Chloe started preschool

Chloe started preschool a couple of weeks ago and loves it. She had a hard time watching her brother and sister going to school because she wanted it to be her turn. She wishes she could go everyday and asks, "How many more minutes until I go to school?" when it is a nonschool day. At least she is getting the concept of time!

Back to School!

Yesterday Cade headed to 2nd grade and Claire to Kindergarten. Claire was SO excited, Cade not so much. We walked to school with a bunch of kids from the neighborhood, one of the kids commented that we looked like a parade. We walked by the Kindergarten entrance and Claire started to head that way all by herself. I had to call her over so that we could make sure Cade found his line and then take her to her playground. Cade had some friends in his class and he is used to the drill so after he found his line he took off to play on the playground. As we were walking Claire to her line I asked her if she was excited or nervous and to be honest I don't think she answered me, she was so focused on getting to her class. She immediately lined up and I could have walked away and she wouldn't have noticed. She was ready! I had to make her wave to me! She walked in the classroom and I peeked in on her and she was just sitting there not looking for me just ready to start her day. She is loving it, which makes me really happy.

Summer Recap

Since summer is over and school began yesterday, I figure I better blog about our summer. So here is our summer in pictures. The kids started the summer by learning to ride their bikes, they picked it up right away. I knew they would they just needed to get over their fear.

Casey and Cade went to Father's and Son's and had a great time except it started to rain and they were sleeping in the back of a truck so they had to move inside the cab. I think Cade slept fine but not Casey.

Next came swim lessons. As always, we went to Ms. Amber and the kids are finally picking things ups. Claire is a good swimmer when she isn't nervous, Cade is really improving and even learned the butterfly! Chloe is just starting out so she is just getting used to the water.

Next came John and Stephanie's wedding. It was such a wonderful day that I didn't get too many pictures and the ones I did weren't that great. So go here to look at pictures.

We then headed to St. George to spend some time with Casey's siblings and their kids. Casey has a cousin that lives in St. George and let us use their pool during the day and we had a blast!

We spent the Fourth of July with our neighbors and had fun swimming and watching fireworks. I think this the latest they have ever stayed up to watch fireworks. Our poor kids, usually we do the fireworks around 8:30 when it is still light out because we want to get to bed.

At the end of July, Betsy came up and watched the kids so that Casey and I could go to Girl's Camp. We had a great time separately- together. We both had different responsibilities and different tents but it was still nice to know that he was there. These pictures were taken on skit night, I usually don't sport a shower cap and Casey doesn't usually wear a wide pink tie!

The best time was when we went to California. We were lucky enough to stay at a friend's beach house and had an amazing time. It was so nice to be out of the heat, have no where to be and just spend time together.
The kids were rolling around in the sand, maybe even more than they were in the water.

Casey wasn't on the phone too much but I had to put it on there!

Cade Update

Cade had a few appointments today because we wanted to get everything done before school started and the baby comes. We had great news at both appointments. First we went to the Ear Nose and Throat Dr and found out that both tubes had fallen out and the holes had closed up. So no more ear plugs!!! Then this afternoon we headed to the Audiologist and his hearing test showed that he has the same hearing as after he got the tubes in, so it isn't getting worse! FANTASTIC news! He got fitted for some new ear molds and this time he chose blue and green swirl. Apparently that is a popular choice these days. It ended up being a busy day but a great day!

Claire update

Claire went to the doctor today and he wanted her to get a second opinion so he sent her to an oral surgeon. Even though it was time consuming I am so glad the our doctor was proactive. She was a trooper and didn't even cry. I'm hoping opening her mouth for so many people will help her get over her fear of the dentist. Anyway, the oral surgeon was very optimistic that it would heal properly and wouldn't require anything further. We are going back in 3 weeks to see how it healed up after all of the swelling goes down.

This is what her mouth looks like today. The white part isn't a tooth it's just how her mouth is healing.

Isn't it pretty?

Claire

Correction to the story. Claire hadn't gotten in the bath yet, she was climbing in to bed when she fell and took a bath after because she had blood all over her.

Anyway, Claire and Casey got home just after 1am and she was a trooper. Of course she didn't like being strapped down and having someone sew in her mouth, neither did her daddy for that matter! The doctor said that the mouth is an amazing thing how it heals itself and once the swelling goes down we will notice that it is further up in her mouth than it looks. When she got home Casey informed me that she wanted to sleep with her mommy so I happily obliged. Claire slept with me in my bed and Casey took "John's" bed, the guest room. We all slept in which was nice but I think we are all still tired. I tried to sleep while they were at the hospital but I just couldn't.

Casey is out getting our patient doughnuts right now, it will be interesting to see her eat with half of her mouth so swollen. It really doesn't look much better this morning. Poor thing but she is a good girl who is taking this very well.