August recap

First week at home

We were all so ready to have Daniel at home, especially the kids. It was a very interesting first week.

He kept chocking and having a hard time breathing and I kept freaking out about it. To make matters worse my baby monitor had stopped working so I had to sleep on his nursery floor that first night just to make sure he was safe.
Later that week we realized he had developed jaundice. His skin was orange and his eyes were very yellow. Nothing serious, it went away in a couple of days but he looked really tan next to Spencer.

All the kids love their baby brother, they can't wait to see him in the morning and give him kisses. Julia and Josh actually fight over who gets to feed the baby, Andrew is content by looking at him, providing him with his binky and giving him kisses. Andrew surprised us all when he called his baby brother by his name, It was so sweet.

 

I just had to take a picture of Danny’s back. Andrew was the only other baby who had that much hair, but it all fell out after 1 week.  So far Danny's back is as hairy as the day he was born.

Here is a little photo shoot that I decided to have with him the other day

I had to take a picture of this pile of clothes. They are not an ordinary pile, they are the maternity clothes that I won’t ever get to wear again. It is so sad that I am all done with that stage in my life.  

 August 3rd
City Creek Mall

We finally had time to visit the New City Creek Mall in Salt Lake City. It didn’t disappoint. The water fountains were amazing. The kids loved it and they really enjoyed getting themselves wet.

We visited the Disney store. I told myself that I wouldn’t buy anything but the kids were so good and they were so mesmerized by the toys around them that Spencer and I succumb upon the temptation and bought them each a toy of their choice.

 We also made our way to the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant. Oh my goodness this place was wonderful. I found a latin dish on their menu and was able to enjoy some maduros (fried plantain) I haven’t had those forever. Their lemonades were to die for. Unfortunately we were so full by the end that we had no room for dessert, which only means that we’ll have to make it back there again. 

 August 4th
James Family Reunion

Spencer’s mom side of the family had a family reunion. Easy enough it was 2 minutes away from where Spencer used to live. We had fun meeting new people and enjoying great food. The kids loved to spend their afternoon at the park.

August 8th
Parade Of Homes

Julia and I went with Grandma, Megan and Jacob to the Parade of Homes. Our first stop was this huge million dollar house. The outside remind me of the Pemberly Estates from Pride & Prejudice. The inside however was very disappointing, so I don't think I'll buy it :)

Julia found a girl’s room at a different house that she really loved and asked me to take a picture of it. It is very similar to what we did in her room which by the way I still need to post about.

 

Random memories:

I told Spencer I wanted balloons for when the baby was born. Of course he had to pick the biggest one possible and then he blamed Julia and Josh for the choice. No matter the foot print was perfect. I also got some flowers from Spencer’s mom. Today it was time to get rid of them and I don’t know why that made me so sad.

 

I was very good this week getting the camera out and capturing small things that were making me very happy.

 Andrew loving his baby brother

 The kids watching a new movie we got from the library

 Fun in the tub

 

Josh climbing our front tree. He is pretty good!

 I love this little oncie

 He is a snuggler and sleeps with his arms by his face

August 16th
Day At The Zoo

My dear sister in law Megan got season passes to the zoo and she invited us all to accompany her. It was a wonderful morning and we were able to see lots of animals and had a great time walking along with cousins and grandma.
We even rode the merry go ‘round and the train. Josh was excited to see the giraffes which just happen to be his favorite animal for two years in a row. Julia had a blast at the new polar bear exhibit. Andrew’s favorite part was the treats that Grandma Smith got for us.
Elaine, Megan and Brook thanks for a great time, what a great way to end our summer.

August 23rd
Meet the teacher day

Julia got to meet her teacher and her classmates this day. Her teacher Mrs. Powell just had a baby so she will have a sub, Mrs. Hansen, for the first quarter. She was so excited when I told her that she would be in the same classroom as two of her best friends; Brooklyn and Emme. She is thrilled to be in first grade, I am not, life is going way too fast.

August 24th

Primary Activity

It was that time of the year again, our yearly primary water activity. The ladies in our ward make such a great job in mixing fun with learning about the gospel. This year it was about the wise man who built his house upon a rock and the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. The kids created two houses and at the end of the activity we had a fire engine washed the foolish man house away.

The kids loved it. They also loved getting soaked under the fire engines spray.

Josh’s favorite past time nowadays is to build towers with the big blocks. He is really awesome at building and sometimes makes up some great designs. Perhaps he’ll be an architect? Here is one of his latest creations

August 25^th
Rusty and Rosy

Utah offers a free online preschool program for kids who are 4. I happen to come across this information last year as I was reading  KSL news when they were advertising it. Out of thousands of applications for 100 spots in the program, we were lucky enough to get one of them.
On august 24th Josh and I went to a seminar were they explain the programs requirements and expectations and the next day Josh got to use the program for the very first time. He calls it his homework, which he has to do for 35 minutes every day, but he is using it daily for an hour. He is so excited to be able to get in the computer and have it all to himself. I don’t even have to ask him to sit down he reminds me about “his homework” every day right after breakfast.

The other kids have shown interest on the program as well. Even Andrew pulls a chair by the computer so that he can see what Josh is doing.

 August 27th
Julia’s First Day Of School

And here we go!. We started first grade with much anticipation. The night before Julia picked the clothes that she was going to wear and had it all set and ready for the next day. She slept in but as soon as we woke her up she sprung out of her bed and was ready to go.

She was also so happy about bringing her own lunch to school on the lunch box that her friend Annie had given to her.

It was so sweet to see her around her friends, a couple of little girls run towards her to give her hugs and she was so grown up talking to them about her summer and about first grade.

I am glad I was there to see how big and mature she is getting, good luck my first grader