Back to school feast...

 A little bit of a rewind into August. We had our BACK TO SCHOOL FEAST the evening of August, 26th. I think we will be keeping this tradition alive every new school year. I got this idea from a blog I like called "NieNie Dialogues." When I first read a post about a "back to school dinner" they had about 4 years ago, I remember thinking "What a wonderful idea. I am SO going to do this when my children are of age. And that day has now come. 

The feast consisted of...

Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana Soup (one of the kids favorites)

bread twists (trying to replicate Pizza Factory's bread twist)

tossed salad 

and blueberry cake.

Here are the decorations. YAY for back to school. And cute little Joseph waiting to eat. :)

 Made some school bunting :)

Also made personalized crowns to add to their special evening.

 Derek gave the family lesson and introduced our theme for the year. 

Our family theme this year is "Listen and Obey"

He shared the story of the Prophet Noah from the bible of when God told him to build the ark, he and his family listened and obeyed. And because they listened and obeyed, they were protected from the floods. 

How we related it to them is they have parents and teachers that have rules those rules protect us from harm.

The lesson went well and hope they can take this into their school year and at home. 

Of course we always have to remind on a daily basis this theme but we're trying. :)

 We  gave the family a gift of one star with our family theme on it with the children's names.

The star will hang on our back door window to remind them of what we're all trying to accomplish.

 I thought this was too cute and had to take a picture. Thomas wearing his monkey back pack that he just got, wearing his crown and "reading" a new Bernstein Bears book, "Going back to school"  in his underwear.

Thomas and Emma LOVE Bernstein Bear books. They got this as a gift from us for the new school year.

Here's to a great school year!

Thomas and friends..

When we first moved into this neighborhood, I was worried about Thomas not having as many friends around that are boys his same age. Emma has lots of friends in the neighborhood and so Thomas is always surrounded by girls. 

Last year, his friend Gavin moved into the ward, up the road from us.

He and Thomas are the greatest of friends. They have fun playing and also fight and argue like brothers. HAHAHA! 

They are so stinkin' cute and I'm so glad Thomas has Gavin.

 

When Gavin comes over to play, there is always something mischievous going on when the two of them are in silence. For example; getting themselves soaked some how, peeing on trees seeing who has the greater aim (only happened once:), letting chickens out of coop and pouring chicken food in their water bowl, also making piles of chicken food all over the yard to lead chickens to various places (so they think), etc......

Here they are playing swords with the flags for outdoor games.

(pictures taken August 31st, 2013)

"Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta hug!"

This was earlier this year. Thomas was just learning to write his letters and was able to write Gavin's name and draw him a picture. Boy, he was proud of himself. We were all proud of him. 

(Pictures taken Feb. 21st, 2013)

Time to deliver. 

Check out Gavin's face as Thomas comes to deliver.

And there is Emma Scott; "Friend Emma."

Earlier this week, Thomas really wanted to draw a picture and decided to make one for his friend Emma, across the street. 

This is what he drew. He wrote something to her that included w's, i's, more w's, i's, and m's. 

I thought the drawing he made for her is adorable.

He was excited to go and deliver.

Looked both ways, crossed the street, and running up the driveway.

"Hi Mom."

 Emma's dad answered the door and told Thomas he would give it to her. 

Thomas, the good friend.

He's my buddy...

He his ten almost eleven months and I can't believe it. This sweet miracle boy is turning one year old in a couple months. 

Here is an afternoon with just the two of us. He as just learned to sit himself up. He has such a contagious laugh and I can't get enough of him.

(Video taken September 11, 2013)

Scratch my back, I'll scratch your back...

 The kids are always asking me to scratch their backs while we sing our songs before bed. 

Not only do I give good back scratches but Thomas gives AWESOME ones. Anytime I am reading to them, I'm always signaling to Thomas to please scratch my back. I'm tellin' ya, you're missing out on the Thomas back and arm scratches. :)

nearly a tornado....

Last Saturday we had a serious wind and rain storm. I was in my bathroom blow drying my hair while the littles were napping. I came out to the hallway and noticed how dark it was outside for being 4pm. I look out the window and the winds were crazy. It was turning into a micro burst and FAST. I went and got Joseph to bring him into Thomas and Emma's room and just as Thomas and Emma woke up Emma pointed to the clouds and said, "look at the clouds." 

I have never seen anything like it. They were the fastest moving clouds I have ever seen.

 Then I got nervous.

The winds were increasing. 

I saw shingles flying in the road and branches off of trees flying through the air. 

We even started feeling it on our house. Our house walls were slightly moving. 

Thomas kept admiring the clouds while I found Emma frightened and turned away, on her knees saying a prayer.

My heart went out to her. She was so scared.

I assured her we would be ok and that the storm would pass. 

We all kept repeating that "good thing the foundation of our house is strong." Remembering some past family home evenings. :)

Derek called me while he was at Copy Tec down the road and told me what the clouds looked like up at our house. He said it looks like a tornado was starting.

Ok, now I was worried.

By the time he came home, the winds had settled down but the floods were coming down. Crazy.

As it turns out, neighbors roofs and pergolas were damaged and someone even saw a tent fly 100 feet into the air and ended up in our back neighbors yard. A few basements had flooded down the road. One of our city water pipes broke so it left our water contaminated. Thank goodness for stored water bottles. Phew!

The water finally lifted up yesterday morning.

As we were cleaning our back yard a couple days ago, Emma mentioned we should find someone that makes paper and give them our branches. I told her I don't know anyone specifically that makes paper.

She insisted that we leave the branches on the front lawn in case anyone wants to grab them to make paper or houses or something.

There you have it. :)

TEN MONTHS OLD!

 This little boy has learned to sit up! :) Wahoo!

Today I just noticed he learned to get himself up from laying down...that's huge.

His personality is coming out more and more.

I love coming to get him in his crib when we wakes up and he smiles from ear to ear. 

He has learned to pick up snacks with his little fingers. He likes to snack on banana puffs and veggie straws.

I love the light in his eyes, his spirit shines and his eyes say so much.

Love you Joe-Joe!

 Look how long his tongue is. HA!

Thomas' first day of Preschool

Look who's turn it is to go to PRESCHOOL!!  He started on Tuesday, September 3rd.

Thomas has been looking forward to this day since about March, since I registered him.

We got him potty trained and one of the big motives was that if he learns to go on the potty by himself then he can go to Preschool with his best friend, Gavin. :)

And here he is. The day has come. He is awesome. I love him. 

 This boy has been wearing his back pack every day since we got it for him.

The morning of school, he wore it around the house, up to Emma's bus stop, and continued wearing it asking over and over again when we can leave for Preschool.

 I asked Thomas what he wanted to be when he grows up. I explained to him what that means and gave him some examples. He then replied, "I don't want to be anybody, just Thomas." 

Classic reply. Once again, he is awesome.

 Here he is with his best friend, Gavin. These two are hilarious and so cute together.

 His teacher, Mrs. Nettie had then make a bead necklace. He did really well getting those beads on. Look at that face. :)

 His other friend Emma is also in his class. They are all going to have a great time together. :)

 He had no problem when I had to go. He jumped right in and got busy with the cars just after he finished his necklace. 

Love this boy. Preschool is going to be good for him.