School has started

We've had a fun month.  It's been so full of neat activities and lots of adjustments for our little Kirsten.  She likes school, but it has been stressful for her, which is reflecting in her behavior.  So that means adjustments for everyone else, too!

The last time I wrote I mentioned that we went to the Museum of Natural Curiosity with our friends, but I didn't have any pictures because the settings were off on my phone.  Well, I fixed that today, and now I have access to all my pictures again!

The girls built this block tower with Brett and Alana.  Actually, if I remember correctly, Brett and Alana built most of it while my girls cried to go to the library.  But they were more than happy to take a picture in front of the tower.

                                 

This is a tornado.  The girls have been fascinated by tornadoes lately, but I honestly don't think this gave them a realistic expectation of what a tornado might be like.  Thank goodness!  That would be terrifying!

A few days later we drove up to Holladay to celebrate Brett's birthday with him.  It was a fun little birthday party.

The kids decorated party hats.

And colored Zootopia pictures.

 They also played lots of games outside.  Jennie had quite an organized party, which was fun for the kids.  On our way home we realized that we were starving.  So, we stopped at Denny's for dinner.  Kids eat free after four o'clock, which makes Denny's one of our favorite restaurants.

The girls wanted another picture with Pancake.

Later that week we went to the BYU duck pond to feed the ducks.  The girls love going there, but they usually eat half the bread I bring for the ducks.  I think that's pretty gross.  It's not moldy bread, but it's usually a little stale.

Kirsten feeding the ducks.

Reagan feeding the ducks.

 The next day we went to play at a park in Spanish Fork.  We brought their scooters because there's a river trail, and we also played on the playground equipment.  Reagan climbed the rock wall and was very pleased with herself.

We found this beautiful tree and took pictures in it.

Before shopping at Costco one evening, the girls and I stopped at a park to play.

They loved the teeter toter.

And climbing this big rock.  It was quite a challenge!

 The Saturday before school started we went boating with my parents and my brother's family.  It was such a nice, fun-filled day.  Matt and I like to rent a boat around our birthdays, and it was nice to be able to share the day with family.  Everyone enjoyed tubing and trying to water ski.  Brian actually even got up!

Sierra lounging in the boat.

Reagan getting her sunscreen on.

My dad and Norma

William lounging in the boat

Me and Matt at the helm

I didn't even bring my phone on the boat.  So, I got these pictures from my mom.  I think they are quite nice, but I will have to get some from Norma, too, because I don't even have a picture of Kirsten on the boat.  Strangely enough, the girls were terrified of the boat this year.  They didn't make it miserable for anybody else, but I could tell they didn't love it.  About four hours in, Kirsten revealed that she was scared of sharks.  I wish I'd known earlier!  Rest assured, there are no sharks in Deer Creek Reservoir.

On August 29th, Reagan had her first day of Preschool.  She was so excited and hardly nervous at all.

Look at Reagan brimming with joy!

 Kirsten didn't start school until the next day.  So, I told her that we could have a special Kirsten and Mommy morning.  She got to pick whatever she wanted to do, and so we went to the indoor pool at the Rec Center.  It was such a nice time.  I so rarely get one on one time with her.  When we picked Reagan up, she was still very happy and had enjoyed her day.

The next day Kirsten started school.  Matt gave her a Father's Blessing the night before because she was understandably feeling quite nervous.  She was also excited, which was fun to see.  Reagan I went swimming at the Rec Center while Kirsten was at school, and just a mere two and a half hours later we were back to pick Kirsten up!

Kirsten on her first day of school.

 Mostly she's done really well adjusting to school, but we have had some behavioral issues--like telling me no every time I ask her to do something.  I can tell that a part of her wants to be more independent, but another part of her doesn't want anything to change.

Last Thursday morning she fought with me about every step as she got ready for school.  School doesn't start until nine, and we literally live across the street from the school.  We start getting ready for school at 7:45, and we still managed to just barely make it to school on time.  Ugh!  It was not a pleasant morning.  When we approached her classroom, she ran off smiling.  So, I waved and said "goodbye."  As Reagan and I were approaching the crosswalk, she came running out of the school crying that she wanted a hug.  I hurried over and gave her a hug, and at that point, she started clinging to me with all of her might.  I brought her into her classroom, but she would not let go of me or be comforted.  With babysitters I typically just leave, knowing that my kids will calm down within seconds, but I felt uncomfortable leaving a crying child at school.  Also, they haven't cried when I've left for years.  So, I'm a little out of practice.  After a couple of minutes, I suggested my plan to her teacher, and Mrs. Carpenter seemed to think that was fine.  So, I left.  Reagan and I went home and said a prayer for Kirsten, and when we picked her up later that day, Mrs. Carpenter told me that she was perfectly happy the moment I left the room.  She had a great day and didn't even remember crying.  Ummm . . . let's not do that again, okay?  It really tugged at Mommy's heart strings.

After sharing that story, I realize that it doesn't sound like she's adjusting very well at all, but she is.  She's always happy when I pick her up from school, and she enjoys doing her homework.  In fact, she often asks if we can do more.  Fortunately, she doesn't fight me at all when we're doing homework.  Happy day!

The girls have been wanting to help around the house more.  So I let Reagan do the dishes--under careful supervision.  I think she looks so old scrubbing the dishes off!  Kirsten cleaned her bathroom sink after school today.  What big girls I have!

Reagan cleaning the dishes

 On the Friday before Labor Day, we went to the Pioneer Village in Provo.  It was amazing.  We were sad that we didn't go earlier.  Apparently it closes for the season on Labor Day--except for special occasions.  They have log cabins there that were actually built by Pioneers.  There's even a blacksmith shop with a working blacksmith--granted it's his hobby and not his profession.
 

The blacksmith

The girls in the schoolhouse with their slates and chalk

This is a bear climbing game that is supposed to help children learn to milk a cow.

Apparently Matt would make a good dairy farmer

 The next day we took Porter to the second annual Puppy Paddle Pool Party where he won an award for being the Fastest Swimmer.  We were so proud!  He won us a 7 dollar discount at the Red Robin, which Matt and I used that evening when we went on a date to see See How They Run at the Orem Hale Center Theater.  The food and the play were both fantastic.

Porter swimming

On Labor Day we hiked to Stewart Falls, which is a family-friendly hike near Sundance.  Apparently we were not the only family who thought of doing a family-friendly hike on Labor Day.  The parking lot, the trail, and the falls were extremely busy, but we still had a nice time.  After reaching the falls, we realized that there was another trail back to Sundance that we thought might be less busy.  It was less busy, but it let us out quite far from where we had parked our car.  Matt was rather gallant and volunteered to go ahead to get the car and come back to pick us up.  The girls and I had a nice time playing until he got back, and he got a lot of exercise.

At Stewart Falls

At Stewart Falls

Below the Falls

Waiting for Daddy

A beautiful view

Waiting for Daddy

Waiting for Daddy

 After Matt picked us up, we ate a snack and decided to take the ski lift at Sundance.  It was a lot of fun, and we got to see lots of beautiful sights.  I believe it was the girls' favorite part of the day.  At the top of the mountain, we got to watch a couple of people take the zip line down, which looked absolutely terrifying to me, but Reagan told me that she would do it when she got older.  I hope she does.  Don't let your old mom's fears rule your life!

Unfortunately, they didn't mention that there would be an hour wait at the top of the mountain to get back on the ski lift.  That was a little lame, especially since we didn't end up getting home until seven o'clock.  We were all exhausted and starving.  Yet, the day was still pretty spectacular.