Kindergarten Here we ComE!!!

August 29, 2011

Kindergarten Begins!!
Well it's off to school for our little one. Or not so little one as I now see. It's a crazy morning trying to get up and going as we are not exactly prepared for this for some reason! We don't exactly "roll" first thing.
We have her clothes all ironed, hair all pretty, teeth brushed, breakfast forgotten, and nerves all around. Driving up to the school is nerve-racking!! Especially for mom, who wants this to all be perfect. It's a lot of chaos since there are obviously a thousand kids and parents milling around. She says to me "my belly hurts" followed by "ok, I think I'd rather go home now". But the excitement of the bell ringing takes over and she is in line walking to her class. I'm trying to not get choked up. I don't see other mother's crying yet :) More chaos ensues in the classroom, as they hang backpacks, disperse school supplies, and rush to find a chair. Her little friend from next door is in her class, as well as a girl from her Preschool so she is excited. There is a sweet little blond-haired girl in cowboy boots who immediately attaches herself to Reagan. When I pick her up the little girl says to her mommy, "hey! meet my brand new friend Reagan!" Her name is Ava. Ahhh, just what Reagan's name almost was! Meant to be?? I'm excited. I'm thrilled actually. This is right up her ally. Making friends, socializing, hopefully learning, and listening to the teacher. SHe was a little shell-shocked when I picked her up. She couldn't say much about the day and was quiet for the afternoon. Mostly I think she was tired!! Like I said, we don't roll easy in the early mornings. We'll adjust. She was excited to return today so I think we'll survive. Only a few sad, reflecting moments for me about how much time has flown. How she's growing up so much and will soon be shaving her legs and putting on make-up, nervous for a date. Yikes. Let them stay little at heart please!

Age 5 years

Lovin' her some Victorious Backpacks

Showing off her Teachers Gift

How fitting that her school would be on "Princess Drive"!! Mountain Valley Mustangs watch out!

Just look at how unsure she is :(

Meeting up with Kellie

Mrs. Patterson and Reagan

Mesa Falls

My sister and I visited these last year while in Yellowstone, but Mike hadn't been and it's not too far a drive (little over an hour). It's basically at the beginning of the Tetons. Beautiful.
They have a nice wooden walk way along the upper falls and if you are brave (or have kids that were up for it), you can hike to the lower falls. Hopefully next time we go that can be attempted but Reagan wasn't about to hike far and Kade just wanted to run around and explore.
Upper Falls



I swear, she never takes a bad picture! I'm not sure where she got the heart shaped face but I love her cheek/chin shape.

Showing Brother where to look


Chow Time

Who doesn't love a butterfly

I'm almost caught up :) Now if I could ever get Oregon done!

Misc

Last week I went to my parents for a few days to entertain my sister who had just had surgery. Isn't Grandpa a stud. Kids love driving the lawn mower (well except maybe Kade). And yes, you may see him driving around town on it :)
We also had Mike's 20th Class Reunion. Wish we all looked as young as him right! It was fun to put faces w/names since I wasn't there during their high school times. An The kids loved going to the lake and playing around.

Blacktail Reservoir

Probably our new FAV place. So much so, I think Mike's longing for a boat. Only about 20 mins from our house and during the week there is nobody there. The kids love it and the water isn't bad and not stinky (which is a plus). We've had so many beautiful days the past month. It's starting to get a little hot but still in the 80's and it gives us a little longer to enjoy the outdoors.
Heading there..I love this view every time we arrive....










One day Mike and I dropped the kids off at daycare and had a "date" here. Swimming to this dock.

And isn't he handsome!

Hiking Cress Creek

Beauty all around us for sure. This day we went hiking to Cress Creek. Not too far from us. Kade LOVED it, Reagan not so much. It's another stark difference in our two children. Mike had to pack around a 40 pound child while our much smaller, younger child, hiked(RAN) pretty much the entire way. It was beautiful and a perfect length hike.

Slow Down....

Sometimes, late at night, or occasionally during nap time, I have a chance to reflect...it's blissful I tell ya. Although my life isn't as crazy as my Mother's must have been, or even some of my sisters are, but my life is crazy for me. And because of that, I am constantly telling myself, slow down. Slow down and enjoy little toes in the sand, the squeal of "mooommmmmyyy" as Kade sees me in the morning, Reagan wanting to cuddle for a random reason. Slow down and smell the early morning smells, the summer thundershowers, the fresh cut grass, or my kids sweaty heads (ick!). Take a few minutes every day to actually appreciate the beauty around us. The scene of Kade playing in the sandbox and Reagan singing at the top of her lungs while swinging. Take these "slow down" moments and tuck them tightly away safe and sound. Before we know it, winter will be ferociously knocking at our door. Streets will be quiet, swings left unswung, grass covered in layers of snow and ice, Reagan will be too grown up to cuddle, and Kade's demands will be more complex than a squeal of delight!
We've had a great summer. We've had continued excellent "family days". Part of our slow down is appreciating what we have!
On a side note, my parents came for a night this week. We love them to come. Any visitors really :) My kids always over-act and misbehave. Good times. No really, it's really a treat to be closer to parents. They can make a "day" trip and it's not too hard of a drive and they can squeeze it into their busy schedule! We had a fantastic visit that night and took them to Blacktail Rec Area for a picnic the next day. While nothing "grand" about the scenery, it's very beautiful. Kade splashed in the water, the men did whatever men do, mom had a little walk with the Kade-man, and spent some quality time getting drilled by Reagan. Love it. Love them. Love life.

July...

Aunt Jessica came and spent a few days with us over the holiday. Thank goodness, because Mike worked the entire weekend so I had someone to keep me company!
We went swimming, ate lots of good food, went downtown which was way too hot and not too much fun, then had a BBQ with the neighbors and a firework show afterwards. Good times.



he's hiding from the clowns :)

Then this nice old grandpa came and stood beside her and she talked his ear off for most the parade

Always a site to bring tears to your eyes! God Bless America!!!


Waitin...

He loved the sparklers

She's always been afraid of em ;)

The next weekend we met our friends in Lava for what was supposed to be a fun-filled few days....THE FLU had other plans :(
Derk and Kade...love this pic :)



Our campsite was perfect. Beautiful area and grassy!

Love these photos too...look at his face!


Now it's heading into the last week of JULY!!! Yikes :( We head to the Oregon Coast with Mike's family this weekend for a week of relaxation. See you soon!