Carnival, Potato Truck, Another DIY

SCHOOL CARNIVAL

I only took one picture, but the kids had such a good time at their school carnival last week. They had Nachos for dinner and tons of fun playing games and winning prizes. We used most of our tickets getting Orange Leaf for all of us! After we played, Ty and I helped out with the games. We got stuck with the bowling game. I'm so glad Ty helped out because after 15 minutes of putting pins up and chasing the ball every 5 seconds my legs were so SORE! They hurt for 2 days! Haha! 

IDAHO POTATO TOUR

We went to McDonald's with Grandma Gordon last week and The Big Potato truck was there! We got a picture in front of it, and they let the kids pick out a prize! Jay got a water bottle, Lily sunglasses, and they let us pick out a prize for Crystal too!!! She got a Frisbee! They also got stickers and potato pins! You'd think it was Christmas or something! Haha.

FRONT PORCH DIY

Two weeks ago Ty got the sudden urge to replace the front porch (it was supposed to happen 2 years ago so it's about time. haha). Anyway preschool had just started, and I was a little concerned but I wasn't going to stop him. When he decides to do something on the Honey Do List, I let him! Haha. Anyway just as I feared, after 11 hours of work, the steps were only half done and not fitting quite right (that would be too easy). He needed more parts, and it was going to have to wait. I thought to myself, 'No worries, he'll have a few hours Monday to work on it and make it usable by Tuesday.' But come Monday, something went wrong at work, and he had to stay till the sun was heading down. So we used the back door for preschool. No big deal, just a pain because of the dog. Haha. Tuesday he had an Audit, and Wednesday he was able to get the top boards screwed in so it was at least safe to walk on! It was still missing the bottom step and 2 boards on the top (just dropped a few inches to the concrete porch). But Ty insisted it was fine for preschool, so on Thursday my little 3/4 yr olds stretched their little legs to the first step and balanced their way over the 2 missing boards to the door. Haha. The kids thought it was the best thing ever... not so sure the parents felt the same way. Lol. Saturday Ty was able to get to the store and buy the parts he needed to fix the steps. By Saturday afternoon we had a fully functional front porch again! YAY! We still need to cover the sides, put on the rail and stain it... but I'm so so so happy it's usable again (and so is the mailman! haha)!

Preschool and the Fair

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL

Jay had his first day of preschool this week! And so did Mom! As always, we have a great group of kids! I'm so excited for preschool this year! 

FAIR WEEK
We also went to the fair this week! So much fun!! We love going to see the animals, walk thru the buildings and booths, and especially eat the FOOD!!!! YUM! The kids absolutely LOVED the sea lions especially Lily! She was in 7th heaven!!!!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
We celebrated Grandma Gordon's birthday this weekend with dinner and a movie outside!!!! Brrr! It was a little cold, but I got extra cuddles from the little one, and there's nothing more fun than a movie outside with the family!

Painting and Pinkalicious Pink Party

PAINTING

I decided a while ago that I was going to slowly paint the whole house, and while I was at it I would sand and paint the dated wood trim. I was going to start upstairs with the kids' rooms and work my way down saving the preschool room for last (since I knew I wouldn't be able to work on it during the school year). Well I had to do a lot of work in the preschool room this summer to make a little more space since I have 2 more students this year than I had last year. In the process I had removed almost everything off the walls. When I thought about putting it all back on, I didn't like the idea of having to take it all off again to paint after the school year. So alas, my big paint project began in the preschool room instead! It was a ton of work sanding, cleaning, painting, painting and painting some more. Oy. My wrist is still sore after a week! BUT even though I just painted it white, it looks SO much better! I couldn't believe how ugly the color in that room was compared to the nice bright white I put on it. Haha. And I love the painted trim. Although, I may look into replacing the trim in the living room and hallways just so I don't have to try sanding and painting the trim without accidentally sanding and painting the floor. Whew. That was not an easy task! 

My preschool room is freshly painted and ready for school to start in 2 days! Yay! Can't wait!

KID CANDIDS 
Lily loves the elephant at Fiesta Ole and insists I take a picture of her on it every time we go. Haha. She asked again with Jay on it and he said "no I don't want a picture!" I pointed my phone at him and said 'okay Jay smile and I won't take your picture.' He grinned from ear to ear. Lol. 
Later this week he was playing with his Trex transformer and sat it on my lap and said, "Mom he needs a picture!" Lol. He wouldn't take no for an answer. 
I got to babysit my nieces this week! Isn't that little baby gorgeous!?!?! 
Jay ASKED Lily to do his hair on Friday. lol. He said he wanted Dragon Hair. She lined his head with bows. Haha. 

PINKALICIOUS PINK PARTY
The girls went to the library for another story time party on Saturday! They all wore pink! We read a Pinkalicious story and ate a pink cupcake and ... oh no! ... we got Pink-itis!!! Good thing it didn't last too long. Haha. We also made wands and had a Pinkalicious Dance Party!!! So much fun! Jay and Dad rode bikes at the church so Jay didn't feel too bad that he was left behind. ;-)

PINK-itis!!!!!

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.