Sunday

1. Ty ended up working ALL day long yesterday. I felt like it didn't count at all as part of our weekend and I am so glad that tomorrow is not only a day off from school for the kids, but a day off from work for Ty as well!

We are really looking forward to it.

2. Ty taught the lesson in priesthood today and I spoke in sacrament meeting. I am always so nervous to speak, but I am so glad that we are given opportunities like this. What a great chance to learn and grow! (I am also extremely glad when the wonderful experience is over.)

3. After church we came home and I made bread.

Carbs are extra important after stressful situations :)

I set out raspberry jam and honey to spread on our bread. Ty said it reminded him of bread Sundays.....When he was young his family would get together with all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins to enjoy homeade bread. I think that sounds like a wonderful tradition.

4. Today is the last day of August. We are still enjoying HOT summer weather, but I am pretending it is fall......

I found some great looking granola recipes this weekend and I think this one looks delightful for the season.....

Pumpkin Maple Pecan Granola

5.  I found this quote on facebook. It is a wonderful reminder of what really matters and what we are here to do!

Happy Sunday! Happy end of August! Welcome to September! Have a great week!

Friday

1. I honestly don't know where the month has gone. I cannot believe that September will be here on Monday, but I am ready for it!

It is that time of year when I become obsessed with all things pumpkin and apple. I am really looking forward to the next few months!

2. Mia's homework this week:

 She was writing her spelling words in whipped cream.

 Zoey wanted to join in. Well, really she just wanted to eat whipped cream, so I got her some of her own!

3. I am just tickled that we are about to enjoy a 3 day weekend. One and a half weeks into school and I need a break!

The kids and I are making a library stop after school today. We are going to stock up on books and movies for the weekend and then come home and relax.

4. I just ordered THIS 25 days of Christ ornament kit. I wanted to get one this year, but they were out of stock by the time I found out about them.

5. I love skillet cookies! THIS one would be perfect for movie night tonight!

(peanut butter, pretzels, and nutella)

6. I am speaking in church on Sunday. I am very nervous!

Have a great weekend.....(3 day weekend!) Yay!

Tuesday Things

 1. Zoey loves tagging along to pick up the kids from school each day. She packed her own backpack today.

 She brought along most of the Toy Story character figurines and our drive home snack.

 The kids are starving after school! It helps to feed them immediately to avoid hunger meltdowns in the car.

2. I have decided, after about a month of not doing squats, to start doing them again.

I needed a break, but I am ready to go again! I am also very fickle. Maybe next month I will give them up again.

3. I love THIS list of helpful ways to get through a Monday.

I am already looking forward to the shorter school week next week thanks to the Labor Day holiday! (Mondays are hard!)

4. We ended up heading back to Oak Glen last night for a group FHE with friends from our ward. It was a blast. The kids all ran and played together and Ty and I got to talk with grown ups all evening! It was so nice and cool. We are so excited for Fall around here!

5. I made THESE no bake bars today. They are just my kind of snack.

6. THESE are also my kind of snack, but they will have to wait until at least tomorrow!

7. I LOVE the Gospel Solutions for Families radio series on the Mormon Channel!

It is so full of wonderful thoughts and inspiration.

I highly recommend it!

Tomorrow we will be half-way though the week! Yay!

Oak Glen

We drove to Oak Glen this morning in search of cooler temperatures and some beautiful scenery.

 We were the only ones at the park the entire time we were there. I guess it pays to get up early!

 It was so peaceful. The kids just explored and played.

 Max made it to the top of the rock.

 Ty climbed to the top of the tree!

 The kids tried to follow him, but everyone was wearing sandals and there efforts proved futile.

 After the park we stopped at Los Rios Ranch for apple cider and caramel apples.

We are planning a return trip for October when it will actually be Fall!

It is so nice to get outside and play.

Wednesday

 1. It stormed all through the night. There was lots of thunder and lightning. Zoey ended up in our bed. She was scared! We are so thankful for the rain! 

2. It was just cool enough for me to enjoy making some of my favorite hot chocolate this morning! I will take any excuse I can get!

3. I am really enjoying my girl time with Zoey while the older kids are at school.

 It is strange but delightful to have just one little person at home.

4. Yesterday was Max's 9th birthday. We had celebrated a bit before school started last night so yesterday was just cake, presents, and a birthday dinner.

We picked up one of the All American Chocolate Cakes from Costco. Everyone ate all that they wanted and we didn't even eat 1/4 of the entire cake.

Max got a kindle and a kindle case for his birthday. He was and is thrilled. For dinner Max had requested soft tacos so that is what we had.

I can't believe Max is 9! He is excited to move up to the Bear group in scouts tonight.

5. THIS is a great list for a well stocked baking pantry.

6. This is very true for me. When I get stressed I crave a good run! I am not a super fast marathon runner, but I am a runner, and I love it!

7. If you haven't heard about Elder Bednar's education week address regarding social media and technology, you must give it a listen!

Have a great Wednesday!

Saturday

1. I had forgotten how wonderful Saturdays are!

During the school year the weekends are such a nice relief from all of the schedules and driving.

I think everyone was looking forward to just being at home today.

2. Even though it is still summer and very hot, I had planned a lot of baking for today.

I made some almond butter trail mix cookies that I think are awesome.

I used some leftover pumpkin to bake some pumpkin bread.

The kids have already eaten an entire loaf.

I think it is time for the cans of pumpkin to come back to our house!

3. I love listening to the uplifting messages and podcasts on mormonchannel.org

I listened to THIS yesterday and was completely inspired!

Worth the listen :)

4. Everyone had a wonderful first few days at school.

Zack is loving his little class. Mia is excited to learn all about money. Max was glad to start playing kick ball at recess with all of his friends again.

5. I am going to enjoy the rest of the weekend with my family!

Have a happy Saturday :)

First Day!

1. The first day drop offs are done and everything went great!

2. Max and Mia were first. School began at 8:15 this morning. They walked on to campus and found their classrooms without any help from me. They found their friends. I asked if anyone needed me and they said no. I left!

They are so grown-up.

 3. Zackary is in afternoon transitional kindergarten. His class starts at 10:25 so we had a little time to enjoy a Mcdonalds breakfast sandwich and watch a little Sesame Street before school started.

 There are only 10 students in Zac's T-K class. His little classroom desk was set with a nametag, play-doh, and a little bag of goldfish crackers.

He was so excited to be there!

4. This was the best picture I got of all 4 kids this morning.

 It's not quite the pinterest perfection picture you envision, but I love it :)

5. It's just Zoey at home now!

She is growing up so fast.

 

Today we are doing a little crafting and eating granola.

The day is off to a great start.

I can't wait to hear about the rest of it!

I Think I Can?????

School starts tomorrow, and I am completely overwhelmed!

I spent the morning setting different alarms on my phone.

One to wake me up in the morning.

One to remind me to take Max and Mia to school.

One to go off when Zack needs to go to school.

Another to go off when the kids need to be picked up from school.

2 more to go off on early release days to remind me to take and pick up kids from school.

A last one to go off on Wednesday evenings to remind me to take Max to scouts and go to my relief society meetings.

I sincerely hope I never lose my phone.

Today I am trying to get the house, backpacks, clothes, and my brain in order.

It is going to be ok. I will repeat that over and over for the next few weeks. 

Here comes the craziness.

Random Ramblings

1. All week long we have been enjoying late evenings on the porch while the kids ride their bikes. One night we came in and made chocolate chip cookies. Another night we made chocolate ice cream. Every night we stayed up and let the kids play until we were all too tired to play anymore.

Tomorrow night we are reinstating the school schedule. No more late nights. 

You would think it would be sad but.....

2. Yesterday I got all nostalgic for cooler weather....aka Fall.

I blame it on Target filling their stores with sweaters and jeans. In southern California, putting those out in August is laughable, but it did get me in the mood for sweater and jeans weather.

Why Fall is fabulous, and why I am now over summer....

hot chocolate

boots

pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, etc....

honeycrisp apples

apple everything

evening walks

candy making

fires in the fireplace

socks

Yay Fall! Only 2 more months of summer until you arrive :)

3. I am completely over squats and lunges.

I am not doing them anymore.

4. I love THESE mason jar lunch ideas.

I have got to give them a try!

5. I think we are ready for school!

Everyone has backpacks and lunch bags.

I stocked up on paper, pencils, sharpeners, and erasers.

Class lists go up on Monday!

6. I still think of Zackary as a big baby.

I can't believe he is starting school.

I hope he loves it!

In Summer

 School will be back in session one week from today! I hope my kids had a good summer. I tried REALLY hard to make it fun!

I went back and looked through all of the pictures I took since June. This is a quick re-cap of what our break looked like!

 Jell-o in the backyard.

 Swim lessons at the pool.

 Arts and Crafts.

 Indoor S'mores.

 Forest Falls.

 Robot-A-Thon

 Donuts on the front porch swing.

 Posing for pictures outside the library.

 Countless trips to the park.

 Peach and Blueberry Cobbler.

 Yard time.

4th of July.

 Frozen Yogurt.

More swimming.

 Tomatoes.

 Banana Bread.

 Strawberry Pie.

 Swim Suits all day.

 Peanut Butter Cookies.

 Another trip to Forest Falls.

 Scooters at the park.

 Mini movies while wearing swim suits.

 Road Trips.

 Steak and Shake.

 More frozen yogurt.

 Zions.

 Family Time.

 Pretty Stones.

 Horse back rides.

 Goofy Hats.

 More scooters.

 The beach.

Cupcakes!

One more week!