A few of my favorites........

Pics via Wendy Shepherd

Tate's first day of school......

Tate is such a social little bug. Poor Livia has to have me at her side for the beginning of anything (primary, school, birthday parties) where as Mr. Tate runs ahead of me yelling "bye mom- you can go -k-?" He was so excited to be a big boy and wear a backpack just like the big kids do. I am loving having them both in preschool right now because they each have their own little special thing going on. Man- couldn't you just eat him up? I love this little man.................

first day of school

This morning I awoke to a tap on the nose by a fresh breath little girl. She had gotten up early- made her bed- got dressed and even brushed her teeth before waking me up to make her some breakfast- I think I could really get used to this routine! Now if I can just teach her to get Tate dressed and the Dishwasher unloaded all before I have to get out of bed. Oh this little lady..................she is just a responsible little soul who has such a big heart. She loves school and socializing and feeling like a big kid. I just adore her insight and humor! I am so excited for her to be going three days a week this year because she needs to get on her own more. Her little brother has really been bugging her towards the end of the summer and I was at a loss of how to handle it! This seems to help because Tate does not take her for granted after being separated from her for a little while. I love these pictures of Livy because she was literally so excited she was vibrating all morning- she could not for the life of her stand still for a picture!

A tutorial: how to spend $85 in a half hour!

pictures via Wendy Shepherd

Well that is a bit of an exaggeration but seriously fairs are so very expensive! We had a wonderful afternoon at the county fair yesterday. The animals were not even stinky yet because it was the first day of the fair and the cedar chips were as fresh as could be (the things I notice) The kids were in heaven with the yummy food, fun rides and of course all of the livestock. They even got to feed some birds and pet a rabbit. Some of my favorite parts of the day are when I was able to take a ride on the Ferris Wheel with Livia (It is so fun to watch her when she is soooo completely happy), when I was able to ride with Tate on a ride that almost made me puke, and my most favorite part of the day was when we bought the kids ice cream and I handed one to Blue and he turned around and gave it to Livy so she would be served first! What a little gentlemen. Fun times, Good friends!

I love this picture because Wendy wanted to take a pic of me and my kids and Blue felt strongly he need to be in the picture and back right on in! Love that kid!

It is getting out of hand.................

If you remember my previous post about Tate and his "MANY" treasures you will understand why this post is quite funny- we have now graduated to three boxes of his most precious things that he lugs around with him and sleeps with. It is like he is convinced someone might take something and he has to keep a constant watch!

Ariel came for a visit!

My friend Heather's little girl came for a play date last week because her poor father had to have back surgery! Livia loves Elise and insists on calling her Annaliese from the Barbie Princess and the Pauper. Livy also loves that she has Ariel hair and is always touching it! Poor Elise gets so tired of being called the wrong name and having Livy's hands all over her hair.............Luckily this day I was inspired and pulled out my trusty sewing machine to make Elise her very own tail (Livy already has one from a cold winter day that we were stuck inside) These little girls played all day that they were mermaids. It was so funny to watch them wiggle around and have underwater adventures. Heather called the next day and said that Elise even took her nap in the tail I made for her- Maybe Livia is right and she really is the Little Mermaid!

A day with Da Boys!

I was able to watch Wendy's kiddos while she and her husband went archery hunting. It was hilarious. To start the day off right I overslept and so poor Reid got himself ready for school and had to wake me up to take him! I never said I was a morning person...........After getting him to the bus stop the real fun began- the darling little ones paired up in friendships and played the day away! Wendy just has really good kids so there wasn't anything I could not handle. I told Chad I was ready to have three more kids after this day was over- he said our kids would not be as easy as the Shepherd boys and I would have to be committed if we attempted that! My favorite part of the day was when Blue ate all of his lunch because I convinced him that I got the recipe off of the Teenage Mutan Ninja Turtle website and that it was Leonardo's favorite sloppy joe! I just love lying to kids to get them to do what I want- it works with husbands too- kidding! kind of!

no training wheels for this girl!

It is true- my little mini me has successfully transitioned to riding without training wheels. I wish I could take credit but the kid pretty much taught herself. For a few months now she has been begging Chad and I to take those things off and I kept putting it off because we ride our bikes every day and the thought of have a bike she couldn't ride for a while worried me. After a play date last week at Tia's, she was so motivated to learn because she saw Tia's little boy racing around without training wheels. I am not exaggerating when I say that as I was putting the tools away from taking training wheels off- my little girl got on her bike and took off! It was hilarious! i am stunned at this little girls coordination- she definitely takes after Chad in that area! She has been zooming around our neighborhood every day and is just quite please with her little self. Chad and I could not be prouder!

speedy quick!

My poor computer was getting slower and slower each day and ended up taking FOREVER to load a simple photo for a blog entry. As a result I was not as motivated to post at all because in my life if things don't happen quickly I end up with kids getting into things and causing chaos! My dad and Chad fixed my computer and I am so excited to be back to share all that has been going on- hopefully I have not lost too many of my readers! I made a list of entries so Let's get started!

poor dude!

Poor Little Taters is just not feeling well. He has these horrible high fevers (102.7) but not really any other symptoms except that he seems really uncomfortable. Last night he slept in our bed because I was so tired of getting up with him and again I was grateful to have a king size bed! Ms Livy went to New Mexico after my parents came for a visit and I will be picking her up towards the end of this week. My parents knew that I was on the brink of a melt down with Chad being gone so much and they came to my rescue! Thanks mom and dad. My plans for the next few days are to get some projects finished since I only have one kiddo. I dropped Chad of at the airport today and he will be gone all week to Oregon. I am really looking forward to finishing up some great crafts so make sure you check my craft blog!

attention to detail.................

Livia is such an amazing kid. She has so many talents at such a young age. I love how focused she can get on a task. She works so hard that her little tongue will stick out in concentration. This particular activity was so much fun for her. She spent most of the afternoon stitching around the pictures in the fabric. The best part about it is I could just sit and read my book while she was occupied- I only had to thread needles every now and then- it will be great when she can do that too! Is anyone else reading Breaking Dawn? I have a feeling Liv will be doing a lot of sewing during Tate's naptime for the next few days!

"You are the murderer of Love!"

The title to this post is a quote from the movie Dan in Real Life. If you have not seen it, it is a for sure renter- I promise. The man in the story has a very dramatic daughter who feels things very deeply. She is like 13 or 14 and says that he is the murderer of love when he intervenes between his daughter and her boyfriend. The first time I saw the movie I thought wow- it would be so hard to have a daughter like that- I would just bust up laughing and she would hate me! Well lately Livia has had some doozies with the way she is expressing herself and I fear I am getting some foreshadowing of what is to come in the teen years. One thing she has recently told me is that "Swim lessons are hurting my life!" and my all time favorite one of the week was when I told her she could not have any chocolate cake because she did not eat enough dinner and she hung down her head and stated "mom, you are just breaking my heart!" Oh- goodness sakes child! you are only four- how do you even know about broken hearts! I am sure one day she will refer to me as the murderer of love.............

A very true story......................

Today the kids began swimming lessons. I wanted to wait until Tate turned three so they could be in the class where mom's don't have to get in with them (been there- done that- hated it) Swimming lessons went great and I was so happy because I was a little worried about Livia having a melt down- she is pretty timid about water- even the shower scares her. After we finished I needed to run some errands and I told the kids I would buy them a little treat for doing such a great job at their swimming lesson. We got to Target and my kids begged me to get the big momma joe honkee cart- they do this every time and since the kid cart (the one that has little stools that buckle and then the cart is hooked to the front) weighs more than I do, I usually tell them it ain't gonna happen- however Livia said that they wanted the cart to count as their treat that I promised. How could I say no to that? It wasn't going to cost a thing- So I said sure and buckled them into that mammoth of a thing and began to attempt to control the cart while knocking down stacks of towels that were at the end of a row- that thing is a serious workout for wimps like me. As I put my items in the cart it only got worse and that is when Tate decides that he is going to be a big boy and has to go to the bathroom- we are as far from the restrooms as possible- I tell Tate it is o.k. for him to just go in his diaper and he refuses by yelling he has to pee reeeeeeeeally bad. So I grab my purse and ditch the cart and make it to the restrooms just in time. I am sure Tate is now confused why I wanted him to go in his diaper when I have been begging him to go in the potty for the last few months. On my way out of the bathroom I see a friend of mine and we are catching up while my kids are literally screaming and running around. Livia was being so naughty and telling me that I needed to be done talking- who does she think she is. The poor lady I was talking to could hardly focus on our conversation due to the chaos surrounding us. I said goodbye and slammed my kids back into the cart. I tell Livia that her behavior is totally not acceptable and very embarrassing for mom and that we are going straight home after this and she will have to go to her room. She begins crying and begging for one more chance at the top of her lungs. I had two more things on my list and decided to bag the other places I need to go that morning and just accomplish my Target goals. on my way going over to the household items I run into that friend again and would you believe that my kids got out of the cart and started all over with the craziness- I was beginning to sweat it was so awful. Finally I apologised and took my kids to pay- on my way to the front I stopped to get a plastic bin and Livia spotted some chocolates that she wanted for her treat. She and Tate are begging me and I have to remind them that I let them ride this huge cart for their treat- That is when it happened- the worst part of my morning- because I am not a morning person I was wearing sweats due to having to rush to swim lessons that morning- Tate was pulling on my legs and pleading for another treat besides the cart and the child pulled my pants clean off of me!!!! Yes, it is true I was depantsed (sp?)by my three year old in the middle of Target today! Why, Why, Why are my kids so unpredictable? I cried the whole way driving home- I should have had kids in my early 20's- I would have more energy for them.

Thanks to the rain............

I have not killed any of my flowers this summer! I am horrible at remembering to water my plants and flowers so the rain has definitely been a blessing.

I could watch this all day.......................

I can not believe how daring boys are! This little guy is going to be great on the skate board some day. He already can emulate many of the moves he watches the older boys do across the street. It is so exciting to see how coordinated he is for a little boy. He falls all the time and just gets right back on that thing! I love sitting on the porch and watching my son practice.

Tut tut- it looks like rain!

Livia and Tate entertained themselves this afternoon with an umbrella in the rain. They were so precious- they walked up and down the street together singing at the top of their lungs- it was so darling to watch. They were sad when the summer monsoon ended but were happy for the puddles it left behind- boy they will sleep good tonight- I am exhausted from just watching them run around all day!

Oak Creek

We went to Oak Creek today and played at the best swimming hole for little ones. I say that because Di and I could just sit on blankets and look through magazines and never once had to worry about the kids. It was such a fun day. Di leaves for Utah this week so it was one of our last gatherings before school starts- where in the world did this summer go? Not really loving the last picture but Livia was so proud of her photography skills she wanted me to post it- I have the biggest teeth ever........................... fun day- fun memories. And of course no Oak Creek visit is complete with out a stop at Dairy queen on the way home!