Date Night with the Kiddies

I took my cutie kids on a date to the Barton Creek Mall. I had heard they just opened a Lego Store, and we certainly couldn't leave that stone unturned. Check out this awesomeness!

Uh huh, made completely out of Legos.

We made our own custom Lego people. Michael's, Elle's then Hunter's all nicely packaged for the trip home. I was surprised they all independently chose the same shirt and pants pieces. 

Now who would have thought JC Penney's could be such a hot date spot? We ran into this shelf of super cool knit hats and gloves. We certainly couldn't pass up a photo op like that.  

Now this is an innovative look - earmuffs AND a cap. That's maximizing the fashion statement and the warmth. Good work little diva Elle. 

Double hat action. Very nice son. Do you think there is any symbolism in him choosing a raccoon cap to go over a little monster cap? No?

Now we're just getting silly!

To finish the night off right, we deiced to get Elle's delicate flop of a hairdo trimmed into her dream do. Check out the play-by-play. 

First of all, look at this before shot. My poor ratty princess. If anyone EVER needed a haircut . . .

Time to wet down her wild frock.

Pinning up for the first cut.

AND . . . snip, snip, snip

She even got her hair styled. She was so very pleased and proud to get her hair cut like her big sister Huntie's.  Little Ellie couldn't stop smiling. 

direct quote: "I look like someone else!!!"

Thank you brave hairstylist Malory. You made a little three-year-old soul very happy indeed.

Elle said, "This is the haircut I always wanted!!"

First Day of School 2010

Michael and Hunter were super excited to start their new year of school. Hunter is in the 5th grade and in Ms. Smith's homeroom class. Michael is in 2nd grade with Ms. Zimmer. They seem like fantastic teachers. Ellie has been a very good sport watching them get ready and excited for their new year. 

Michael has a look of dread on his face here in front of the school, but I think he was just tired of me taking pictures and raring to go to school. 

 

and here they are on their way into school.

 

We went to meet their teachers and see their classrooms last week. Ms. Zimmer is cheerful and very organized. She seems very kind and cute in every way. She reminds me of Sally that way ;). Michael sits in the front at a group table. He's going to love Ms. Zimmer. 

Ms. Smith seems very organized too, but in a no frills kind of way. Her classroom is stark and bare, but it seems like she's intentionally left plenty of space for her students to fill the space with their work and create ownership of her room. Hunter got to pick her desk and load it up with all her brand new supplies. She will have three different teachers this year and rotate between them throughout the day.

The kids were so blessed this year to get grandfather's blessing from BOTH of their grandfathers. Papa blessed them before they left Louisiana when all of their cousins were receiving their blessings the night before their school year started.  Their grandpa Adams blessed them last night too, on the eve of their first day of school. 

In Hunter's blessing she was promised a wonderful year at school, especially as this will be her last year in elementary school. She is to be a good example to all the kids at her school, especially those younger children who will be looking up to her.  She was blessed to be kind and respectful and to have courage to stand for what is right. She was blessed that her mind will be quick and active. She's encouraged to ask questions and participate so she can latch onto a good foundation of English, math, science and reading for future years. She will love learning. Last year her homework was very hard and time consuming. She was blessed that her homework will be easier than before and that many nights she will remember how far she's come. As she does hard things she becomes more like her Heavenly Father. She was reminded to continue her scripture study - and find quiet time to do so. That as she does this she will have a special love for them and her Savior.  She will come to know Jesus Christ as her brother. He can identify her feelings and needs and will answer her prayers. Hunter was told her teacher will pay attention to her needs and peak her interest and make her excited to learn. As her mommy finds a job and begins to work, she was blessed to be a help to me, as always. 

In Michael's blessing he was promised a great school year too! His teacher will love him and understand him and his needs. She will patient and kind.  He is to respond to her, be respectful and quiet at quiet times, to listen and learn and work hard and study. Michael will gain a love for reading and math. He will choose good friends, the best friends. As he chooses the right he will be an example to help others. He was blessed with health and strength. He was also blessed with love and compassion. His speech will improve this year. 

Ellie got a blessing too! She has grown to be a big girl and this year, as she is home by herself she will have a good time with her mom. She was blessed to learn new things and to be obedient and choose the right. She was blessed to be a good example and friend at church. She was blessed to keep her room and her bed clean. She is maturing into a young woman. 

We are so blessed to have the priesthood in our home. I'm so grateful these grandpas honor thier priesthood and can bless my children. This is going to be such a great school year!

Um, yep. Want this.

New Shiney Rooms

While the kids were away, mommy and friend played. My dear friend helped me paint and redo the kids rooms. They were SO surprised and SO happy with the results.

Hunter got her coveted loft bed from IKEA decked out it all her favorite colors.

Michael and Ellie are little monkeys in their blue and green monkey room.

Emily all Primmed and Trimmed

Emily's new haircut!! Thanks to Jen's amazing stylist friend.