The First Day of School

My baby started kindergarten on August 10. He was SO excited and couldn't wait to leave for school that morning! He wore his backpack around the house all morning after he was dressed. I was very relieved that Derrick got the same teacher that Emma had for kindergarten. We love her! Emma's teacher seems really nice this year too. I left Emma in charge of getting Derrick from the bus to the kindergarten playground and then told Derrick I would meet him there. Well of course, with parking being a mess and every parent wanting to see their kindergartner, I almost missed him. They had the gate closed to the kindergarten playground so I would have had to walk all the way around to get there and they were already lining up to go inside. I was panicking at the gate trying to find Derrick when my friend told me that she saw him. That brought some relief. At least I knew he was there. Finally I saw him and he saw me and I snapped some pictures and waved goodbye. I was too flustered to cry by the time the ordeal was over. I do miss the kids while they are at school, so I guess it's a good thing I won't be alone for long! :)

My big kindergartner

My big 2nd grader

Even though I made them hold hands, I still love this picture

Waiting for the bus to come

He hadn't seen me yet

Now he sees me and everything is ok for both of us! :)

One last big smile

OK, he's done with pictures now!

Museums

Before school started we wanted to take the kids to do some fun things around town. And with great groupon deals we took them to some museums. First my sister, Jeni, and I took the kids to The Phoenix Children's Museum. Emma had been there on a field trip before but this was Derrick's first time. They had a great time! They loved the huge play structure and all the fun things to see and do. The tricycle car wash was also a big hit. The kids of course love the noodle forest and I cringe every time they go in it. All I can think is how dirty and disgusting those noodles have to be! Yuck! Jeni got the privilege of chasing the kids through the play structure and crawling through some tight spaces. Thanks Jen! :)

The play structure

Jeni being a good aunt and mom! :)

Emma checking out her groceries

The car wash

The "infamous" Noodle Forest

Playing with the sand art

Painting the castle

Emma making a craft

A few days after we went to the the Children's Museum, Jon and I took the kids to The AZ Science Center. They had fun, but I don't think I would pay full price to take them there. I guess it depends on what exhibits they have. One interesting thing was a bass drum that would beat the rhythm of your heart when you placed your hands on the plates. When Derrick did it you could hear some of his irregular beats. We kept making him do it so we could hear what it sounded like. :) Emma liked the stomach slide that made bodily function noises as you slid down it! Derrick was a little scared of it. But overall it was a fun way to spend the Saturday before school starting.

Putting together The Body Puzzle

The Stomach Slide

Derrick listening to his heartbeat

Emma building a house

Playing Tug-o-war

Derrick mustering strength to pull himself to the top

Emma proved to be pretty strong and could get to the top on her own

Emma loved the lights that played music

Emma on the spinning wheel

Fun with Faces...

Biking for electricity

Camping

On July 15th we went camping with our friends the McKinnon's near Woods Canyon Lake. It was true camping in tents, but luckily there was a bathroom at the campground. Shiloh and I are both pregnant and I knew I would not make it through the night without a bathroom! In all honesty it was not the worst experience of my life, but I just don't thoroughly enjoy camping. But the kids had a lot of fun and it did help for me to have a friend there. Fishing was not a big success this trip but I think everyone had fun trying. On Saturday we met Rick in Payson to leave the kids with him for a few days. They ended up coming home early, because Rick had to work, but they still had a good time. Jon and Ryan are thinking we will go camping again next summer. Shiloh and I are saying absolutely not with newborn babies! We are due about a week apart. It's fun to have a friend to go through pregnancy with. But if the boys want to take the older kids camping for a night next summer they are welcome to do it! :) Shiloh does photography on the side so we got some pretty cool pictures over the weekend.

This log kept them busy for hours!

Emma and Kassidy

Derrick, Kassidy, Emma and Kadence

Jon and Ryan setting up camp

Our fishing spot on Woods Canyon Lake

I think they'll get married someday! :)

S'mores around the fire