"Tower" Take Two

Well, you saw my great attempts to take a scripture story and make it memorable.  Greg...who has been spending way too much time with 12 year-old scouts for his own good...knew that a tower's greatest potential lies in burning it!  (??)  (Coincidentally he did this on his way to scouts so he's even wearing the shirt.) 

You can tell this "lit" the curiousity and excitement of the children (I admit maybe even slightly more than my FHE).  So a grill and some Germ-X later (yes, a technique for increasing flame size by dousing frequently and liberally with the stuff...skills honed at the most recent scout overnighter) ... you get the idea.  

Try not to notice our little blue-shirted pyro-in-the-making with the biggest grin ever!  Don't we all hope he grows up to be "just like Dad"! 

JOSHUA

As Nathan started first grade all I could think about was how much we'd miss him.  But, I've quickly realized what a great opportunity this is for me to have a new buddy at home.  Joshua has always had an important place in our family...but I feel like these days I'm getting to know him in ways I haven't before.  He loves to color and write.  He loves to work!  He loves babies...not only Elizabeth but anyone else's he can talk to.  He's curious.  He's kind.  And, this boy knows how to dance!  Everyday we turn on his favorite music and work on our "new moves"!  I'm so grateful to be his mom, and this chance to connect in new ways with him!

Nathan's Fun Run

One of the elementary school's big fundraisers is a "Fun Run".  Parents and others donate money based on how many laps their child runs in 15 minutes.  Today was the big day.  (Nothing is small with Nathan.)  He was up and excited by 6:30 a.m. this morning...and the first one out of the "gate" for the run.  (See picture above.)  He did awesome!  32 laps!  When this boy gives himself to something...he gives it all the way! 

  

Nathan and his new friend, Danny

(Happy red faces after the big finish)

A most loyal fan!

(Josh got a pretty good workout himself...running up and down the side of the "loop" keeping track of Nathan and making hi-five attempts as he passed.)

Piggy Tails

This post is for the Grandmas! Just have to give you a quick glimpse of a girl with "grown up" piggy tails!

You can tell she was way too busy to have her picture taken "well".  But, it gives you the feel.

FHE: King Benjamin's Tower

For family home evenings recently we've been focusing on Book of Mormon stories. This week we thought King Benjamin would be a great lead-in to General Conference. We read from Mosiah 2. We talked about how the people gathered, set up their tents to hear King Benjamin, and the tower he stood on. Then we had a great time constructing several towers of our own.

We also made our plans to set up our own tent to listen to the prophet. We'll see what we pull off this weekend to make General Conference just that much more exciting!

 Joshua was like his own little factory.  He produced more little "squares" of 4 marshmallows and 4 toothpicks than we knew what to do with!

Elizabeth was her own little factory...the eating variety!

 It was a fun time just to have something that we all could sit around the table and work on together!

My Latest Project!

Just a quick picture of my latest project!  A kid-friendly area for homework, crafts, etc. for the kids!  More to come on the details!

Reading to Our Baby

First Soccer Game

Nathan took "beginner soccer" in the spring...which was just practices with no games.  At the end, he was invited then to play one game with the first/second grade teams.  It turned out to be a pretty intimidating experience.  (Nathan isn't overly agressive by nature.)  So...I was a little interested to see how things would go at a real game for him this fall.  He did awesome!  It was espcially fun to see him take to being a "defender".  He loved tracking the ball as it came down the field and then did a really great job helping the goalie keep it away from the net.  I think when you picture being a great soccer player you picture being the one to take it down to the goal (which he did a little of).  But, I kind of love that my little guy's style is to watch and defend when it really counts.  =)

The group Nathan plays with are from a different part of town.  It's a great mix.  Both first and second graders...and more "diversity" than we've got in our own little neighborhood...which we love!

What a great little brother...who can't wait for his own turn to play!

Elizabeth sitting (2% of the game).

Elizabeth on the run (straight onto the field--98% of the game).

A great dad.

Visit to the Temple

Most often when we go to the temple either Greg or I goes.  I've been thinking about how that means that our children never really see us "go"...or get near the temple themselves.  Over Labor Day weekend we took the chance to get them down there.  I went to an early morning session, Greg got the kids ready and met me down their, and we quickly swapped to get him into the next session. 

I wanted to get pictures we'd cherish forever...and these aren't quite what I had in mind.  But, even this far out for taking them...a father's care in getting the kids ready in their "best clothes" and just the "trying hard" of it all,,,is a little less painful and a little more endearing.  So, for now these pictures may not be the priceless variety.  But, they will be a fun remembering of a cold, early morning when we all made it to the temple!

Ready or Not...Here He Comes!

Today was Joshua's first official day of preschool.  I waited for the tender feelings of endings and new beginning to creep in today.  But, both Joshua and I were so excited there just wasn't room for them!  Preschool is two mornings a week.  It just feels like it's about time for this fun, imaginative, curious, social boy to get a chance in a new little world!  I am suprised at the relief I feel that someone else is going to be regularly investing in teaching and making meaningful learning moments for him.  I've tried so hard to be what he needs, but Joshua has quite the mind and energy level to try and be "everything" for.  

Hurray for a happy new beginning for us both!