1st Grade!

Carter started first grade today.  He was pretty excited when he left the house this morning.  He didn't want me to drive him so he rode the bus.  Carter is such an independent kid.  He didn't even say goodbye!  

He is such a good kid.  We will miss him during the day.  He is extremely helpful!  Chase is already asking to go wait for Carter at the bus stop.  Sorry Chase you still have 5 1/2 hours. 

I know this picture stinks.  It  was taken in bad lighting with my cell phone.  I will get my camera back on the 7th of August.  

Uno

Carter has had an obsession with playing UNO lately.  He spent his tooth fairy money on his own pack of UNO cards.  It has been a great investment for him because we have played literally hours and hours of UNO.  When Garrett was here I am sure he got a little annoyed with all of the UNO.  Especially since Daniel, Carter and I play all of the time, so Carter has gotten pretty good.  Garrett actually got to the point where he would rather do about anything than play UNO.  That is why Daniel and I laughed forever when Carter told about his special UNO game with Garrett.  Garrett woke up first that morning and set up a game to play with Carter.  When Carter woke up he was pretty excited that Garrett actually wanted to play UNO with him.  So they sat down to play.  

This is a sample set of what Carter received in his had.  He was pretty excited to get a draw two.

This was Garrett's hand.  Wow buddy I don't want to play against you when you shuffle.

Dreams a reality?!?!

Meet my new Peg Perego Pliko P3 in Black and Pink

This post may be silly to some of you, but the stroller subject has been bugging me for a long time.  As I have spoken to lots of women I have come to find out many of them don't use their strollers very much.  I on the other hand use mine many times a day.  Having the right stroller makes my life so much easier.  So, I started researching this stroller when Martha, from my old ward, got one like 2-3 years ago.  I have decided it is the perfect stroller.  It folds up super small and has a small toddler stand on the back!  It is also pretty lightweight.  Plus, you don't have to have the matching car seat. ($249)  Did I mention this stroller is over $300.  There is NO WAY we could afford this stroller new, but I found it on craigslist for super cheap.  It is still in good shape, and I'm so excited to welcome it to the family.  Did I mention the people I got it from live a block away?  I love craigslist!

One Last Outing

We have had my nephew for the last two weeks, and today is his last day.  We have really enjoyed having him in our home and wanted to do something fun with him before he leaves today.  I had heard that the Phoenix Zoo opens at 6:00am for members, and sure enough it does!  So I broke up their slumber party last night so they could get some sleep.  Then I woke everyoe up at 5:30 in the morning to go see the animals before it got too hot.

Don't get me wrong, it was still hot at 6:00 am, but it was bearable.  When we got to the zoo we walked around and enjoyed the animals, but being so big and pregnant walking around the zo0 all day wasn't an option.  So we let the kids play in the splash pad for about an hour.  Yes, you can play in the cold water at 7:00 in the morning.  At 8:30 we rode the Safari Train around the zoo to see the animals.  I highly recommend this!  I didn't have to walk at all and we got to see plenty of animals!  The lions and rino's even stood up for us.  The best part about the zoo this morning was the lack of a crowd.  I bet only 20-30 people were there total.  We were able to enjoy time together as a family.

Thanks for coming to visit Garrett.  We have really enjoyed having you.  I know you are looking forward to riding the airplane home all by yourself today.  I know you will be great for the flight attendants and really enjoy yourself! 

Sorry for the horrible picture.  It is from my cell phone because I left my camera at Garrett's house 2 weeks ago. 

Summer Lovin

I can hardly believe Carter only has 2 more weeks of summer vacation left.  The time went by so fast.  I haven't even thought about school, for him, since he left.  We have had a great summer though.  I have enjoyed having him home with me.  Chase has enjoyed him also because he has had a playmate  everyday.  Sometimes I can't believe how well my boys play together.  

 

This year we have enjoyed

Swimming

Summer Movie Fun

The Beach

Family in St. George

Having one of the kids favorite cousins here for a few weeks

Aquarium of the Pacific

Friends

Snuggling on the couch

Playing UNO

We haven't done anything spectacular this year, but it doesn't always take spectacular things to have a great time. 

On a side note.  Our daughter is going to be spoiled by her brothers.  They are so excited!  While we were in St. George my niece that is still 8 lbs was there.  Chase wanted to know if she could be out baby.  Sorry  son... she is cute, but she isn't ours.  He wanted to hold her binky for in for her, and when she started crying in the car both kids were freaked out that something was wrong.  Then Sunday at church a little girl walked in with her super frilly pink dress on.  Chase said, "Mom, we gotta buy that princess dress for my sister."  He has a fascination for beautiful things.  Carter loves feeling her move in my stomach.  He is constantly asking if she is awake.  Only a few more weeks boys, and mom will take you up on your offer to help.

BPA-free

Ok, so call me crazy, but I hadn't given  it much thought until today.  I was researching the MAM nanno pacifiers because I can't find them ANYWHERE.   They are sold out it stores, but you can get them on Amazon for 4 times the store price, (not going to happen).  Anyhow, all these websites kept saying they are not BPA free.  It got me thinking.  Are the products I use BPA free. They all are!  I researched it.  Yeah!  Plus, my MAM pacifiers say BPA free right on the package.  

There is so much to think about for a newborn!  How do people keep up?

Oh, and if any of you see girly MAM Nanno Pacifiers at a store for a normal price.  Pick me up a pack!

Vacation Thus Far

We started off our vacation by following Daniel to a seminar he had in Long Beach, CA.  Long Beach was very disappointing, but we made the best of the dirty city and hung out at the beach.  I forgotthe battery charger for my camera so my phone pictures will have to do. 

Chase loves to play in the sand.  He could play there all day.  Carter loves the water.   I loved wearing shorts and a t-shirt and not being hot.  I pretty much sat there all day and enjoyed the weather.
On Saturday we headed to the Aquarium of the Pacific.  It was pretty cool, but after living next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium it was a little less exciting.  Only for me though, the kids don't remember going to the Aquarium before.  It was also REALLY crowded.  I didn't enjoy sitting in line for 5 minutes to see a few tropical fish.  Every exhibit was like this.  We had to stand in line to see anything.  Outside was better that day though.  People didn't want to be out there because they said it was HOT... lol...it wasn't even 80.   
Carter loved petting the sharks and sting rays.  Chase would not even think about touching them.  Once I tried to coerce him into it and he screamed at the top of his lungs.  Days like this make my life worth living.  My kids were great, I wasn't moody, and we all had an awesome time!