All the kids sporting the puppet chins

Tyler being a chin pupper

Kayla being a chin puppet

Kids playing chin puppets (Marisa)

Alayna using my mascara for lipstick (why haven't we grown out of this stage yet?)

Tyler and his teacher Mrs Ritchie at Back to school night

Sept 25, 2005

September 25, 2005
Well, another busy week has come and gone. How crazy is it that Christmas is coming up so quick? I just got back from traveling with the stake up to Waverly again. Bob was going to take the kids to church (even though he has been sick the past few days) but then right before they went, Tyler said he was too sick and his leg hurt really bad. SO, Bob had to go take the girls anyway because they both gave talks today (I am so sad I missed) and Tyler was supposed to read the 13th article of faith so Kayla did it instead. So, Bob came home with Alayna and Tyler (who suddenly seemed to be feeling better!) Anyway, I came home and all seems to be well now.
Marisa had drama again this week and really seems to like the class. She LOVES the dance team and I can hardly wait to see her first performance. Kayla started volleyball this week and loves it. Bob didn’t have to be a coach after all, but goes and works with Kayla anyway and she loves having him there. Tyler is still enjoying tae kwon do and may get to test for a belt soon.

On Thursday night, it was Back to School night. It was such a fun evening. They had a fund-raiser spaghetti dinner that we went to. Then we got to see Kayla and Tyler’s classroom and see some of the fun stuff they have done so far. They are both doing great in their classes. I will have all the parent teacher conferences in October. That is coming up quick, isn’t it?

On Friday night, we attended a dinner party at a friends house. They had tons of couples attend. We had a great Mexican potluck dinner and then went around and shared how each couple met. It was so funny some of the ways they met, we all laughed and had such a great time. They want to start a dinner club where all of us rotate who will host it in their home. We are all excited. Almost every couple has moved into the ward in just the past two years, so this is a wonderful way to get to know everyone. It was also Marisa’s first time to officially babysit. She watched Ty and Alayna the whole time we were gone and did a GREAT job! Kayla went to her friends house to spend the night and also had a great time there.

On Saturday, I attended our ward Super Saturday. I did a very cool project for the kids for Christmas, but I can’t mention here as Marisa reads all the newsletters (Hi Marisa!) Needless to say, it took me 5 hours!!!! I really hate doing craft projects and if you ask me, 5 hours is way too long! Ughh! I guess it will be worth it Christmas morning? maybe?

Bob’s team lost 81-0. In case you haven’t guessed, his team was the 0. The funny thing was hearing these guys talk about how they try running but their legs just gave out and they fell, or one jumped and thought he was flying through the air only to see he had cleared 1 inch off the ground and completely missed the pass. So, I have to go to the game on Tuesday to see this funny stuff I am missing.

I am plugging away on my classes. I am 2 lessons away from finishing the first class and got 2 A’s back so far. I must say I don’t have any free time anymore, but am proud of all I have accomplished. This last unit was on poetry so I am including the poem that the kids and I laughed really hard over. Hope you all have a wonderful week (that is if anyone still reads this anymore, I don’t know)

Love-kris

Homework! Oh, Homework!
Homework! Oh, homework!
I hate you! You stink!
I wish I could wash you
away in the sink,
if only a bomb
would explode you to bits.
Homework! Oh, homework!
You’re giving me fits.
I’d rather take baths
with a man-eating shark,
or wrestle a lion
alone in the dark,
eat spinach and liver,
pet ten porcupines,
than tackle the homework
my teacher assigns.
Homework! Oh, homework!
You’re last on my list,
I simply can’t see
why you even exist,
if you just disappeared
it would tickle me pink.
Homework! Oh, homework!
I hate you! You stink!

Alayna in her PJ's

More tricks

Practicing moves from "So you think you can dance"

Found this on the camera- I don't ask...

Sept 18, 2005

September 18, 2005

Hello everyone! Sorry to hear some of you are having cold weather already. It has been so beautiful this week that we have had all the windows open with a gorgeous breeze. I am loving it while it lasts. Anything is better than that horrid heat and humidity we had all last month!

We still haven’t heard back on the results of Marisa’s chamber orchestra auditions, but she did join the drama team this week as well. I think the stress of middle school is starting to hit her. She has had so much homework and has found it tough to keep up the school work in all areas. She is hanging in there though.

Kayla had her friend, Chandler, over on Friday. She is such a sweet girl and Kayla loves having her for a friend. However, we watched "Jaws" (because the kids wanted to see it) and I think we scared the crap out of both Kayla and her friend. I forgot they show a floating dead head as well as the shark who totally chews that fisherman to death. Funny how we block things out. (There goes my mom of the year award!!) I actually remember watching Jaws at BYU in a raft, in the pools in the RB building. That was scary! Kayla starts volleyball tomorrow and I talked Bob into helping coach her team, so they are pretty excited. Marisa and Kayla spend a lot of their time watching old episodes of "So you think you can dance" and memorize all the moves. Kayla does the girl parts and Marisa does the boys and they can do some very cool tricks.

Tyler was sick a bit this week. He kept telling me his neck hurt, it took me almost a full day to realize he meant his throat hurt! He spends a lot of time running around the backyard with a shoe box trying to catch insects, etc. He’s funny. The other day he and his new friends from the neighborhood and church caught a toad in our backyard. We sent it home with them.
Alayna is loving school and going to the Y. She still gets into stuff and drives us a bit batty, but its getting a tad bit better.

Bob played another football game on Tuesday and they got creamed again. He is hoping for better results this week.

My other two classes arrived this week and I started one of them. It’s the health and fitness lifestyles class. It has some great chapters that will help me when I teach, plus it makes me work out (I do anyway). I have been so stressed with these classes. I cannot imagine how it was that I took 15 credit hours each semester in college. I just need to remind myself that I didn’t have 4 kids back then, I guess. I am really enjoying my Children’s lit class. I have read some really cool books. Children’s literature covers all the teen books as well. If any of you are interested in the titles of some of the ones I have loved, let me know. I have learned a lot about how I want to teach it when I start teaching again, which also has me nervous. Am I ready to start teaching again? Can I have the energy I used to have when I taught? Will I end up in a looney bin being a teacher and mom at the same time? Ughh! Anyway, if I am not as good as getting back to you in email, please know that I am studying or reading!

We did have a GREAT Survivor party on Thursday with a few people from our ward. It was so much fun to have people to celebrate that are as big of fans as we are. We are all well and healthy now and ready for another fun week ahead. A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Uncle James and Grandma Annie this week!

Sept 12, 2005

September 12, 2005

I think I jinxed myself by bragging to my Enrichment class that I haven’t been sick for almost a year. Shortly after that I got a migraine headache that wouldn’t let up for 5 days, no matter how much medication I took or other things I tried. The last two days were accompanied by nausea. Then I spent the whole weekend down with a horrible head cold. Have I mentioned lately how much I hate being sick? Its even worse taking care of people when you are sick. Kayla came home last week sick, Alayna was sick all weekend and I got a call to come pick up Tyler from school today because he was sick. I guess winter is officially on its way? I am feeling much better, just worn out. I am more grateful than ever for good health!

Marisa joined the school dance team. She loves it and is so excited. She is also trying out for the chamber orchestra on today, plus she is already busy with choir and orchestra. But she is absolutely loving middle school so far. She even started lifting weights with Bob and I.

Bob started his intramural football games this week. he has been so sore from that and basketball. He summed it up at half time when he looked at me and said "I’m not 20 anymore"! He plays every Tuesday night so we will see how his team does.

I found out independent study is changing their rules. Anyone that enrolls in any university class after Oct 1 has to take their tests at an actual university testing center and you have to pay to take the test. I was so livid that I called independent study and they said that it only counts after Oct 1. Basically if I order any class AFTER Oct 1, I will have to travel over an hour away to an approved college testing center and pay to take the test. So I had to order ALL my classes yesterday so I could use Kayla's teacher as my proctor. What a freaking nightmare. So instead of taking 2 credits, I am now taking 6. I am studying and reading like crazy, remembering why I was so happy to graduate in the first place. I am grateful I have the 5 hours a week to study while Alayna is in school, but right now it isn't enough. At least this way it will push me and I will be re-certified by this summer.

For some crazy reason, Kayla has been sleepwalking a lot. She comes up in the middle of the night and doesn’t know where she is. Plus, she gets so cold in the basement. Then there is Tyler who can’t be quiet while Alayna is sleeping in his room. So, we made an executive decision to move Kayla up to this room to share with Alayna and moved Tyler downstairs to have his own room. All were delighted. Kayla has slept soundly since. It was a lot of work changing the rooms, but that’s ok. Kayla and Tyler also both lost a tooth this week.

Well, I guess that catches you up on all the latest happenings in the Hart household. We are looking forward to our big Survivor Premiere this Thursday!!!

Alayna's first day of preschool!!!

the hot air balloon

The hot air ballon landing

More dress up

Alayna

ALayna and Kayla

Alayna showing off

Alayna dressing up

Kayla dressing up

Sept 4, 2005

September 4, 2005

So, what is the worst thing your child can do in a library?? I will let you think about that as I share our story with you. Yesterday, Bob went to the Stake Softball tournament. I decided to take the kids to the library (mistake #1). I had to get many books for my children’s literature class I am taking. We haven’t been to a library in over a year and Alayna has never been (mistake #2). Well, I explained how we have to whisper, no running, etc. So, the little guys played by the puppet area while I searched for books (mistake #3). Everything was fine for about 20 minutes when all of the sudden the deafening fire alarm went off! My first instinct was not "oh my goodness, we need to get out of here" or run around panicked like others were. My first instinct is "Oh CRAP, where is Alayna????" Sure enough I saw her running like a bat out of hell with the librarian chasing after her. I don’t think I have ever been more mortified!!! We went up and apologized, checked out the books and ran to the car. I wonder if I can ever show my face there again? Her excuse? "I couldn’t find you mommy and I needed a hug". How can you not love that? Next time lets not pull the red handle though, ok??

Our week has been incredibly busy, more so than usual. I have continued my swimming which I am really enjoying. I am getting faster and now rarely have to stop. Hopefully, I will see results soon! The kids had a great week at school. They have been very busy with reading and homework. Alayna got a special present from Gma Annie- a dress up box. They have been having so much fun with that- so I took lots of pics I will post.

On Monday, I had to make 4 pans of those rocky road brownies for the missionary zone conference, ordered my new college class, and prepared a special FHE. That night we had Adrian (my VT partner/new member) over for dinner and FHE. Overall it went ok, although we may have to have our next family home evening on manners and etiquette!

On Tuesday, I helped set up and feed the missionaries for zone conference. There were 44 missionaries in attendance and after they ate, they asked us to come in so they could sing to us as a thank you. One guy played a beautiful song he wrote on his guitar. Then all the Elders stood and sang. What a powerful sight that was!! Plus, it was Alayna's first day of preschool. She had such a great time! She loves her teacher and comes home with fun projects each day. That night, we went to do weights while Tyler was at Tae kwon do. Marisa has decided to join us lifting weights and she really likes it. She was very sore the next day, but she didn’t seem to mind.

On Wednesday, I did my laps at the pool again. Then spent the whole day trying to prepare my Enrichment Night presentation on Staying Fit. That night we spent working on the yard as a family- lots of work to be done. Our tomatoes plants are looking very sad, but still producing...barely. We also found a new nest of baby bunnies with 5 babies and chose not to tell the kids. We can’t figure out how they keep sneaking in. We need to find a way to keep them out. We don’t need any more dead baby bunnies across the yard! While we were out, we saw a hot air balloon. It kept getting closer until we realized it was coming down fast and it actually landed the next street over!!! It was so cool to see it come down so close. We got some fun pics to share.

On Thursday, Alayna had preschool again and loved it. This is just so good for both of us. Then that night at Enrichment, I gave the presentation on Staying Fit.

On Friday, we had a RS Stake Pres meeting and luncheon which was very nice but long. It seems like we have so many stake things coming up in the next few months. Plus, they decided to start our fall visits even though we just finished up the spring ones 2 weeks ago! That night, we watched "Cast Away" with the kids. All 4 were mesmerized! Tyler was very upset when he lost Wilson in the ocean. Later, Alayna kept asking where Wilson was. Tyler told her that he went back in an airplane to go find him. I think thats what Tyler told himself because he couldn’t bear the thought that Wilson was lost forever. I thought that was so sweet. Of course, he is the same kid we watched Anaconda with the next day because he thinks snakes are so cool!! Go figure!

Last night we watched "Sahara". We loved it. What a fun adventure movie. Now I can’t wait to read the book. Today I traveled with the Stake to Waterloo and Cedar Falls. We had good visits but it makes for a very long day. It will be nice to have a day off of everything tomorrow. We have absolutely no plans and I like it that way. We hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day! Enjoy the day off!