It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I love back to school! After two months of trying to keep the children engaged it's time for them to get their bodies back in school and have their minds stimulated! We really had a great summer but the last couple of weeks have been spent sitting around watching way too much t.v. and playing way too many video games! You know the kids have been getting bored when even Anna is actually excited to go back!

After lots (and lots) of deliberation we have decided to put the kids back at Franklin. I LOVE the curriculum and there is zero question that they learn way more there, but it's a little intense! I wanted to take them to the school where I work, which is amazing, but these two have yet to stay at the same school for more than one year in a row! Plus, I love the structure at Franklin and the class sizes are smaller. I know an education is the most important thing and it's my job to make sure they get the best opportunities. So as inconvenient and not fun as it is....Franklin was really the best choice (for this year, anyway)!

This is probably the last year I will be allowed to take pictures at school or even get out of the car! They are starting to get very embarrassed by their parents! Trent probably didn't help by yelling "Have a great day, we love you" as they walked onto the playground!

Room 6: Mrs. Arredondo

Room 16: Mr. Calandar

It was a great back to school day, because dad was there too!

As we prepared to go back I asked the kids a few questions about the upcoming school year:

#1 What are your hopes for this school year?

Anna: "That we will be able to wear shorts!"
Aiden: "To have a good teacher".

#2 What is your favorite subject?

Anna: "P.E." (not my child)
Aiden: "Math" (not my child either)

#3 What do you think you will learn this year?

Anna: "Cursive."
Aiden: "More math."

#4 How does it feel being at the same school 2 years in a row?

Anna: "It feels like I'm in jail."
Aiden: "It sucks!"
Me: "What?  I thought you would be happy to finally be going to the same school for the first time ever."
Aiden: "Yea, that part is good, but I don't like our school."

#5 Okay, well why do you think I am making you go to Franklin?

Anna: "Because you are trying to get us to learn really good."
Aiden: "To make us suffer."

Hopefully someday they will thank me!

Reptile Adventure

As crazy as it is my son is one decade old this year! I'm not sure how this is possible! Since it's kind of a big deal I decided he needed an awesome party! Aiden has always been in love with reptiles. For the first several years of his life he was obsessed with dinosaurs and he knew every single one of them by name. He doesn't play with dinosaurs anymore (which makes me realize how old he has gotten) but he has been begging for a snake or lizard for awhile now. Unfortunately, for us, the man of this house hates reptiles! I really don't think Trent is afraid of anything, so the fact that he is afraid of snakes is laughable to me. I'm afraid of everything and I would love to have a pet snake! Since I wasn't able to fulfill Aiden's request for a reptile to keep I decided we would at least borrow some for a bit!

We had the most awesome reptile guy come to the school where I work last year, and I couldn't wait to have him come to my house for a party. Rich with Reptile Adventures is fantastic! He brings an awesome variety of reptiles and tells interesting details about each of them! The coolest part of having him over for a party is the birthday boy gets to hold everything!!  Aiden had the time of his life. I was so impressed with how brave he was....the final snake was big enough to eat him! He never flinched! I was also impressed with how brave all of his friend were! I think everyone (even the girls :) held a python and touched all the other reptiles! Very cool!

The party was actually held on July 28th because literally everyone was out of town the weekend of the 14th...

Aiden was told to "be a tree".... it's a little difficult to stand still when a python is wrapping around your neck!

Tebow the Iguana was the life of the party...so cute!

The decorations for this party were a little challenging as I couldn't find a lot of examples of a really cool reptile party, but I did find some pretty awesome ideas for safari themed parties so we went with that! I had a ton of help from Trent, my mom and my sister in law, Ashley! I could not have done this party with out them! It was way more work then I thought it would be. My cousin Lindsey and my Aunt Sandy are the most amazing party planners. I have always wanted to have a party with the kind of details they include but I haven't really been in a position to do it as it takes a lot of time and money. For Aiden's big 10 I decided to go big or go home! We had his party a little early this year so that we would have plenty of time to work on it and so that Trent could be here (he left for Canada yesterday...boo). Everything turned out great and I had such a blast doing it. But I will say I have a deeper appreciation for the time and effort Lindsey and Sandy put into their parties, and this one wasn't even a 1/10 of the size!

Aunt Ashley with baby Luke...he wanted to touch the snake too!

That must be some wish Aiden!

Present time! Aiden got lots of great stuff! One of our faves was from the Cardons. . . .it was a pocket knife attached to a bag of balloons. Inside each balloon was money! He loved using his new knife to pop the balloons!

All in all it was a great party! Most importantly we were able to share it with most of our family and friends! I told Aiden that I hoped he enjoyed every minute because we won't be doing another party like that until he turns 13!!!

Boys Weekend

A few weeks ago, Trent and Aiden went up to Show Low to stay with Grandpa Dan for the weekend. It was literally not stop boy fun! I was quite impressed how much they did in such a short time! They went shooting, hunting, rode the ski lift at Sunrise and went fishing! Since I wasn't there I won't be able to describe the conversations that were had among them (sure wish I was a fly on the wall) but I think the pictures will speak for themselves!

I was a little surprised that Aiden was able to shoot at such a cute furry creature, since he is so sweet! Trent said that he struggled at first but then once he hit the target he enjoyed it so much he didn't want to stop....I'm not sure how I feel about that!

I don't know what it is but there is nothing that makes me happier as a mother than seeing my boys spend quality time together! There are just certain thing that our children (especially our boys) need to expeirence with a father and I guess hunting things is one of them! Boys will be boys!