First Day of School!

Richard started 2nd grade a week ago. He's in a class with tons of other kids from our ward, so he's excited about that. His teacher has made a good first impression and came highly recommended. 

Audrey started kindergarten today. After her assessment last week, the teacher realized that I've been working hard with her during her preschool years and so Audrey is quite advanced. The teacher suggested we consider moving her up to first grade. (We felt Richard could have had the same opportunity, but he had a different teacher and she did not suggest it.) After much prayer and thought, we decided to keep Audrey in kindergarten. Audrey wanted to stay with her friends. I worry about the social ramifications. I worry now and especially when she's older and doing everything later than all the other kids in her class. I figure if she continues to be ahead of the other kids, there will be plenty of opportunity to challenge her in other ways. When she gets older, there are AP classes, college classes, etc. For now, I'll let her be a kid and not force her to grow up faster than she has to. Besides, we all like to "learn" the sounds that the letter A makes.

My other kids are cute, too. So, I'll post some pictures of them.

We love Disney Jr. at our house.

He's finally cut his two front upper teeth.

Audrey reading. She wanted to read all of these books today. 

The Zoo

The kids and I went to the zoo with some friends. The kids had a great time and want to go back. Next time, we'll have Scott come with us. It is nice to do fun things with Scott. He's absent way too often. 

I hope they call me on a mission....

...when I have aged a year or two...

My parents left for their mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My dad, being a doctor, will serve as the medical advisor. They'll be based in the Mexico, Mexico City East mission, but will cover about 13 missions. My mom will be the "assistant to the medical advisor." Which means??? We don't know, because she's not really the medical type. She'll go to a class while in the MTC that will explain to her what she'll be doing.

We went to hear them speak in church and then hung out at their house. We were able to be there when they were set apart as missionaries. (By the way, if you're not a member of our faith and want to know what I'm talking about, feel free to ask me or visit lds.org or mormon.org). 

I totally support their decision to serve and am glad they are an example to my children so they know that serving a mission is important. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel. I am glad they will be helping in the work to bring people to Christ. I will miss them dearly!

Happy Birthday, Thomas!

Thomas is now a year old! Of course, he doesn't know that. He seemed to enjoy all the attention. We gave him toys that were retired from our other kids. I see no reason to buy new toys when the old ones still work just fine. I will say it's amazing at how interested the older kids were in those toys. You'd think they'd never seen them before!

We had my sister and my parents at the house to help us celebrate. 

I was worried about how Thomas would react to his cake. My other boys have both not only been interested but out right sobbed! They just wailed and moaned that we would suggest they eat the cake. Thomas needed a bit of encouragement but ate a respectable amount. And there were no tears or pouty faces.

Thomas has been such a great baby! He's usually happy and just goes with the flow. He still doesn't walk and hasn't said anything I can identify as words. He still only has two teeth. However, he loves peek-a-boo, climbs stairs (up only), and loves to be with people.