"I did it all by myself!!!"...

Yes, yes you did.

sweet Sammy...

The full days of first grade have caught up with this little boy. This morning he collapsed in my arms, crying, telling me he didn't want to go to school. "First grade takes soooo long." I was crushed. It broke my heart.

Sam has been looking forward to the whole idea of first grade for a long time. He was super excited to buy hot lunch, walk to and from school, be big like his brothers, etc. He loved Back to School night and has been so excited for homework (??????).

After breakfast, a few pep talks from Matt, Zach, Mom & Dad...he walked out the door happily and ready to go.

I'm not overly concerned. I understand that the transition from Kindergarten can be a rough one. I know he will be fine and end up loving it. I just can't wait to hug him when he walks in the door. I've missed having him around. Seriously. I know.

I even sat and looked at baby pictures of him today. Sappy? Perhaps. I don't care.

Let's hope for a better morning tomorrow!

"Oh, the places you'll go!!"

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You're on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.

You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.

Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.

Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
I'm sorry to say so but, sadly it's true

That bang-ups and hang-ups

Can happen to you.
On an on you will hike,

And I know you’ll hike far

And face up to your problems whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up of course, as you already know.

You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact

And remember that

life’s a great balancing act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot with your left.
Will you succeed?

Yes you will indeed!

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

-Dr. Seuss

First day of school, August 22, 2009

(Matt & Zach- 6th grade, Sam- 1st grade)

my name is annemarie...

...and I have a problem.

I like (LOVE) to bake.

... pies...

...cakes...

...cookies...

...anything.

My hips and thighs are suffering, and I don't think my neighbors appreciate me pawning off the goods on their doorsteps anymore.

I subscribe to over 30 baking blogs...my dealers.

I need help. And a support group. (Ilene? Jessica? Heather? Anyone?)

Doesn't a warm, fresh out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie sound fabulous right about now???

cake...

A certain six year old (I won't name names...ahem) is crying right now (almost screaming) that he wants cake for dinner.

Me, too man. Me, too.

future co eds...

We are doing our best to fill up our last days of Summer.

We took a trip to Provo/BYU to fill up an afternoon.

We started out with a visit to Evan & Jenni!

(there was a lot of movement so my pics stink.)

Evan & Lizzie wrestling.

If Evan is laying on the floor it's just an open invitation to pounce...right?

She thinks so.

Then we all went bowling!

Jenni was so nice to Lizzie. She even gave up one of her turns for her.

That's love!

This blurry pic isn't my fault. It's the fault of the random guy I asked to take it.

No trip to BYU would be complete without a visit to the Creamery for some of the best ice cream ever. (unless your Sam & you pick a bag of cinnamon bears from the Book Store for your treat)

"The world is our campus."

hee hee

We also had to make a stop at the Quicksilver Factory store where these boys have been waiting to go all Summer. If you have boys this age and live remotely close it's worth a trip. You don't even have to step on to Cougar territory to go there. Not that anyone has a problem with that, right?

what can four eleven year old boys get...

...for about $12.00 at the grocery store?

This really just cracks me up.
(The "hard carved sono" items are necklaces...glad they got three of them)