Fall = School, Soccer & Football

I always look forward to fall.  I love school supply shopping!  I love purchasing pads of paper, pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, and markers.  School supplies make me feel organized, I know, its a fascade.  But I still love it.  I love the schedule that my family gets into when school starts.  Waking up early, making beds (ok, that habit could use some work!), packing lunches, family scriptures/prayers, and then sleeping in a bit on Saturday!  Love it!

Fall also brings soccer.  Some years we haven't had soccer players, but this year, we have 2!  Yay!  Both MaryJane and Ren are playing and are on teams where they already have a few friends on the team, which I'm thrilled about.  Hey, carpooling saves me regularly.  MJ's team is the SPARKS.  When I post the photos, you'll see why.  Warning:  You may need to shield your eyes, colors may be blinding!  Ren is a COUGAR!  Ya, like BYU.  :)  They both had their 1st games last Saturday.  It was really fun watching MJ's team play.  They have grown so much from last year!  They actually are using skills they've learned!  MJ is a little go getter too.  She is not afraid of the ball and isn't afraid to charge someone who has it.  She is small but she's not letting that hold her back!  She played goalie for part of the game and had a couple of good saves too.  Ren's team, well lets just say, they are still figuring out the game of soccer.  I'm not entirely sure Ren knew he even needed to kick the ball, much less which goal to kick it towards!  :)  It was seriously comical!  I can't wait for next week!  

That brings us to football.  I remember the first fall I spent married, back in '94.  :)  Well, it was really fun!  We watched some football on the weekends. We went to the BYU games as much as we could.  Hey, I loved it!  I didn't realize until the next fall, '95, that this is really what Rusty lived for!!  College football, particularly BYU.  I have to admit, it hasn't been all roses...like when I ask when is the game over and he says 15 minutes, then a hour later, it's just wrapping up!  But, Rusty loves it so much, and he doesn't watch many sports throughout the year.  Now, he and Porter have this thing that they have in common and that makes me happy too.  So, Rusty and Tony flew to Texas for the BYU game there.  Not the best game, but I think they had fun nonetheless. 

So, as the weather cools off, we'll be enjoying these fall things.

1st Day of School

School is finally here!  :)  It's been a great summer and it seems that everyone else (family, friends) has been back in school forever and now it's our turn.  It's gonna be a super year!  

MJ is so independent.  She found out who her teacher was on Friday.  It's Mrs. Brown, who I don't really know, but hear she is good.  MJ didn't know her but she has some friends in her class which is all that matters.  :)  This morning was the time all parents go and meet the teacher.  MJ insisted she didn't need me to come with her.  I could meet her teacher later.  She didn't know where the classroom was but no worries, she could find it.  And don't worry, she doesn't need me to pick her up after school, she is fine to walk home herself.  And if I'm not home, that's fine too.  She'll just bring her house key.  Oh brother!  She was cracking me up!  I insisted, of course, on walking her to school, helping her find her classroom and meeting her teacher!

3rd Grade.  Isn't she the cutest?

6th and 8th graders.  Unbelievable.

Chloe and Ellie are going to the same middle school.  They were just giddy with excitement this morning and last night too.  How are we doing our hair?  What outfit to wear?  How should I do my makeup?  I know, the joys of middle school, right?  Ellie was actually pretty nervous.  I am the most worried about her too.  Her best friend changed schools a few weeks ago, to the new charter.  So, she lost her locker partner and her closest friend.  She has a new locker partner.  A friend of a friend, and I think it worked out nicely.  And I think this will be a great year for her.  She didn't seem to worried about getting from class to class.  And Chloe came through for us this morning and was really sweet to Ellie and told her she'd help her out.  (Sometimes Chloe can be a stinker and think she's too cool for Ellie.)

REN, 4 years

And little Ren!  Oh man, he is the cutest, sweetest, most precious little kid!  I have to say, he is so much like Porter, it is scary.  :)  Ren talks way more than Porter did at his age, but they have similar dispositions.  Ren is off to Pre-K preschool at Miss Shirley's.  She and Miss Lisa were his teachers last year too.  So, it was no biggie to head off to school for him today.  He was very excited about it!  He missed his friends.  There was only one glitch this morning.  He has to bring a small pillow for 'naptime'.  And I forgot about it until late last night, after he was in bed.  I headed over to Target and picked up a small pillow pet, a cute little turtle.  I thought he'd be thrilled this morning.  But no, he cried and said he wanted a different one!  We dropped by Ralphs grocery store, of all places, on our way to his school to see if they had one he'd want.  And he picked a penguin.  Not near as cool as the turtle, in my opinion, but I guess I'm not the one 'napping' on it.  :)

Porter, age 15

Porter is off to his Sophomore year (10th grade) in high school.  He doesn't start seminary until Monday, so is basically sleeping in this week.  :)  He isn't worried, in fact, I think he was excited.  We registered a few weeks ago, but he had to pick up his official schedule this morning so I hope things go well.  I'm sure it will be an adjustment.  He isn't playing football this year.  But, I'm hoping to get him involved in something in school, another sport or club or something?  We'll see.  Photo to come later....he left before I could get the camera out.  

OK, got photo!  1st day of seminary, 3rd day of school.