Goodbye Freedom, Hello Routine

WILD WEST AT THE LIBRARY

We went to a Wild West Themed Party at the library Monday. The kids had SO much fun! They sang a song and read a story then they let the kids loose! There was a craft and a rope toss game and they each got an entire package of donuts. They were 'wheels with mud' (chocolate) on them or 'wheels with snow' (powder). The kids all of course chose packages of snowy wheels. Haha. I made them wait until we got home to eat them!

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

As we were walking out the door Jay looks around and goes, "Where's my backpack?" We had to go get a backpack for him too. Haha. Which was a good thing because he ended up getting some old books from Crystal's classroom to put in it. 

ZOO PICNIC
Every year there is a member's night at the zoo where they feed us hot dogs and chips and we can wander the zoo for a bit in the evening. The otter was out! He likes to play at the window and the kids love it. The parrots actually talked to us! It's only happened to us once before (and we go a lot) so it was pretty exciting. When we started walking around the corner towards them we heard one of them say something but couldn't make it out until the 5th or 6th time, but it sure sounded like "Who's there?" Then one said "Hello" a few times and after we walked away we heard pretty clearly "Goodbye" Haha. It was fun.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Before school on their first day, the school had a "Jam" party on the playground. Haha. There was music to "jam" to and there was bread, butter, "jam," and milk. Haha. The kids liked the photo stations! They even partied passed the tardy bell and didn't start classes until after 8:15. Crystal loved her first day of 2nd Grade. Her teacher is Mrs. Matosich, and Crystal just loves her already! Lily had a great first day as well. I can't believe she's in Kindergarten! They had the parents stay the whole time for kindergarten the first day, and I think the teacher may have regretted it because us moms sat in the back visiting while she was trying to do things with the kids. Her teacher is Mrs. Schaafs and Lily talks about her all day long. Haha. They are both glad school has started up again. I hope their love for school continues as they get older! 

I on the other hand was not ready for the freedom of summer to end. It seemed to come to an end much to quickly this time around! I had so many plans that we didn't have time for!!! Even our trips to the zoo suffered this summer! But as much as I dreaded it, the routine that school brings has been quite nice. Schedules.... I like schedules... I can get used to schedules and routines again.

Where Oh Where Did My Summer Go?

Well it was our last full week of freedom! And I didn't take ANY pictures! NOT EVEN ONE!!!!! Mostly because we didn't do ANYTHING. That's right friends. We slept till noon (not really but kinda.. haha) and even ate out for lunch a few times because I didn't manage to make it to the grocery store. lol. We skipped library, the summer movie, and the zoo (we haven't gone to the zoo nearly enough this summer). 

The kids did go play with some new friends with Grandma Leslie one afternoon this week while Grandma Gordon and I went shopping (for my birthday which was months ago. lol). And we drove to Blackfoot with Grandma Gordon to pick up a cow's worth of beef. My Grandma bought us a cow at the county fair to split! Our freezer is full for the moment! It's so nice that we don't have to worry about searching for deals on beef for a little while!

Honestly I think I was in denial about the fact that it was all coming to an end already and if we didn't do anything maybe it wouldn't be over yet!!!! It didn't work. Back to School Night is tomorrow, and my two baby girls will be off to school on Wednesday! WHERE DID OUR SUMMER GO?!?!?!? Please come back!!!!! I blinked and missed it some how. Haha. I had so many plans this summer, and though we went on some fantastic trips, I feel like I didn't get to half of the things I had planned. But alas it is coming to an end.

Good-bye Summer Vacation! I'm going to miss you!!!! Please visit us again soon!

Yellowstone National Park

SWIMMING LESSONS

We had our last day of swimming lessons Friday. Jay and cousin Kensie were helped off the diving board (everyone goes off it whether they want to or not. haha), but Crystal and Lily jumped in on their own! Crystal even did a knee dive off the side too!

YELLOWSTONE
We had friends from Utah come stay with us for a few days, so Ty decided to show them some of the sites. We went camping Friday night and then spent the day Saturday in Yellowstone. We stopped at some of the basins and of course went to see old faithful. The geyser behind it went off at the same time as Old Faithful! I've never seen that happen! It was pretty impressive! We saw Elk a few times, and on the way out we saw a buffalo. I remember a day when we'd see a ton of them, but we were lucky we saw one this trip! We stopped at Big Jud's on our way home that night! Sunday we had my niece's baby blessing (I didn't take any pics. boo). She was of course beautiful! After an afternoon visiting and playing games, our visitors had to head back home. We were sad to see them go! 

REXBURG RAPIDS
Yes I realize I don't have any swimming pictures under here, but Ty made it a long weekend and took Monday off. We decided to go swimming at Rexburg Rapids. We had a fantastic day at the pool and then stopped at Nielson's for dinner and custard on our way home. We ended our Family Day with a movie night! And can I say that I'm really NOT looking forward to school starting next week.  I feel like I need another 2 months of summer. Where did the time go? Goodbye freedom! Haha.