Tuscon Day Trip

Joe, Mom, and I took a trip to Tuscon the Saturday before she went home.  Mt. Lemon was our destination.  The scenic drive up to this ski resort has several different terrains.  After our scenic drive to the top we stopped at the local store for some Mt. Lemon fudge for the way back down.  We barely got to this scenic spot for a picture, as the sun was setting.  On our way out I looked up Man vs. Food destinations to see if there was a restaurant worth trying in Tuscon.  We picked El Guero Canelo, famous for their Sonoran hot dog.  I’m not a big hot dog fan since my chocking incident, but I decided if it was on the show I could NOT  try it!  It was supper yummy, but my favorite thing there was the Carne burrito.  Best flavoring EVER!!!   It was such a great trip and wonderful time with my family.   Ben kept busy with the kids while I was gone, and without my permission got Sophia’s ears pierced.  I was not happy to miss that milestone, but I couldn’t be upset because she was so excited about it!  

Utah with the Hellewell's 2012

Last year, the Hellewell's just had a baby and so they didn't come up to Utah for the New Year.  We were happy that they went up this year, and invited us to stay with them again.   This is their yearly family vacation and it means a lot that they include us.  It's always fun for the kids to be able to play in the snow together, and going to our normal stops, which include the outdoor ice skating rink, BYU bowling, sledding a few minutes away, and of course Dairy Keen!  Nothing like a shake in the middle of winter to chase down the burger and fries!:)  There was plenty of snow to enjoy this year, and the Soldiers Hallow was much better than last, but it was also extremely crowded so we only got about 4 runs in over a two hour period.  We had more fun sledding at a spot close to the house, where someone had built a snow ramp.  It became a contest to see who could get the most air.  When we were at home we enjoyed games of Settlers, cards, making hot chocolate, and feeding the horses....Aubrie was in HEAVEN!!!   While in Utah, Olivia had her first birthday party, so we were able to go to that.  It's uncanny how similar her and Aubrie look at this age!  We actually didn't stay New Year's Eve this year, but left that morning and got home in time to celebrate it here at home.  It was a nice family trip up to the snow and to see family!  Grateful to the Helewells for always inviting us! 

Aubries' Cute BYU Beanie!

Who is the kid in purple?  Ethan!  It was a hand me down and he was cool with it!  Even when a worker at Soldier Hallow called him a "she".  Ethan said, "It probaly was because of my jacket!"  Not even caring!

Hello Sunrays!

So the day before school started I decided to let Aubrie try a new gym.  I don't know why I waited till such a crazy time, but honestly that's when it felt right.  Aubrie really liked her experience at BYU and the style of coaching there, and when she got back I could tell she wasn't as excited about gym as she used to be.  I  heard of a good gym from a friend, but it is 30 minutes from our house.  I decided I would at least let her try a work out there.  During the work out she was smiling and looked excited to be there.  On the car ride home she said she liked it and wanted to switch. She loved the coaches!  They were kind, patient, and very knowledgeable in knowing how to help her improve.  I knew it was a good fit for her, but it was hard knowing I would have to say goodbye to Spinettes.
I had Aubrie go in and give her old coaches thank you cards, and say goodbye.  I also had a conversation with the owner explaining why we were leaving, which was really hard.  She has always been so great to work with us and our religious needs, and she has always been so respectful of them.  It was very emotional, an over the weekend I started to doubt the decision.  Sometimes when I'm there for hours, because driving back would be nonsense, I sometimes wonder what I'm doing, but I know that it is a much better experience for both of the girls.  I have been so spoiled having all the kids activities within 10 minutes driving distance, so moving up to 30 is definitely an adjustment.  Today Aubrie had her mock meet at her gym.  She scored well, and feels confident going into the meet season next month.   I don't know how long she plans on being a gymnast, but while she is this is a good choice.  Being a parent is all about sacrifice anyway.  The time with our kids is short, and when it's over I'll have  empty days to fill with all the things I'm putting of for now.

And so it Begins...Another Year at Basis!

Its hard to believe another school year has started.  Harder to believe, is that I have a 7th grader.  My 7th grade year is so fresh in my mind.  It's hard to believe that is where Aubrie is now.  Aubrie, while dreading school, was happy to be back with friends, and even happier to have one of her best friends, Kaelyn, is in her element this year.  Aubrie likes all the kids who are in her element.  She said, "Mom they are all the nice and smart kids!"  This is looking better for a Drama free year, thanks to staff who knew my concerns, and love Aubrie.  Aubrie is a lot more on top of things this year.  She has to go to school earlier, because Boston has an early start of 7:20.  Aubrie sets her alarm for 6:00 and gets Boston up, and they get ready before scripture study at 6:30 (while we are still sleeping!)    She has been complaining that Boston has been moving slow in the mornings!  I have to laugh since she typically is the one that moves slow.  Now she has a taste of what I have been feeling all these years!

Boston has seemed to enjoy school so far.  This year the kids went a day before school to get their lockers.  They gave him a high one, so I got his switched.  He kept going over and over the combination to make sure he had it down!   His first day went well, but he was sad that his friend Jayden wasn't in his element.  He was happy to find that two other kids from west wing were.  He gets to spend time with Jayden at lunch and after school while he waits for Aubrie to get out.  Boston is ready to learn.  This will be a good change for him.  He had his first homework assignment in Math, and only came home with 8 problems that took him 10 minutes.  I'm hoping this will be the trend all year!:)
Overall the kids love all their teachers.  I had a chance to meet the new hires, and they all seemed very nice and relatable!  Aubrie seems to think this will be an easier year for her.  I think 5th grade will be a much better transition than  6th grade.  I think those who did their "time" are going to be reaping the rewards this year.

Sophia's First Day!

So I had a lot of things going on the night before school that distracted me from the fact that Sophia was starting Kinder.  I think that was divine intervention.  I would have been a basket case if I had time to sit and think about it.  Sophia has been looking forward to starting school.   She is doing PM half day at Candeo.  It is a really good Elementary Charter down the street from Basis.  Sophia missed her "meet the teacher" because we were camping.  I took pictures of her classroom, when I was there volunteering the week before.  There are several kids in her class that she already knows. That made me feel so much better.
The first day the parents got to take the kids into the classroom.  I sat her at her desk, took a few pictures, and the parents all said the pledge of allegience with the kids. After the pledge, the teacher told the kids to say goodbye to their parents.  That's when the tears came, and I quickly bolted for the door.  Ethan was with me, bc he doesn't start school until Monday.   He said, "Wait Mom I want to take pictures of her!"  ( He had his ipod with him)  That meant I had to stay a second and couldn't hide my tears.  I gave Sophia a hug, and left.    I missed her so much, and couldn't wait to pick her up and hear all about her day.  She didn't have much to talk about, but throughout the week she has told me things she does in class, which include rules, and songs they sings, and projects they work on.  She is loving it, and I love that she loves it.  It makes it easier to drop your Kindergardener off when they don't even shed a tear and love that they are there.

It was nice to have a few hours every day with just Ethan, but it wasn't the same taking him shopping.  He wanted nothing to do with it.  It made me realize how blessed I was to have Sophia last.  She loved shopping with me, going to lunch with me, etc.  Some people don't get why I was sad to send her to Kinder, but I basically lost the best buddy a person can have!