Sand Dunes

Do you ever feel like you are constantly trying to climb a sand dune in life? You take one step forward and then sink almost right back to where you started. Well, that's kinda how I've been feeling lately. I barely have the dishwasher loaded from one meal and it's time to cook the next. I wash one load of laundry and by the time it's dry, I have another pile of dirty clothes. I clean up the playroom only to find crumbs all over the kitchen floor. I am weary of making "to do" lists because I am adding more items than I am crossing off. (Hence the pathetic lack of posts lately. Sorry. ) I'm not looking for advice or consolation....just a good verse or two to get my eyes focused back in the right place. What Scriptures motivate you to keep climbing?!

The Tooth Fairy's First Visit

That's right, folks! The tooth fairy will be making her first landing at the Mouser home tonight. After three weeks of wiggling, Sierra's first tooth finally popped out...with a little help from Mommy. Sierra was so excited that she was literally shaking. The girls have been uncommonly quiet since we tucked them into bed, but I'm not convinced yet. :) Of course, Sierra would pick tonight to lose her tooth. We just got back from a Target run and Marc used his last two singles to buy popcorn and a Coke on the way out. The lucky girl is going to get a FIVER!!! (And that's only because I wouldn't let Marc give her a twenty. Can we say "sugar daddy"?)

Growing Up

Little Miss Chunky-Monkey is growing up way too fast! Here are Valerie's latest accomplishments:

She likes to "play" with her toys now.

(Love that grin!)

Her sisters can keep her entertained for a long time.

She gobbles up her rice cereal.

AND....

(Sorry about the lame mommy commentary in the background. I'm a nerd.)

09-09-09

1. Struggled through reading Zechariah 1-6 in the early hours this morning, but am enjoying the chronological approach to reading through the Bible this year.

2. Remembered that school started 20 minutes later today for Sierra and got her there on time with 23 individual applesauce containers (and spoons!) for her Kindergarten class snack.

3. Picked up a couple of check registers at the bank on my way home. (Does anyone else still use those things?! I can't quit the habit. I record EVERY transaction by hand.)

4. Finished a hand-written letter to my good friend and roommate from college. It's been a long time since I wrote out a 4 page letter. She sent me one a couple of weeks ago and it made my day. Try it!

5. Watched a little Disney Princess Sing Along and did a stamp/ink pad activity with Ally.

6. Cleaned up a blow-out from Valerie's diaper after picking Sierra up from school. So bad that I had to wash the whole car seat. Ew.

7. Am wasting precious nap minutes writing this silly post - but the title is cool, eh?

8. Need to come up with a good chicken recipe for dinner. Chicken soft tacos sound good - but the girls don't eat them. :(

9. Looking forward to Youth Group and AWANA this evening. I hope that Ally and Sierra both enjoy their new groups.

And now for the good stuff....

Yes, we did spend Labor Day Weekend at the cabin.

(How did you guess?!)

Everyone was there. SO FUN!

Grandpa took the three "big" girls to get some treats in town in his pick-up. Brave man!

Uncle Chuck gave the girls thrilling rides on the motorcycle.

Grandpa, Sierra and Ally spent the night in a tent. Ally said that she never wanted to leaver her purple sleeping bag!

I L*O*V*E this face!

Valerie and Daddy on the beach at the cabin.

Sierra Elise, Kindergartner

Well, folks, she did it! Thanks for praying for us. Her first day of school went very,very well. She was up and ready early and ANXIOUS to be on her way. My sweet sister, Susie, offered to come and watch the other two girls so that I could take Sierra to school without having to worry about them. It was a good thing. Sierra got a little overwhelmed when she saw all the kids on the playground, but she bravely marched into her classroom when it was time to line up. No tears. For Sierra, that is. I cried like a baby all the way to the car and all the way home. Again, it was a good thing that Susie was here. She's a good comforter.

My good friend, Kelly, brought her kids and some delicious blueberry muffins over in the morning to cheer me up as well. It was just what I needed! The time flew by and before I knew it it was time to go back to pick her up. Sierra had lots to say about her day: there are more boys than girls in her class, she was an excellent listener, there was one table group that didn't get any points, she knows the sign for "bathroom", she sat on the carpet 3 times and at her desk 4 times, they read "The Kissing Hand" and did a little craft, and she didn't make any friends yet. That will come, little girl.

Ready to go!

(This picture makes me sad.)

Proud mama.

Ponderosa Elementary

Lined up and ready to go inside.

School's out!

The welcome home gang!

Telling Grandpa and Grandma all about her first day.

Ready or Not - Here She Comes!

Sierra starts Kindergarten tomorrow.

As much as I've tried to prepare myself for this new phase of life, I don't think that I will ever feel totally ready. Oh, Sierra's ready. It's this Mommy who wants to stop the clock. Sierra knows her letters and numbers. She can't wait to use her new backpack and Princess folder. She's excited about meeting new friends. She thinks her classroom looks really fun. It's me that doesn't want to let her go. I'm the one who's crying because school is about to start.

I have come to the conclusion that it's just a territorial issue. She has been with me for five years and now I have to turn her over to someone else for a few hours every day. Someone else will have to open her milk. Someone else will put the Band-aid on her skinned knee. Someone else will button that stubborn button on her jean shorts. Someone else will give her praise when she's doing a good job or encourage her to keep trying. Someone else will turn on those light bulbs in her brain.

Funny how that "someone" who I didn't know last week is now near the TOP of my prayer list. Mrs. L is my new best friend....she just doesn't know it yet. Now I understand what all those parents were going through when I, as a young Kindergarten teacher, was trying to get them to leave my classroom on the first day of school. I promise that won't be one of those moms who tries to peek through the mini-blinds all day, but I finally get it!

So pray for me tomorrow, will you?! And pray for Ally too. She's gonna miss having her big sister and best playmate around all morning.

Alright, I'll stop now. Otherwise I might fry the laptop. Tears in the keyboard are not a good thing. I'll be back with pictures of the cutest Kindergartner in Meridian tomorrow.

Carpe Diem

As members of the Dead Poets Society would say, we're "sucking the marrow out of life." These last few weeks of summer vacation and freedom have been full of fun and excitement. I'll let the pictures tell the stories.

Valerie is growing and changing. The "Bumbo" is a great place to watch the world.

We've scheduled several play dates with cousin Annie and friends.

Valerie's first experience in a swing at the park.

Believe it or not, she enjoyed it!

The look on her face would suggest otherwise, but don't be fooled.

Marc gets a free ride to the park. His legs were "too tired."

Sierra gets her first "real" haircut (not by mom) in preparation for Kindergarten.

Major RIP OFF - even at Great Clips with a coupon.

Valerie spends some tummy time with her toys on these hot August days.

Ally loves to color now and will sit at her desk for long periods of time with her Elmo coloring book.

Sierra's favorite game is LPS Guess Who?

(Mommy kinda likes it too!)

The big girls got to go to the Caldwell Night Rodeo with Daddy, Grandpa Cook and the Becks.

Morning snuggle times are the best!

Shhh! Don't tell Marc that I posted this one. (Hee. Hee.)

He'll do anything to make the girls laugh.

Sierra loved feeding all the animals in the petting zoo at the Western Idaho Fair.

Valerie wasn't too impressed with Billy.

One more Monday trip to the cabin.

Three girls on "Papa Bear's Chair."