The Reason I Never Post Anything...

is named Logan. 'Nuff said.

Good thing he's so darn cute.

Who, me?

Bike Riding Lessons

*This post is actually from Aug. 23rd. I had saved it as a draft because I wanted to add a picture. The camera was dead but I videotaped everything. But...I have no idea how to get the pictures off there and onto here. Oh well.
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Last night 9 yo Natalie taught 5yo Olivia how to ride a bike. She probably could have done it loooong ago, but she has neglectful parents. Ahem.

So anyway, Natalie decided to do it herself! She was an AWESOME teacher, so patient & encouraging! I heard her tell Olivia "You just have to believe in yourself!" Awwww!  Natalie was giving her instructions, and prompting her on what to do. At one point as they passed by me, I heard Olivia say to herself "I just have to believe in myself!" Awwwww! Within 15 or 20 minutes, there was no stopping her. She was an EXPERT. She could make U-turns, go on and off the curb, and she was having a blast.

The next day my sister brought her 6yo over so Natalie could give her bike riding lessons, too. In no time, Olivia & Hallee were both zooming back and forth all over the street. I think Natalie was a little sad that they didn't need her anymore! Maybe she should go into business!

Back to School

The kids started back to school this week! Natalie had made a paper chain and was counting down for weeks. (Needless to say, she was excited!) She's in 4th this year. Ben is in 7th and school's not as exciting in middle school. He's not looking forward to homework but he really needs the structure of school. Olivia started Kindergarten, so she was a mix of excitement and worry. Here they are on Day 1.

Ben on the way out the door. "I'm off to meet my doom" he said. He's getting pretty tall for 12 - I think he's about 5'2" or so. He doesn't tell us much about school or how his day went. His scout leader is always telling me about some funny thing Ben did or how much Ben enjoyed such-and-such an activity, but Ben rarely tells us anything!

Natalie on her way to the bus stop. I drove Olivia, but Natalie wanted to ride the bus with her friend. They've been best friends since they were 2. They were sad to find out they're in different classes. They've been excited to learn about Idaho history this year in school.

Olivia waiting for her first day of Kindergarten. She was all smiles - just beaming all morning, dancing around, happy as can be. Right after I took this picture, the teacher opened the door to let the kids in, and Olivia burst into tears. Luckily, she had a great day and was all smiles again when I picked her up. She told me all about Kindergarten, sang me the morning song, and chattered on and on about all the fun things she did. I'm so relieved that she likes it!

I hope they all have a great year at school and learn a LOT!

Mad Scientist Girls

My kids are NOT afraid to experiment in the kitchen. I think that's a good thing...right? Yesterday 9 yr old Natalie and her friend Cate wanted to invent a snack. (With NO help, mom!) They seemed to have a s'more theme going on. They melted chocolate chips (in the microwave), and spread the chocolate on graham crackers and topped with colored sprinkles. Then they spread the remaining chocolate on marshmallows and sprinkled crushed graham crackers and colored sprinkles over those. They refrigerated them for a while and we had them after dinner. Pretty tasty!

Today their s'more baking theme continues. I came downstairs this afternoon to find them stirring another bowl of melted chocolate chips, and a container of melted marshmallow goo. They stirred them together and informed me that they wanted me to make a batch of muffins, and they were going to put a dollop of yummy goo inside of each muffin. After thinking for a minute, I suggested we whip up a quick batch of cookie dough, and stir the goo into the dough to make s'more cookies. They agreed, so I helped them make the dough and in no time they were ready to stir in their chocolatey marshmallowey goodness. Voila, YUMMY s'more cookie dough! The resulting cookies were rather flat, (they probably needed to be refrigerated before baking), but flat or not, they were delicious! Good job, Mad Scientist Girls!

They say that when they grow up, they're going to own a bakery together. I'll be the first in line!
Now Olivia (5) keeps telling me "Mommy *I* want to invent something, too!"  Maybe tomorrow she & I will have to invent something yummy in the kitchen, too.