The Southeastern Idaho State Fair.

I have been going to the fair my ENTIRE life. I kid you not. In all of 31 years I can count the times I missed the yearly event on one hand.

This year, I thought it would be fun to experience the fair from a different viewpoint. That of an employee.

So, I got a job... in the caramel apple/cotton candy/ snowcone venue.

and can I tell you how much fun I had. I will try.

I got to dip caramel apples. I must say... I do quite well at that!

I bagged cotton candy. I tried to spin it once and failed comically. My favorite part about the whole experience was the people that I met. The people I worked with are all phenomenal and I love them all.

Further more~ what better opportunity to people watch? I can think of none.

Plus, I got to try every tasty item at the fair that I wanted. Tiger ears, Chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick, fried pickles, fried candy bar, baked potato, chocolate covered raspberries, tortatoes... and of course

a caramel apple :) Overall~ excellent experience.

The boys... a new school... a new adventure.

I waited a bit longer on Seth and Isaac's first day. It was two weeks ago... but I wanted to tell you all what I think about their new school at the same time. So I gave it a bit of time.

Seth seems to have difficulties adjusting to the new school routine every year. This year was no exception. We all had a couple of rough days. However, they were short lived. This school is fabulous!!! The made sure that they had his IEP on file (the one I had worked so hard on for the last two years.) and are following it precisely. I love them.

Seth was highly fashionable in his new clothes and loves his new teacher. Mrs. May. She had taken the time to speak with his previous teachers and had a mechanical pencil waiting for him when he got to school. I can't even tell you how awesome he thought that was. The school's PTA had put together little treat bags for each class. It had candy, pencils, and a couple of other trinkets.  Isaac also informed me yesterday that Seth has more friends than he does. I can't tell you how happy that makes me! We've had no bullies. The school isn't sending him home all the time. He has a great support system. This year is going to be the best!

Isaac was excited to be a big 2nd grader.

He knew lots of people in his class already and with his charming personality, he fit right in.... well other than being a foot taller than all the other kids. I just signed Isaac up for basketball. We are definately looking forward to that. Especially since I will be coaching alongside my basketball buddy from Jr. High! It will be great! Isn't he handsome.

What I love most is that I no longer have to get the kids up and dressed and drive to the school. They walk, it's just right around the corner. I walk them to the corner and then get to come back and start my day. It's fabulous. Especially because I don't have to sit and wait for that ridiculous train!

Ahhh... they are getting so grown up! I am so proud of my kids.

Mr. Man goes to school

The first day of school for any kid is an exciting day. It wasn't any different for Mr. Eli. He promptly arose in the morning and got dressed in his nicest outfit, his "sunday sweater" as he called it. All morning long he kept asking if it was time to leave yet. He had packed up his backpack with a few essential toys and was ready to go. Unfortunately for Eli, school doesn't start until noon. So he waited, and waited, and waited. He read his train book. He played with some cars. That clock was just not moving fast enough! At eleven o' clock, after getting the baby down for a nap (I'm babysitting), I let Eli know that it was time to tidy up. Only 30 more minutes before we could leave for school... but where was Eli? He didn't reply and I couldn't see him from where I was sitting when only moments prior he was precariously perched on the arm of the couch. I removed myself and the baby from the comfortable spot we had created on the couch to lay her down.

That's when I saw that Eli had overexcited himself so much that he had decided to take a nap.

When I woke him up, he was fresh and ready to go!!

He opened the door and peeked through until he saw his most beloved teachers. Miss Jennifer and Miss Jadi!

He stopped long enough for me to take a picture and then scampered to show off his cubby.

Good job Mister Man!

All growed up and off into the world.

My baby girl Sophie...

Has done a bit of growing.

Due in part to healthy breakfasts.

and now she is all grown, picking out her own stylish attire to which she says,

"mama, I look like Hannah Montana!"

and then I take her by the hand... and we walk to the bus stop.

and she starts a whole new chapter in her book of life.

The school years. Good thing they last awhile!

Arrrgh- Yeehaw

Ahoy me matey, I'm a fixin to show ya'll skallywags a bit o'sumtin.

Eli and Sophie had an end of the year celebration for Pre-school.

They were pirate-cowboys.

Pirate-Cowboys dressed in coats because it was freezing here in Idaho in May!  They were by far the cutest Pir-ow-kids there and they sang there little hearts out. So proud.