Lincoln goes to Kindergarten...

The look should say it all. Lincoln had his first day of kindergarten this Monday. He seemed excited as we got him dressed and ready with his new backpack. He and Reagan got in the car and we headed towards Mountain View Elementary. Things went downhill from there. He wouldn't get out of the car, so I had to drag him out of it. We got to his classroom door and he wouldn't step foot inside. I picked him up and helped him hang up his backpack and find his desk. He refused to stay and kept following me out of the classroom and I would push him back into the classroom(repeat three times). As a frustrated mom, I had him follow me as I helped Reagan find her classroom. I then returned to Lincoln's classroom to FORCE him to stay in the classroom. He followed me back out of the classroom. I tried to BRIBE him to stay in the classroom. He followed me back out of the classroom. I THREATENED him to make him stay in his classroom. Finally, Lincoln's teacher held his hand while I left the classroom without Lincoln following me. By this time, I was in tears....not from sadness that my child was finally in Kindergarten, but out of frustration and desperation. I can't do this for the entire year!! Hopefully, when he goes back on Tuesday, things will go more smoothly.

The wait is over. Jefferson went to his first day of preschool today. The first of the children to return. He is going to the same preschool that Reagan and Lincoln went to and he has been so excited. We dressed him in his new school clothes with his new "Cars" backpack. He looked so little! When I picked him up, I asked him what he did in preschool. He replied, "We ate treats."

The Pilgrimage

Anyone who knows us well should not be surprised that our California trip would include a trip the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. It was awesome. The library sits a top a hill looking down over the valley...a perfect resting place for the Great One. The Library contains a great collection of memborbilia. We saw a piece of the Berlin Wall, a large collection of Nancy's designer dresses, and other presidential items. The highlight of the library is Air Force One. The visit was a perfect finish to our Anniversary trip. If it were not for Reagan, Chris and I would not be married!

10 Years and Still Acting Like Kids

August 7th was our 10 year anniversary. Wow time flies when you are having fun. We had a business trip planned for California and decided to mix business with pleasure.

We flew out to California in the morning of the 7th with our business partner, Larry and his wife, Rhonda. We spent the morning and early afternoon meeting with some of our vendors. Happy Anniversary!!!

The next day, we spent at Disneyland and California Adventure. We had a lot of fun and a little healthy competition. Larry and Chris had a throw down in the Buzz Lightyear ride. Larry won round one. In the rematch, Chris won hands down. Check out the deadly eyes!

No shoes, no helmet...big problem

August 6th: It's inevitable if you have kids and bikes......

The Crash: Lincoln was playing outside with one of the neighborhood kids. I looked outside to check on them and they were catching bugs in the neighbor's yard. I went back in the house to clean the bathroom and a few minutes later, I heard a distant "Moooommmm". The chant got closer and closer "MOOOOMMMMM"! I ran to the front door to see a very bloody Lincoln.

He and the neighbor had decided to ride their bikes down the hill from our house. Lincoln got going faster than he wanted to so he decided to try to slow himself with his feet. It wouldn't have been such a problem, but he was not wearing any shoes. After making hamburger of his toes, his bike hit a bump and flipped him over. He went flying and landed on his face. With no helmet. He had scrapes and bruises over most of his body. The Lesson: Always wear shoes and a helmet....or stick to catching bugs.

Killer's Final Resting Place

No, Killer was not one of the lucky lizards that we freed in St. George. I went out in our back yard a couple of days ago and found this headstone the kids had made for him. I guess after he died, the kids buried him the sandbox. Later, the kids found the poor lizards body and decided to give it a proper burial. Inscribed on the headstone is: To: Kelr lisrd We love you. (Killer the Lizard. We love you.) I can't wait to see what they put on my headstone.

Happy 4th of July!!

When I started this blog, I never intended for it to be my own personal soap box or place to rant. I wanted it to be a way of journaling my family's activities. Today, I make an exception.

I love this country. If there is one thing my mother taught me, it was to love this country. But, to be totally honest, I have been feeling so frustrated. This political season has been draggin on, and on, and on.... I have lost any enthusiasm to even pay attention or to find the energy to even care about voting. Another blow came to me as the Supreme Court of the United States voted 5 to 4 in favor of the Second Amendment. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I wanted to run out and join the NRA that day. The decision was a little too close for comfort and I was scared for this country and the direction we are heading. Then, there was the article in the Philidelphia Inquirer (read here http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20080701_Chris_Satullo__A_not-so-glorious_Fourth.html). that suggested America had sinned and we should spend the 4th of july in quiet reflection of how terrible we are. The price of gas, the cost of food, the economic woes....all added to my feelings of dismay. Then, as I was listening to the radio one day, I was again filled with hope and admiration for this country. Glenn Beck gave a beautiful speech on "What is right with America" (http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/11825/). It was a great reminder to me what IS right with this country. There may be a few nut jobs and wackos out there who want us to believe that America is this horrible monster that should be destroyed. They are wrong!! America is the greatest country in the world and I feel blessed that I was born here. The land of the free and the home of the brave. Happy 4th of July everyone and Happy Birthday America!