Circus! Circus!

My Mom treated us to the circus and what a special treat it was.  The kids absolutely loved it.  I was a little nervous about Rigdon, but he did ok.  Some things he was totally enthralled others I was pulling my hair out...or more literally he was pulling my hair out because I wouldn't let him run! 

 Brielle loved every second.  She clapped giddily when the elephants came out (elephants are her favorite animal!)  and she got so frustrated with me that I wasn't taking pictures of everything.  My hands were a little full with Rigs.  So she stole the camera and was taking pictures of EVERYTHING.  Thanks to Brie we have a lot to show.

 Elephants walking in.  We had great seats and we could see the wrinkles on them.  Rigdon kept saying " whoaaaaa"

 This was during the horses...He wanted off my lap so bad so he could get closer.  Too bad I wouldn't let him go any farther than this.  See that little boy eating the popcorn in front of him?  Yeah, we DON'T know him at all.  Rigdon just reached down and helped himself to some popcorn.  The little boy didn't know what to do...he just kinda looked at him like What the heck! Then a few minutes later Rigdon accidentally kicked his brother in the head.  I feel really bad for the people who sat in front of us.

 The tight rope walkers were another favorite.  I am just astounded with the skill and the amount of practice all these acts take. 

 Yes, they are on the tight rope, on bikes and she is on a pole standing on a chair on the men on bikes!  CRAZY!

 Hopes favorite was the tigers (that is her favorite animal)  but we didn't get a great picture of them.

 More elephants

 Brielle loved that they sat on these little tiny stools.

All the grandkids with Grandma.   Thanks mom for a fabulous day!

the stolen camera!

When I uploaded my pictures, there were all sorts of pictures I didn't take!  Some of them were sweet like this one.  Hope surrounded by all her toys.  She can often be found with a pile of treasures.

 Some of them were random...like this picture of curious george playing on the TV

Or this picture of me, talking on the phone!

And how about this one?  Brie says she was practicing.

Hope must've wanted a turn too.

And then I got to this one.  An upside down one of Rigs.  It just creeped me right out, because I kept thinking they were some how holding him upside down...then I realized they just turned the camera around.

Love those crazy kiddos!

A day to remember!

This was a special day.  Josh came downstairs and proudly announced that we could call him counselor.  This is the day we found out that he passed the bar.  We screamed.  We cried.  We laughed.  We jumped up and down.  And we said a prayer of thanks! 

To celebrate we went out to dinner with my brothers and sisters.  So proud of my man!

P is for Preschool (finally!)

 Preschool could not get here fast enough for little Hope.  Brielle started sooner than her so she has been waiting patiently (most the time!).  Hope is going to 2 preschools this year.  One is for speech on and Tuesday, and the other we already had her signed up for, and figured she would like to go 4 days a week anyway.
She started her speech preschool first and was so excited.  I was shocked when she picked out this shirt for her first day.  When we went school shopping 90% of the things she picked were purple.   I didn't really care, it is her favorite color, but Josh wanted some variety and got this shirt for her.  Then she chose it to wear on the first day.  Funny girl. 

 She picked a weed flower for her teacher.  Who doesn't love dandelions?  She was not scared or shy at all.  I was a little shocked by this.

 She looks so big with her missing tooth!  I can't believe she is almost 5!  She absolutely loved preschool and couldn't wait to go back.  Unfortunately she had to wait a whole week. 

 Then finally the day came when her "different preschool" (as she calls it) started.  I love that this school is in the J. Rueben Clark house.  It totally reminds me of the old schoolhouses, and they have it fixed so cute inside. 

She had to wear the boots because they are so comfortable!  She had a great time here too, and just loves to go.  I think we made the right choice by sending her 4 days a week.  She would've gotten bored at home with me. 

On a side note:  Today was the first day the Brie was in school (she's been sick) and Hope was in preschool, and Rigdon took a nap.  I had a quiet house all to myself for 3 1/2 hours.  I didn't quite know what to do.  I cleaned and it stayed cleaned (at least til Rigs woke up).  I ate and didn't have to get up 50 times to get drinks, napkins, more food, etc.  I think I am going to enjoy my quite afternoons.