowan and I keep about the same pace...one step...pick up a rock, dig in dirt, two steps...stare at rolly polly, find a stick (and I'm still out of breath).

Nursery Time

Rowan went to nursery (classtime  for 18months+ at church).  She did GREAT. Smiles when I left, squeals when I came back.  Of course I was peeking throughout and every time she was just busy and happy.   I think it helps having big sister Clara in there with her.  If all goes well, this will mean I get to enjoy class myself for a whole two months before baby #4 comes!

mid-summer catch up

Draper Days Parade

Cousin Play Dates

Clara gets an overdue visit from the "Binky Fairy".  Look forward to binky free pictures from here on out.

Rowan is on the move..running, climbing everywhere!

Days of '47 parade preview

Evening hike up at Alta

Threw snowballs in August!

Lots 'o Lego ...esp. Star Wars for this boy

Special Jurassic Exhibit at Hogle Zoo



Hosted a Neighborhood Ice Cream Party



Not on my worst enemy

I really would not wish this on ANYONE but especially not a little three year old who can't really understand what she is going through.  We've been in hiding (quarentine) the last few weeks while this little patient slowly healed.  Watching her endure what my doctor labeled as a form of severe "chicken pox" of the mouth was almost more than I could bare. Many times tears welled up even just looking at her, let alone making her drink/eat, or take medicine.
Five days/nights of high fever.
Almost two weeks with open sores all over her lips, tongue and mouth. 
(Worst breathe that I have ever smelled)
Screaming, crying that lasted hours...days  (At one point she was crying from under the back corner of her bed screaming for me to go away...not wanting medicine).
About a week in Clara and I were at both at our breaking point I prayed...called my mom, who wisely told me to call the doctor... talked to Josh...called the doctor.  She expressed her worry about dehydration and said that "if she doesn't drink a tablespoon of liquid every five minutes and use the potty within the next two hours to take her to Primary Children's for an IV".  Seriously that day she had been refusing, gaging anything I attempted and screamed for half an hour (at least). So,  I was totally prepared and even relieved to take her in.  When I went to her to tell her, she asked for a bowl of cereal and ate the ENTIRE bowl and then more milk,  she was even happy for a whole hour AND went potty.  It's not that it was at all easy from there on out but that tender mercy got us through and gave me that little feeling the yes, my prayers were being heard.  Clara got a lot of love, thoughts, and prayers sent her way of which I am SO grateful.  Isn't amazing how good we feel, most of time, it makes me appreciate the general good health most of us have, and greater empathy for those who suffer.