The Cook's Recipe for Life: Crystal's first day of school! And More!

KINDERGARTEN

I'm still not sure how this happened but my oldest baby headed off to Kindergarten this week! These kids are growing up so fast it makes my head spin! I took her to school on her first day because the teacher wanted parents there for the first part of class. After getting everyone settled in and their name tags on, the teacher read, "The Kissing Hand" and had the kids take a chocolate kiss to their parents (and siblings), give us a hug and say, 'See ya after school.' I was so busy trying to keep my other two kids from disrupting everything that I didn't have time to get emotional! Lol! I was just glad to get the other two out of there when the time came to go! Haha.

The elementary school we are zoned for had a full Kindergarten class, so the school district is bussing her to a school a few blocks farther. I was very upset about it at first, but its actually more convenient for me. Haha. Crystal is picked up at 7:30, is in school from 8-10:42, and is dropped off by 10:50. She doesn't spend much time on the bus, and I don't have to get the other two kids strapped in the car to take her or pick her up from school! In fact she's probably home sooner than if I were to pick her up myself! She's absolutely loving it! And on the way home there are only 2 kids on the bus so they get to sit wherever they want! Haha!

Waiting out front for Sister to get home from school one day this week.

Jay started playing peek a boo with the rail. Haha.

JAY AND ROSCOE
These two are so funny together. Jay about kills Roscoe with hugs (no really he doesn't know his own strength). He really just wants to show the dog how much he loves him, but he's just a little too rough and probably squeezes a little harder than he should! But then Roscoe in turn takes Jay to the ground screaming and crying. Both of them love each other to death, but the way they show it is in pain. Haha. But once I pull them apart from each other and calm them down, Roscoe still wants to follow Jay everywhere, and Jay still wants to play with him. I keep thinking the dog will learn to hide when he sees Jay coming, but that doesn't seem to be what he wants! He follows Jay around like they are best buds! I hope someday when they are both a little older and calmer they will be great friends! Until then I'm just trying to keep them both alive and well! :D

PATIENCE REEP REWARDS

Months ago I started a reward system to try to help the girls have a better understanding of money as well as attempting to get them to behave and do their chores a little more easily (Win win right? haha). On Wednesday's we count their money, pay tithing, and 'the store' is open to customers. Since day one the girls have wanted a barbie from the store, but they cost $5.00, and they were only making an average of $0.50 a week. When we were in Provo, the girls would get a low priced toy and save the rest for the barbie. But this week was the first week since we moved that I was able to get the store out. With over a month to save money without the option to buy anything, AND all the extra stuff they've helped me with during the move, they were finally able to buy themselves a barbie! They were both pretty excited about it!

THE FAIR AGAIN

We made it to the fair one more time this week! I totally forgot to take a picture of the exceptional food we ate, but I promise we ate it and IT. WAS. GOOD! We also found a few booths that we missed or wanted to go back to again. The kids sure had a blast too! Can't wait until it comes again next year! :D

PRESCHOOL!
I'm so ready for preschool to start! A week ago I had about 30 boxes sitting in this room and I didn't even bother advertising school this year because I was sure I would never have the room ready in time. As it turns out I did get it done! Unfortunately I only have one student. Lily. Haha.
I wish I had more friends with kids Lily's age. I get nervous when I think about finding strangers to leave their kids with me for a few hours a week. I know its silly, but its how I feel. Haha. I also have the issue that if I do advertise it and only one person responds, I still don't have a class. I would be fine with just 2 students but a lot of people want their kid to be in a room full of students when they take them to preschool. Which I find interesting because the rest of their lives they are probably going to complain about how their kid's classes are too big... haha.
Anyway I waited so long that most people have already gotten their kids in preschool, and its started already. Totally my fault for slacking, but I had about a billion other things that needed done first. Haha. Needless to say, I'm still planning on a full schedule for Lily with fieldtrips and all. So if anyone out there knows someone in need of a preschool teacher still and they won't mind a small class (I can only handle about 5 kids because the room isn't very big and I don't have a business license which is only required if you have more than 7 kids in the house at a time), then feel free to send them my way! Lily would love the company! ;-)

FRIDAY FIELDTRIP

We finally made it to Kate Curely Park near our house for the first time since we moved back! We pass it every time we go to Walmart, and the kids have been dying to get out and go play! The kids played on the toy for 5 minutes and then all they wanted to do was play in the trees! Jay enjoyed chasing the birds most of the time we were there! Haha!

DADDY'S HELPER

Jay was trying to show Daddy how to fix the washer. Daddy really should have listened cuz it's still broken! Haha!

FREEZING CORN

We went to Ty's parents' house Saturday and picked, shucked, cooked, cut, and bagged corn. There were a lot of people there to help thank goodness! Even the kids helped! We made around 180 bags (this is totally an estimate. you'd think i'd know since i was bagging them, but I lost track at some point. haha) of corn in about 4 hours. Can't you tell how much fun everyone is having?

A praying mantis landed on Papa Joel's shoulder and just decided to hang out there for a few minutes!

RANDOM PICTURES OF THE WEEK

We came out to find Lily putting 'make up' on Crystal! Its hard to tell but her entire face was covered in chalk. Haha.

Jay decided it was bedtime and made himself a pillow and blanket on the floor. The girls soon joined in. They love when Jay cooperates and will play with them!