A Month of Firsts - Part 1

I'm going to start another series called "A Month of Firsts." I promise I will get back to my previous series. As usual I like to tackle as many things as I possibly can at the same time.

Part One: Kindergarten

Karena and Hannah finally started kindergarten. They were so excited! They'd been talking about kindergarten for about a year now. Every time we'd drive by there school they'd make a comment about how that was their school and they were going to be going there someday.

Well the big day finally came.

Tyler is just as excited as his sisters!

Amazingly enough we got out the door in time. School starts here at 7:30. Thankfully the school is less than a mile from our house so we don't have to go far. John took the day off and we all drove to school.


We walked them into their classroom

and showed them their seats.



We introduced them to their teacher.

Showed them their playground that is only for kindergartners and then it was time to say goodbye.

Karena was a little nervous.

Hannah's ready to start school!

We left and ran some errands. Their first day was only a half day so we picked them up after lunch. They were ready to go back the next day.

Karena quote

Karena, my kindergartner of two weeks, just said to me, "Mom, I wish it was the last day of college and it was all over forever."

Its broken

Hannah told me the other day and then said it again at dinner today: "My rememberer is broken and my forgetter is fixed."

Our Three Week Adventure - Part 2

Pioneer Day is a big holiday in Utah. It celebrates the day that Brigham Young and the first pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. Before I start the travelouge I just have to say how much I love hearing stories about the pioneers and how much courage and strength they have. It makes me so grateful for the things I take for granted every day. I am amazed at the number of women who bore children along the trail, buried children and husbands along the trail and still kept on walking. They knew the blessings of heaven far out weighed the trials they were facing right then. I wish I could be more like them.

Pioneer Day is held on the 24th of July and in some parts of Utah is as big a celebration as the 4th of July. But in Washington, UT (where my parents live) its not but it was still a lot of fun. The morning started off with a parade. The kids had never been to a parade before and were so excited to see their first one. Their excitement grew as they learned people would be throwing CANDY to them. Hannah was the first one to get any - at the envy of her brother and sister.



Tyler loved the tractors. The girls loved the cheerleaders and other dancers. I took this picture for John since he couldn't be there with us. After the parade we went to the park behind us for a carnival. They had games, food and music. We all stood in line for 20 minutes to buy shaved ice. The kids each ran a foot race. They did really well and all won a participation prize. They got their faces painted.


Tyler usually doesn't go for stuff like face painting but decided that since his sister's were getting in on the action that he would too. I thought Hannah would go for the lizard since she's the "Lizard queen." (She got that name from Uncle Brady after chasing a lizard around at the Clark County museum for 30 minutes.) She went for the rainbow instead. Karena and Tyler decided a lizard would be cool.

In one corner of the park was a dunking booth. You could pay to be dunked or do the dunking. The kids chose the dunking and did quite well. They enjoyed it so much that we went back a second time.

If you heard the guy in the video say "I thought they were trying to rip me off" let me explain. Karena and Hannah were both in line. Karena was first. She completed her turn and then came to stand by me. The guy working the dunking line was looking around for the next person when I said,"She's next," and pointed at Hannah. He looked at Hannah and said, "Didn't you just go?" I called out to him, "They're twins!" He looked back at me and with a look of incredulity he saw Karena and then looked back at Hannah. I have had people mix them up before but I have never had someone mistake them for the same person before. It was a very funny moment that even the girls found very funny.

After lunch and naps we went to a local splash pad.





We had the place to ourselves for most of the time we were there. Another family showed up at the end. We decided it was time to leave when two teenage boys showed up to cool off in the water. One of them had stripped down to his tighty whiteys and borrowing his friend's shirt put it on like some huge orange diaper. I knew that this was going a bad idea because as every mom knows the wetter a diaper gets the saggier and droupier it gets. Sure enough he got it wet and it started to slip. Dad and I promptly rounded up the kids and home we went. Thankfully we were looking for a good excuse to leave anyway.

This concludes the end of Part 2. Stay tuned for Part 3 - The Taxidermy Capital of the WORLD!

Our 3 Week Adventure - Part 1

July 15 started our three week adventure to Utah and Nevada. We had a direct flight from Nashville to Las Vegas. Traipsing three kids through an airport is not John and I's favorite activity. The kids did great and were very well behaved. Tyler talked to anyone who was around him. The unsuspecting passengers who sat near us certainly got an earful. He told the lady sitting next to him to buckle her seat belt. He growled at the man behind him. Then when the man decided he was done with the growling he closed his eyes and went to sleep. Tyler turned to me and said, "Mommy, that man's eyes are closed." To which I responded, "Ok, well then he's asleep. Leave him alone." And as is Tyler's custom he had to test the waters just to make sure I really meant what I said. He turns around and in a loud voice says, "Hello!" Then turns to me and says, "He's not asleep."

My dad picked us up from the airport looking much tanner then the last time we had seen him. It was good to see him. On a side note: For those of you who may not know, my parents moved from here to St. George, UT back in May. My grandparents had graciously lent Dad their van to pick us up. We made the 2 hour drive up to St. George. It was neat to see the differences in the scenery.

The Joshua tree forest. Yes, that is considered a forest in the deserts of Nevada.

I-15 goes through a small corner of Arizona as you're driving from Nevada to Utah. The Virgin River cut this huge gorge through the rock. Its quite an impressive drive. This picture doesn't do it justice.


We arrived and were able to spend the evening with my sister, Amy, my brother Brady and his wife, Solveig. It was nice to see them and visit with all of them. Friday morning we left for Las Vegas again. We had a nice time at the Clark County Museum where we got to meet my brother-in-law's family. Such a nice family!! That evening we had a pizza party at my Uncle Brent's house. Tyler was terrified of their dogs but eventually Cody won him over. I wish I'd taken more pictures there but we were having too much fun talking and socializing. Tyler did make a new friend and began to call him his "Big Friend."

Saturday was the wedding. Amy was gorgeous! The ceremony was nice and very special to be part of. The reception was fun and the food was delicious.


Four Generations of Atwoods

Amy and Justin outside the Las Vegas temple


Tyler and his "Big Friend" Uncle Brent


Hannah and Karena outside the temple


The kids with Aunt Solveig

Dancing with Daddy and Aunt Solveig (Grandma made the girls' dresses and Tyler's vest! Thanks Grandma!!!!)


Amy's cake

My birthday: Part 1 (Mom always said I could stretch my birthday out for a week.)

Thursday was my birthday. I was looking forward to the day. The kids went to VBS in the morning and so I spent a quiet morning watching a movie and sewing. I talked to several friends and family members that day wishing me happy birthday. Thanks everyone! That evening after John got home from work we all went out to eat. I wavered back and forth between Mimi's and Macaroni Grill. Thankfully they are located right next to each other. I didn't have to decide until we got there. All day the kids were making suggestions as to where they thought I would like to eat. Tyler wanted me to go to Red Robin. Hannah wanted me to go to Dairy Queen. Karena told me I could go anywhere I wanted. Thank you, Karena. I finally decided on Mimi's Cafe to eat.
Its one of my favorite places. I ordered a grilled shrimp and asparagus dish with a strawberry and lettuce salad. It was excellent!


After eating they brought me my birthday cake/pie.


John and the kids sang me Happy Birthday and Tyler ended it with "Cha, cha, cha." That has now become their ending to any birthday song. I think its something they learned in pre-school.

John got me a new Wii remote and some peanut butter. (If you want to know why the pb ask me later but I assure you its one of those you had to be there things. But it was still really funny.)

Oh and for all you Wii afficienados that is an after market remote and is cheaper and works just fine. He got it at Wal-mart. After we got home and got the kiddos to bed we had fun beating each other on the Wii.

Part 2 later. I'm really tired and have got to go to bed.

4th of July

For the 4th we didn't make any huge plans. The day started off with John preparing some ribs and then putting them into the smoker. They were supposed to take all day but were done around noon. They were amazing!!!!!


He cooked country style ribs and spare ribs. They were both good but my favorite was definitely the country style. They just had so much more meat to them.




John's sister, Sarah and her husband, Jeff came over for dinner. Thanks John for a great dinner!

In the past, Tyler has always been terrified of the fireworks. Someone had to sit inside with him while he shook with fear from all the noise. But he always wanted to watch them, too. This year John and I expected the same thing. The kids went with John to buy some early in the afternoon. Tyler kept asking when it was time to go do fireworks. He was so excited! It finally got dark enough and stopped raining long enough to go outside and have some fun.

We threw some little poppers on the ground that made a loud popping noise and a little spark. At first I thought that was going to do Tyler in but he stuck with it. Then John did some small close to the ground fireworks. Tyler was still being so brave. He wanted to stay on the front porch but there was no shaking this time. Then John started in on the big high fireworks. I wanted to be with the girls. They LOVE the fireworks!!! They were out on the driveway oohhing and aahhing all the lights and sounds. I watched Tyler slowly make his way down the stairs and dance back and forth along the sidewalk. I could just see his nerve getting stronger as he went further down the walk. I was so proud of him. He finally made it to me on the driveway. He stayed there the whole time and watched the rest of the fireworks. He liked them so much that he bugged me for days to buy him more.

Swimming lessons

The kids have been in swimming lessons for the past two weeks at Ms. Sue's Swimming. They have loved it! Parents were not allowed to watch during the lessons. I enjoyed the time chatting with the other moms (I actually got a new piano student from one of the other families there) but I did not enjoy melting in the heat waiting for them.

The last day the parents were allowed to watch the kids show off all their new skills. I was amazed at how good the kids did. To all you that may watch my kids and think they aren't that amazing compared to the other ones let me give you a picture of how it was two weeks ago. Hannah has always been a little fish but didn't like to float on her back. Tyler would freak out if he got water in his face at all and would never (I mean never) try to lay on his back in the water. Karena wouldn't lay on her back in the water either. As you'll see they really overcame their fears and may actually be on their way to floating by themselves. John assures me that Addison's can't float. I'm determined to prove him wrong.

Tyler's Birthday

Tyler is 4! I am having a hard time believing it. My little boy is getting so big. We started the day around 6 am with him jumping in my bed, "Mommy, its my birthday!" I made him heart pancakes with sprinkles for breakfast. We just hung out in the morning. After lunch we went to swimming lessons.

Before we could get to the real partying Tyler just had to open one present. He chose his present from Uncle Brady and Aunt Solveig. He'd been kicking it around before he even opened it. It was funny to watch him kick around a wrapped present. If you can't figure it out its a soccer ball!






Then we headed out to Chuck E Cheese's. It was Tyler's first time and he had a ball. He wasn't thrilled with his first ride. It was a bike you peddled and it went in circles and up in the air. Besides that first little glitch he loved the rest of his visit. The girls had an equally good time. They really enjoyed the air hockey table at the end.

After the tokens were exhausted we went to Red Robin for dinner. Tyler fell in love with the Red Robin himself. Apparently he comes out on Tuesday's and Thursday's. Tyler kept looking for him. At the end the staff sang "Happy Birthday" and gave him a sundae with a balloon tied to his spoon.

Then it was home for present time!!!


Batman car from Grandma and Grandpa

Batman helicopter that shoots yellow discs from Grandma and Grandpa.


A new Wii game from Grandma and Grandpa

A bat and ball set from Great Grandma and Grandpa.


A new basketball hoop from Mommy and Daddy. (Although if you ask Tyler Daddy just got it for him.) He also got the movie Bolt from his sisters.


Then it was time for cake and the blowing of candles. Tyler wanted a white cake with white and blue frosting. That's what he got.

It was a long and good day.

Happy Birthday Tyler! We love you so much!

Kids Preschool Program

Yesterday was the kids final preschool program. Tyler had a program first followed by a cookie reception. Then the girls had their graduation program. Hannah was extremely shy and would barely come out in front of everyone. The girls got to ring a bell outside to mark the end of their preschool time. They all look forward to it. Then the staff put together a very nice lunch for us. The weather was warm but very nice. It was a great day.

The video is long but has some cute stuff in it. Enjoy! (If you want a high quality copy let me know and I can mail you one on CD.)

Update on Tyler

Tyler does have pink eye and a minor ear infection. The dr. started him on antibiotics. We had a good night last night. After Tyler's blessing he slept all night and woke up happy. His fever was gone and the gunk in his eye was gone. I'm very grateful for the priesthood.

On a side note. When I told the kids we were going to see Dr. Pirkle, they all started screaming "I LOVE Dr. Pirkle!" I'm not sure why they've developed this fascination with this particular doctor but she is nice and good at what she does.

Oh and ALL the kids are taking a nap today!!!! Hallelujah for peace and quiet.

Tyler is sick again

Tyler just got over strep and now I think he has an ear infection and pink eye. We'll get it confirmed tomorrow at the doctor. He just tears me up when he's sick.

Here's why:

The girls do pretty good when they're sick. They're whiny but not too bad. They enjoy laying around and watching movies, reading books and taking naps in mommy's bed (a treat they enjoy only when they're sick).

On the other hand, Tyler is so usually full of non-stop, full-force energy that when he gets sick it stops him in his tracks and he just crashes. Its overly pitiful. It just breaks my heart. Tonight I was putting him to bed for the third time. He'd woken up twice crying and holding his ear. He was so sweet and sad. "Mommy, can I have one more kiss and hug? Mommy, can you scratch my back? Mommy, I love you. Mommy, good night." John and Grandad gave him a blessing the last time he woke up. I got him some ibuprofen and a drink of water.

I hate having sick kids, not because of the illness, but because I feel completely helpless. I do not like not being able to fix it with just a kiss and a hug.

So to conclude with words from one of Tyler's favorite books, "Firefighters to the Rescue", (I've got it memorized) I "will watch and wait and pray and then. . ."

My babies are going to Kindergarten

I registered Hannah and Karena for Kindergarten today. Its hard to believe this was only taken 5 short years ago. My babies are getting so big.

Today's Shopping Trip

I did pretty good shopping today and thought I'd share with you guys all that I bought.

Publix
Ziploc Bags (2)
Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs (2)
Danimals Yogurt Drinks 6-pack (4)
Kellogg's Raisin Bran (5)
Special K (2)
Smart Balance Butter (2)
Smart Balance Butter sticks (2) Free
Mitchum Deoderant (4)
Chinet plates (2) Free
Electrasol tabs (2)
Brown Rice
Bags of Apples (2)
Pace Salsa (2) Free
Tomatoes
Bananas

Total OOP (out of pocket): 32.47
Total Saved: $86.00

Target
Kashi Waffles (2)
Quattro Razors (5) Two were free
Quattro Electric Razor
Kraft Mayo (4)
Fiber One Cereal (2)
Fiber One Muffin Mix (2)

Total OOP: $28.30
Total Saved: $51.48

So for a grand total OOP: $60.77
Total Saved: $137.48

Pics from today

Karena tied her shoes today all by herself today!

She was so excited!

And then, after the kids went to bed John went out to the garage to get ice cream from the freezer. This was waiting for him on the landing on the top of the stairs into the garage.

Apparently he just waddled down the stairs and went and hid in a corner in the garage. John had thought the cat had been getting into the garbage but now we think its this opossum. Isn't he just the creepiest of critters?

Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap

I've never done something like this but I'm excited to try it out. I send a box of my favorite things to someone and they send one back to me of their favorite things. How great does that sound! Come see what its all about here.