Random Summer pics

Random summer photos:

 Did I mention that we hit the jackpot for neighbors?! Well we did.  They are so friendly and welcoming.  We received several plates of cookies plus lots of introductions and invitations to things.  One day the neighbors next door (who don't have kids) set up a giant slip 'n slide for the kids to play on, the adults used it too but it was mostly for the kids to play on. 

 One of our days at the rec center.  We were there with the Spjuts ( they are in our ward and the husband is  PGY3 in Paul's residency program) and then several other families in our ward.

 This was playgroup at the splash park.  I love seeing Leila hanging out with all the girls, so cute.  Leila's primary class consists of about 11 girls plus she has a bunch of friends in the class above her, this ward was a perfect fit for her.

 Watching fireworks with dad the day before the 4th of July because he had to work on the 4th.  Luckily we were able to find a town doing them the night before. 

Our family at our ward 4th of July breakfast.

 Ankeny Summerfest parade.  It was so hot that day, around 100 degrees plus humidity.  But I still would take humidity any day over  Vegas summer. 

 Olivia, Maddy, Leila and Greydon

 

Leila playing dress ups with our neighbors

Leila, Madisyn, Alana and Ava

 

Leila takes on Kindergarten

Leila started Kindergarten two weeks ago on August 15th.  When I first found out that kindergarten was all day I was a little nervous, but now that she is going all day, I have discovered that it is the best thing ever.  I know I sound like a bad mom for saying it but it really is good for both of us.  Leila is not like other kids she needs a lot of attention, entertainment and support which leaves me drained and very little to give to my boys.  I love spending time with her and really do miss her during the day but she is doing so well at school and I am able to be a better mom to everyone plus keep the house clean and do some of my crafts and projects.  So pretty much like I said it is the best thing for me and Leila.  We found out several weeks before school started who her teacher was going to be and all the other little girls that we know were in other classes but Leila was fine with it, she said, "I can just play with them at lunch and recess."  We did some school shopping, bought all the supplies that were required, and got a new lunch box and backpack.  School is from 7:55-2:55 but she rides the bus most days which picks her up at 7:15 and drops her off at 3:15 so 8 whole hours away from home.  She comes home excited but tired and hungry.  She loves it most days but usually by the end of the week she is exhausted and we can usually expect some kind of melt down.  She takes cold lunch every day, I think she wants to take hot lunch but is pretty nervous to do it, luckily her school really encourages the parents to come and eat lunch with their kids every couple of weeks.  So I will be going to eat lunch with her and help her get more comfortable with the process.  She really likes her teacher, Mrs. Sobaski and I enjoy getting weekly newsletters with what they have done during the week plus little emails letting me know how Leila is doing.  So Kindergarten has gone well so far and I'm loving watching Leila learn, grow and make friends. 

Isn't she so cute?

(she spends at least 20 minutes every night picking out her outfit for the next day, she has to make sure it feels good and then looks good)



 She was so excited to just get into her class room, this is where I began to get a little choked up and several tears but I held it together because I didn't want to be the mom crying her eyes out. 

 This was the first day she rode the bus.  She has several little friends that all ride the bus and several older kids in our neighborhood that watch over the younger kids.  I love watching her, Madisyn and Ava all sharing one bench and smashing their faces up against the window and waving goodbye to us. 

 

There she goes, I can't believe I have a child in school, she is just growing up way too fast.

Iowa State Fair

We have heard the Iowa State Fair is something everyone should experience at least once in their life, so since we are so lucky to live here in Iowa we had to check it out.  It was pretty much just state fair awesomeness and we had lots of fun.  We started out with the new baby animal barn, pretty darn cute if you ask me and the kids loved. it.  We also ran into the Larson Family in the barn and pretty much kept bumping into each other the rest of the day. 

Next we did "Little Hands on the Farm".  The kids got to do all the different jobs on the farm and earn money and then in the end that got to use the money to buy something in the country store.  Both my kids picked Popsicles. 

 Love this adorable cute boy

 (If you look close you will see Eliza Larson on the tractor behind Leila) 

We spent the rest of the day watching the Tiger show, going to the Agricultural building and seeing giant produce, the butter cow and the butter Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, trying out some of the interesting fried food and visiting all the different animal barns.  I guess I forgot to take anymore pictures the rest of the day but we had fun. 

Blank Park Zoo

Right before Leila started school we decided to check out the zoo.  I was pretty disappointed, we made it through the entire zoo in 45 minutes and we were not rushing, it's just not very big.  The only nice things were that it was not crowded and the zoo was very clean and the animals were very active.  The kids still had fun and loved seeing the animals and playing on the playground.