A Quickie

So just a little short quick note for today's blog. We are good. We are adjusting to school. Working out the kinks and running a bit smoother. I even got 100% on my latest homework...
Haylie's word for the day is "NICE!". It's very cute. I gave her a sticker..she puts it on her shirt and says, "NICE!" as in cool! She's so cute.
Tayson is now doing his homework in the mornings before school since he is too exhausted to function in the afternoons. This seems to work out a lot better and eliminates a lot of fights and frustration.
A good friend is watching the kids tonight so Shaun and I can go out! Yea! A much needed break! It's her turn to go out next week! LOVE YOU!!
So that's my quickie for the day....

School Bells Are Ringing!

So....Shaun and I started back to school on Monday. Whereas Shaun is used to school, it's been SEVEN...count them....SEVEN years for me. It is a bit overwhelming and due to some issues with one of my online classes I ended the first day in tears. The second and third day went better, and I'm even about a week ahead of where I need to be. Haylie seems to be adjusting well to not having my undivided attention. I know that I will get in all in balance soon. I have been told a lot recently that I am uptight. Now I'm wondering...is that a dig? One good friend gave me a mantra to say over and over all day to help me unwind....I'm working on it! It's a good one! :0)- Dinner, dishes, laundry and housework are already falling to the wayside, but we'll survive. We aren't living in a pigsty yet! Shaun has been awesome in helping with the kids so I can get a few things done without Haylie. Now we'll have to see what happens when we aren't in the FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL!! Yes, I know....repeat my mantra! Ready or not, here we go!!!

Big Dino's!

So on Saturday, we decided that we weren't done with Summer quite yet! We just had to get in one last fun day, so we went to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden. Big Dino's everywhere! We took Tayson a few summers ago when I was pregnant with Haylie and he loved it! It was even more fun this time with Haylie along. We were afraid that she might get scared by how big they are and the sounds, but she had a blast! Every time we turned a corner and she saw another dinosaur she would yell (of course any of you who know my daughter know that she only has one volume level!), "BIG DINO"S!!" Very cute! We walked around outside, then went and got some lunch and headed back to see the inside stuff. Very cool! Then of course I had to hit Kid to Kid and Target. Such a fun last day of summer fun! School starts Monday for Shaun and I and I'm just not quite ready to get back down to business! Oh well....Let the fun begin!

Tayson for lunch!

First of the First!

First Grade Here I Come!

Tayson started First Grade on Wed., Aug, 20th! He was so excited for school to start this year! We got ready, Tayson in his new school clothes (the backpack is a repeat of last year since it still looked bran new!) and headed out the door. Parents were invited to come for the first hour of school. So, Daddy stayed home with Haylie and I went with Tayson. We met his teacher, hung his backpack on his hook, found his cubby and mailbox, said hi to Grandpa Dodge's twin, Kevin, and even got a donut and Sunny D! Then we went back to class where he was supposed to color in his "Welcome To First Grade" coloring book. He got settled at a table and as I knelt down by him, he looks at me and says, "Get out of here, Mom! Love you!" Oh dear! If I weren't so ready for school to start it MIGHT have hurt my feelings! :0) As it was, I just said, "Love you too!" and skipped on home! FREEDOM!! OK, not completely since little sister, Haylie, was waiting at home, wondering where in the world her big brother had gone off to and wanting someone to play with, but freedom from fighting siblings! Yea!

It is so strange to have Tayson gone all day! I miss all the help he is to me and his company, but so far school is great! He loves his teacher, has friends in his class and even has TWO recesses where he is now allowed to play on ANY playground he wishes. Unlike Kindergarten where he could only play on one! He also thinks it is pretty cool to eat lunch at school with his friends! He reports the menu to us each day and so far has eaten everything on his plate each day.....or so he says!

Wow! First Grade! He sure is growing up fast!!!

Errands and School

So...the latest with school. I have been awarded financial aid. I got a grant and a student loan. I am registered fine with one class and still waiting for the second to show up on my schedule. I think we are good to go. So now I have to figure out how to access my classes and how everything works. Adventures! Oh yes....and still get books......

Tayson starts school in two days! I can't wait! I get to go with him for an hour in the morning to meet his teacher, find his classroom, etc. It will be fun to get him back in a good schedule and entertained! He lost two teeth this past week and I'm sure the tooth fairy is broke now! Tayson is trying to save up money to buy a Wii game and gun. He already has $23 and Dad did say we would meet him partway, so he's getting there.

That's all that's new with us. Just waiting on school and running errands in the meantime. The car is going into the shop on Wed. and Thur. and then hopefully it will be good to go. Went grocery shopping, dropped off documents and applications, and gave they boys haircuts. Still have to clean, do more laundry, and get Tayson's school supplies ready. Crazy week, I tell ya!!

Back to School!

Back to school...well.... hopefully! I have been accepted to USU, gone through the online new student orientation, talked to my advisor and decided what classes to take. Now we are waiting on financial aid. It's the story of my life...waiting on money! The fact that I applied 7 years ago as Carrie Dodge and I am now applying as Carrie Copeland seems to be confusing the crap out of them! Tomorrow I must go make an in person appearance and see if I can't get things going. I am a bit nervous about going back to school. It will be quite a juggling act to take care of kids, Tayson's homework, the house, laundry, dinner and all of those other little things that fall to me as the mom. Today, as I was on the phone with my advisor, discussing how many classes to take online, the kids were crying, screaming, fighting, and jumping off the bed. Very kindly my advisor advised me to take only two classes since it seemed that I already had my hands very full! I had to giggle and agree! I'm very antsy to get things going. Why couldn't I have had this brilliant idea to go to school about a month ago? Oh well, it will all work out, either this semester or next! Oh...I still have to buy books, too! So many things to do! So much excitement!

Tayson is starting school on Wednesday! I'm so excited! He definitely needs something productive to occupy his time rather than just pestering his little sister! The other night, driving home with Grandpa Dodge from visiting Tiff and Owen, Tayson was talking about going back to school and that he will miss his Kindergarten teacher since he is now in first grade. I told him that he'd have to give her hugs during recess. He then said, "I know! I'll give her a present because she liked teached us so good!" I had to giggle and say, "Oh yes! She teached you GOOD!" What a silly boy!

Welcome Baby Owen!

**Beautiful Baby Owen**

** Grandma Dodge and Owen**

**Haylie, doing a little soul searching!**

**Big cousin, Tayson, has it all under control!**

**The Proud Mamma and Baby Owen**

On August 12, 2008 Owen was brought into my family by his beautiful mother, my sister, Tiffany! What a handsome little man he is! He was born at 7:11 pm and is just absolutely perfect! I just love newborn babies, especially ones as cute as Owen! Everything went well and baby and mommy are doing just great! Welcome, Owen! And a big congratulations to his mom and dad!

Owen has a big brother, Aiden. What a cutie! Tayson picked out some dino's and a coloring book and crayons for his "big brother present". Aiden was so excited! A dollar spent has never been more rewarding! He seems to love his little bro and I'm sure he can't wait till they are home from the hospital!

I was able to take my kids and ride down with my parents to see the new arrival. I didn't realize how much Haylie LOVES babies! She couldn't keep her eyes or hands off Owen! Tayson got to hold him too and I was so proud to see how gentle and caring he was with him! He sure lives up to his responsibilities as the oldest cousin; such a good kid!!

Welcome, Owen! We are so glad you joined the family and can't wait to get to know your little spirit! You are so special and sweet, not to mention adorable, cuddly, and perfectly lovable! We love you so much!!! Welcome to the family!