Reading

 This is pretty common at our house. We always have books we've borrowed from the library. Maeley is our book worm. She spends 1-1.5 hours each night quietly reading chapter books.  In her spare time I often find her reading to Chase and Zoe. It amazes me how much she reads. I honestly think she's read more books than I ever have.

I can honestly say that the shelf and light that we have hung by each of the kids beds are used more frequently than any toy. Well I guess that's true for the girls but Chase on the other hand while he uses his every night Lego's still see more action.

Busy

My lack of blogging isn't because our lives are boring and slow rather the opposite. 3 days after the kids started school we decided to begin an entire home makeover at my parents rental house. The renters moved out and it was evident that selling the property as-is wasn't going to get them what they wanted. So instead decided to renovate it before listing it for sale.

We painted walls (in the entire home including the garage), doors, trim, closets, and cabinets. We replaced most of the lighting, door knobs, appliances, kitchen countertops, the garage door, carpeting and tile. Together as a family, my dad, Laurel, Zack, Jacob, Derek and myself did the makeover. The only things we didn't do ourselves was the garage door, flooring and installing granite countertops in the kitchen. Everything else was done by us in 17 days! I still can't believe we did it. At the end we were completely exhausted.

Here's the link to the listing. This house Derek and I lived in for 2 years, it was when Maeley and Chase were born.

We didn't even get before pictures how sad is that.
 

kids say the darndest things

The other day I was commenting to Maeley how great I think it is that she loves to read. 

Chase said, "Maeley you're going to turn into a book."

Maeley replies, "No, I'm going to turn into an author!"

I just loved that response! It definitely put a smile on my face.

First day of school

Monday was the first day of school for Maeley and Chase. This summer went by fast and the kids were wonderful. That last week was rough though. Maeley and Chase were definitely feeling many emotions as the summer was coming to an end. Maeley was overjoyed to be going back to school but annoyed by Chase and Zoe. Chase on the other had was getting very anxious and nervous therefore a bit mean. However many prayers were said and blessings given and by Monday morning Chase told me he wasn't nervous anymore.

Maeley

2nd grade

teacher: Ms. M Johnson

 

 

Chase

1st grade

teacher: Mrs. Paceley

Zoe: home with Mom for one more year!

Maeley tried to take a picture of Zoe and I but this was the best one.

Maeley in her seat at school. She loves school!

Chase in his seat ready for me to leave. The kid with blond hair in the back is his new best friend Chase. He is also in our ward.

Zoe practicing writing her letters that afternoon.

 

I can't believe we are already back in the school routine. I'm going to really enjoy this year I have with Zoe. I'm guessing sending 3 kids to school next year is going to be rough.

other summer events

This summer has flown by. The kids go meet there teachers tomorrow, then back to school on Monday.  We have done quite a bit that I haven't blogged about yet. Here are some of them.

- Father's Day and our 9th wedding Anniversary, sadly that was also when we were driving home from Farmington, NM on our drive back from Colorado. We celebrated Father's day when we got home and our anniversary the following day.

- Many, many trips to our neighborhood pool.

- Several trips to the library. Maeley has read 36 chapter books so far this summer.

- We saw Monster's University in theaters opening weekend. We love Monsters University, so naturally we loved this new one too. Fun fact- Derek and I saw the original in theaters when we were dating before his mission. 

- Each of the kids got to spend some one-on-one time with my mom piecing a quilt together. My mom let them choose whatever fabric she had from her stash and let them choose how it went together. They all had a good time however I hear Zoe had the best time of all.

- Maeley, Chase, and Zoe went to Legoland with Tama and Papa, Parker, Braden and Aunt Kimmy. This was the week after Chase's birthday. He told me, "This is the best July ever!" While the kids were gone it would have been ideal for Derek and I to get away but with work it wasn't an option. Instead I got 3 nights of not making dinner because we ate out.

- I bought new bedding for our room which has sparked a whole room redecorating! That's what I love. When we moved in our home we sold our king size bed. We had needed a new mattress but I couldn't justify buying a new king one when we would be getting rid of a queen size one.  We painted the walls this weekend and I've been searching Craigslist for a bed frame with no luck so far. I know what I want and won't settle.  We may be making another one. It will all come together it just takes patience. I love our room so much already!

We've got a few fun things planned before summer breaks comes to an end. I'm ready for a schedule but I'm not ready for homework.

Chase's brithday!

Let's first start off by saying that Chase is indeed loved by many and was definitely spoiled.

We had his birthday party with everyone after his actual birthday so his actual b-day was pretty low key. He got to go shopping with Grandma and have lunch at McDonald's. After Derek came home from work Chase opened presents then we went to DQ for dinner. He was really wanting chicken nuggets and hamburgers. That seemed like a great excuse not to cook.

From mom and dad he got a Lego construction worker key chain/flash light. Lego alarm clock, and a large blue Lego brick storage container.

Lego sets from Maeley and Zoe.

 

As you might guess his big birthday party with family was a Lego themed party. Seriously his life is all about Lego's right now.

 

His birthday party was Saturday.

 

I thought the Lego banner I made was pretty cute.

My sister is amazing! She made the cookies and cake. She's always outdoing herself. They were awesome!  Thank you so much Laurel for making them!

Chase McCane. When he heard there was a Lego minifigure named Chase he thought that was the coolest thing ever!

Chase had a very special guest show up at the door. Aunt Kimberly!

This picture is just too cute of the two of them.

 

Chase got such wonderful presents. I might add that all the clothes he got is such great timing with school shopping about to begin. (Schools starts in less than 3 weeks!). And Chase was thrilled with more Lego sets and a Lego book.

 

Happy 6th Birthday Chase!

We love you!

Round 2 of swimming lessons

Each night the kids were always so excited to go to swimming lessons.

Zoe is hilarious in this picture!

She was always so afraid to jump into the water to her teacher. But finally she had the courage and went for it. It definitely surprised her teacher. Each time she does a belly flop but she loves it.

Chase is doing well but not as eager as the girls to swim. I think he's like me, hates water on his face.

The last couple days Maeley's class got to dive off the diving board and swim to the edge. She loved it!

She is seriously a little fish.

 

We have been swimming more this year than I think we have ever before, combined.

 

At the end of this session both Chase and Zoe moved up to the next level. Maeley did not but she improved tremendously and besides she had moved up after the first session while Chase and Zoe did not.