Goodbye Summer, Hello School

And they are off.... Ashlyn 2nd grade and Brinley Kindergarten

They were both so excited!  Brinley has been coming into our bedroom in the mornings counting down the days until school started.   They also wanted to be matchy-matchy.

When I was younger there was a target commerical where it showed this mom dancing down the aisles putting school supplies in the cart while playing the christmas song "It's the most wonderful time of the year."  That is exactly how I felt!  I was so excited for the girls, but I was also excited for myself.  Summer has been a blast and very eventful, but since adding Baby Emmett there have been some overwhelming moments having all 5 kids home.  I am excited to focus on the three youngers and get some projects done.

Kindergarten

2nd Grade

 Claire is always gravitating towards Emmett and being so kind and sweet to him.  She is a great big sister.  This is Emmett's first time in the bumbo.

2nd day of school.  They were so excited to ride in Daddy's truck to school.

Derek got his truck the last week of school so he is excited as well.

Matchy matchy again

These girls were so excited to start Mommy school.  They were eager to gather their backpacks, I waved them goodbye in the garage and they run around to the front door.  They love to ring the doorbell and wait for me to answer.  Can you see their excitement?!

So these girls have begged to do Mommy school everyday.  I am so happy that they enjoy it as much as I do.

Digging for the alphabet while singing the ABC's

Dotting the alphabet

Alphabet train puzzle

Building their names

This is Desi's face 

Our sweet Chunk-a-dunk

He is always happy and we love his laugh

(He is laughing in this picture)

This is how we roll in the Williams' house during Mommy School

I am really excited about this homeschooling program that I am doing for the first time.  It is called The Good and the Beautiful by Jenny Phillips (yes the LDS singer). The package was with this workbook and 8-10 activities and games with 4 flip book all ready to go.  I am at the stage where I don't have time to plan and prep so this is perfect.  We have enjoyed it so far!

I also bought these workbooks while I was in Utah at Costco (Oh how much I miss Costco).  They were so excited to start "their homework".

Claire is learning to write A

Roll Big A/little a

So I forgot to take a picture at the physical therapist and this is a picture right after I got home.  My hip area has been hurting for sometime now and it has gotten worse since I started working out more intensely doing a program called Beachbody.  As the pain increased I decided I should see someone about it sooner than later.  I first went to the dr which he instructed me to stop working out for 2 weeks and that didn't help. After that I got a prescription (who knew you had to get one) for a physcial therapist. I have gone twice now and I am seeing improvement slowly. 

As I am getting older (why do we have to age?) I have a desire to take better care of my body.

We found the baby toys.  I don't know who was more excited, the girls or Emmett.

Well these two rascals can be the best of friends and the worst of friends.  20 minutes they are laughing and having fun and then 10 mintures of fighting.  The cycle continues throughout the day.  Well this mama was going crazy and bought these cute clocks (one is a flower and the other a monster) and I can set a timer and the clock will light up green at the end.  I am going to teach these girls quiet time because since Desi doesn't nap anymore- separation will be good for them and myself :)

Cool Dude

(Style by Claire) 

Some more pictures of the first day of school. 

His new favorite seat- a pink bumbo

Storytime by Claire

Derek and I are dedicated to changing our lifestyle of health and nutrition.  We are excited for this journey and taking better care of our bodies.  We are learning to listen to our bodies for when we are hungry and full.  We have been amazed at how little you can eat and be satisfied.  

This is Derek calling a local gym to ask about getting a gym pass.  I love his nervous/excited face.  This is a big step for him!

At the zoo park with their matchy-matchy outfits.

They are in a matchy-matchy stage in life.

First time in the bouncer!

My project since the girls started school!  We bought a carpet cleaner (Thanks Scott and Ruth Ann for the idea) and I have been going to town.  I have cleaned our van and the whole upstairs (4 bedrooms, hallway and stairs) in one week.  I am doing one room a day which is all I can handle with my kiddos. This week I am doing the downstairs.