Student of the Week!

The nice part about working at the same school your child attends, is you really know what is going on all the time! Which is exactly how I want it to be (maybe not to Garrett- but I love it) On Friday's they announce Student of the Week- each week they are looking for a different character trait. Today's student of the week was "forming good habits"- and Garrett was chosen to be this weeks student! (and I didn't even pay his teacher!) It must have been the week to have teacher's kids picked- since 3 of the kids were teacher's kids!

The funny part of the whole thing was after school. I was so excited for him and told him "I am proud of you Garrett for getting Student of the Week!" His reply was "What's that??" Obviously, he really didn't know what it was all about- so it goes to show you maybe student of the week should be called "parent of the week!"

Just turn off the machine...

We woke up today to a large, unsuspecting thunder and lightening storm. As I awoke to the loud clash of thunder that I was sure was in my pillow and flash of light that light up the room very clearly, I wondered how many minutes it was going to take for the kids to be in bed with us. Before I could finish my thought- the door was flung open and my two oldest children were shaking like leaves. All I could do was smile and tell them it was going to be alright. Anna- the baby, slept just like one throughout all the clanging and clashing that was going on right outside her window. Unfortunately the Fireballs had a very early game planned this morning-9am! At 8:15 we recieved a call to tell us our game was cancelled due to the lightening- they didn't care about the buckets of water that were falling from the sky- just the lightening! It was a happy/sad occasion for us. I was more than happy to not go sit in the rain (but if you ask my mom, she will tell you part of watching your son play soccer is the rain)- but I also enjoy watching Garrett play soccer. So our Saturday went on without the soccer game.

Claire, Anna and I went to run errands, as Ryan and Garrett took the horses out to Ryan's parent's house. As Claire and I were driving down the street- Claire asked if there was a machine that made thunder and lightning. I told her no- that actually God makes the thunder and lightning. She proceeded to tell me that she was going to ask God to turn off his machine that makes the thunder and lightning! I just smiled, knowing that any explanation of thunder and lightning won't make any sense to her- so she should just go one with the vision she has in her head about God's large machine!

We did get home from our errands just in time for the awesome BSU game! They were not slated to win- nor did I have the confidence in them- but they played hard and beat the highly ranked Oregon Ducks! I stand tall and proud to be a BSU alumni! Go Broncos!

To end our nice day- Ryan, Anna and I were able to go enjoy a yummy dinner at Outback. Garrett stayed with the in-laws and Claire went to the neighbors birthday party. We had forgotten how easy (OK not easy- just different) it is to have just 1 child! But I wouldn't change my 3 kids for anything in the world!

Soccer season has started!

Fall brings lots of fun things, including school and soccer! This is Garrett's third year (fifth season) of playing soccer! In the past years, it has been very low key (no refs, coaches on the field, co-ed, etc.), however this year it is the "pros"! We now have refs, the coaches can't go on the field and the parents can't sit with the players! It was a huge shock for the us the first game (last weekend), but we are slowly getting used to the way "big kids" play sports! Garrett had the same coach and team for the last 2 years, but this year everything changed! He now has a new coach (a mom!) and a whole new team! I think this is probably harder on me than it is him! I no longer have the same moms that I get to talk to at practice- but I also no longer know the coach! I am sure that this coach is great- but I do miss the old one! Garrett loves the new coach because she give incentives for playing hard, showing up and being a good teammate! They get little soccer balls that they can iron on their uniforms- it is a great "bribe"- but it is certainly working for Garrett!

The "Fireballs" played a tough game on Saturday- we aren't supposed to keep score (but everyone does), however we lost (5-3)! I think we learned some good techniques they will practice on Monday! He is improving every day, but I have noticed the longer game times really wear him out! I told Ryan he should start taking Garrett for a jog every night to build up his endurance... notice I didn't volunteer for that one (I will save my energy for homework help)! It would make me sweat!! Well, to let you know-our next couple of Saturdays are spent at soccer games- cheering on the "Fireballs!"

Our last "first birthday" celebration...

As I was cleaning the house this morning, getting ready to have family and friends over for Anna's first birthday celebration, sadness set in. Sad for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I realized today's celebration will be my last... not her last birthday, but my last "first birthday". Many of this last year, has been my last firsts- first step, first tooth, first word (but she really isn't speaking yet :( ), first smile, first laugh and now first birthday celebration. It really is a bitter sweet experience. There isn't a bone in my body that wants another baby, it is just sometimes hard to realize that I will never have another tiny baby that belongs to me in my arms, or my stomach for that matter!

We had a wonderful birthday party. I realized that this birthday party is more for us- not her (I know it took me 3 kids to figure this out!) So, I decided to make it fun for us- relaxed but fun! We had cake and ice cream and played some games for the big kids. We first did a pinata, played my favorite party game as a child- eating donuts from a string with no hands, had a water balloon toss (some had a fight!), and had some yummy cake and ice cream. And of course we opened gifts (OK- so Anna didn't want to open gifts, so all the older kids ripped into them!)

We had a wonderful time seeing some people we haven't seen in a while- the Luthy's and the Rea's! Of course the family was here too (not mine- we already celebrated last week in New Meadows). A wonderful time was had by all!!

4 1/2 is close to 10!

Claire has been a "chicken" for new adventure since the day she was born. She has never been the first to do anything and is scared to try anything new. When asked about taking off her training wheels, she has always replied "I will do it when I am 10!" Well, she has decided that being 4 1/2 is close to ten! So, yesterday, she let me take off her training wheels. Now, remember she is still my little chicken- nothing like Garrett ever was at this age. He took off his training wheels and never looked back- he had it mastered in 1 night! Claire is a work in progrees- she practiced for a little while last night, but still was a little scared. We worked on it more tonight- but it will take some more time to master this new task! I think she is a little bit too big for her bike- but Ryan says she will get a new bike when she can learn to ride this one by herself... it might be when she is 10 afterall!

A great weekend!

We spent the long Labor day weekend up at my dad's house in New Meadows. It was such a fun weekend (except for the trip up there when Claire got car sick twice :( ) We went to 2 parades (and got enough candy to last us all year), went swimming, went on 4 wheeler rides, and hung out with family. It was a great time to see my dad and Connie, and her 2 sons and their families were there as well. Garrett and Claire loved playing with all the boys (yep- no girls for Claire), riding their bikes, exploring in the weeds, playing frisbee and Garrett even climbed a rock wall 2 times! We also celebrated Anna's first birthday with presents and chocolate cake- while watching the BSU Broncos win their first game of the season! We had a fabulous weekend- we will have to do that more often!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Happy first birthday baby Anna! Wow- I can't believe how fast the past year has gone! It feels like just yesterday that I was in the hospital having my third and final baby. Knowing it was my last, I have tried to not wish her life away, since those precious firsts will be my last. Now little Anna isn't so little any more- she is one year old! She is walking, running, dancing and climbing everywhere. Her favorite things to do are climb onto the foot stool and dance, open drawers and pull out everything as fast as possible (giggling the whole time), picking up rocks and trying to carry as many as she can and last but not least, she has learned to give the best hugs ever! Nothing is better than a hug from a one year old! Claire and Garrett still think the world of her and cherish every minute they get with her. Sometimes they even want to come home from Nana and Papa's house early just to see her. I wonder how long that will last! When she was first born, my mom said the newness will "wear off" in 3 weeks! Well, the newness is still there- and I hope they continue to love her everyday!

Well, Happy birthday my baby Anna- you will always be my baby!