First Day of School

Here's the fourth grader who groaned when she came into the kitchen and realized what day it was.  Amelia really likes her teacher, but she is just not a fan of school work.  She frequently asks one of the following questions:

"Is today school?  Do I have to go?"

"When is spring break or that other break?"

"Can I be home-schooled today?"

Dylan was absolutely bursting with excitement about Kindergarten.
After the first day he said, "Mom, that was just like the Child Study Lab except longer."
I asked, "So you liked it?"
He replied, "Uh, ya--aah."

Summer's End

Evan decided, sort of last minute, that we really needed to take a trip to the beach for a number of reasons.  Our world was flipped on its head with too many business trips during May, June and July and Evan's new calling as bishop of a congregation that was not our own.  And we needed to remind Amelia and Dylan that they really did like each other in spite of  the frequent bickering that seemed to invade much of their summer fun.  Our family needed a little time to play together...

Below is proof that they like each other enough to stand and pose for mom.

 Amelia was rather pleased that she was able to color coordinate her hat and water shoes with her favorite swim cover-up.

Dylan was showing us what he would look like on a surf board IF he ever decided to try one out in the actual ocean.

Of course there's always the sandy hands shot...

We were so pleased that Simon decided to wear a hat.  This is the first time ever in his two years that he has allowed anything to stay on that little head for longer than .2 seconds.

He took his hat off for a little while...

And then decided that he needed it on again.

This was the best he could do.

The hotel was rather kid-friendly so we spent a great deal of time at the pool.

So far this is the closest we can get Amelia to surfing.

Same here... 

There was music playing at the pool and Dylan suddenly decided to bust a move.

I don't think he realized anyone was watching him...

Hot tub and bunny ears and remembering how fun Daddy is...

Crazy hot tub hair

Two year old getting in his last digs before he collapses on a chair to nap...

 A quick cracker snack and no smile...Simon was tired.

And here is the only picture from Carsland and Disneyland for that matter.  We went for a day--it was hot and we wore ourselves out.  I only got out the camera once, but at least this photo is proof that I was actually there...

Amelia turned 9 in June

I cannot believe this kid is nine.  She is so dang cool and funny and creative that it sort of blows my mind.

Amelia has fallen in love with Dr. Seuss books, mostly because of their art, but I think secretly, she really likes the stories, too.  She was ecstatic to discover The Lorax book as one of her gifts.

But the highlight was this giant yellow Japanese import: Toad.  Oh my, was there a squeal of delight.

And a surprised Dylan.

She planned her birthday party this year.  It was a Mario Brothers-themed bowling party, complete with paper plates and cups and goody totes covered in Mario Bros. art.  

Amelia even made her cupcake into a bowling ball.

Here she is with her cousin Brooklyn.

And another cousin Abby.  Amelia wanted this to be a "girl" party and most of the cousins near her age are boys or don't live in the state, so these two girls were just about it.

Amelia did invite her brothers.  Dylan thought there were certainly a lot of girls bowling with him.  But he didn't seem to mind.

And Simon didn't mind one tiny bit.

Happy Day, Amelia!

Simon turned two in May

Simon woke up on his second birthday to a stash of gifts on the ottoman.  He knew they were for him but he allowed his brother and sister to help him open them, which we all thought rather generous.

We spent the morning at the Phoenix Children's Museum where our kids hid in boxes...

Climbed art sculptures...

Absorbed all sorts of germs...

Built forts...

Played with the cactus puzzle that I will someday locate and purchase...(it was that cool)

Contemplated blocks...

And got the mail...amongst other activities.  

I didn't even photograph half of what we did.  (We love our visits to this museum!)
We ran through the noodle forest, worked in the grocery store, played with magnets, launched scarves and balls through wind powered tubes, rode vehicles through the car wash, made origami animals, and painted a rocket ship.   It was quite a day.

Mario Mustaches

This is one of the many reasons that we love Amelia.  She deemed one random evening Mario Bros. Mustache time.  And then she proceeded to color and cut out mustaches for everyone.  

(I forgot to have someone take a picture of me wearing mine.)  

Here you have represented Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi.  But not necessarily in that order.  

 See if you can match the mustache to the character.

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