Brandon Says...

Brandon says I'm nesting.  I say that I'm just sick of not getting things done.  Either way, things got done today.  

Brandon woke up ambitious with the desire to get rid of the palm tree.  He has hated that tree for the last 10 years and has talked about cutting it down, but he has wanted to wait until we had other trees for shade.  About 3 years ago, we got other trees... but he still didn't take down the tree... until today.  (And no, I didn't get a before and after... mostly because I was still in my pjs, not looking pretty, and the tree was a front yard thing).  

While he was outside, with the 3 kids, cleaning up the palm tree mess, I decided to clean my room.  Next thing Brandon knows, I have the bed mattress and box springs up and am cleaning under my bed... then down and cleaning under here and over there.  He tells me I'm nesting, to which I tell him we are bed shopping today. 

My next project was the girls' room.  This is the before.  They have been living in toddler beds, to which they have out grown.  I have been planning on changing this, but planning isn't the same as doing. 

 So, I did.  I tore apart the girls' room, dusted, vacuumed, de-junked, and re-organized.  Brandon says I'm nesting... I tell him it's time to move onto Oliver's room so we can get it all done.

 So, once again, I tear apart the room, clean everything, and re-arrange (unfortunately, at this point, I was too tired to take a before).  Now I'm certain that 4 little monkeys can fit in the two tiny rooms.

Now I'm ready to decorate all three of the bed rooms.  And my next big project will be the toy room/office, which I want to turn into the toy room/reading room.

I don't think I'm nesting.  I thinking I'm just sick of living in my house as if I'm only here short term.  I feel like the last year, I have lived in my house with one foot out the door.  It's time to put both of them back in my house and make it feel like a home.  Anyhow, I'm happy, and tired! :)

Preschool!

Guess who started preschool this week...  Noelle!!!

Noelle couldn't have been more excited about starting school... and I have never had Melanie describe a day at school to me as thoroughly and long winded as Noelle did.  She clearly loved every minute of it.  

The Best Day Ever (1st day of school)

Wednesday was the first day of school for Melanie!  The first day of KINDERGARTEN!  I can't believe it has finally come!  Melanie was SO excited!  This year she goes to Falcon Hill Elementary and has Ms. Haynie.  She is even extra excited about her teacher because she met her during the summer school program she attended and already loves her!  Here is her first day of school picture!

 When we came back inside from taking her picture, I found that everyone in the house had a backpack on.  It seems the whole family was ready for the first day.

 Dropping off Melanie was extra difficult for her younger siblings because we left her playing on a play ground.  Noelle was so heart broken that she wasn't able to go play on that very fun play ground... so I surprised them with a trip to the park.  

The kids weren't able to go down the slides because they were covered with water from the rainy day before, but they were able to swing!

After we picked Melanie up, she was so distraught that school was so short.  She didn't want it to end.  We had a yummy dinner and then celebrated the first day with a nice bowl of ice cream.

A highlight from her first day...  On the first day of kindergarten, Melanie got to meet the Health Assistant.  Turns out that going to one of her recesses, a bigger kid accidentally bumped into Melanie, sending her to the ground and bonking her head.  After some tears, ice, and a little rest, she was back to new.  And even with that, she still declared that it was the "BEST DAY EVER!"

Amazing Monday

It was wonderful weather Monday morning.  We did something we haven't done for MONTHS at our house (or perhaps the kids may have done it, but I sure as heck haven't)... We played outback for HOURS!  Here are some of the pictures I took while having a good time with the kids.

If we are outside... there has to be Popsicle.  The irony is that it really wasn't that hot out, but we still had to do the Popsicle thing.  It's almost a tradition.

 Oliver makes me smile.  He prefers to eat any snacks, treats, and mostly bananas while sitting on my lap.  I have really enjoyed this little preference of his.  It makes me remember to slow down and enjoy his cute-self.

 Then, there is the tire swing.   Everyone had to give it a go.

I heard Oliver calling out for "bubbles"... so I turned on the bubble machine!

 Melanie practiced climbing.

 Oliver somehow got himself back into his baby bouncer... not sure how.

 Noelle got rides in the stroller.

 Oliver took a drive.

 And all the kids stopped long enough to have a conversation with their dad (who was out of town).

 The it was back to playing.

 Eventually lunch had to happen, and it was time to come back in.  That was a hard time at the Smithson house.

What a beautiful day in the neighborhood... a beautiful day for a neighbor...

What a lovely day we had.

(side note... Oliver put that helmet himself and just didn't even want to take it off.  It was too cute, I loved it.)

And Gymnastics Come to an End

This summer, the girls were enrolled in gymnastics through the Town of Gilbert.  It was a tumbling class specifically for 3-5 year olds.  I was extra excited that I could get them both in the same class.  The class met every Tuesday and lasted throughout the entire summer.  Extra Awesome!

This past Tuesday was the last day of class, and being the last day, the parents were invited to come watch the kids in action.  Here are some of the pictures I took from that class.

 Melanie was the somersault champion.  Not only did she rock forward (going completely across the classroom) but she was also a champ at backwards.  It was really neat to watch.

 Noelle preferred to get a little assistance.

 After class, I got a good "check us out, mom" picture.  The girls did a great job and truly enjoyed themselves.  It was definitely worth it.

The last class signifies the end of the summer...  It's crazy to think that in less than a week, both my girls will be starting school.  Noelle in preschool, and Melanie in Kindergarten.  Where did the time go?