Fall Beginnings!

It IS amazing how quickly things can happen when you walk away for a minute! We assume that Jantz received some assistance from his big sister as his hair wasn't wet and we heard no splashes or cries for help. He does love his tubby, but has since just stood outside the tub and splashed while his sisters bathed. Maybe he didn't like the wet clothes. We know he is our third child because we busted up laughing and raced for the camera instead of freaking out!


Ashtyn's first day of Kindergarten at Tozer Primary. It is a great little school just for grades K - 2. Grades 3 - 5 meet in another school across the soccer field. Nice starter for a nervous first-time mom! It was a difficult transition for me.....seemed to be a breeze for Ashtyn so we must've pulled off our feigned enthusiasm and encouragement in the proper manner. She is enjoying everything, but her favorite day is Friday because that is art day. Her teacher is heaven-sent, a first-year teacher about my age who I have instantly bonded with and who loves having moms volunteer in the classroom. MY first day was this week and I loved feeling useful and getting in to help with the teaching and see how things go for Ashtyn every afternoon when she is away.

Alyssa and I have missed Ashtyn when she's at school, but are finding our own schedule that is turning out to be pretty fun. On Tuesdays I teach preschool to her and her little friend. She's had a couple of playdates and we plan to do more in an effort to create her own little circle of friends. Being the 2nd child, her social world has revolved around Ashtyn's friends, so this is a good time for her to become more of herself. We also love playdough, playing outside on the swings, and playing dollhouse. It is some important bonding time for us. On Thursdays she goes to play at her preschool friend's house while I spend the afternoon in Ashtyn's class.
Look at Ashtyn! She is so tall and beautiful and full of creativity - sometimes living in her own world, but that's okay. We now have a 5, 3, and 1-year-old, and are having a blast most of the time. Sometimes pretty hectic and tiring, especially when Jason is traveling, but definitely rewarding.

Another first this week was canning fruit that I purchased from the high school yearly fundraiser. Good fruit - probably not the cheapest - but I guess we are supporting our little community as we jump into the public school system ourselves. The fruit turned out great - the jars all sealed! - and they look so pretty. It wasn't too hard, although I was dreading it at the beginning of the week and kicking myself for signing up for the project, and I was quite proud of myself by Friday afternoon.

We are also trying to finish up the work on the house from the tornado in May. Last project - exterior painting. After many weeks of wavering, we finally went and bought the paint, then just couldn't get started and were going to store the paint in the basement until spring. Then, an unexpected blessing dropped into our lap in the form of a father of some friends who used to be a professional painter and is here to help his kids rebuild their house from the tornado. He said if we taped it he would spray it all on for us, just to be nice. Yay! Will send some pics when it's finished and then no more projects until spring......and hopefully not any big ones at that!