Our Elf is back

It is that time of year when Elf had returned to our home. I Am thankful that he is not a naughty Elf like I have heard many of them are. Ours is silly but kind and that seems to help the kids stay good. 

 First he brought breakfast

 Later he narrated the nativity scene

 He joined some fellow "elves" for breakfast.

 He did some sledding in the kitchen.

 Put on a comedy show for the winter guests.

And joined the snowman choir.

So what does your Elf do?

Second half of the first day off school

l somehow never got around to posting the after school photos and updates for school. Like I said in another post layla loves third grade. Isa has a simply darling teacher who is really striving to help Isa with her confidence and come out of her shell. We love it. Damon misses the sisters when they are gone but time just with mom is working out great. Here are our after the first day photos.

Mom's little helper

This little man is by my side all day long while the sisters are at school. It is so weird to just have one but it is also nice to get that time together. On a weekly basis we try to go visit Nana which is probably his favorite activity. Every morning when we drop off the girls he says promptly as we drive off "going Nana?"

To say he loves his nana would be an under statement. We also try to get all the errands run like the grocery shopping, trips to the library, and preparations for the week or meetings. I feel like this semester is meeting after meeting and somehow I am trying to fit them all in. But it is always nice to have my little sidekick along with me. He is truly the most loving and busy little boy, I love him with all my heart and even though he makes me crazy I wouldn't trade our time together.

Shopping at Sam's Club means Lunch tasting time, his favorite! 

Updates part 1

This semester is crazy busy.  Brian is doing a different rotation every month which means that we have a new schedule every month.This month we are on a pretty nice schedule with him home most nights for dinner. Now August and September were filled with 100 + hour weeks which were a challenge. He loves school so that is making it all worth the sacrifice. I am taking classes again which is proving to be much harder this semester. I miss the days when I could do these classes in my sleep.  Or at least feeling up to doing the work required. 

The girls are LOVING school this year and growing leaps and bounds.  Layla has had a year full of trying to get her into a routine and atmosphere where she feels confident in her abilities.  After much change and a lot of patience she is now thriving in third grade.  Her teacher is very nice and "cool" which has been perfect for her. Here is Layla's class this year.  Also somehow I have managed to find myself as the room parent for her class again.  Not that I don't like being a room parent it is just one of those times that getting anything done is a challenge let alone the laundry list of responsibilities I have. This was her Halloween party which I could not have done without all the help from parents,  I am thankful that we have such a wonderful class this year with lots of help. 

First day of school Part one

Since our life has been CRAZY busy I have not had a moment to update this here blog. I have officially become one of those people who only posts on instagram or facebook via my phone with less then good phone photos because I am busy and lazy. However part of my new taking time for myself stage I will hopefully start blogging again. (I know you are laughing because I say this a lot)

 

Anyways here is a little sneak peek into our first day of school adventures. I can not believe the girls are growing up so fast. Where did the time go, really I want to say I have sweet little girls but rather they are almost young ladies, where did time fly to?

 

Introducing our wonderful 2nd grader

 

And our darling 3rd grader

Thankfully Brian had a great schedule for his first rotation and was able to drop off the girls on their first day of school. These are daddy's girls for sure, they simply adore him!

I love that they are best friends even if it does mean drama sometimes on days like this they are all smiles and hugs making me one proud mama!

 



Even though Isa is in 2nd grade now and a seasoned professional at this elementary thing, Layla couldn't pass up giving her some last minute advice and helping her feel comfortable.

Damon of course totally helped himself to whatever he could find and Isa had her "Mom, what do we do with this kid" face 

Apparently 2nd grade is the last acceptable grade to take photos of the kids at their desks, I did snag one of Isa since she still thought it was cool but poor Layla realized that non of the parents even walked them to class or had left and thought maybe we should go too, sad day when she just doesn't need me much anymore!

 



Friendship

Once upon a time I lived in a small little town called Rexburg Idaho. I moved there knowing no one and hating the small town life. I dreamed of the day I could move back to "the city" and feel at home again. Well time went by and my misery and loneliness only got worse. One day I decided it was time to get down on my knees and ask for something to change, that something was I needed a friend. 

I got my answer 100 fold as I soon found so many friends that will stay with me forever. And after a while those friends introduced me to more of their friends, some of which I kind of new and some I did not. 

I made a really great friend and she was such an inspiration to me, her name was Jenni. She was my visiting teacher and really helped me learn to love this little place called Rexburg. Before she left she introduced me to a shy girl name Kristi who I had heard of many times before from other friends. We had lived close by for a couple years but never got to know each other. 

Thanks to a very pushy husband who forced us to hang out without us knowing the other was unaware of the setup until it was awkwardly too late, we became fast friends. Now about 7 years later I don't know what my life would be without her. 

This girl knows what I need from the sound of my "hello" she brightens my day with just one memory of our adventures together. Our kids were lucky to spend years living just a driveway away which meant more time together than apart! We survived so much together in our years as neighbors and now I try my hardest to get back to see her as much as I can. This time I was lucky to get the whole family together with their fabulous family. 

I have to say I don't know another girl who works so hard to support, love, strengthen, encourage, and help a friend more than this wonderful women. I think of her every time I hear a lesson on being an example of charity and compassion. She was there to help strengthen me in my times of need. She was a shoulder to cry on when I needed it most. 

She diligently works to raise wonderful kids and supports her great husband all while making it seem so easy. (trust me Kristi, I know it isn't!) She is the friend you can go a while without getting in touch with and when you do it is like no time has passed. And you know when you need her most she is there. 

I am thankful everyday for our time together and dream every night of someday being close again! But for now we make the most of our time staying up late chatting, follow each others every move online, and text each other whenever we can. 

So Kristi thanks for a wonderful weekend and most importantly many years of friendship that have helped me see the kind of women I want to be from your example. You are AMAZING and I love you! Here is to our next big adventure, our couples cruise with our men, seriously I am starting my saving today because heaven's knows we will both deserve some time away just the four of us!

Isa's Birthday Party

I can't believe that my little Isa turned 7! Where did the time fly by! She has grown up so fast! She is such an amazing little girl with the sweetest personality, and a little sass to boot! She keeps us laughing with the crazy sleep walking, dancing when no one is looking, and high pitched giggles. And anyone who actually knows her well knows that she doesn't stop talking once you get her going. We were able to get out and go bowling for her birthday and eat out for her favorite dinner. Happy Happy birthday beautiful girl, we love you dearly!

 Damon had to watch the bowling after he got to run around and ended up causing mom to wipe out skirt and all on the bowling lane! It was classic I have to say, glad we didn't get a photo of that!

 It must have been bright since Damon and I both have squinty eyes that or we are equally bad at photo taking!

I love how much she is concentrating on her wish here, If only I could know what was going on in that pretty little head of hers! It is a mystery to all!