A New Skiby

I was not ready to have a new puppy. Don't get me wrong, they are adorable. That's the problem. That adorableness makes you forget that they are not potty trained, they don't sleep through the night and they chew stuff up. Nolan had seen an ad for some Springer Spaniels and was trying to dog block me by buying a dog he liked before I bought the dog I wanted. I wanted a Shorkie. According to Nolan that is not a "real" dog. Anyway, he called me one day on the way home from work and asked if I had looked at the ad. I said I had and that they were cute but at that moment what I needed was for him to pick up the boys asap because I had taken them with me to my hair appointment. When he showed up to get them, he was covered in dog hair but was without a puppy. However when I returned from my hair appointment, I found this in our front yard.

Prior to pulling up to our house I was planning on telling Nolan how getting a puppy now was a bad idea because we are busy and away from home often. I couldn't believe he had went and got one. I vowed not to help with any part of it, puppyhood that is. Not getting up in the night, cleaning up after him. Any of it. So you know what that dog did? He went on and acted like a perfect angel. Slept through the night, had only had one accident in the house and has yet to ruin anything by chewing it in the 3 weeks that we have had him. He's adorable. He's so lovey and despite my protests, he knows who butters his bread. I am his favorite by far. After much debate over the name; Gus, Oliver, Andy, Buzz...we settled on Sam. Welcome to the family, Sam.

Noooo, not kindergarten!

I fought this day, I did. Despite my efforts to slow the days and years down and occasionally go backwards, I am loosing the battle. Anyone who knows me, knows I really like to get my way. So when the first day of kindergarten rolled around I wanted to throw myself on the ground, kick my feet and throw a full on tantrum. But, I didn't. Instead, I panicked when I realized that I had bought no less than 6 "first day of kindergarten", "getting ready for kindergarten" books and here it was the night before and we had not read one of them. So I pulled them all out and read them. Trying to calm the nerves of Cole. Cole had no "nerves" about kindergarten. He was so excited to go the same school as his older brother and to meet new friends. I read 4 books before I burst into tears. Which was ridiculous, because then I made my worry-free 5 year old cry. Dang it.
On the first day, Nolan came home so we could get Cole off together. We walked up, looked around and with no fan fair his teacher told them to line up and walked them in. There was no time for goodbye's or even a hug. I'm sure she plans it that way. It was probably best for me too as I was able to avoid a scene. Love that kid. He walked away, head held high, ready to tackle kindergarten. I went to the car and cried. After all the emotion, he was back 2 hours later (school started on a Friday, which is a short day. So silly.). I thought because that was so hard they really owed me 3 hours but I was happy to see him, happy to see how excited both he and Cy were to meet up after school to walk home, happy we all made it through the first day.

Back to School for Cy

I sent Cy off to third grade at the end of August and I really wasn't ready to do it. I love summers. I like lazy mornings on my days off, not worrying about homework, lunches or the PTA and I relish feeling inclined to find away to enjoy a beautiful day.


I walked Cy to the area where he lines up and started chatting with some parents and teachers while Cy and Cole went to play. I struck up a conversation with a new teacher at the school. She was commenting on how she likes teaching third grade because on the first day of school you do not get the crying parents that come with teaching kindergarten. At which point I was grateful that I had thrown on my sunglasses to mask the tears rolling down my face. I don't want to, but apparently I will cry on the first day of school every single year regardless of the grade or milestone.

Snowbird

Nolan and the boys took me to Snowbird for my birthday this year. I love going up there. It is one of the those little treasures right in our backyard and if you forget your swimsuits, you can easily go get them. We went swimming, went to dinner, did the alpine slide, Nolan and Cy did the zipline and the boys took a turn on the bungee trampoline. We rode the tram up to the top and hiked down to the chairlifts and took a lovely ride back down. It was just beautiful!

Seriously, cute kids.

Brady Family Reunion

Some people begrudgingly attend their family reunion but I love our reunion. We play games, eat the most delicious food, visit and sing and get caught up with love ones that I do not get to see near enough.

This year many members of our family (ok, only the Martinez branch) did a memorial run for the miners who lost their lives in a mining accident up Huntington Canyon, the canyon we camp in. I signed my family up with every intention of doing the same....until I saw you had to be there at 6 a.m. We don't get up at 6 on vacation. It's a Skiby family rule. Apparently, it is a rule for others to.

We set up some activities to keep the kids busy, which isn't hard. They love playing together. But they like doing a scavenger hunt and hanging out with the crazy camp hostess who takes them on a Snipe hunt every year. I'm not sure why they can't find one:) My personal favorite is rock painting. This year, translated into face painting. I love all these kids because they always humor me in some way. I can't believe how big they are all getting and what good kids they all are.

Here are all of Grandpa Bob's great kids minus Jenny's two littlest ladies.



Cy was Wario from the Nintendo game.

Cole was Spiderman.

Grace has sensitive skin so no face painting. Instead she wowed us with her dance moves. They are amazing. She cracked me up.

Five

Cole turned 5. Despite my bribes for him to stay 4 or even go back to 3, he felt like turning 5 was something he had to do.

Cole is funny (hilarious actually) although he saves that trait mostly for us, as he is a little shy. He is adorable and handsome. He has great hair. He is smart and observant. He is a good brother. He is a lot like his Mom, he has a big bark and a very tender heart. I am always shocked by the empathy he has for others. He will cry when he thinks someone else is hurting more readily than he will if he is hurting. His "feelings hurt" cry is much louder and deeper than when he gets a boo boo. He has an awesome laugh and makes the cutest little face when he tries to open his eyes wide. He is anxious to grow up to be like his brother and I am desperate to keep him little.


He is one of my greatest gifts. I am so proud to be his Mom. I am so happy he is mine.