Cyberchase Museum

We ended the summer with a weekend full of fun! Since Brandon came home from work on Thursday for Meet the Teacher Night he took Friday off and we went to the CR American Airlines Museum in Fort Worth. The kids had seen commercials on PBS for a Cyberchase exhibit and that is Brody's favortie show right now. Its a show all about math, and I think that is just how Brody's mind works, he is going to be great at math. The museum's normal exhibits are all about airplanes and the history of American Airlines, and the airplane stuff was cool to see too. There was a big IMAX movie and you flew over all sorts of pretty scenery (including cities and castles - Brody and Ella's respective favorites).

Oh yeah, Ella got glasses a couple weeks ago. She is doing really well with them. We are hoping it corrects her exotropia and help her eyes align better.
In front of Mother Board...our kids started learning about the computer and they are like sponges and are doing more and more each day

Brody's Meet the Teacher Night

I can't believe Brody is starting Kindergarten on Monday! It seems like he was just born. I knew it was coming but the closer it gets I am getting anxious. I probably have all the normal "mom" fears about their kid making friends and behaving, but also I am super worried about getting him to school on time. School starts at 7:45 and he is dismissed at 3:00...a super long day for most five year olds! They seem to have the day full of activities to keep them busy and seeing his classroom and meeting his teacher calmed most of my nerves (and hopefully Brody's too!)

What Brody is most looking forward to about Kindergarten: The sports (they have PE everyday) and playing on the playground

What Brody is most nervous about: Bullies (I don't know where this is coming from, but he truly is worried about people calling him names); and the weather (if it is too hot or too cold they can't go on the playground)

Brody and his Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Spencer

Brody's carpet spot

Brody sitting at his desk. He sits right next to a little girl from church, Jacelyn. He is at the blue table (his favorite color!) and the chair covers have pockets in the back that hold all his supplies.

A view of part of his classroom. There is a bathroom perfect for little people in the back corner and all sorts of stations set around the room. He also has a cubby to keep his backpack and coat during the winter (we are sort of longing for the day we need a coat - Im ready not to be hot anymore!)

Brody and a classmate meeting the class pet, Sparkles the Guiena Pig

After meeting Mrs. Spencer and seeing her classroom we went to the cafeteria to get a car tag to be able to pick up Brody and while we were waiting the kids had a great time playing on the stage. I said to the kids to stand together, and this other little boy jumped in the picture too -- then I realized he is in Brody's class too...hopefully a new friend!!

Things We Love About Summer

There are lots of things we love about summer...but two of special note today are:

.50 cent ice cream cones at McDonalds. Nothing makes me happier than being able to bribe my children to behave while we grocery shop with an ice cream cone. It is so hot out that they melt faster then they can eat it, but it is so worth the mess. Also of special note is being able to get a $1 drink at McDonalds all summer long. One diet coke, two ice creams please.Having lazy mornings. Mornings when this sweet princess can wear her princess crown with her nightie and play all morning. Our laid back mornings are numbered. T minus 35 days until I officially have a child in school and we have to abide by someone elses clock and calendar. I get more sad the more I think about it...but in the meantime we can usually be found in our jammies until late morning (or early afternoon) however you wanna look at it.

Matt's Baptism

On July 10th Matt was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints...it was a great day for our family (and in particular Stephanie)! We were glad we could be apart of it.

The A's

Brody moved up to t-ball this year and he has been working so hard to learn the game and improve his skills. He is on The A's (his dad was quite pleased with that name!). The season started at the beginning of June and goes until the end of July...don't ask me why we don't play in the spring when it isn't a billion degrees outside...that would be my preference! He practices twice a week and has his games on Saturdays. He is a lucky boy to have two sets of grandparents, occasionally an aunt or uncle and a very proud mom and dad that want to come watch him play each week. He has improved A TON in the last 6 weeks! Just last night at practice he caught a line drive ground ball that he had to move his body to be in front of and he did it beautifully!! Even other team parents were telling me how much they've noticed him improve! It was a good good night for both of us. They aren't supposed to be keeping score, but if you ask the kids they know who wins and who doesn't. I think our record (if there was one) would be 4-2.

Playing catch with Grandpa Mullin to warm upAll warmed up for the first game!

His first time up to bat, and ...

three hitters later, he scoredDad's turn to play catch
Sitting on the bench waiting to bat
Such a happy kid after a great game! This picture is from a practice - it was hot and I think he was tired Brody's biggest cheerleader! She was lining up all the rocks during practice one day. She is a character!

Fathers Day

Swim Lessons

We started swim lessons back on Memorial Day and the kids both really loved it! We found a great swim teacher in our neighborhood and the lessons were so helpful for the kids. Brody loves to swim and be under water - he remembered his skills from last summer and was able to improve a lot. He now loves to jump off diving boards and go down slides.

Ella is a lot like me ... she needs some coaxing to get her face wet, but as the summer has progressed she is doing so well. About a week after lessons ended she just started swimming. She'll put her face in the water and her little bottom sticks up right out of the water and she starts moving.

Ella would need a bribe to get her face wet, but most of the time she'd do it if Miss Jane asked her to.

Brody learned to work on his scissor kicks instead of using bicycle kicks. If he gets it right he can swim pretty fast and far!

We really enjoyed our swim lessons with Miss Jane!