I'm Old!

Not really. I don't think 37 is too old. Although Audrey told me she doesn't want me to get any older "like a grandma". I made a deal with her that I won't get older as long as she doesn't, so hopefully that works out.

It's been a great birthday. Love that it landed on a Saturday and we have a long weekend thanks to Labor Day. Went running with Brooke in the morning, then swimming - Amber let us crash their pool. Adam and Paul made a homemade wave pool and the kids loved it:

I napped, got a pedicure, Adam and the kids gave me a few presents, then we hit Souplantation for dinner, and stocked up on redbox.

These guys made my day extra special:

I've been spoiled plenty, got happy messages from friends and family, and chocolate to last all week. Monday we're making over my and Adam's bedroom, which feels like more Happy Birthday celebrating. I am one lucky girl - grateful for another year, and my many, many blessings.

 I share my birthday week with a little trooper, Spencer, our baby cousin who is just days old and having complications. He won't be out of the hospital for quite some time, so please keep Molly, Matt, and baby Spencer in your thoughts and prayers. He is one strong little guy, and we sure love him a bunch already.

New Stuff

Cole and I hit Barnes and Noble today to pick up the new Captain Underpants book for Tyler, and lucky us there was a storytime. Cutest book ever called Peanut Butter and Cupcake, and they read one of our favorites, Elephant and Piggie. Then Cole colored lots of pictures:

First soccer practice of the season for Audrey!

Tips from Coach Johnny:

Some of her teammates, The Purple Tigers:

Tyler started piano lessons with our friend, Karen. Audrey will start once soccer is over since lessons are the same time as practice. He did great!

Back to Routine

School's going great. Always takes some getting used to - lots of paperwork, Tyler has homework. Cole is my buddy in the mornings. While we'll be figuring out preschool for him over these next months, I'm also happy to have my little guy with me - priceless one-on-one time after a full house this summer. Tyler's back at karate with Sensei Josh who is one cool guy, Tyler was happy to see him. Piano lessons start this week, as does Audrey's soccer season!

Grabbing onto the last days of summer while we can. The first week of school is my favorite time to hit the aquatic center - you pretty much get the place to yourself! Went over with some friends after school and stayed 'til close. Such a fun summer afternoon.

Tyler conquered the big yellow slide! Next year, the diving boards. This little guy enjoyed himself a ton:

Yesterday Adam's sister Jodi was in town. They met up at the zoo. Super fun with lots of cousins:

While they did that, lucky me I went to the beach! With wonderful girlfriends. Early birthday kick-off has basically turned into a tradition. Gorgeous beach day, lots of snacks and talking. Hit The Habit on the way home. I just love these girls, and couldn't have asked for a better day.

First Day!

1st and 3rd grade! Got a tiny bit teary. How do I have a 3rd grader!? I just adore these faces.

We were lucky Adam was off work this morning. Thanks Aunt Lauren for the backpacks - obviously Cole had to wear his, too.

They both got the teachers they wanted - Audrey has Mrs. Adachi, Tyler Mrs. Lane. I think it's gonna be a good year.

Cole is killing me in this shot.

And then there was one....

From orientation yesterday, Audrey and Mrs. Adachi. She might be our all-time favorite teacher. So excited for Audrey to be in her class this year.

First grade - her own desk!

Sadly I didn't get a photo of Tyler in his new classroom because things got a little crazy, but I'll get one soon enough. Happy 2014-15 school year!

Summer's Last Hurrah

We went to Legoland! Surprised the kids last minute. One of Adam's acting students plays Andrea in the Lego Friends show. Her family wanted Adam to see her perform, and happened to have a bunch of extra tickets so they generously gave us some. So nice, and we are very grateful. These girls sang and danced, and they sounded fantastic. After the show they did a meet and greet. Audrey was one happy girl.

With Adam's student, Felicity. She was really sweet, and had a great voice!

The girls were cute admiring Audrey's Lego Friends t-shirt.

With the lego Lego Friends:

And Tyler got to meet his favorite guy, Emmet!

 The Lego Movie set is on display in the park. It's so awesome - felt like you were right in the movie. There are over 3 million legos! Might've been my favorite thing I saw that day.

This one's for Tyler - Double-decker couch:

We rode a few rides, but spent most of our day in the Chima water park. Took zero photos in the water park - didn't want a wet camera, and it was crowded! The kids (especially Audrey) loved the wave pool, and Tyler conquered his fear and went down a big ol' slide. Our favorite was the lazy river.

One of our favorite guys. Ask Cole to sing "Darth Vader's Song".

Cole's favorite train ride:

Lots of Lego guys out at the park - another one of Tyler's favorites, Laval from Chima.

Grabbed souvenirs and played at the park 'til close. It was such a fun day! Happy for one last vacation day with our little family. A big thank you to Felicity and her family.

One More Week

Oh man Thursday and Friday were a rough couple days. Pretty much I've vowed not to go to the grocery store for the rest of the summer with all three kids. That seems to be where our trouble starts. I think it's a pretty realistic goal seeing there's less than a week of summer left. Here is Tyler's apology in sidewalk chalk for being crazy-pants at Target. It is well-played since every time I look at it I feel the slightest twinge of guilt for losing my cool. Tyler is my kid who's always quick to apologize.

On to happier things - like double swim days with friends, and back-to-school shopping with these two. We grabbed new shoes for Audrey. She's like her mama and isn't a big fan of shopping, so Shave It helped our mood.

Tyler had double birthday parties this weekend. I think hangin' with his friends is helping him look forward to school starting. Sadly one of his best buds, Noah, is moving. We are super bummed about that one.

Whenever Belle's hair gets all messy, Adam takes her to work and the hair girls on set fix Belle up nice and fancy. Audrey loooves it, and I think it's so nice of them. At least if we ever get an American Girl doll we won't have to take her to the salon - these are the small perks of show biz jobs. Here is Belle's current up-do (next time I'll take a "before" shot):

Kids meet their teachers Wednesday, first day of school is Thursday. We're ready to enjoy these last few days of summer. They're gonna be good!

Boy Time

Audrey had a date with one of her best girlfriends today, so I got the boys to myself. We did some back-to-school shopping and Jamba Juice. It's been really nice hangin' out with these two:

Brothers! They look so alike to me here...

Presley's mom has been so nice, spoiling these two all day. They've been playing at the park, got lunch and frozen yogurt, swimming. She sent me a couple text updates and I just know Audrey is in heaven.

Another cool thing we did this week - Cole and I were on TV! The OWN network shot a Ladybug Music class for one of their reality shows. My boss, Patricia, taught the class and needed a few families to participate, so we did. It should air next year sometime, and depending on how much Ladybug footage they show you'll definitely see me and Cole - we sat right next to the little boy who's on the show. It was a pretty cool experience, gave me some insight into the whole reality show thing, too.

Last full week of summer ahead. Gonna make it a good one.

Temple Day

Lovely afternoon with our primary at the Los Angeles Temple. Happy our whole family could be there together.

Today Was...

Three new haircuts. Slowly getting ready for back to school.

This one keeps telling me he wants to go to preschool. Dang that November birthday messing me all up. Hopefully we'll get him in by January, maybe sooner.

End of the day swim and pizza party with some of our favorite friends! Love visiting with Michelle, and my kids sure love Ashton and Jonah, too.