The worst has happened~

An affirmation that I am, in fact, OLD. My sweet baby boy, born to me with big beautiful eyes, a perfect little nose, and delightful personality, is no longer a baby. He's a kindergartener! AHHHH! Its unbelievable to me that so much time has passed and he is old enough to be in elementary school. I wanted to cry...but I didn't. I stood up tall and watched his teacher lead him inside, and I bravely (I think I took it harder than he did. Actually I KNOW I did. He wasn't even nervous!) walked home and swallowed the lump that was building in my throat. I counted down the hours til I could pick him up and hear all about it. He had a GREAT time. He was very excited about the things he learned, even though technically, he already knew them. Good job on being such a brave, big boy Corbin. I am so proud of you little man! I'm trying really hard to stop wishing you were still a baby, because you are such a great kid, but you are growing too fast for me. KNOCK IT OFF! Anyway, here are a few pics of the teacher meet and greet, our back to school celebration, and of course, the first day. Enjoy!

Corbin checking out the different books at the Teacher Meet and Greet last Thursday.

Helping Dex finish the puzzle while Ivy screamed for nap-time. Hurry up guys, everyone is staring at us!

Ivy's place saver at our "Back to School Celebration Dinner" we had at home on Friday. It was pretty lame, but it made Corbin more excited about school.

Dexter's place saver

Corbin's place saver. (That's Dex's hand with Lightning, in case you were wondering)

The classic, in front of the door with a backpack picture. I treasure that little "smile".

About to walk to school. Gotta love Dexy's face. The face of jealousy, freedom, or an urge to pee? I don't know, but it makes me laugh.

I only included this pic because 1 millisecond after I clicked the button Dex tripped over Corbin. Oh how I wish I would have pushed it 1 millisecond later. It would have been the funniest pic ever.

Waiting around because, as usual, we were early.

First in line and waving bye bye, while I try to hide the tears welling up in my eye.

Walking away with his teacher, Mrs. Hall. Forget college! Letting them go off to kindergarten is torture enough!

Happy 2010 school year everybody. I hope you all are being braver about it than me.

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: After 7 Long Years

Have you ever had one of those days when by 11 am you think why did I even get out of bed this morning? Today has been one of those days. Last night to convince the kids to go to bed, I told them we would have a super fun day today filled with a trip to the park, a super fun walk, and riding bikes in the driveway. They went to bed, so as planned we geared up and headed for an ill-fated adventure at the park. I don't want to go into a ton of detail, because its a long story, but it involved making a walk that should have taken 3 minutes into 15, A LOT of crying, and even an openly peeing in the grass at the elementary school incident. Needless to say, I cut the trip short and we came home.

Anyway, that isn't what this post is about. Last week our 7 year old vacuum that we received as a wedding gift officially died. It had been dying for quite some time, but Scott is always able to nurse it back to health. This time however, it couldn't be revived and we had to buy another one. I have to say though, I am impressed that it lasted as long as it did, especially for a vacuum that was under a hundred bucks. Here are a few picks of the last time Scott successfully fixed it, back in January.

The hose was clogged.

Scott put the swiffer mop handle in the hose to try and get the clump out, but all that did was get the mop stuck in there too. Then the mop broke. "I know, lets get out the power tools!" He's like Tim "the toolman" Taylor!

I thought it was a gonner, but eventually the clog (and mop handle) was removed, and it somewhat worked again. Until last week. Farewell old friend.

Here is the new one.

We spent just 70 bucks on this beauty, and it works great. It really made me realize that our old one hasn't been doing its job for a while. Its nice to have clean floors again. It claims to be "featherlite" so I think I'm going to make the kids start vacuuming! Just kidding, but don't they look adorable trying to push it!

Corbin is almost big enough to do it!

Ivy's struggling to not be crushed by it. (right after this picture she almost was)

Dex looks like he's "slow-dancing" with it. Somebody get a bible to put between those two!

Yay for new stuff, even if it is just a vacuum!

Saying goodbye to a perfect summer

Summer is going out with a bang around here. We had a big wind storm on Saturday night. All of our patio chairs started blowing away and we had to bring them inside. We heard our kiddie pool hitting the wall on the side of our house in the backyard too, but when we went out to get it, it was gone. We found it in the morning in the neighbors front yard, it flew OVER THE FENCE! There was also a tree across the street that was broken in half from the wind. It was CRAZY (and fun).

Anyway, I almost want to cry, knowing that this is our last week of summer. Corbin starts kindergarten next Monday, so it is officially ending. This summer was absolutely PERFECT. We had a nice vacay without kids in June, 2 super fun trips to Bear Lake with them in July, swimming lessons and relaxing at home in August, and best of all, no trips to Salt Lake City for Ivy stuff at Primary Children's. Technically we do have one more family trip, but its in September, and we'll have to get Corbin out of school for it. We're going to Las Vegas with Scott's work again, and this year we're bringing all the kids, instead of just Ivy. They are super excited for swimming and playing with cousins all day, everyday.

Anyway, we've been celebrating our last week of freedom by going for walks, swimming in the neighborhood pool, and playing at the park. I hope we're making the best of it. And although I am sad to see summer go, and to watch my first-born go off to kindergarten. I am also excited for fall (my absolute favorite time of year) and freedom from the boys fighting (if only for a few hours each day). I'm crossing my fingers that Dex gets into the early intervention preschool also. He has an evaluation on Friday, and if he passes (or doesn't pass, depending on how you look at the situation) he'll be going 3 hours a day four days a week. It'll give me a nice break.

I think that's all the thoughts I've got for you today, so I'll be back on Wednesday to brag. Happy Monday. PS...Boise keeps getting better, I saw a Cafe Rio coming soon, and its right by our house. We may never come back to Utah now!

Funniest thing on earth!

I just can't hold it in any longer. I must share it with the masses. This is seriously one of THE FUNNIEST THINGS I'VE EVER SEEN. I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard. I swear you wont be sorry.

First watch this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-5QviOuu9M&feature=player_embedded

Now this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEvNS5TzvwM&feature=fvw

You're welcome.

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: My Little Swimmers

I'm running a little late on my braggin' blog today...Dex had an eye appointment and I'm happy to announce his eyes haven't gotten worse and so far both boys have managed to avoid having to patch an eye. Phew.

Anyway, last week the boys finished up their first swimming class. We signed up with a certified instructor that gives lessons at his house (an indoor pool which was awesome since I didn't have to sunscreen them up!). It was so fun to watch them learning to trust Mr. Dave while they also learned how to go under water without getting water in their noses. They learned about water safety, how to float, kick, and swoop with their arms, and many other things. All the while having a wonderful time with a fun guy that was really great with them.

It was an almost one on one class since they were the only two in it (but obviously since there are two boys, it wasn't one on one), and I think it was probably a good thing that they had each other, since they were both really nervous the first two days, and relied on each other to be brave. They both refused goggles on the first day, as well as refused to put their faces underwater. On the second day they both put on goggles and Corbin would go under, but it took Dex an extra day or two before Mr. Dave could convince him. By the end they both LOVED it and were sad it was over. Lucky for them, they still can't swim and will have to take another class next year!

Auqua boys?

I love Dex's face! He was terrified of this at first.

That's Corbin, in case you couldn't tell.

Monkeys on the wall

Sunday Afternoon

Today was such a beautiful day. After church and naps we decided it would be fun to go walk around the Boise Temple grounds. It was HOT, but the kids loved it. They especially liked the fountain, and the hills to roll down. That may be against the rules, but no one else was there and its not like they hurt anything. Here are some pics of us enjoying ourselves.

Dex was in a running mood, this is just one of 3 pictures with him running away right when I click the button!

New Header

Did you notice my new header? I took the picture of the flowers and edited it on Photoshop. My first ever photoshop project. I know its kinda lame, but I was proud of myself! What do you think?

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: The Transformation is Almost Complete

Warning: The following argument never actually took place

Scott: "I ripped a hole in my pant-leg, fix em!"

Me:"That's not how I was raised!"

Scott: "You are the WOMAN, its your JOB to fix them!"

Me: "Its not my JOB to do anything!"

Scott: "Tom-boy!"

Me: "Mama's boy."

Ha ha ha! That never happened. If anything even remotely close to that happened this is how it would go:

Scott: "Hey babe, I ripped a whole in the knee of my pants. Do you think you can fix them?"

Me: "No! I don't know how to sew."

Scott: "I guess I can ask my mom."

Me: "Sounds like a good idea."

Not anymore. Who knew that this tom-boy would grow up to cross-stitch, crochet, scrapbook, and now, even sew? I sure didn't! My transformation to a full on typical old-fashioned tv mom is nearly complete. Now I just need to learn to make a hearty and nutritious soup out of twigs and dirt, and drive a minivan......wait a second....I already drive a minivan. Crap.

Anyway, I wanted to make the boys halloween costumes this year and in order to do that I needed to learn how to use the sewing machine that I've had collecting dust for the last few years. Scott, always the helpful and loving husband, taught me how to use it, helped solve a few problems, and voila, I'm a seamstress!! Watch out Martha Stewart!

Can you guess what they are going to be? Its not at all obvious. I don't want to give away who's going to be Jessie, all you need to know is that its quite the scandal. Happy Wednesday everybody!

The Tooth Fairy Exists

I think it was around the 28th of July when Corbin showed me his first loose tooth. It was so wiggly that I was amazed it was still there, and was certain it wouldn't last a week. It did. It got looser and looser, but still hung on. I wanted to pull it out, Scott didn't and Corbin was afraid, so we waited. I have heard stories of teeth being loose and waiting for them to fall out, but they never do and then they get tight again because the new tooth comes in and wedges the old in. I didn't want that to happen. So finally on Saturday (the 7th), I begged them both to just let me pull it, or to have Corbin do it. I think I somewhat got Scott in my corner, but Corbin needed some convincing. Enter, Tooth Fairy.

She left this note on Corbin's door for him to find Sunday Morning.

Corbin was fascinated by the note, and didn't want the Tooth Fairy to be disappointed. I convinced him to wiggle it all day on Sunday so it would come out by bedtime. That way the Tooth fairy wouldn't be disappointed again. He did as he was told, and what do you know, that tooth came out all by itself by mid afternoon. There was no blood, no crying, just joy. Yay!!

Aww, bye bye little bottom tooth. We'll miss you!

This is the face of someone when a tooth painlessly emerges from their gums. I don't get it either. He looks like he needs to go to the bathroom!

4 quarters for a tooth! That tooth fairy is a cheapskate. I guess everyone suffers in our economy!

Moral of this story.......Mom's always right?.......I don't know. Thanks for the money, Tooth Fairy!

Braggin' Wagon Wednesday: Random

I don't know that I'd consider it bragging, but I am extremely grateful that my sweet husband is okay after his surgery, and that it wasn't something more serious. I really like having him around, and would be devastated if he wasn't.

Anyway, I don't have much bragging to do today, so instead, here are a bunch of random pictures of what we've been up to. Except the swimming lessons, I'm saving those for a later post.

Ps. Happy Birthday Grandma Marde! We love you!!

Corbin wringing out his clothes after frolicking through the sprinklers. He looks freakin' adorable doesn't he?!

Ivy chowing on spaghetti like nobody's business! This girl LOVES to eat! Thank goodness. There was a time when we didn't know if she'd ever be able to eat without throwing up!

Idaho is being invaded and taken over by grasshoppers right now. I am not happy about this. Look at this guy. He's disgusting. Last summer one jumped in my hair right when I opened the back door to go outside. Totally freaked me out. EWWW!

Dexter was the only one of us brave enough to touch the grasshopper (besides Scott). I don't care what you say. They are gross, and yes, scary!

Swinging in the backyard. Don't worry, Ivy wasn't on fire, the sun was just super bright!

Bathing with goggles on. It just makes me laugh.

The kids enjoying the cool water on a super hot day. (please ignore Ivy's immodesty!) Ivy is relaxing on the family room floor...and poking the camera.

Corbin is really interested in kissing right now....here he's making Woody and Jessie "kiss each other" as he would say.

Scott's post surgery stomach. He has one incision mark on the his right side (looks like a scratch) and one in his belly button. If you look closely you can see a lot of bruising under his belly button. Not pictured is another incision mark a little below the belt...its pretty low and this is a family blog! When I had my appendix removed 15 years ago, it wasn't a laproscopic surgery, so I have a 2 inch scar on my lower right abdomen area, and I was in the hospital a lot longer....Lucky duck!