Mckay's First Day of Preschool

Mckay turns 5 on Sep 9th. The cutoff for Kindergarten is August 31st. Originally we signed him up for Young Learners Kindergarten, which would have be PERFECT!

Tyler went through the same program, that runs just like Kindergarten, everyday at the elementary school, but all the kids have later birthdays between Sep and December. At the end of the year, you can choose to move them up to First grade, or repeat Kindergarten. Tyler did wonderful in this program, and started reading etc, but I wanted him to be one of the older/bigger kids in his class instead of the younger/smaller - especially going into Jr High and High School. I didn't want him to wait a year beyond his other friends to begin dating, and driving, as well as waiting an entire year after graduation before leaving on his mission. I have been so happy with this choice because it has given him an advantage in school, putting him ahead of some of his other classmates as far as reading and writing etc.

I was so excited for Mckay to have the same opportunities, he was ready to start school. He loves to color and write and draw ALL day long, labeling all his pictures. He's learning to spell, and asks me how to spell things like 'Indiana Jones' and 'Disneyland.' Or he just copies it from the things around him. I really don't know how to teach him to read, and he was so excited to learn in 'big school'! Unfortunately, with all the budget cuts, they discontinued the Young Learner's Kindergarten program (well, they said we could pay a tuition of $250/month if we wanted - Sorry, ain't happening!). So, Mckay has to go to another year of preschool. We found one closer to our new house than Miss Kara's that he went to last year, and it is 3 days a week for 2 1/2 hours! (About as close to kindergarten as we're gonna get for now.)

Today Mckay started preschool with Ms. Nicole at Busy Bees Preschool. He's super excited and it looks like a lot of fun. Nicole is in my brother Dave's ward, and his son Jake went there last year and loved it. (Mckay was a little disappointed to find out Jake was going to 'big school' and wouldn't be in his class.) But he's making new friends and said his first day was "WAY AWESOME!" They will be working on the Zoo phonics program, so maybe he can learn to read like he wanted to. I'm glad to spend some alone time with Brayden and be able to go shopping and run errands with only one kid in tow!

(Again, my pictures SUCK because my camera died and I have to send it in to be repaired, So these are from my dumb cell phone!)

First Day of School! HOORAY!

We were doing so well this summer. Playing, swimming, sleeping in, etc. But the last week or two... I'm DONE! All the boys want to do is watch tv, play video games, goof off, and fight. NONE of their chores are getting done (which mean NO activities, tv, video games, legos, etc...) and they aren't listening to me. It's taking them HOURS to do what should be done in a matter of minutes! It's driving me nuts! I am SO ready for school to start and get back on our schedule for homework and chores and everthing else! We are so much more productive in our school routine! I'm ready!
(To add to my frustration, something happened to my camera, and it won't focus, SO I have to send it in to be repaired. I only had my cell phone for pics! ALL the pictures are crappy and blury!)

This year Tyler is starting Fifth grade (I can't believe it!) in Ms. Silvas class. She seems perfect for Tyler's tempermant - kind, but firm and very organized. She seems very on top of it and down to business, but has some fun things planned as well. He's excited most of his friends are still in his class, but was worried his desk was surrounded by girls at the open house. I'm sure he'll be fine! :)

Ryan is starting Third grade in Ms. Lynne's class. She is new to Noah Webster, but has been teaching in Phoenix for years. Her step-daughter has been going to Noah Webster, so she was super excited to be able to teach there now too. She aslo seems to fit Ryan's personality. She's fun and silly with the kids, but won't put up with bad behavior. We discussed Ryan's constant energy, and she is right on board to keep him on task.


We're looking forward to another GREAT year!

Finally Updating!

After a wonderful summer vacation from the blog, I'm finally getting around to updating what we've been up to over the summer. Our camera cord was missing for a while, making it impossible to charge, so please excuse the cell phone pics. :) Hopefully getting back on our school schedule, I'll be more attentive in my blog!

Brayden's Messes!

Apparently Brayden's hit the mess making stage. He is Constantly making a mess! Every time I turn around, he has gotten into something else! He has learned to carry the kids stool around to get to stuff on top of tables and counters and dressers. It doesn't help that he has 3 older brothers that just leave things out for him. Here's a few recent messes I wasn't too mad to remember to take pictures (like the one today, dumping Elmer's Glue all over the carpet/recliner and spreading it through his hair and all over his face! I was thrilled! Or the one last week where he colored all over his belly - and part of his shorts - with a Sharpie. Again, thrilled!). Hopefully this stage won't last long, 'cause my patience is getting thin!

He believes Spaghettios are better when their spread on his hair, and arms, and tray....

He has a recent fascination with my make-up. He thinks he needs to wear mommy's make-up to look pretty too!

AND you can style your hair with it!

So kind of his brothers to leave the green marker out. We NEVER would have reached the leprechaun look without it!

Yummy, Doritos! It goes with my jacket!

Sprucedale Ranch - LOTS of pics!

We had a great opportunity this week to visit Sprucedale Ranch. It's located in a quiet valley about an hour outside of Eager, near Big Lake, which was a 5 hour drive for us from the valley. We went with Megan and her kids (Justin came up late Thursday night after work). We didn't get out of town until noon on Wed afternoon, so we arrived before dinner that evening.


Each family had a small cabin with several beds and a bathroom. Yummy homemade meals were served in the main lodge as well as some games and activities. Every morning and most afternoons was a trail ride for adults and kids over age 6. The kids were able to run around with their cousins and explore the playground, basketball and volleyball courts and in the open meadows. They also had lots of puppies and kitties to snuggle.

On Thursday morning, after eggs, fresh cinnamon rolls and fruit for breakfast, Kenny and the 4 oldest kids went out for a 4 hour trail ride to the river. They had lunch and played in the very cold river, jumping off the rocks. They had a blast, but were a little sunburned and sore afterward. Megan and I stayed at the ranch with the younger kids and played cards.
After the ride, we were all resting in our cabins when I heard a car pull up. I looked out the window and saw a gold Acura, and in the window were Kenny's parents! They heard where we were going and decided to surprise us for a visit and check it out! Grandpa brought gifts for all the grand kids from his trip to Pennsylvania. After visiting for a couple hours (and Emmie falling asleep on the porch), they headed home to Thatcher. It was such a funny surprise!

That evening, Megan and I signed up for the adult ride right after dinner, while the kids went on a hayride, then with Kenny to play in our cabin. The horse wrangler was needing to take the rest of the horses up to the pasture to graze for the night, and decided to include it at the beginning of our ride. As soon as he opened the gate, all the horses went running, including the horses we were riding! Most of the other riders were experienced and happy for the excitement, but I haven't been on a horse since I was about 12, so I had to hold on tight and try to remember to pull back on the reigns. It was a little wild.

After dropping off the other horses we crossed the meadow for our ride. Megan and my horses kept stopping to graze. Then we had to try to catch up with the group. We couldn't help but laugh about it each time. The wrangler took us into the trees towards an amazing lookout. (I only had room for my cell phone in my pocket, so none of the pics are very good.) As soon as we entered the trees, I started sneezing, and my nose started to run. Before long, I was coughing a bit too. I've had hay-fever before, but never had many problems with allergies. Once we got to the lookout, we took a much needed potty break and admired the view overlooking the canyon with the river Kenny and the kids had been to earlier that day. While we were off our horses, the group started noticing my eyes looked a little puffy and I was having some trouble with my allergies. It was difficult to take deep breaths. Since it was getting late, we needed to head back to the ranch before dark.

The wrangler said it would take about a 1/2 hour. Along the way home, I could feel my eyes and face swelling as well as itching hands and arms and neck (but I thought it was mosquitoes). Once we got to camp, everyone could see I needed some allergy medicine. As soon as I walked into our cabin, Kenny said "Wow, what happened to you?" When I looked in the mirror, it was WAY worse than I thought! I looked like Quasimodo in hunchback, or Will Smith in Hitch! It was UGLY!
I only had children's benedryl, so I took 4 teaspoons and a shower and went to bed. By morning my eyes were still swollen, but not like before! I have NO idea what it was, I have NEVER had a reaction like this before, but we thought it would be best for me not to go on anymore rides. :)

Friday morning, Justin had arrived around midnight the night before, so he was at breakfast (yummy strawberry crepes!) and went on the morning ride with his 2 oldest kids. My boys were all sunburned and sore and wanted to stay and play at the ranch. The little kids also got to ride on the pony around the ranch. After the ride, they had a mini-rodeo. Michelle and Eli were the only ones that wanted to ride in the rodeo, and they both did great!

After lunch, Kenny played some basketball and I read my book and took a nap. Later the kids watched a movie on the laptop while we started a game of Settlers, which was put on hold for a huge steak and baked potato dinner, followed by some skits and a dance (we skipped out on the dance to finish our game and movie where all the kids crashed before lights out at 10:30).

Saturday morning, Megan, little Michelle and I left early at 6 am to meet Monica and her girls and Mom, at Broadway Palms for lunch and HSM3. After breakfast, Kenny and Justin packed up all the boys and after a search for Kenny's keys (packed in a bag with the games from the previous night) made their way home. (Lucky Kenny also got to deal with Tyler getting carsick several times -for the first time EVER- on the drive through the canyon.)

Despite a few setbacks, it was a fun quick trip for all of us!