It's Great to be 8!

 

McKay had a big birthday last month, he turned 8!  For months he had been talking about his birthday and telling everyone who would listen about his baptism.  His birthday was Thursday Aug. 15th, sadly already the second day of school.  The kids had school all day and then McKay wanted to go to Blaze Pizza for dinner.  So we met Nana and Pops and Grandma and Tucker there for dinner.  McKay opened up his gift from Grandma, a sports book and a BSU sweatshirt.  We then headed back to our house with Nana and Pops for birthday donuts and to open presents.  He got a new watch from Nana and Pops and then a BB gun and pocket knife from Mom and Dad.

Saturday was his big day, his baptism.  It wasn't the Stake Baptism day so we had to go over to the church early to fill the font.  There was a lot of family there to support him and he asked a lot of people to help out.  Grandma gave a talk about baptism and Pops gave a talk about the Holy ghost.  Craig was the bishopric representative and conducted in his white jumpsuit.  It was a beautiful service and everything went very smoothly.  He looked so grown up in his new suit and dress shoes.

Later that evening we got back together for a birthday party/open house for his baptism.  There was a lot of family and a couple of McKay's buddies.  We had it at Stan and Diane's.  The kids swam and played basketball on the sports court and played football in the grass.  We at pizza and key lime pie and Texas sheet cake.  McKay had a blast being surrounded by his cousins and friends.  All he wanted to do was swim and play sports.  I would definitely consider the day a success.  He was so cute and happy all day and just couldn't stop smiling. But of course I forgot to take any pictures at the party.

We are so proud of him for making the choice to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be baptized.  We spent a lot of time preparing him for it and he was definitely ready. I think he had a really great day and I am so glad that we got to be a part of it.  He is such a kind and loving and friendly kiddo.  He is also full of energy and sometimes a little crazy, but I think we will keep him around. We love our McKay and the joy he brings to our family.

Back to School

 

The start of the school year came so fast this year.  The kids were back to school on August 14th.  We had a wonderful summer, but I always appreciate getting back into a routine when the school year starts.  Brooklyn is now a 6th grader at Star Middle School.  We switched her from Galileo, which goes until 8th grade, to Star Middle because she wants to be able to play both basketball and volleyball at the school for 7th and 8th grade.  She was a little nervous heading into a bigger school and thinking she wouldn't know very many people, but at the meet the teacher she realized she knew more people than she thought.  We walked through her entire schedule like three times and she was already a pro at her locker by the time we left.  She walks to and from school most days, I do drop her off and pick her up at a path that is about half way fairly often.  It was a little rough on my mama heart to send her off to middle school, but she came home from her first day happy and smiling.  She wants to be a sports commentator when she grows up, she loves to watch football and play soccer, her favorite food is tacos and her favorite book series is Fable Haven.

McKay is now a 2nd grader at Galileo and his teacher is Mrs. Cowen.  We went to meet the teacher the day before school started and he was already off telling her stories about his summer while I filled out paper work.  He is most excited for P.E. and recess but he also loves math.  He wants to be a garbage man when he grows up, he loves to play football, his favorite food is salmon and his favorite books are anything about sports.  We are working hard on his reading and hoping that he can learn to love to read or at least realize he needs to be able to do it well to do well in the rest of school.  It was a struggle to get him to sit still long enough this summer to read, but getting sports books has definitely helped.  He is such a happy kid and other kids always gravitate towards him.  I am sure that they will both have a great year.  They are both great kids and their teachers always love them!  Happy school year!