First Day of School

Our First Grader

Kelsie started school today! She was so excited for her first day and is even more excited for her second day! We are so happy for her. She loves seeing her friends from last year and she loves eating lunch at school! I can't beleive my little girl is a first grader. When I taught school my first graders seemed so big. And now that I have one of my own she still seems so little! It's amazing how your perspective changes. We are so excited for this year. First grade is the best!

The Splash Pad

We took our kids to check out this Splash Pad. They absolutely loved it! We were the only ones there and John and the kids enjoyed darting in and out of the shooting water. I loved watching how thrilled they were by something so simple. I also kept thinking what brilliant idea a Splash Park is... a free way for kids to cool off on hot summer days without the fear of drowning or of contracting Crypto (two of my current fears)! I think I might start campaigning for one in our city.

Carter's Crib

We finally set up Carter's crib and he loves it! The first time I put him down to sleep in it he just looked around and fell asleep on his own. It was a beautiful moment! We're hoping he will keep that up! It is so cute and peaceful to see him napping in his crib. And it's so fun to have a blue room!

Summer Fun

We are trying to make the most of our last few weeks of summer freedom. I am not ready for it to end! Here are some of our favorite activities from the last couple of weeks.

At the Fire StationWe went to a "read with a firefighter" event at our firestation. The girls loved it! They got to listen to stories, take a tour of the fire house, see the firefighter gear, and sit inside a firetruck. Emily had never been to the firehouse and was thrilled by all of it. She couldn't beleive the firefighters had chairs and a T.V. and beds, just like "real" people! I also learned some new things and was tickled pink that the firefighters suggested my girls climb up on this firetruck for a picture!

Our Sidewalk Paint Masterpiece
Meeting Sophie
Carter met my brother's dog Sophie for the first time. He LOVED the dog and wanted to get a hold of him. I guess he's inherited his sisters love for dogs instead of his parents fear. Looks like we will have a 3rd child begging for a dog in a few years.

Farm CountryWe headed to Thanksgiving Point with our fun neighbors. It was lots of fun to have friends along to entertain all of us!
Emily loved being "out and about" with her friend Lizzie and was all smiles and giggles.

And here are the pony rides....

Cousins Campout

We went to Grandma and Grandpa Durrant's house for a cousins campout. The kids and their dads all set up tents in the backyard and camped out. That is my kind of camping! Especially since Carter and I got to sleep in a bed in the air conditioned basement. The kids had a blast sleeping in tents, watching grandpa light fireworks, eating Smores (in the morning) and flying kites Uncle Jared brought back from China.

John and James setting up tents. I had to post this picture because I love the matching shirts. Must be brothers!

Learning to Ride

Tonight we went to Grandma and Grandpa Durrant's house. While we were there Kelsie learned to ride her bike without training wheels! She is very excited and wants to practice all the time. She keeps telling us "this is really fun!" She's also excited for all the neighbor boys her age to see that she can ride a two wheeler too!

Day Off

John had the day off on Friday while his company moved to their new building. We enjoyed having an "extra" day and took the kids to check out the Children's Discovery Museum.






Our favorite part was the store. We had fun making sandwiches in the deli, grocery shopping, and playing cashier!













Emily was TERRIFIED of the life flight helicopter simulator. She wanted to check it out, but every time it starting revving up she would start panicking. She thought the helicopter was going to take off with her in it!













Carter was really good and tried to find new ways to entertain himself while confined to a stroller. I was really amused when I looked in and found he had completely scooted himself to the end of his seat and was desperately trying to get his feet to touch the top of the stroller. Maybe we should take that as a signal that he wants out!