The oldest has flown the coop

Jess and I spent the day together today.  She is officially moving out today and tomorrow.  I have had such mixed emotions over all of this...I am so excited for her but sad for me.  Anyways today was really fun.  We went shopping for new school clothes, bought school books, moved a load to her new apartment, and found her new UVU classes.  Tonight we had a moving out party.  wE made her favorite dinner, chicken sundaes.  Tanner made a party cake and we had peanut butter cup ice cream.  We also all gave Jess a present she will need when she moves out.  She got toilet paper, tooth paste, an iron, and a bunch of food.

School Day Blues

School started on an insane early date of August 18th this year.  No one in my family was ready to go back to the everyday routine that comes from school starting.  We had such a great summer it was hard to see it all end.  Conner started 1st grade with Ms. Barrus.  He thinks she is very pretty and hasn't given me an ounce of trouble about getting up at 7 every morning.  It must be love.  Nikki has Miss Clayson.  She had Miss Clayson in 2nd grade also and Nikki is enjoying being back with all her girl friends and her old teacher.  Sidney started 8th grade.  She really misses not having Ozzy in school with her.  She also broke out with a bad case of cold sores the 2nd day of school.  Sorry Sid.  She has a great schedule and likes some of her classes.  Austin started High School.  He is a very busy boy now.  He leaves to school and then has football right after.  We usually don't see him until 6:30 and then he is dead tired.  He eats and eats and eats, then starts on homework and usually wants to sleep by 9:30 or so.  Jess starts next week so I'll give you that update then.

Best Buddies

Conner and Easton Wilkey can't get enough of each other lately.  Every day right after school Conner wants to play with Easton.  Does he want to take a minute, have a snack, and talk to his Mom about how the big world of  first grade was. NO! Just give him the phone to call Wilkey.  Ahhh my baby is growing up. Actually Conner seems to be loving 1st grade so far.  The fact that he has to be in school all day now and still loves it amazes me.   

Education Week

I have been going to education on and off for the past 15 years.  Usually more off because of children.  I did manage to get to 2 classes a day this year and it was so inspiring.  I always leave every day feeling energized to go home and do a little better.  This year my favorite was Christi  Bergen.  She taught "Becoming a better parent".  She taught about disciplining with a method called "Induction"  I have used this form of discipline (without knowing it had a name and was preferred among child psychologist) with my children just naturally so it was good to hear her lectures and fine tune some areas.  This week has been really an emotional week for me with school starting, all the kids having their own stresses and telling me about them, Jess leaving the house, and other various things.  Education Week and being close to my Heavenly Father has really pulled me through.  After a week like this I just really want to be back on the cruise ship.........

Our crazy friends

For the past 6 years we have gone to Jordanelle with our best friends the Wilkeys and Donaldsons.  Our kids and husbands get along great and Lisa and Meredith are my best girl friends.   Every year the Wilkeys ( who have 6 boys) bring some new toy to the lake.  Last year it was a potato shooter and this year.......they built a bike ramp right in the lake.  Check out Jess going off the ramp.  Everyone in our family went off the ramp, including Conner. None of us wanted to leave after three days of fun.  I think it had something to do with school starting on Monday!

The Olympics

Yay!!! The summer olympics have started.  We had so much fun tonight watching the events as a family all day today.  None of us could leave the family room.  Every event is like a championship game.  So much on the line.  A matter of 100'ths of seconds or points deciding the winner.  These athletes have trained for years for this one chance to shine. The funnest event of the night was watching the USA mens swim team beat France.  When that happened tonight our whole family stood and cheered.  Nikki even ran over and gave me a hug. My kids all remember going to the Utah Winter games 4 years ago and I think that helped give them a love and appreciation of the games.  Go USA!!

What I didn't learn in school

I have been in Cedar City with my girl friends for the past three days.  Every year for the past four years we have gone to the Shakespear Festival.  I really enjoy the shopping, chick flicks, eating out and laughing all night.....but I also really love Shakespear.  In High School I hated English and especially early writings and plays.  Now I have learned to appreciate what a great wit and art these writers had.  In the past years I have especially loved the comedies of William.  The actors are also really good.  Drama geeks, but very good at their art.  I hate to admit it but my Mom was right.."One day you will appreciate the talent of William Shakespear"