Change is inevitable

I am going though growing pains with my oldest, Kiley. Not in a bad way, she is just growing way to fast for me. She started kindergarten this past Monday. Well I should say that she went for an hour on Monday and then did her assessment testing for a half an hour on Wednesday and she starts going everyday, starting this coming Monday. So...change number 1: she is a big school girl, excited about the adventure that awaits her and she will do great.
She also started a new dance class tonight and it went really well. She was nervous about going because she didn't know anyone in her class. But did she let that stop her? NO! She came out telling me that she made a new friend. Change number 2: she is growing more and more independent. Which I like, but wasn't it just yesterday that she relied on me for everything?
Change number 3: We were eating dinner tonight and we were talking, enjoying our meal of stuffed zucchini and scalloped squash(zucchini was much better than the scalloped) and corn on the cob (all from our garden. Yeah!) when Kiley says, "I bit down on my teeth hard while eating my corn and it hurts." I look in her mouth and her bottom tooth was bleeding a little. I wiggled it and sure enough she has a loose tooth. Now this was almost more then I could bare. I am excited for her, but couldn't these changes be a little spread out? I mean, I wanted to bawl like a baby when over her loose tooth. However...I kept my self very composed and was excited for her.
I love my little girl. I always tell my kids that they will always be my babies. Does that stop them from growing, no but it does my heart good knowing that they know that mommy loves them and will always think of them as my babies. Kiley is so sweet and loving. She has been such a great help to me with everything. She is thoughtful and kind and loves her family.
(I will post school pictures next week.)

Kade is having a bit of a hard time with her going to kindergarten. He broke down crying last night when Ki asked if it was hard on him having Kiley go. He said (in between sobs), "YES, I won't have anyone to play with." I assured him that I would play with him and Daddy told him that Olivia would as well. I don't think he was in anyway consoled by that. Kiley and Kade are best buds. They play everything together and they love each other a lot. Hopefully, he'll be okay once he starts preschool.
He has also had a major change in his life, or at least is working pretty hard on one. He is working on no longer sucking his thumb. He has done awesome. He started yesterday afternoon and has only sucked it once tonight. He was distraught because he forgot. No worries, he still gets gum in the morning and a toy surprise when he is off it completely. Good job Kade!

Happy Birthday Olivia!!

• Happy Birthday Olivia! You are one!!! I can't believe she is a year old. She turned 1 on August 2nd. She has been such a fun addition to our family. Some things she loves are birds (she can spot them so quick), baths (she can't get enough of the water), her big sister and big brother (absolutely adores them), grapes, being outside (if the door opens she wants out!) and our neighbor Ann (she always wants to go over and see her or goes to her whenever she sees her). I love you Livy!!
  

When it came time to open presents, Olivia didn't want to have to give up her hippo. But once she saw the other kids ripping paper, she was all for it. The kids picked out this doll for her. When you push on the tummy, the doll giggles. Olivia loved it, as you can see. She gave it loves and it was precious! She also got some fun puzzle blocks, a new outfit and a new tub toy.

Kiley and Kade made these cute streamers and waved them while we sang "Happy Birthday." They were as excited about Olivia's birthday as they are for their own.
Olivia of course only wanted to reach out and grab the candle. Kiley and Kade were more than happy to assist her in helping blow out the candle.
Since Olivia can't choose her cake yet, I chose German Chocolate Cake for her. It sounded so good and it turned out to be pretty yummy. The recipe I used for the icing wasn't my favorite. It was runny instead of gooey. Olivia liked it well enough as you can see. These kinds of messes are cute. They're the kind I don't mind!

July 2010 continued

We spent the weekend of the 24th at Ki's parents. It was the Aston family camp, so lots of Ki's aunts, uncles and cousins were there. We camped out in the backyard. I love being able to see the stars and hear all the night sounds (although there were a couple of really loud birds that woke me up both nights). We went fishing Friday. The kids had a good time, but the fish were not biting. Kiley is the only one who caught a fish. She was super excited but it was disappointing for the other kids. We had a hot dog and marshmallow roast that night. It is amazing that the kids weren't sick the next day from all the marshmallows they "cooked" and ate. We had a big family dinner Saturday night. It was so delicious. Sadly I probably gained at least 3 lbs. Sunday, my sister Jamee and I, sang in our brothers ward sacrament meeting. We did a medley of "Come Come Ye Saints." We had dinner afterward. It was fun to spend the day with them and hang out and chat.

July 2010

July was SUPER busy. Olivia and I went to San Diego with my sister, Camille and her family. We went to the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, the beach and Sea World. did really well on the drive. I was pleasantly surprised. She was also really good about being in her stroller for 5 days in a row. It was fun to be with Camille's family, but I missed Ki and the other kids A LOT!! Kiley and Kade spent the week in Idaho with Grandma and Grandpa Aston. They had a great time, but also got homesick. Ki surprised us all with a trampoline when we got home. It has been tons of fun for the kids. Happily they are spending more time outside and less in front of the TV!