First Day of School 2012

Emily kept throwing reminders at me.

"Mom always does something special for the first day of school."

"I wonder what kind of treat Mom is getting us?"

"Mom, don't forget our special treat."

I picked up these cups at Walmart a couple weeks ago.

I had some notebooks on hand.

I took the leftover Swedish Fish from camping and added a quick note.

It's O"fish"al. You're a (7th, 5th, Preschooler and the cutest.)

Emily and Abby also had a chapstick and emery board.

Steve gave the girls Father's Blessings last night, including Lindley.

Such a good way to teach kids to recognize the Spirit.

It really helps the girls remember they are not alone.

I know I felt less nervous for them.

I can't believe Emily is in Jr. High.

First day of Jr High and first time she will participate in baptisms for the dead.

I can't wait to talk to her about both experiences.

Abby was excited to be the oldest kid from our family at her school.

All the extra notes.

Loved her shirt.

The chalk does not stay on very well.

She had a fun day and came home talking about being more responsible this year.

Yea!

Camping Fun

We got a late start on Friday.

We set up our tent in the dark and then Hayley woke up ready to party.

We gave her a flashlight to entertain her until she fell asleep.

And The Thunder Rolled.

Lindley- "Mom" in a sweet little voice.

Me- 'Yes Lindy Lou."

Lindley- " That BOOM is really loud.

I just cover my ears."

Me- "Good job Lindy Lou."

It was a long night.

It rained and rained and the thunder and lightning were crazy.

Our tent kept us warm and dry.

Emily and Abby slept in the trailer with Grandma and Grandpa and the Christensens.

They had kids crying in through it all.

In the morning the kids begged for dental floss so they could make some bows and arrows.

The carried them with them everywhere they went.

Emily and Kandyce did each others hair.

Hayley, Lindley, Kylie and Ella played match games.

Me and Stevie.

I took the kids on a walk to the lake.

They started out just playing in the sand.

They kept a little deeper into the lake and in trouble.

Gage and Jordan tried to fish.

Proof that the kids didn't listen to me or their mom.

Hayley got so wet I had to take her pants of and put my jacket on her.

On the way back we got rained and hailed on.

While it rained we did a little origami.

 

Saw a rainbow.

Played in the mud.

Built a fort.

Went on a scavenger hunt.

Gage brought back a dead mouse for his treasure not listed.

EWWWWW!

Kandyce and Hayley

Emily and Abby

Steve killed a huge hornets nest.

Then he taught a mini science lesson on bees and hornets.

Cleaned up camp.

Walked to the lake with Grandma.

Lindley got to take max.

The kids went to far in the water again.

Headed back to camp.

Hayley cried for at least 15 minutes.

"I don't want to go home."

"I don't want to go home."

"I don't want to go home."

We had too much fun in spite of the rain.

I love to go camping.

I hate packing up and going home.

The kids are so happy and play so well when we are camping.

It makes my job as a mom so easy.

Except the 500 trips to the bathroom and not wanting to sleep .

Yesterday was a stressful day.

Emily went off to 7th grade Orientation.

She missed the rotation to Homeroom and her locker wouldn't open.

I found out YW wasn't at the normal time and couldn't get ahold of anyone to find out the right time.

So she missed the opportunity to go to the Brigham City Temple Open House.

I was frustrated for her and I took it out on her.

Not always proud of the way I parent.

Today however was filled with good happy things.

Lindley started preschool.

Yea! We love Miss Jamie and Miss Stacie.

Hayley was feeling a little left out with all the back to school talk.

Went to Ally's to get my hair cut.

On the way there Abby decided she wanted a few inches off of her hair.

After Ally cut my hair Emily(who is growing her hair out long) decides she wants her hair cut too.

Ally gave her plenty of time to think it over.

On the way home the conversation went like this.

Emily - "Mom, I don't like my hair."

Me - "What???"

Emily - "I love it." Big Smile

Went back to the school to decorate locker with Sara.

Locker Success.

One less thing to worry about.

Abby went to the Raptors game with Grandpa Doug.

The rest of the family went to Gage's Pinewood Derby.

Steve and Justin brought their cars too.

The competition.

Steve helping Gage get ready for the finals.

Loved seeing Gage with a big grin after he won.

Gage took 1st place.

Gage, Justin and Steve had the fastest cars.

Everyone wanted to see the three of them race.

Gage 1st, Steve 2nd and Justin 3rd.

We're #1

No Uncle Steve I'm #1 You're #2.

Hayley's Horse Party

The invitation.

I decided to have some fun with Hayley's Horse Party.

The shirt I found for her to wear was rainbow colors.

So I went with bright fun colors for the decorations.

I made a bandannas banner by using clothespins and some rope.

I sewed a table runner out of bandannas.

The horse even got a bandanna.

We gathered all the girls stuffed horses.

We had Tootsie Rolls, Jolly Ranchers and Bubble Gum.

I covered a metal board with a bandanna and added some cute pictures I took of Hayley for her invitations.

This is the first time ever I had time to spare so I had Emily take a picture of me and the Birthday Girl.

Hayley doing the Stick Horse obstacle course.

The kids decorated treat bags with foam horse shapes.

The the main attraction.

Horse Rides.

The wind picked up just as we started.

I was a little nervous.

Hayley Jo

Stockton

Hadlee

Peyton

Kami

Rochelle 

Gramsies

So many fun presents and cute outfits.

All four Poulson girls were excited when Hayley got a cash register.

The Horse Cake.

Turned out pretty good.

It was rainbow on the inside.

Hayley left her ice cream to sneak in and start playing with her cash register.

Hayley was very nice to let all the sisters play with all her fun new toys.