2nd Graders are so big, and Kindergartners too.

Dalton and Joe's first day of school really started the night before. For FHE we decided to get Back-to-School haircuts, and have Doug give the kids Back-to-School blessings. The boys looked so handsome with their short styled hair, and after quick showers to get the pokey's off, it was time for the bedtime routine.

Doug gave very personal blessings to each of the boys and then Sophia reverently climbed onto the ottoman for her turn with daddy's hands on her head. She sat still the whole time, which was an absolute miracle, and gave daddy a big hug afterward. Joseph had a hard time understanding why we didn't read scriptures, and we explained that a blessing is scripture just for him. He was confused, but satisfied. They each picked a song, and then we said prayers. "Huk-an-kikkas", comes right after a loud, "Amen" from Sophia, and then bed.

It was only then that Dalton asked me, "What is the weather tomorrow?". A question I hadn't heard since May. "I think I heard it was going to be about 90." He was devastated! All of his new clothes are nice long pants, and the exact outfit he had laid out for the past several weeks was not only long pants, but the matching long sleeved T-shirt too. He was quick to point out that I hadn't done the shorts load of laundry either. Just like the end of any other day, I was in an "oh well" mood. He, on the other hand, rushed off to the basement while I went to lay down. I heard him messing around in the bathroom, and reminded him that he needed to get some sleep before his big first day of 2nd grade. He quickly said, "I'll be done in a minute, and I promise I'll get to bed." The following morning I woke up before the boys, and noticed his favorite shorts hung over the towells, a little damp. I was sure they had a few clumps of beans and salsa on them, but after inspection they were clean, and smelled of my gardenia hand soap. He woke up excited for the school day, and was about to cry again when he realized they weren't dry yet. I rushed them down to the dryer while he jumped in the shower. I couldn't believe that he took the time to hand wash his own clothes, what a great solution.

There was some miscommunication with the buses around here, so we ended up filling the van with our whole lot, and a couple of neighbor kids and headed to Wasatch Elementary. Dalton and his two friends were quick to jump out of the van, and knew exactly where they were going. As an absolute afterthought, he said "I love you too", and was gone for the day. He has reported loving recess, where they play some game with all the girls chasing him the whole time, remembering his lunch number from last year, and getting to sit next to his best friend Devin. Pretty good start.

We then drove Joseph up to his first day of Kindergarten at Ensign Elementary. He was happy to be a little early with some time to play on the playground, but responded in like manner with all of the other kids to the sound of the bell by heading straight for the door. He found his name on a hook, and hung up his back pack. We quickly took one picture, and he ran right into his classroom giving us only a wave goodbye. I guess 2 years of pre-school takes the newness of Kindergarten away. He has reported loving the treasure box, understanding the classroom stoplight, and that some boy named Jacob didn't follow any of the rules. I think he's going to have a great year.

Now for Sophia and I... well I'm feeling more patient with her. We've been spending more time doing naked body dances, and loving being just girls. She gets to play with the neighbor girls each morning, and the house is so quiet for her nap that she sleeps even longer than before. I think I love school.

Just Sherrie and Doug

It has been years since Doug and I speant time together without the kids. As newlyweds we promised ourselves that we would never let an anniversary go by without cherishing one another and nurturing our relationship. That promise has gone unfulfilled since 2003 I think, it might actually be longer. This past weekend, however, we were able to entrust our 3 little ones to our friends the Klingonsmiths, and escape for what turned out to be almost a full 24 hours! We had the opportunity to head up to Midway and stay at a lovely cabin, for free, food included. No kids. I enjoyed waking in the night to, not a cry, or a knock, but to my own urge to watch the stars, and breathe the silent air. I love being in the peaceful out doors...just being. I loved talking to Doug during the afternoon and evening events, uninterupted. I loved that on the drive home we were just us, together, with no real stress or responsibility. We picked up our kids, and realized that they hadn't really even missed us, and the truth is that we hadn't really missed them either. I took this for a sign that we should do this more often. I love my children, they make us smile and laugh more than anything else in the world right now, but there is an appropriate balance between always being mom and dad, and just being Sherrie and Doug. We're still learning that appropriate balance, and from now on, I think it'll include more time together.

Claire?

I don't really know what happened, but it has been brought to my attention that Claire is not on my "Name the Girl" poll anymore. I tried to edit the poll with unsucessful results. If you really love the name Claire, post a comment right here, and I'll make note.

I just realized today that all of my kids favorite songs are not traditional kid songs, but my children have given the songs traditional kid song titles. Sophia's is "The Finger Song" which is actually by CAKE, and not at all like thumbkin. Joseph's song is "Chinese Chicken" which is by Bare Naked Ladies, and is more about the adult male/female relationship with it's flaws in/beauties of communication than anything Chinese or chicken. Dalton's favorite song is "The Alien Song" which is actually Stings, Englishman in New York. We've had several conversations about the word alien and how most people on the news and radio are referring to foreigners, and not little green men. Mine is still "The Girl From Ipanima", and although the Sherrie inside is tall, and tan, and young and lovely, the real one is tall...sure, tan...yep, young...perspective says that for some people 30 is young, and lovely??? let's just say pregnant. If anyone wants to tutor me on how to put music on my blog, I'll get these songs for you, and you can smile knowing that every time our little family gets into our big minivan, someone shouts "The Finger song", "No, The Alien song", "I want Chinese Chicken".

Welcome to our blog, I finally created one. Here is a photo of what our little family looked like last fall. I'm not going to show off my award winning pumpkin of a stomach till it's absolutely ripe. You can take this pic and add a bit more hair to Soph, and a bit more belly to myself, a few less pounds from Doug, and take away a few teeth from Dalt. Joe has only added charm, and intelligence which aren't really visible in jpeg format anyway.

I'm on the countdown to mother of 4 with only 6 weeks to go. I can't wait! We're still stumped on her name, and some preliminary polls prove inconclusive with 3 names tied. As for the results, you'll all have to wait till October.

Doug starts classes on top of his designing/consulting work tomorrow, and could use all of your prayers. This semester will prove a serious juggling act for our whole family.

Dalton starts 2nd grade next week, and can't wait. He has his first and second outfit already picked out, and I love that his Wasatch Elementary School pride shirt is in the top 2. He has enjoyed learning how to play chess, ride his bike well, and recover from tree climbing concussions this summer.

Joseph graduates from The Childrens Center Pre-School on Wednesday, and he can't wait! He has enjoyed his 2 years there and sometimes comments on how his teachers love him more than I do. They don't make him get shots or refuse to clean his favorite shorts every single day. He will miss them. He will not even have a full week off before starting Kindergarten though, which he laments. He's mostly excited about eating lunch on a tray in the cafeteria, and learning how to become as smart as his big brother Dalton.

Sophia is so charming she's dangerous. She announces her every move and intention with amazing clarity. "I'm going downstairs now." and "I want to hold the banana, and then you can have the first bite." Sadly, I overheard her with her dolls (my dolls really), "Do you want to color with me on the paper...you better hurry, we're running late." Apparently I say that quite often. She is mostly soft and gentle with any baby that can't walk which is a comfort to me. Her new little sister will likely endure many dirty kisses, and seemingly gentle, but obviously rough hugs from a doting big sister.

Baby Crawford moves a ton and for the past several months has measured right on schedule with her due date. This month however, she shifted positions with what I'm sure is a foot on my sciatic nerve, and grew 2cm larger than expected. I have in my head that she'll weigh 9lbs. 9oz. so that if she's any less, I'll only be relieved. She is invited to come any time after Doug and the kids return home from their Football Hall of Fame tour in AZ, Sept 14th-16th.