back to real life

Spring break is over. {insert the tears}

With a week of staying up late and sleeping in, I was very impressed with how well the boys did at getting up and out the door for school yesterday morning. I was dreading it, and luckily they were not. I think they were excited to see their friends again! (and I am certain to get back to learning)

I plan on posting what we did this week, but first, we bought some new shoes over the break. We were really at the shoe store to buy mom a pair of running shoes, but as we looked down at our boys feet, we cringed at what we saw. We couldn't believe we were sending the boys to school in those shoes! They did last 7 months though :)  It was a tough decision, but here is what they ended up with...black was the winner (And Levi quickly learned how to tie his own shoes!)

Now we are back to real life. Yesterday, I felt super motivated to get LOTS done. I did manage to exercise and get grocery shopping in and then a major headache set in. So, we were lazy instead. (I do feel so grateful that no one was sick over the break!) Today I feel a million times better and so Rudger, Adeline, and I are getting our home back in order and then it's back to nagging to get homework done. Thank goodness we only have 2 months left!

and so it begins again :: 2015-16 school year ::

And so it begins again. Is it just me, or did this summer fly by like none other? I hope the boys felt like it was a good one. Hopefully there were plenty of adventures, sleeping in, and lazy days. Now it's back to the nagging mom, early bedtimes, deadlines, but hopefully being back on a schedule will be good for us.

Last night we had our back to school feast, introduced our theme, had our father's blessings, and then had THE hardest time falling asleep. I tried reading to them so that they would fall asleep faster, it didn't work last night...they were just too excited!

This morning they were up bright and early (at least for them). New clothes on, hair combed, traditional rice pudding eaten, and pictures taken...they were ready to get out the door fast.

 Corbin has shown the most excitement. Last night he laid out his clothes, socks, shoes, backpack, school supplies and kept saying he couldn't believe he was in 6th grade. I can't either. When I was walking to the big kid hall to take his picture, I kept thinking...'I am a mom to a 6th grader!!' It seems way too surreal. 

I love how excited Taylor was about his shirt and shoes matching. We even found socks that went perfectly which made us both quite happy. :) Taylor is very excited to have one of his friends in his class this year and even a second cousin! I have a feeling this will be a big year for him.

 Levi was the least excited about school starting. Oh how he wished summer would go on and on. But that wolf shirt made it much easier to get out of bed this morning. I am certain there was a little bit of excitement about seeing friends, smelling fresh out of the box crayons, and getting to eat lunch at school again. Here's to second grade.

And I am determined to get on a good schedule, so that everyone can come hope to a peaceful, happy place. Meal plans, cleaning schedule perfected, and get as much done in this house before our baby comes in just over two months!

Rudger is NOT happy. Right now he is sitting by me as sad as can be. As we left the school this morning, he said, "I do NOT want the brothers to go to school." We are going to have some long days ahead of us.

easter 2015

:: these boys! ::

Easter was pretty awesome. My favorite is that it coincided with General Conference. So good food, plenty of treats, great messages, and just being home together made it a fabulous weekend. We decorated eggs, had fun getting together with the girls in the family during Priesthood Conference, had a fancy dinner, and the boys enjoyed two Easter egg hunts. (One being an extra special one that I'll write about later) :)

 :: shall we just take a closer look at our little elf ::

spring break 2015

 :: breakfast #1 ::

 :: lunch #2 ::

:: breakfast #3 :: 

:: lunch on temple square, followed by Meet the Mormons movie :: 

:: It was seriously the most beautiful day :: 

:: we could have stayed there much longer, but our two hour parking was quickly ending :: 

:: We wanted to check out The Lion House Bakery. They gave us free rolls, so I felt obligated to buy cake and chocolate milk. Unfortunately the cake to frosting ratio was not my favorite, but the rolls were amazing :: 

:: Corbin just looks too old in this picture :: 

 :: Memory Grove ::

:: We checked out Salt Lake Shoreland Preserves. It was a long walk on the path and we were exhausted when we got home, but memorable nonetheless ::

:: I love that face ::

 :: And these faces. They were drawing pictures of their adventure :: 

:: Rudger and I were totally there :: 

 :: Like I said, it was a long walk ::

:: Staying up late and just hanging out together was just the best ::

Spring break always makes me long for summer break. And they always remind me that we need the perfect balance of lazy days, adventures, and late nights.

another birthday late nighter

Somehow Corbin convinced me to have another birthday late nighter with a couple of his friends. Taylor also invited a friend over, so I guess it was more like our usual friday night movie night with a couple of extra kids. We had pizza, popcorn, treats, dancing, and a movie. These are totally the kind of parties I can handle.

^^ they were making me laugh so hard with their dance moves ^^

We had a fun night, but Justin and I were a little more tired than the usual Friday night. 

so far this month

With the boys back in school, I decided that Rudger and I should try out story time at the Library. Rudger was not at all interested, so we checked out half the books there and came home to have our own story time. 

All the bonding we did over Christmas break has extended into the new year. They played adventure games and some basketball.

For our Family Home Evening activity, we built towers as tall as we could.

1. Rudger - dad's harmonica, mom's headband, no pants - it's how he rolls.
2. Now that the boys are back in school, Rudger wants my undivided attention. I let him watch Curious George to extend his breakfast time so I can get a few extra minutes to clean up.

Seriously love these men of mine.

Obviously most of my January days are spent with our baby. Even after bedtime when mom and dad just want to lay in bed and watch a movie...he thinks he needs to be there. *sigh*

January has been pretty good to us so far. We are getting used to being back in school and work, having routines again, and having to actually make dinner. January is when I do my spring cleaning. It feels soooo good. I started this week in Corbin and Taylor's room. Maybe if I am on top of it, I'll even show pictures on Monday. Happy January!

finally a day to do a treat craft

One of my favorite things when the children were a lot smaller was doing simple little crafts during the holidays. They ate that stuff up...literally. With them being in school now and so many more obligations than we use to have, I was longing for those days again. 

I snapped out of it and decided we still had time for those fun activities. When the boys saw the white powder donuts and the store bought cookies, their eyes lit up and they remembered. 

And I realized they haven't completely grown up on me yet.

11.22.2014 - for dates with my boys

On this Saturday, Corbin and I had a date. It was a pretty special date.

Corbin's good friend Emma auditioned for the nutcracker and made it. We were so excited for her. I asked Corbin if he wanted to go. He asked me how long it was going to be. I told him about two hours. He said, "well, if it had been a half an hour I would go, but not two".  In the end he decided to go. 

I was taking a little too long trying to get ready, he did not appreciate that. Just letting him know what it will be like when he starts dating.

We had a wonderful time. He loved the first act. And was excited to see Emma and another friend in the second act. But the last 15 minutes I looked over at him and I could tell he was loosing interest. But he held out. He gave Emma a rose afterwards and was completely embarrassed. Once that awkward part was over they laughed and had a great time visiting. 

It made me think that my years of being the one he goes on dates with is going to end sooner than I want. I am grateful that I have this time now. With each one of my boys. And luckily I will still have Justin to date.