Spaghetti and Meatballs OH MY!

We went out to dinner last night with my parents and Bumpa. My dad took us all to a place called Maggiono's. Landon and I had eaten there while we lived in Redmond. It is super yummy Italian food (my favorite). Colton ended up sitting next to Grandpa Scott, who was giving him advice on what to order! Colton wanted spaghetti and meatballs, and Grandpa suggested he order the large size so he's have enough! When it came, the meatballs were the size of baseballs, and the bowl was more like a serving bowl! Colton gave it a valiant effort, but even Grandpa Scott couldn't finish his. Let's just say that Colton ate until he was sick, and he still had enough left that the 4 of us had it for dinner tonight!

Buddies

I pick up Colton from school at 3pm. We don't have to get the girls until 3:40pm. That leaves us with 40 minutes to just hang around. This wouldn't be a big deal if we could just park somewhere and hang out. However when it's 113 degrees outside, you have to leave the car running so you don't die. That's just a little to long to sit with the car running. So we've been hanging out at Heidi's house for 30 minutes each day in between pick up times. Colton and Rowdy have become pretty good little friends. By 3 o'clock, Rowdy is super excited to see someone besides Heidi, and Colton loves rough housing with Rowdy. Sometimes they wrestle the whole time, and other days they just chill out and watch a movie. Usually Rowdy's choice! This is the kind of stuff that I have missed so much living so far away from my family. I'm so grateful to be back in Arizona.

Whit's Party

To celebrate her birthday, Whitley wanted to take her 2 best friends out to dinner and for pedicures! They had so much fun picking what colors to have their nails done! These girls are 10 going on 15!

Whitley, Baylee and Tatum

Of course Kennedy had to get in on it too. She is such a tom boy, but girlie at the same time. She chose black for her toes and silver for her fingers!

Whitley turns 10

Whitley has been here for a whole decade! I can't believe I've survived it. I love her so much, but she is my child that tests me every day. However, I can truly say that I am a better person because I am her mother. I love you Whit! Happy Birthday!!

Kennedy and Rowdy were so helpful when it was time to open her presents.

Whitley wanted roller blades for her birthday. Some people may questions the parental judgement in purchasing this gift. What with the broken growth plate in her elbow and all. She's not allowed to ride them out of the house until Oct. when she has more x-rays on her elbow. Until then, she'll be riding them all over my parents house (which I'm sure they love)

JiuJitsu

Colton has started learning Jiujitsu with uncle Jimmy who is a black belt. His first lesson was last week and he loves it! Unfortunately I seem to be his practicing "dummy" when he gets home. He keeps choking me out!

I Think he Needs his Head Examined

I'm going to have to take Colton to the Dr. this afternoon to have his head examined. I'm pretty sure he's retarded! I know I know that's not nice, but I'm pretty sure it's true! Here's the story....

We live with my parents, about 15 minutes from the kids schools. We're half way to school this morning, and he remembers that he forgot to get his schedule and map. I ask if he thinks he still needs it, or if he could possibly do it today without it. He doesn't thin he can. So we turn around, and I drive like a bat out of HE** to get home. He runs in, grabs his schedule and map, and we go hauling off. We make it to school 2 minutes before it starts. So I'm sure he was a little late. Which is great. Late on the 3rd day of school! Ahhh, I hate being late. But wait, it gets better.

I spend the whole time we're driving to school lecturing him about being better prepared, packing his backpack the night before, moving faster, taking a shorter shower, needing to be more responsible etc.

I pull up in my driveway, and grab my phone to go in the house. I look down, and guess what's sitting in my cup holder. Yep, his schedule and map. After all that racing back and lecturing the kid left them in my car! Can't wait to see what happens to him today. I'm sure he'll be lost all day long. Oh what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall when he discovers he doesn't have it!

I love that child, but boy does he test my patience!

The Last Couple of Weeks

Driving 18 hours - Long

Spending time at the beach - Awesome

Visiting Disneyland, Sea world, Knott's Berry Farm and California Adventure - Magical

Having great friends join us - A Blast

Trying to separate things that went back to Seattle and things that went to Arizona - Confusing

Saying goodbye to Landon - Heart-wrenching

Driving home alone - Fast

Arriving in Arizona - Peaceful

Having parents who will let you and your three kids move in on top of them - Grateful

Registering kids in school - Stressful

Unpacking all of us into one bedroom - Cramped

Seeing old friends at back to school night and church - Welcoming

First Day of School - Relief

Being where you know you're suppose to be - Priceless

First Day of School

The kids started school in Arizona today. This is the 3rd new school in as many years. However, it didn't feel that way at all. The kids already had tons of friends both in their classes and in other classes that were excited to see that we were back.

Colton started Jr. High today, and I was a ball of nerves. How in the world is he old enough to be in Jr. High?? And really, is there any way he is actually going to be able to move from class to class and stay on top of his work for 7 teachers? This ought to be interesting! Colton was not hardly nervous at all. He is so even tempered. So much his father's child.

Miss Whitley started 5th grade. She was already planning on where to meet her 2 best friends for recess and lunch. She is definitely "home". Her teacher is Mrs. Green and she is a prankster. I actually chose her for Whitley because after having such a hard year last year, I figured she could use a little humor at school. I mean, she has forever to have to work her guts out!
And then there's Kennedy. She is in 2nd grade and has Ms. Busken. This was Whitley's 2nd grade teacher and she has been asking for Kennedy since she was in kindergarten. Kennedy is going to love her! She was probably my most nervous child this morning, but she usually is. She was funny about her outfit. She knew exactly what she wanted to wear, all the way to how she wanted me to do her hair. She is so opposite from Whitley in that reguard. Whitley wants to look good. Kennedy wants to wear what is best for playing out at recess. I guess that's the difference in their age.

It's so nice to have some structure back our lives. I love the summer, and spending time with my kids. But I love a good schedule even more!