The Sweetest Sound on the Planet

And They're Off!

Three children in school ALL DAY! I have to catch my breath! Wow, the house is so quiet and .... cleaner. The boys LOVE school. Lauren reported on her first day that her locker partner was the "meanest go-wel (girl)" in the whole class, she cried during art class, they didn't get to play with the toys in the room, and had to wait "FOREVER" to be picked up once school was over. She didn't want to ever go back "never again."

But just as mom said, her second day was terrific. They played with toys and she didn't cry "too much." However, her locker partner is still super mean and got in the biggest trouble --which I think delighted Lauren.

Rapunzel Cuts Her Golden Locks

After five years of combing through the snarled rat's nest at the nap of Lauren's neck, I decided it was time to just let it go. Every day was a battle- crying and whining over the sight of a comb. Occaissionally, her hair looked adorable. But mostly, she looked orphanish... where is that child's mom? Why won't someone pull that hair out of her eyes?

That look wouldn't be any better in kindergarten so I finally broke down and had her long locks cut. We went to Sweet n' Sassy in Southlake. It's decorated VERY girlie girl. There were lots of little girls getting mani's and pedi's- - at which I had a twinge of jealousy-- and Abigail danced on the runway/stage.

The cut is fabulous. The hair lays beautifully! They sprayed it with a fun sparkly hairspray. Getting ready is about 3 minutes without whining!!!!! Why didn't I do this years ago???

Lazy Days at Possum Kingdom Ranch

We went up to Possum Kingdom Ranch with Steve's sister, Jen and her two little ones. Abby and Sam loved playing together! The men weren't with us so we ate a lot of PB&J and scouted out deer on the Gator. Zach drew a picture for the Ranch office and everyone played in the arcade, ate sno-cones, and swam. Pretty sweet!

Kiss and Tell

So yes. My 5-year-old daughter was caught making out in the Primary Room. With all the exuberance of a freshly kissed girl, she ran into the Relief Society room to tell me her big secret, "Nathan Weed kissed me on the cheek. I'm going to marry him."
She mentioned a few weeks ago that Nathan was at the top of her eligible bachelor list- "or maybe William or Julian but not Bryce or Jake because they are yucky." Lauren has really been into "getting married" "who do I marry?" She also has been known to chase her brothers saying, "kissy face!" Zach asked why she was so "roman-tic" as if she was actually the Roman Goddess of Love incarnate. Brad and Zach are not impressed.
At least she has impeccable taste in boys. That Weed kid is a cutie, although a bit fast with the lips. I heard he likes to hold hands, too.

Thanksgiving at the Ranch

You gotta love Thanksgiving in Texas. We spent it at Possum Kingdom with Steve's sisters, Jen and Mindy, and their families. The kids got to go on a boat ride around the lake. They got to wear special wet suits that their uncle Steve said only worked when you peed in them. Zach tried it out and agreed that he was much warmer! Brad and Zach drove four-wheelers by themselves for the first time and everyone shot big rifles at skeet for the first time.

Holy Heroes Batman!

For the past six years I have given way too much energy to costume searching. Even worse, I spend a great deal of time manipulating my children into being who I want them to be. Lauren and I watched many Youtube clips of Wonder Woman and her Lasso of Truth. "Look how cool her crown is. It is like a boomerang! Wow! She can change clothes super fast! Boy, you will be an awesome Wonder Woman!" "Zach, you don't want to be Ben Ten. Several of your friends are going to be Ben Ten. There really should only be one Ben Ten. And look, Superman has muscles!"

I'm really into themes. This year, Superheroes. Last year, Classic Halloween: witches, dracula, and a bat. 2006, Peter Pan. 2005, A Toy Story. 2004, Cave girl with dinosaurs. I think this is the last year of the themes. The boys refuse to be Wizard of Oz characters and I don't want them to need therapy later in life because of their controlling mother.

We had some friends over for our Mystery Dinner and then went Trick or Treating around the neighborhood.

All that and Lauren wouldn't wear her wrist bands and boots, and Abby's cape went missing for the photo. Shocker!

The Pumpkin Patch

I got to go to the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound twice this year. Once with Abigail and her little boyfriends Asher and Gabe, and then back with the whole family. Second trip both camera batteries were dead. Don't you LOVE this picture of my sweet thing Abby?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!

My lovely Miss Lauren is 5-years-old! She wanted a Unicorn Flying Pony party and invited her fairy friends to celebrate with her. The fairies made jewelry, searched for the flying unicorn and ate unicorn horn cupcakes in our backyard.

Her favorite gifts were from her grandparents: tap shoes and a stuffed flying unicorn. Doesn't that sound like Lauren?

What Is Your Role?

I just came across the photo from June, taken at the Science Museum in Dallas. It's really a study about how we all have our roles in life. It's important to find our niche so society as a whole can function properly. This tribal specimen clearly delineates their roles so that not everyone is ever happy all at once and not everyone is pitching a fit all at once. Their roles shift from time to time because, after all, eventually, everyone must be the "nose picker."

The Start of Something Big!

Here we go again. Another Fall, another year ahead in school. I'm sure I'm not old enough to have first graders. Brad and Zach are extremely enthusiastic about school. Lauren was a bit timid about it but got over it quickly. Abby was just thrilled that she was NOT going to school and got to hang out with mommy all day. When Lauren was Abby's age, she started preschool. She always wanted to go into the boys' classrooms and was confident to strike up a conversation with the teacher and other kiddos. When I took Lauren to school this year, Abby clung to me for dear life. I know she thought I might be dropping her off and she was going to fight me. It's nice to have some quiet time with my little baby.

I wanna be 4 again...

Aloha!

My mom does a fun luau each year. Due to my Grandma's declining health, she decided to have it at my grandparent's home. She invited the nurses and aides who have been so kind to my grandma and grandpa. Grandma was in and out of consciousness in her bedroom but when I spoke with her, she recognized me. "Grandma, we are having the luau. Your sister Willy is here." "Well, how do I look?" "You look great. Mom did your hair and you have on your red floral housecoat-- very Hawaiian!" She asked for Grandpa. He came in and told her about the party. I think her memory had taken her back a few years because she suddenly said, "I told you not to have that damn party." It was pretty funny because Helen Farr doesn't talk like that!

Everyone must notice Lauren's hair because it is rare that she lets me do it. Take note--it probably won't happen again.

Happy Independence Day!

How amazing is this holiday! We got to watch fireworks on the 3rd of July-- one whole day before the 4th of July! Then we went to the ward pancake breakfast and the Coppell parade. (I had forgotten how hot it gets in Texas) The kids have grocery bags to collect all of the goods that came our way. We ended the day with more fireworks. I bought all of my favorites at a roadside stand in East Texas: Grand Flower Blooms, Snakes, Cones, and sparklers. The children thought that these fireworks were just as amazing as the Coppell ones!


We spent the rest of the day at the Houghton's swimming, eating, swimming, and swimming a bit more.

Red, White, and Blueberry!

We went blueberry picking in East Texas. Whitni Parker and Asher jumped in our car and we followed Jenn and Sam out to Edom. We arrived at this adorable, picturesque farm early in the morning on a perfect, slightly cloudy day. We picked for about 15 minutes- enjoying ourselves- when Lauren decided it was too hot and too hard to pick anymore and pretty much fell apart. But we did manage to get a pretty big bucket full. $40 in gas, a bag full of illegal fireworks from a roadside stand, and several large muffins made for pricey berries, but I would highly recommend the trip and plan to go next year.

Sweet Fairies

I coaxed my cute friend Whitni Parker to come over to help me take pics of the girls. She is a fun and creative photographer who has taken loads of pics of our family. I needed her help figuring out the manual setting on my camera. This was a collaborative effort- heavy on her part. Thank you, Whitni!

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny

I feel like summer has officially arrived with our first visit to Possum Kingdom Lake with the Houghtons. We had a lazy day of swimming, Smore eating, four-wheeling, and boating. Brad and Zach got up on water skis for the first time. They all piloted a kayak. Zach made a detailed list of the things he wanted to do before he left and will make one for the next time he goes.