6 Months Old!

I can't believe my little Lexie Lyn is already 6 months old! Where does the time go? She is such a great addition to our family - we can't imagine life without her. She is a very good baby - content, patient, and happy. She really does brighten my day - every single day. No matter how naughty my other kids are being and no matter how grouchy I am - it's impossible to stay mad with Lex grinning and laughing all the time. She is such a sweet little babe - we just love her.

A little blurry, but I was trying to capture her funny little smile. She scrunches up her nose (sometimes so much her eyes close) and sticks out her chin. It is so dang cute - I love it!

She is so happy to sit and play with toys for hours - no really, hours! I love this stage before they are mobile.

Her first taste of baby food - squash, yum!

Some of the things she is doing at six months (for journaling purposes) - drooling a lot, giggling, rolling all over, still loves the johnny jumper, saying "da, da, da", had lots of copper colored hair (so fun to do bows and flowers!), is already scared of strangers and lunges for mom. Lex is such a happy and sweet baby - I can't believe she is 6 months already. I wish I could slow time a little.

Women At The Well

Tonight our ward had a presentation of women at the well - what can I say? It was AMAZING! I haven't ever seen it before and didn't completely know what to expect. Four women here in Maricopa put it all together - they all have great voices and obviously put hours and hours into preparing. They were all dressed like the women in the picture, they had all the songs memorized, they had a beautiful slide show that went along with the songs, all the lights were dimmed with a spotlight on the pulpit, etc etc. And the pianist did such a good job too! Everyone in the audience was in tears - they should have passed out tissues. The spirit was so strong and the message was so uplifting and motivating. I loved it. They are doing it again for another ward in our stake - and I seriously want to go again. It was just amazing!

Goodbyes

It seems like we have been saying a lot of goodbyes lately - and they are no fun! Our really good friends, the Gees, just moved to Texas this past weekend and we miss them already. Jennie has been such a good friend to me. We always have a great time together and could talk forever, I swear. We started doing joyschool together over two years ago and have been great friends ever since. I don't know what I am going to do without her.

This is a very unattractive picture of me (about 1 week before I had Lexie), but it was the only picture of us together - at the baby shower Jennie threw for me.

Kaden is also missing his best friend Landen. Especially after losing his other best friend, Mason - who was practically a brother. Another preschool friend, Bridger (far left in pic below) just moved to Texas also. Kaden informed me he hates Texas and Utah cause everyone moves there. He has been having a tough time with his two best friends moving away - he even told me he doesn't have anyone left to invite to his birthday. (Which isn't true, but breaks my heart nonetheless).

Kaden and Landen have been good buds for a long time and have done lots together. Here are a few of them:

Preschool fieldtrip to the firestation - October 2007

They both love Buzz - Halloween 2007

Easter 2008

Soccer practice - they loved being on the same soccer team - March 2008

Joyschool kids - December 2006

Field trip to the zoo - Spring 2007

Graduation from Miss Stephanie's preschool - May 2008

A trip to the train park - March 2008

Christmas party 2007

Swimming lessons - summer 2008

Saying goodbye :(

Best Buds!

We are going to miss our best friends - but hopefully we are good about staying in touch. We love you guys!

Kaden's First Day of School

Well, Kaden just finished his second week of school and seems to be doing well. I am finally getting around to posting pictures of his first day. I had been dreading and looking forward to that day for awhile. Although Kaden is only in Pre-K, it feels very much like his first day of kindergarten. It is exactly what kindergarten was when we were kids - at the elementary school with the big kids but only half day. He was very ready for school and I was excited for him to get out, make new friends, learn new things, and be in a real classroom setting. I was also dreading it because it means the start of having kids in school and being on that schedule. I also felt, all the sudden, that I hadn't taught him enough or prepared him to be out in the real world.

The Sunday before school started, we got everything ready - got his supplies in his backpack, set out his uniform, got his show-and-tell stuff together (they got to take a "Me Bag" to tell about themselves). It definitely hit me that my little boy was going to school and I was kinda emotional that afternoon. But I think I got it all out of my system because the first day went great - no tears from either of us! We got up early, made Kaden's favorite breakfast (breakfast burros), took our time getting ready and we were off to school! It was pretty chaotic with all the kids and parents and I could tell Kaden was nervous because he wouldn't play on the playground and just sat by me (very unlike him). When they blew the whistle he was stressed until we got him in the right line with his class. He then instructed me to go to the side so he could be in line - it was pretty funny. I leaned down and said "Good luck, bubba. Give me a kiss." He looked appalled and said "No-oo!" Seriously, he is way too young to start that. So we stayed during the flag ceremony and then they called his class in. He marched right in without a look back. I was so proud of him. I probably would have cried, but I was too busy fighting with Bailey - who had plopped herself on the ground and refused to put her shoes back on or walk to the car.

The second day of school was similar, and went well. The third day they asked the parents to just walk their kids to the gate and let them go in. Kaden wouldn't go in alone and was still nervous (I don't blame him - there are a million kids on that playground) so we walked around to the office, signed in, and got there just in time to line up. Thursday and Friday he was still slightly resistant - but there was a teacher who took his hand and walked him in.

He seems to be doing really well and is loving school. Every day I pick him up he says it's super, super good! We are all still adjusting to getting up so early in the morning - which means the kids go to bed really early! But overall, it has been great to be on a schedule. I feel alot more productive and it has been nice to have some alone time with Bailey. Kaden seems to have made the adjustment well - we are proud of him.

The night before

Ready for school!

I couldn't hardly get a real picture because Kaden kept doing this pose -whatever it is.

Leaving for school

In line, ready to go in to the classroom!

Babeu for Sheriff

For all our friends who live in Maricopa: we are trying to spread the word to vote for Paul Babeu for sheriff. Most of you know Matt works for the Sheriff's office - pretty much all the deputies are voting for Babeu. The current sherriff has done a pretty bad job - especially supporting his deputies. Babeu seems like he will be much better. Here is his website if you want to read about him.

Kindness Corner

I was just reading this "Kindness Corner" and it had lots of great ideas - big and small. This was a good reminder to me of small acts of kindness I can do to help the atmosphere in our home - instead of blaming it on my kids because they are always fighting. There are also some great ideas for service project for FHE or otherwise. Just thought I would share.

Oma and Grandpa's

We were able to go visit Matt's parents last week. We had a great time - here's some of the highlights:

Playing in the sprinklers and having water gun fights

We tamed the hair (only temporarily though)

Matt's parents live on a golf course and the kids always enjoy walking over to the pond and throwing bread in to feed the fish.

They was a tarantula on the way back! Yuck! Those things gross me out!

There's a really cool indoor aquatic center in Sierra Vista - the kids loved it:

Kaden loved going down the slide and was wild and crazy - going head first, "surfing" down, etc. Bailey, on the other hand, was too scared to go. So typical for both of them.

Kaden and Dad under the waterfall

Not so happy when it was time to go!

Doing a water balloon toss in the backyard

And of course, no trip to Oma and Grandpa's house would be complete without a ride on Grandpa's motorcyle. Kaden has loved this since he was 1!

We're glad we were able to go and visit before school starts! We had a great time!

Kaden's Questions

Kaden has been full, and I mean FULL of questions lately. I know I should be more patient - since he is trying to learn - but man, it can be so annoying. Anyway, here are some of the funny and random questions he has asked lately:

What happens if we cut clouds? (I don't know, I've never tried) Can we cut them with a knife? (No) Why not? . . . .and on and on

Do giants have families? (I don't know, I've never met one) Hmmm . . . I think they do!

This one he asked his grandma:
Do you remember what heaven looks like? (No, but I bet Lexie does) What?! He was very surprised by this.

Can we catch air? (No, not really) Why not? Where does air come from?

Can we ride a camel? (Yes, some people do) Can we? (No, there are no camels in AZ) There's one at the zoo! (oh yeah, there is) See, I'm right! Boys are always right and moms are wrong. - Boy has he got a lot to learn about life! :)

And on and on. The thing that makes these questions so funny is that they are usually just out of the blue and have nothing to do with what's going on. Usually he comes up with all these questions in the car, while he is contemplating life, apparently.

Anyway - just wanted to jot these down so I could remember them.

Nana & Papa's

We were able to go to my parent's house a couple times this summer - for the campout and for baby Neva's blessing. Here are some highlights:

Playing in the rain

Bailey and Nana

Lexie and Uncle Lane

All ready for church

The Dance-Off! Kaden kept showing off his dance moves for everyone and insisted he could dance the best! So we had a dance off with Kaden, Bailey, Nana, and our friends Timilie and Daneelle. It was hilarious and Kaden danced non-stop for like 30 minutes. That kid is crazy!

More dance moves

Kaden doing his Shakira dance. He is too good at shakin those hips - it's frightening!

Neva and Lexie

Nana with the grand-babies

Playing in the sprinklers

The grand-daughters

Playing in the mud after a thunderstorm!

We had a great time - the kids especially love going to visit Nana and Papa. Bailey is totally smitten with baby Neva and was so excited to see her. It's always fun to go visit!

SNL Wisdom

I saw this on another blog . . . so funny and so true!

High School Reunion

I just thought I would post this in case anyone hasn't heard the details. This is copied off of Andy Wright's facebook profile:

Thatcher High School Reunion

When: Oct. 3rd and 4th (for those that cannot make it on Friday the 3rd we will also have a fun time on the 4th playing games, socializing, and eating together).
Time: The assembly is at 1:30pm and the parade is right after that around 3pm. The homecoming football game will take place at 7pm. We are thinking to meet around 10am on the 4th at the New Gym from our old High School. After everyone accounted for arrives, we will make our way to Arcadia on Mt. Graham. I will inform everyone what will take place afterwards, as we are still waiting for replies from the reservations that we have requested.
Where: THATCHER!!!
Who: Our graduating class (your new families and your trophy girlfriend/boyfriends are also welcome).
What: Chicken Butt (I didn’t know what else to put here ^ ^)
Why: Because We Can~!!!
Money: Because we have no funds available, everyone will have to pay from $5.00 to $10.00.
Andy Wright:714-580-5738
spaceghostsama@hotmail.com(I really need to change this email address)Please inform me via email at hotmail or facebook when you invite someone from our class so I can keep track of everyone. Thanks!!!)

Journaling

I just wanted to do a little bit of journaling of what the kids have been up to:

Kaden
Just a short little story I want to remember. While we were up on the mountain camping, we were playing horshoes. Kaden had a horseshoe in each hand (and they are HEAVY) and was waiting for his turn. I dropped something and bent down to get it. Kaden spun around to see what I was doing and accidentally hit me upside the head with a horseshoe! It just about knocked me over. I stood there for a minute - trying not to yell, scream, or cry - with my eyes closed. This was our little conversation:
Kaden: Sorry, mom.
Me: I know, it was an accident. Just give me a minute.
Kaden: Are you ok?
Me: Yes, just be quiet for a minute til my head stops hurting.
Pause . . . .
Kaden: Can we say a prayer mom? Heavenly Father can make your head not hurt.
Me: That's a good idea.

Kaden kneels down in the dirt and said a short, sweet little prayer. After he was done he looked up at me, "Does it feel better mom?" I reply, "Yeah, I'm ok." He says "Yep! I knew it would!"

This was a good lesson to me of what simple faith kids have. Also, to pray and ask for help no matter where we are, no matter who is looking, and no matter how small the issue.
--------------------
When summer rolled around, I wanted to try and have things planned so my kids didn't get so bored and grouchy. So we started making a big calendar every month. We write down anything we have planned and then fill in the rest of the days with something - like a certain craft, having a pajama day, making cookies, etc. Nothing exciting, just something to fill the day. It has worked out really well and I have been surprised how much Kaden enjoys it. He is definitely one who thrives on schedule and structure. He wakes up every morning and tells me the date and then runs to the calendar to see what we have planned! It has been good for him.
--------------------
Kaden is getting ready to start school in a couple weeks and I have kinda freaking out. He is only going to a Pre-K program but it feels more real to me since it is at the school and not just a preschool. I can't believe his is already old enough to be going! I feel like there is so much more I want to teach him and prepare him before he goes out into the real world. And it also kinda feels like this phase is over - I don't think I appreciated how simple life has been without kids in school and having to work around that schedule. Matt's schedule is always changing and he sometimes has his days on during the week - it has been nice to be able to pick up and go somewhere even if it's a weekday. I just can't believe Kaden is already old enough for school - where does the time go?

Bailey
Oh, our Bailey. She is typically a really good kid and fun to be around - but that is not the case the past few days. I swear this girl will be the death of me! She is so quiet and sneaky. I like to encourage the kids to play on their own and use their imagination, but unfortunately anytime Bailey is quiet for more than a couple minutes - I know she is probably getting into something. Yesterday she managed to find our 72-hour kits and was upstairs in the bedroom closet playing with the toothpaste, smearing lotion all over the carpet, etc. Then while she was supposed to be in time-out - she snuck into my bathroom, climbed up on the counter and was playing with deodorant, lotion, etc. A few minutes later she was opening our extra freezer and trying to climb in! Then I caught her with my makeup bag - she had put on blush, mascara, and "lip tuff". (The scary thing is that she did a really good job!) Her other favorite thing to do is play in the bathroom sink. She sits in the sink and washes her feet and legs, puts lotion or soap all over arms and legs and in her hair. She pulls up the stopper and fills the sink with water to splash in! Oh, this girl! The worst part is that she is so sneaky about it! The other day Matt caught her with something she wasn't supposed to have (I don't remember what). He says, "Baileeeeey, what are you doing with that?" She quickly replies, "Just cleanin up, dad!" Give him a big grin and runs to put it away. It was hilarious.

Lexie
I can't believe Lexie is already 5 months old! She is growing so fast , which is fun to see but makes me sad not to have a tiny baby anymore! She has started sitting on her own all the sudden. Anytime we would prop her on the side of the couch - she would pull herself up til she was sitting. With my first kid I was so anxious for him to reach milestones like sitting, crawling, walking. But now I want my babies to stay little and immobile as long as possible! So I finally gave in and let her sit up and she can totally do it on her own - for like 5 or 10 minutes. She was wobbly for a couple days and now does great. It makes her look so old. She is also so smiley and giggly - it's so fun. She has been having some sleep issues - but overall is a really good baby. She is very content, patient, and happy and has such a sweet little spirit about her. Let's see, what else to remember 5 months old? She still likes to be swaddled when she sleeps. She doesn't like her swing a whole lot anymore, but loves the johnny jumper. She is drooling so much - way more than my others did - but doesn't seem to be getting any teeth yet. She always has a finger or two in her mouth to chew on. And her hair is getting longer, more crazy, and is still red! I love it!

Alright, that's all for now. Just wanted a quick update for my journaling purposes!