Last First Day of School Kind Of

Whitney is in 9th grade this year and is taking daily early-morning seminary (7:15-8:00) and started on the first day of school, so we were rushing out the door and Landon hadn't even gotten out of bed yet so this is our first year not having a photo of them together on the first day of school.

I took this picture of Landon on the 3rd day of school because I was gone before he got ready in the morning on the other two days. He was dressed up because they had a football game that night. I can't believe he's a senior already!

Time Flies

Great Scott! Here's a flashback of Randy and Landon before going to the Priesthood Session of Conference back in April 2008 and tonight!

First Day of School...Again!

It's kind of freaking me out how quickly these "first day of school" posts roll around. The saying, "The days are long but the years are short" comes to mind with all of this.

Landon was a tad reluctant to pose for me this morning, but no one was watching and I wasn't taking no for an answer so here you have it.

The boy is in 10th grade at the high school and the girl is in 7th grade at the junior high...how did that happen?!

It feels like 10 minutes ago, but really it was 3 years ago that Landon started 7th grade!! I can't even deal with the fact that he'll be done with high school and heading on a mission in 3 more years!!

And Whitney was starting 4th!!

 

It was my first official first day of school too even though I worked last week and was there for 7th grade day yesterday. This is my 3rd year in the front office and my 4th year at the school (time warp anyone?!) They had to reduce the hours of all the hourly employees so I will only be working 3 days a week this year (woohoo). It's weird to think of not being there all the time but this will be so much better for my sanity level. I'll be working Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (cushy right?!). 

I worked 3 hours this morning since we're training two new secretaries, but then was able to go to Costco, pick up Cafe Rio for lunch, clean out the fridge, vacuum the house, do some laundry, put dinner in the crock pot, bake cookies and read in the cozy.

There's a Teenager in the House!

Today is Landon's 13th birthday!

We paid a small fortune but had a great birthday breakfast at IHOP.

He was pleased with his birthday sundae.

Our early morning self-portrait in the IHOP parking lot.

He wanted to do a jumping picture.

Sometimes it's fun to pose for a shot through your birthday balloons.

 

We got him a bouquet of 13 balloons, a new BYU t-shirt (that's practically all he wears), a super soft blanket and some mini donuts. His friend party is on Friday night and his family party is on Saturday evening. He is saving his birthday money to buy a wii game system so we'll be going in on that with the rest of the family.

13 Things I Love About Landon

1. He is a good boy through and through.
2. He is always willing to do what is asked of him.
3. He has a great sense of humor.
4. He is an excellent older brother.
5. He takes his school work seriously.
6. He is spiritual.
7. He is a good example to us as his parents.
8. He is better than even the best parts of Randy and I.
9. He is making the most of his perfect body and metabolism by being super active.
10. He's got a good heart.
11. He is very thoughtful.
12. He is a good friend to everyone.
13. He wants to do what is right. His motto for the past year (which he repeats to us multiple times a day) is "Always, always tell the truth, be nice and be awesome, follow all the commandments I will forever and I mean it, I love you and I'll let my light shine forever." (I really have to record him saying this because it is such a part of him.)

I know I've said it before, but Randy and I really didn't think much past the "having a baby" part of parenthood. It's surreal to mark time by the changes in a child and if I start thinking about him growing up my eyes fill with tears and my heart starts to hurt. It's best if I take it one day at a time. Oh my heart.

**Do you remember your 13th birthday?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I've slept weird 2 nights in a row and have a kink in my neck, it's not pleasant.

 

Creative Friday--Time Flies Edition

This week's Creative Friday started out with Eva showing me the fabulous, new book shelf she got in her room this week.


I love it that it has a big drawer at the bottom, because I can appreciate the playing surface the top of it provides (plus gets many stuffed animals out of sight). I can just imagine all the dinosaurs that will be migrating on there.


I got right down to business writing notes and packing up several birthday cds for this month.


Since I had arrived later than I'd planned, that meant it was nearly time for Eva to go to school. Michelle was in the throws of smotherhood and was busy doing Eva's hair, making sure she used the bathroom before leaving, got her back and on and on. Eva loves school, but she was engrossed in a dinosaur show on TV and wasn't keen to stop watching it.

Her super cute backpack.

Michelle could finally breathe and have some peaceful, kid-free time and an uninterrupted lunch after dropping Eva at school. Michelle made potato soup and wheat bread for lunch, it was so good.


She followed that up with some fabulous caramel dip with apple slices and Flips pretzels.


I wrote 7 notes and am now officially out of .44 cent stamps (which is super sad considering the huge stock pile I had after my birthday). This is going to put a serious damper on my good mail output, but I still have some .02, .03, .04, and .05 cent stamps left so I may be covering envelopes with those until I can replenish my supply. Oh the humanity!


I regaled Michelle with tales of the spider sightings and captures I've been enduring lately. She took this photo while I demonstrated the way my eyes are constantly scanning the areas in front of me in search of spiders. The irony is that even though I'm always expecting to see them, they still take me by surprise whenever I do! It's ridiculous.


The absolutely flew by while we worked on our projects. It felt so luxurious to be able to have uninterrupted conversations!


The time flew so fast that Max was home before we knew it! He was showing Michelle some of his cello music, and I couldn't believe how complicated it all looked. I had never heard of a 1/32 note before!


My caramel dip at the end of the day. Don't worry, I didn't let this last little bit go to waste.

Our pleasing output for the day!

Our end of the day self-portrait. Of course, Michelle's make-up still looks perfect, but I look like I spent the last 3 hours in the rain!

I'm desperate to find a job, but am so glad to be able to have some kid-free Creative Fridays until I get one.

**Did you write any thank you notes this week?
Do you have .02, .03, .04, and .05 cent stamps?
Are you familiar with 1/32 notes?
Does your kid-free time fly by too?**

Good Mail For Me & You Winners
2--Natasha
16--Kelly
6--Melanie (happy birthday)
22--Claudia
12--DeeAnn

Comment Window Tidbit: My little soccer team won 7-0 today! I feel like Steve Martin in the movie "Parenthood" when he is totally high after his son catches the ball in the Little League Game. Whitney scored 3 goals!