The world is changing...

Natalie's First Day of Kindergarten!

Well, the day arrived. Natalie started kindergarten and I don't think she could have been more excited. She was racing ahead of us as we went to drop her off, and when I asked her if she wanted me to walk her into her class or if she wanted to go by herself, she picked going by herself. And she didn't even look back.

Bea had a hard time, though. She cried a little and told us that she wanted to go to school with Natalie. I felt so bad for her. Jay & I tried to explain that she would be going to her very own preschool in a month, but that means nothing in toddler-time. So instead we took her to Hobbes for lunch and shared a blueberry coffee cake with her. It helped ease the pain.

Natalie told me that her favorite part of school today was "meeting a new friend." She didn't remember the friend's name, but that's OK. I'm just happy that she had a good time. I can't believe we have to do this all over again tomorrow! It will be much easier when we move to this side of town in two weeks.

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So our world is a little crazy right now with the sale of the house (keep your fingers crossed), the move, school starting, the Academy starting, and trying to figure out what I'm going to do about work. Luckily they are all good changes. (Well, we'll see what happens with work.) I am just taking a deep breath and diving right in!! Not much else to do I suppose!

WHOOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay received his invitation to the October 15th CHP Academy yesterday!!

Congratulations, babe!!! We are all so proud of you and we know you will succeed.

Now drop and give me 50!

The Camp-out

The campout was a huge success! Even mommy got in on the fun (although I slept inside, where it was warm!)

Pink tents, campfires and smores... what more could two little girls ask for??

All the latest happenings

How can it be August already? I can't believe it. Really, there must be something wrong with the calendar.

We have good news! Jay has been accepted into the CHP Academy. He'll probably be mad at me for posting this because he hasn't received his official letter, but they did tell him over the phone, so that counts. We are really excited! October 15th will be here before we know it. The best part of this news is that Jay's closest friend Craig will also be going in October, so they can support each other and Craig's wife, Janet, and I can commiserate.

As usual we have a lot of things going on. We are never content to lead a quiet life. We currently have our house on the market and are hoping and praying that it sells before Jay has to leave for the Academy. Our house is adorable, if I do say so myself, but it's not in the best location so that might make it a little more difficult to sell. We have an open house tomorrow which means as soon as the kids go to bed tonight, I will be cleaning. Friday night par-tay!

Last night Jay and the girls had a backyard campout. They had a blast roasting marshmallows and sleeping in their little tents. I will post pictures of it as soon as I upload them. Yes, I know I'm already at the computer so I could do it now, but I'm feeling lazy.

Ok... the girls are fighting and Dexter is crying so I guess that means I need to wrap this up. Until next time!

All hail the graduate!

Well, it's official. Natalie has graduated from preschool. I will be the mother of a Kindergartener in just a few short months, and Bea will be in preschool herself.

The graduation ceremony was very cute. The preschoolers marched up onto the stage to "The Ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah...." Then Ms. Samantha led all the kids in singing some of the songs they've been singing this year, including "It's a Small World," which stayed in my head for two days. Natalie absolutley loved being on the stage (shocker) and sang along to all the songs and did all the hand moments. She stared at us the whole time with a big smile on her face.

The microphone was passed to all the students so that they could introduce themselves. I was impressed with how clearly Natalie spoke into the microphone. "My name is Natalie Louise Fear and I am four years old and next year I will be in kindergarten." Then Samantha handed out the graduation certificates. We clapped wildly for Natalie and it was obvious that she was very proud of herself.

Next year Beatrice will be in the same preschool and I'm sure she'll get as much out of it as Natalie has. Hopefully I will be at home by then, so I will be the one volunteering in the classroom. I know Jay has enjoyed volunteering because he was able to spend more time with Natalie as well as have a more intimate knowledge of what's happening at school. I will be happy to have that same opportunity.

The rest of our lives are moving along smoothly. Beatrice is growing and learning every day and both girls are very excited to take dance classes in July. Dexter is also growing like a weed. He's still in 3-6 month clothes but I won't be surprised if he grows out of them soon. He is usually a happy baby and my favorite part of the day is coming home from work and being created by his smiles and by big hugs from my girls.

Next up: Natalie's birthday and Jay & I's 6th anniversary! Time really is flying...

Finally an update!

Hi everyone! Yes, yes, I know we've been total slackers at writing since our "30 days" experiment ended, but here we are now, isn't that all that matters?

We've had a lot going on. Dexter is 8+ weeks now and he's sleeping through the night (knock on wood) and smiling a lot, as you can see. I can't decide who he looks like, although most people say he's a "mini Jay." I think he looks a lot like Natalie did when she was a baby, but when he smiles he looks an awful lot like Bea.

In the beginning of May both girls got their hair cut for the summer by Auntie Jen. It was Bea's first haircut and she wasn't so sure about it, but both girls ended up looking very sweet. I tell ya, it is a blessing to have a hairdresser in the family!

Beatrice (a.k.a. The Blond Bomber) had her third birthday in May. Man, time sure does fly, especially when you have kids. I know everyone says that but it is true. Anyway, all Bea wanted for her birthday was a purple cake and a Larry Boy toy, so that's what she got. I'm glad she's relatively easy to please. Of course, that will probably change as soon as she turns 13, but I'm trying not to think that far ahead.

Natalie is doing well and will celebrate her 5th birthday in a few weeks. She also graduates from preschool on Tuesday. She has truly enjoyed her preschool and I know she will miss it, but she is also really looking forward to kindergarten. We've discovered something about Natalie in the last few weeks... she is an extremely gifted hula-hooper. I know that comes as no surprise, given the astounding hula-hooping genes she's inherited from both sides, but I'm serious... if there was hula-hooping in the Olympics, I'd be the mother of a gold medalist. ("I think she gets it from me.")

Let's see, what else has been going on? Well, we blessed Dexter on May 20th, and that was wonderful. He was quiet during the blessing, which was a bonus. We had several people there to celebrate with us: Jay's mom Betsy, my mom Louise and her boyfriend Roy, our friends the Hartley's, and our friends the Sihler's. It was so nice to have everyone there to share the special day with us.

As far as Jay & I go, we are doing great. We are still waiting on the official word regarding Jay's acceptance into the CHP academy, but it looks pretty good. He should go in the academy in October. The great thing about that is that his close friend Craig will be going to the academy in October as well. It will be fantastic for them to be there to support one another. Not to mention they will probably have plenty of opportunities to continue their ongoing friendly basketball rivalry. Jay currently holds the championship... yeah, that's for you Janet!!

I am back at work after a wonderful 8 week maternity leave. Work is... well, I can't say what I really think in case I'm being monitored. :o) But, in general, life is great. We are very happy and we are looking forward to a nice summer together. Hopefully we don't fry ourselves in this oven we call a house. If you don't hear from us by August, you'll know what happened...

My Friends....I have officially fallen off the proverbial horse

It was a crisp Monday morning. 13 days into my no sugar/flour days. I was out early helping my brother move some of his stuff to a storage unit. I hadn't been to Monterey for a long time. We were done early so we decided to drive around and check out my old Pacific Grove stomping grounds. We were heading up Highway 68 to leave PG when I saw it.... It was my old favorite place to stop and get breakfast on my way to work. The wonderful smelling Bagel Bakery. I remembered all the times I had spent with a pastrami and cheese melt that they make and all the fresh bagels with a little bit of strawberry cream cheese. (Ya I know I am weird)
Right at that moment my brother (In his defense he knew nothing of my 30 day goal) said I'm kind of hungry do you want to stop and get something? I said to myself I'm sure they've got something without sugar or flour. (ya right) Sprouted wheat bagels anyone? Needless to say I caved. Without a mention of my 30 day plans I walked in there and ordered my pastrami and cheese melt! (They were lucky they still had one left. It could have gotten ugly.)
It was just as good as I remember it, but was it worth it? In a word NO!!! That moment sent me careening into the sugar/flour pit of despair. We went to the movies and I had candy. I ate pizza at work on Friday. Bea had some good B-day cake. Man I was frustrated.
13 Days! That is all I could do. For those 13 days I have gained a new appreciation for those who suffer from addiction. Whether it be cigarettes, alcohol, hookah, the reefer :o) - it doesn't matter. It is very difficult to quit something you love doing. I would find myself thinking of ways to cheat. Ways to sneak away from Amy and get candy. Not that Amy would get mad or anything, it just made me feel like I needed to be hiding. I know this sounds silly but it is true. I felt like an addict trying to find my next fix.
I have in the past been very critical of those who were addicted to something. I thought "hey what is your problem just quit" I learned in 13 days it isn't that easy.
As far as the rest of the 30 days I am back to eating right. I am going to focus on my exercise and getting ready for the academy.

Well, it happened...

We missed a day reading our scriptures. We had been doing so well until one night this past week when we both feel asleep watching a yawner of a movie. When we woke up on the couch we both immediately went to bed and forgot all about reading. *Sigh* We got right back on track the next day but I am a little disappointed that I won't have 100% perfect attendance, as it were.

Incidentally, if you're ever having a hard time falling asleep, just rent The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain.