Kindergarten

I haven't seen a boy more excited for Kindergarten than this one.  All the preparation...  We got school supplies.  We got new shoes.  We got a letter from his teacher.  We got an awesome Darth Vader backpack.  We got a checkup and shots at the doctor.  (Let my mind never forget the cute interaction between Dr. Arnold and Gavin on this day.  The way he threw is head back and pointed at Dr. A when his joke finally clicked and he realized he had said hangaburs and psketti.  So so sweet.)

Today was the day.  He got his new outfit on and walked around the house in his brand new shoes.  Perfect hair.  Pics by the door with his little brothers.  I put on Brian's sunglasses and he laughed and me - because I knew...

Oh!!!  I didn't realize that my heart would actually hurt!  While I am so excited for Gavin and know that he is ready for this new adventure, all day long my heart has been sad.  I saw the uncertainty in his eyes when we said goodbye and he bravely walked toward his door and then stopped and looked around, I'm sure thinking, "Now what do I do?"  He doesn't know a soul at that school.  This is my school....have I pushed this on him?  Have we made the wrong decision in sending him here?  I was doubting and questioning and just worry worry worrying!

I felt like I was sending him on an airplane all on his own.  Throwing him to the wolves!  I have pretty much been with him for the past five years and now I'm just sending him in a room with people he doesn't know?  Alone?  I can't believe how quickly we have gotten to this point.  Yet - I know that he can do this.  He wants to do this.  And I know I want it for him too.  I just cross my fingers and pray that he will find his way in from the playground.  That people will be kind to him.  That he will be a good friend.  That others will see the good in him.

Two hours and forty five minutes passed quickly as McKay and I made cookies and did mommy school.  I thought about him at least 50 times.  I was so anxious to get over there and pick him up.  Luckily I got there early enough to be outside his door when school was over.  I had planned on just driving through, but I'm so glad that we got out and met him.  His eyes were searching for me as he came out the door.  I just watched him and waited for him to find us.  A smile instantly crossed his face when his eyes found mine.  He was mine again.

How will I send him again tomorrow?

Obsessed

I have always loved babies.  Like a lot.  But for some reason my obsession with this little guy is increasing by the minute.  Maybe it's because this third kid doesn't talk back yet and I know how awesome it is that he just sits and smiles at me, but holy smokes I love this boy!  He is practically perfect and there hasn't been one day (no kidding!) that I haven't said out loud what a good baby he is.  And how cute he is.  And smiley.

Isn't it a neat thought that every mom has the greatest kids on the planet?  Not perfect, by any means - but the ones that were made just for our family.  I am convinced that we belong together.

People are Good

The other day I was at Winco in Orem doing the shopping. It is a rarity that I am able to go alone these days, with Brian working three late nights a week. We usually end up needing everything on Monday or Tuesday - and waiting for him to get off work until Friday afternoon is just not going to work. So I often pack up all of the little people and make the best of it.

So the littles and I were focused on our list. Gavin and McKay were doing pretty ok, actually. Jonah was in the carrier on my chest. It's not unusual for people to stare at me, with three boys - active and close in age. It doesn't even bother me. One lady even said out loud to me while we were grabbing cans of tomatoes together, "I remember taking my kids to the grocery store. I still have nightmares about it." I just laughed and kept moving. The last few minutes during shopping I was starting to feel like we were done. Jonah was getting fidgety and it was time to get checked out and get outta here. I started unloading the cart, which is pretty tricky with a large baby strapped to the front of your body. I was leaning over the best I could but could only pull out one item at a time. A dude with one thing in his hand was standing behind me in line. He was looking at me like, "Lady, can't you go any faster?" I was a little bugged and thought back to myself, "Well, if you'd come help me here this would go a lot faster. Clearly my hands are full." Anyway, I got unloaded and paid. Trying not to be angry at the guy behind me - so very unaware. Can't someone see that I need help here?? I thought that many times in those few minutes. That frazzled feeling was getting to me. I was bagging my groceries and tried to keep Gavin and McKay close. I could see someone watching me out of the corner of my eye. I heard her say, "You guys go ahead. I'll be right there."

Enter Beth. She came over and asked if she could help me load my groceries. "Yes! Help away!" I almost started crying right then. She said she had three boys - ages 13, 11, and 9. I asked her if I was going to survive this and she told me how much fun she was having with her boys getting older. We didn't talk long, but she was sweet. I asked her name as we finished. I told her that she had earned her saint points today and that she was an angel. And in my little world that day, I so needed her.

Thank you, Beth. Thank you for reminding me how good people are. I walked to the car with my three boys in tow and let myself cry for a second as I watched her get in her car and drive away with her family. Two minutes with me was probably not a big to her - but it was to me. I hope that I can be as kind and aware to others as she was to me.

Things to Remember...

It's been an eventful summer.  We've been on lots of fun adventures and spent the other days here at home.  Two billion points to Jonah for going with the flow!  The best baby ever, I swear.  I keep thinking that this is really the last official time with all of my littles with me.  Once Gavin goes to school I am pretty sure he will be interested in other people and other things more than us.  And that makes me a little sad.

But these kids do funny stuff.  And other things I need to remember.

How about the time that McKay styled his hair with Astroglide last week.  Slick!

Gavin and McKay waking up and wanting to play the ipad or on our phones.  We have instituted several "technology break" days.  It's embarrassing how well they can work those things!

Words like: tas-tes and like-ted.  And how we are always "stabilizing" legos and towers.  Where did they learn that?

Tonight McKay blessed the food and each of our family members individually so that "we can be safely."  Too cute.

Earning fuzzies for their jar and going to the dollar store to buy a prize that lasts about a night before it falls apart.  But whatever.  They are excited and it's totally worth it.

Jonah learning how to sleep for longer than 30-45 minutes at a time during the day.  I need to wait another week to say he's got it.  BUT - he has been sleeping through the night (like 10-12 hours!) for the past two weeks.  Again.  Love him.  Lots.  Sleeping is just a bonus to his undeniable cuteness that I cannot get over.

We also just fished a popcorn kernel out of McKay's nostril.  What is it with small objects and noses?

Ordinary Days

California Adventure Continued - San Diego

After we finished up our seven days in Oceanside, we headed 45 minutes south to see Mom and Dad Robinson in San Diego.  We were excited to spend time with them since we hadn't seen them in two whole months.  We are glad to have a grandma and grandpa on a mission, but boy, do we miss them!

We spent a day at Sea World.  I had a minor moment of losing gusto in the morning, but I got over it and regrouped by sitting in the shade.  The kids were happy but tired.  I thought McKay was going to fall asleep during the dolphin show.  As a side note, you'd think with all of the money they are bringing in they could build some a canopy or something over those big stadiums that you sit in for 30 minutes baking in the sun.

This sweet random lady saw McKay waiting patiently to pet the rays and I looked over and she had him all hoisted up and leaning over.  She spent several minutes helping him.  That was sweet.

A San Diego highlight was certainly swimming in the pool at g&g's apartment complex.  Apparently they hadn't seen a soul swimming since they got there.  We got several comments from the missionary couples that it was fun to see the kids in the pool.  Brian got in with them and threw them around in the frigid water.  The cold didn't phase them one bit.

We spent the next day at the pier and at Old Town.  The boys enjoyed watching people fish and loved the wagon ride and lunch.  I've never seen them so well behaved at a restaurant!  A few crayons and pennies and they were set for an hour.

It was totally worth the extra drive and extra time to be with mom and dad.  We were sad to see our trip come to an end.  But again, so so glad that we made the drive.  Brian and I have talked over and over about how these are memories worth making.

Woolf/Terry Reunion - Oceanside, CA

I am in love with Oceanside. Like really. If I could have stayed there forever, I just might have. We spent 10 whole days on our California adventure. The ride out was quick - minus that last 30 miles that took an hour or two. We were missing Mark and Jenn, Britton and Lane, and Paul and Addison. Everyone else was there and it was a total blast from beginning to end.

We stayed just a block away from the beach in two huge houses that were perfect for all of us. We got a room and a bathroom and each night the boys were pooped beyond belief and fell asleep before Brian could finish his stories.  Jonah rocked his first trip. At eight weeks old, he only woke up once a night and totally just went with the flow the entire time. Love him.

Cousin Time: Plenty of it.  The boys were in heaven and we hardly saw them.  They were happy and entertained and minimal whiners.  Since we are the only family in UT, cousin time is precious and it's always nice to see these friendly faces.  Especially the ones who live far, far away.

Lego Land: The boys, again, were in heaven.  This was our first official theme park experience.  They are still talking about it and say it's the best place they have ever been.  We hung out with Nate, Lynsey, Dave T, and Anne's families for the day.  McKay was not quite tall enough for the big rides, but he was a good sport and there was plenty for him to do.  A wonderful day to spend with our little family.

Beach Days: I have never in my life hung out at the beach for an entire day, let alone four.  I now understand how people can stay for a day and keep going back again and again.  The kids played and played and played and played.  And played.  They never tired of jumping in the waves, boogie boarding with dad, playing in the sand, searching for sand crabs, and hanging out with cousins.  Gavin was nervous at first and didn't want to go in the water, but it didn't take long for him to be a daredevil in the water.  Jonah napped in a play pen in the shade and we could easily walk back and forth to the house if we needed to make lunches or whatever.  I will be going back.

Oceanside was worth all of the time, money, and planning.  Keeping good relationships with my parents, my brothers and sisters and their kids is pretty darn important to me.  Can't wait until next time!