Lots of Stuff

Okay, so there's lots of stuff to talk about. I think I'll have to make a photo album just for this entry. So, here goes...

First item of business--Yea for 4-year-olds!!! Ellie's birthday was great! Abbie was up the night before throwing up, so we got a late start the next morning. But no one minded--it was nice to lounge around a little, and Ellie was happy to open her presents early. Once it seemed that Abbie was okay, we headed out for the bowling alley. Now, I know some people might feel embarrassed to be beaten out by a 2-year-old, but she had bumpers! Actually, all the girls beat me. I was the big loser! But that's okay--if I say I let them win, it makes me feel better. :) After bowling, we had the cheesiest pizza in the world! Honestly, it was sooooo cheesy, we could hardly eat it. Then we went to a new park on base and played until we had just enough energy to go home and eat a yummy Cinderella ice cream cake. Ellie is all about Cinderella right now. She cracks me up with her princess poses. Which brings me to my...

Next item of business--Yea for pretty princess soccer players! Ellie had her first soccer game on Friday. She has been dying to play ever since Abbie started 2 years ago. They don't really have teams for 4-year-olds here. They just get a uniform and then have a soccer clinic/mini-game all at the same time (Friday nights 5:30-7:00...so long, date night). Anyhow, she was very excited and super cute. She's pretty good at dribbling the ball, and running "super fast" (even though she was running the wrong direction most of the time--we'll work on that). But the part that cracked me up was her "beautiful princess" soccer poses throughout the evening. It amazes me how rough she can be one minute, and then how princessy (is that a word?) the next. She's unique--that's for sure!

Next item of business--Yea for seasoned soccer pros! Abbie started her 4th soccer season this month, and her first game was Saturday. This is the first time she's played with all girls. In CA, they mixed the girls and boys. I think she likes the girl thing. She is, as always, the littlest one on her team, but she seems to hold her own just fine! Although, I did overhear her telling a teammate during the game that she likes to play defender because she just has to stand there. Is that a bad sign? I'm hoping that comment had something to do with the fact that it was 100 degrees outside, and she was hot and tired. I know I was! I can't wait for Fall to arrive. Soccer is so much more fun in the Fall!

Next item--Yea for 1st graders! Abbie started 1st grade yesterday at her new school. There is a field full of horses right next to the parking lot. I find myself opening and closing my car door really fast to avoid the swarm of flies that want to make my car their home. The first time we went there, Abbie stepped out of the van and asked me if she was going to school on a dairy. It sure smells like it! She's funny.
Her first day went great! She made a little friend, Cala (I think), and reported that the boys were all "sorta mean". I think that's just her way of saying she likes to play with girls. Anyhow, I'm so proud of her. I think most kids would be nervous going to a new school--or a new anything--but she never is. She's always excited to try and do new things. I wish I was more like her. I, of course, insisted on driving her to school the first day (even though she really, really, really wanted to ride the bus). She just went right in, found her cubby, put her stuff away, found her desk, grabbed a pencil, wrote her name on her journal, and started writing away. I wanted to stick around, but she was obviously ready for me to go. She said, "Bye, Mom. I love you." and never looked back. I had this overwhelming urge to peek through her classroom window and watch everything she was doing. I'm proud to say, I resisted. Although I did pump her relentlessly for information when she got home.

Next item--Boo for smokers! I can't believe how many people smoke here! I especially can't believe how many people smoke in their kid's faces. So yesterday, I noticed several people smoking around the elementary when I picked up Abbie (half of them high school kids), and then today when I took Abbie to the bus stop, there was this mom puffing away...AT THE BUS STOP!!! I should have asked her to stop, but instead I just stared at her--sending some very obvious 'please don't smoke' vibes. I honestly could not believe she was sitting there smoking around all these little kids! If she's smoking again tomorrow, I'll definitely have to say something. CA has great 'no smoking' laws, so I can't remember the last time I saw someone smoking in a public area. It's been a bit of a culture shock.

Next item--Yikes for the bus! First, I have to say that it drives me crazy that school buses don't have seat belts! It just seems insane that a country with such strict car seat/seatbelt laws doesn't require seatbelts on our school buses, of all places! Anyhow...on to my story. So Abbie was really excited to ride the bus this morning...until she actually got on the bus. They said to pin a note to the little guys the first week of school, so I pinned a little note on her shirt saying who she was and where she was going. She couldn't wait for the bus to arrive, until it pulled up--chuck full of kids (mostly big kids). She had to squeeze on a seat with 2 boys. I asked if she was okay, and she said she was, but she looked really, really nervous. She kept poking her little head up so she could see me out the window. She kept fake smiling and waving, then she'd look around the bus, then poke her little head up again and fake smile and wave some more. I wanted to rescue her. I wanted to run on the bus and snatch her up in my arms. I wanted to put her in my safe car, in her safe car seat, turn on the High School Musical 2 soundtrack and sing all the way to school, then hand deliver her to her safe desk in her safe classroom. Nevertheless, I did not. Maybe tomorrow!

Last item--Yea for speaking in church (I think)! Our whole family is speaking (except for Ammon, who will just look really cute up on the stand) in Sacrament meeting this Sunday. Abbie has her talk memorized, Ellie almost has hers learned, and Eden will hopefully be saying a little scripture (if we can convince her shy little self to do it). Justin and I, of course, have not yet started our talks, and I was volunteered by some husband (who shall remain nameless :) to sing. So...this should be an interesting week. I'll let you know how it ends up.

So that's it! Thanks for reading. TTFN