After Lunch

We survived our first week of kindergarten,

and now we have three days to get ready

for the second week.

It was hot today, and the walk home from school

drained us all. Some Popsicles and lunch

(in that order) helped us recover a little.

This is what the kids were doing

while I cleaned up after lunch:

New Baby!

Crystal and Darren

are happy

to announce

that Judson is here!

Assorted Thoughts

Jonah ready for Bentley's first day of school earlier this week.
Sword fighting lessons begin early at our house. :)

So we're going to fall one week short of our

weekly swimming goal.

Ok, we missed a few other weeks due to sick kids,

but we could have gone this week if it weren't for

kids under 5 being banned from public pools.

Yikes.

Honestly, I really didn't want to go anyway.

(But poor Bentley really did want to go.)

Back to the Gym

Yesterday was Maxwell's first day
as a Giggle Worm at The Little Gym.

Like Bentley, he set out his clothes the night before.

Watch out world, here comes Max!

It took a few minutes for him to relax and join
the other kids in his class.
But once he did, he had a great time.

I'm pretty sure he ran faster than
anyone else during the warm-ups.
:)

Poor Jonah, he really wanted to go "in."
Only 6 months till he's 3 -but I'm sure
it will feel like a long time for him.

Ruby was happy to play and smile.
That's a good thing, because she has
2 1/2 years until she can go "in."

Bentley's First Day of School

Today was Bentley's first day of school!
I think he woke up around 6am,

so his day started early.
(It was also Maxwell's first day back
at gymnastics, but I'll blog that tomorrow)

Last night, he picked out his clothes,

and layed them out next to his bed.

Doesn't he look handsome?

We all walked Bentley over to the school.

(our neighbor came out to take a picture, so I asked her to take one for us)

Bentley's teacher gave him a name tag,
then he read books while the other children arrived.

And then, I had to leave. :(
My sister, Mindy, suggests having photographers
on hand all day - like on cruise ships -
to document the first day. Then parents
could purchase as many photos as they want,
and not feel like they missed it all!

Bentley did fill me in later:
they sang, colored, played, colored,
had recess, colored, and came home.

Bentley's teacher walked the children
out to the flag pole and the
waiting parents and cameras.

Here's our Bentley!

He says school is his new favorite thing.

News from Mikey

My little brother sent pictures with his email today.
You can see them here.

Nickelcade

Saturday, we went to the Nickelcade. I was wary,

but the kids seemed to have a lot of fun.

Even Ruby had fun.

Especially the one time she got to ride with Jonah.

Speaking of Jonah . . .
. . . his favorite game (big surprise) was a shooting game.
Max liked it, too.

We learned that Bentley is NOT ready to drive.

(thank goodness for Dads who have fun ideas)

Happy Sunday!

our silly Ruby :)

Oatmeal Pancakes

Every Saturday, John and Bentley make oatmeal pancakes.

For a while, this made me really nervous.
Now, Bentley's old enough that I only worry a little. :)

(Ruby, Maxwell, and Jonah ready for pancakes)

Oh, and have I mentioned that Bentley
starts Kindergarten on Tuesday?
Yikes.

He may be ready, but I'm not sure his mother is.

Seven Years - Still Smiling

Max and the big FOUR

Today, Maxwell turned FOUR!
He woke this morning to a "Happy Birthday" poster,
and to Carly (a little neighbor girl) and I
singing "Happy Birthday" to him. So he closed
his door and stayed in his room for awhile.
Poor kid.

After enduring playgroups and

primary meetings, Maxwell went to lunch

with me! Lucky kid. :)

(Despite the look on his face, he enjoyed it.

He discovered that he likes cole slaw, chicken

fingers, and raspberry lemonade. - that's what

I ordered. He also liked his cheese quesadilla.)

He played with Ruby this afternoon
(while he was supposed to be resting, but hey, it IS his birthday)

Then we went to Provo to get Elizabeth
-which resulted in quick naps
for Jonah and the birthday boy.

After dinner, we got to the good stuff.
(the cake and presents)

Maxwell had a lot of help opening his presents.

Luckily, Pa and Grandma H* got goodies for all the kids.

Here comes the big surprise:

(love Bentley's face as he figures out what it is)

Voltron, Defender of the Universe

The best part about Voltron-
he breaks into FIVE toys,
so Max can share with his brothers.

Go here to see pictures of Max from birth to age 3.

openhouse adventure

Yesterday, the "big boys" and I went to the
elementary school "back to school" open house.

Bentley went to meet his teacher;
Maxwell went to see where Bentley will be all morning beginning next week.

Outside Bentley's classroom,
we found an apple with his name on it!
Then we got to meet his teacher - who seems super nice.
And then,I got the last "mother-helper"
spot for the kindergarten Valentine's Party!
One good thing after another! :)

Bentley practiced sitting still - at a desk in the hall.
(pretty exciting, huh?)
Let's hope school is a bit more fun.

The PTA was selling school spirit shirts. When we first
got to the school, I offered to buy one for Bentley.
He said he didn't want one, so I suggested that
he didn't have to wear it today, but he might want
to wear it some other day. He looked at me, and said,
"Mom, I will NEVER want to wear that shirt."
So of course I bought it anyway.
Just before we left the school, his teacher walked
by and said, "Bentley, you and I can both wear our
school shirts every Friday!" (that's spirit day)
After she walked away, he put on the shirt .

:)

(School starts for Bentley in one week.)

Blue/Fish Party

Today we celebrated Maxwell's birthday with
some of his friends. He chose a blue/fish theme.
(I'm so glad - it was nice not to plan a superhero party)

While we waited for everyone to arrive,
the kids colored pictures of fish.
(not too exciting, but the goal is to keep them in one place)
The first game was "fish, fish, SHARK!"
I forgot to take pictures of that, whoops.

Next, the kids climbed aboard their boat, and

went fishing. (just after this, Jonah disappeared)

Then, we played "pin the fish in the ocean."
I think they might have peeked, because
most of the fish ended up in the ocean, not
on the beach, the island, or in the sky.

Ready for cake!

Maxwell gets ready to blow out his candle.

He had a lot of help opening presents.

Before the kids left, they went fishing one more time.
This time, for party favors.

While the kids fished for party favors,
Jonah reappeared. He ate his cake once
everyone else was finished.

While the kids opened their party favors,
Maxwell ate his goldfish crackers alone in the kitchen.
He says the best part of the party was playing freeze tag.
You don't remember reading about that?
John organized an impromptu game while the kids
waited for their parents. I spent a week planning,
and the "best part" was a spur of the moment thing.
Typical. :)