Random August Pictures

Maycie designed and cut out her own robot costume out of paper and tape.

Alex and Addie cross dressing.

One of our favorite Saturday morning activities is going to our local farmer's market. I definitely don't save any money, quite the contrary, but it's very satisfying buying produce and fresh pastured eggs from local farmers. 

 Maycie's hair is so smooth and strait it's difficult to get curls to stay. We've tried foam rollers several times, but it never took very well. This time was a success. However, the curls fell out after just a few hours. Oh well. It was pretty while it lasted.

After watching "Soul Surfer" as a family we did a little research about other people who have lost arms or weren't born with any and the obstacles they have had to over come. The kids were particularly impressed (as was I) with a youtube video of a lady with no arms who cared for her young baby. She did everything a normal person did but with her feet. After watching this Alex was inspired to unload the dishwasher with his feet. It took him about 5 minutes just to get one dish put away so it didn't last long (thank goodness), but a valuable lesson about over coming challenges and being grateful was learned.

Do the Beatles wear underwear?

Recently Alex and his buddy, Noah, went through a garage boy band thing. The band started out as being called "Man Pumps" then "Blue Cups" and finally morphed into a Beatles copy cat band. All day long they searched for clothes that looked like Beatles clothes, which fortunately they perceived as preppy. They would listen to the music and mimic it. Alex was Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney.

One morning Alex was getting dressed and called down to me, "Mom, I don't have any underwear!" After another minute he said, "Mom, does Ringo Starr even wear underwear?"

Growing up too fast.

On her 9th birthday while riding in the car Addie asked, "Mom, how old do I have to be to go on group  dates?" YIKES! I was expecting that questions in about 4 or 5 years.

Big Boy Envy!

Big boy envy.

What is it about boys and wanting to be like bigger boys? I don't remember my girls being this way.

Alex has had big boy envy for some time, now. If given a choice he will always choose to play with the older boy than one his own age which bothers me a bit. I feel like he's growing up too fast.

This is what our cul-de-sac looks like on any given night. Alex out there playing ball with the teenage neighbors (who, by the way, are so awesome at indulging him) or roller blading with 10 year old Jonathan. His gross motor skills are pretty advanced for his age so he can keep up pretty well, but he's always wanting the toys the big boys have which tend to be much more expensive than the hot wheels and lego sets.  If big boy so-and-so has it than Alex has to get it. Luckily he's doesn't earn money very quickly so by the time he's earned enough he usually looses interest.

Isaac has already started the big boy envy thing. The other day our teenage neighbor, Cameron, was out mowing the lawn. Isaac dragged his little plastic mower from the garage and for 30 minutes just went back and for pushing the mower just like Cameron. 

Back to School Feast and the First Day of School

Back to School Feast 2012

This year I spent a lot of time praying and reading scriptures for inspiration on what our theme for this year should be. The winner is: the 13th Article of Faith (abridged version).

Since flowers, to me, are the epitome of "lovely" I focused on that for the decorations. Thanks to the Farmers Market for amazing fresh flowers.

The kids with their traditional crowns and schultuetes (school cones). 

Since we rarely have mean, the kids were so excited to have chicken legs.

I made the girls a charm necklace to remind them of our theme. I used little metal letter stamps to engrave the words onto charms. Alex got his on a leather bracelet (more masculine).

Maycie - 1st Grade. Addilyn - 3rd Grade.

First Day of School 2012.

Maycie with her teacher, Mrs. McKeen.

Addie with her teacher, Mrs. Rusk.