Swensen Sentral

Haven't posted pics yet of Amelie's horseback riding lesson. She loved it so much. And I admit I did a little bit too, ok maybe a lot bit  . Wish they weren't so darn expensive! Her trainer said she picked up posting faster than anyone she's taught. Baskin Farms  with Finny the Pony

The creativity of children amazes me. Sawyer came upstairs to find me and said "mom you GOTTA come see the snake family I made". So I came to see his playdough creation. He explained it's a family of 10 kids, but the white one is adopted. And they have no parents because the dad died in the snake war and the mom died from surgery. Intense story for a little playdough snake family. Live on little snakes!

He was very happy this morning. He reminded me before I got out of bed that today was his first day of preschool, he got dressed all by himself without me asking, and wore his new Batman backpack around all morning. He told me last night that he was a little nervous because he wouldn't know what to do there. I gave him one rule to follow for the day to ensure a happy first day of school, smile. Simple as that!  I said "If you smile your teacher will love you and the other kids will want to be your friend." So that was his goal for today, just smile! He was so cute. Central Baptist Church Preschool Teachers: Mrs Greenhagen and Mrs Lichius

Soleil is bold and fearless. She treads waters where none of my other kids have dared tread.  Neither age nor size intimidates her.  Good thing? Or bad thing.  In our house we have a rule that you don't brings toys or anything else to the table. It's distracting and just gets in the way. Soleil is well aware of this rule. But she still occasionally tests the waters, hoping that one time she'll get away with it. Tonight at dinner, she brought her blanket AND stuffed animal to the table and plopped them both right on top without hesitation. I stopped right in my tracks and sternly responded, "Absolutely Not! No blankets at the table."  Usually she quickly realizes she's not getting away with it and walks away snorting "fine" or something teeny-bopper-ish. But not tonight! She just stared me right back in the eyes and yelled determinedly, "Why!!"  Woah, I quickly jumped on that with, "Don't you dare talk that way to me little missy!...

(Written previously but didn't post for some reason) Sawyer finished his very first sport season, t-ball. I'll admit it was kind of torturous to watch and I'm not sure he learned anything, but it was all worth it to see his face light up after his last game when he suddenly learned that he would be getting his very first trophy! He was SO excited and couldn't wait to hold it in his hands. 

We went to Nauvoo. It was awesome. Everyone should do it.  Oxen ride Learning how to make brick  Watching the pageant 

(Wrote this a while ago, for some reason it didn't publish) As much as I sometimes regret getting a dog, I can't help but smile when I see how much Soleil loves her and how tolerant she is of Soleil's harassments.  Eatin' Popsicles together