This past week has been full of new adventures, albeit, some a little more exciting than others.  So, I thought I would share with you all the firsts and the new things life has brought us . . .

FIRSTS

Homework – Whoever thought it was a good idea to give kindergartners homework needs to come have a chat with me.

Piano Lessons – Lily had her very first lesson this morning, and she did very well.  She on ly lost focus a few times.  Her teacher, Maria, is magic :). Hopefully I can tap into that when I try and get her to practice – he he!

Detention – I guess Lily is not going to follow after the example of her mother (I never had detention in all my years of school.).  Twice this week Lily has had to stay in from recess.  Once for running in the classroom, and once for being too loud (Okay, so she got that one from me – he he!).  The funniest was when she told us, "She starts the timer over if you are too loud."  Then she added, "She only had to do it a few times."  Pretty funny.

Pick up and drop off lines – Wow, I wish I could avoid this craziness in the car and the time waiting in those lines, but such is life.  If we lived a few blocks closer, I would walk it, but it is too much to ask Lily to walk that after a long day of school.  One benefit of driving, however, is the conversation time with Lily.  This is the only real time she tells me about her day, because once we get home, there is too much going on.

Hand Appliqued Quilt Block – I overcame my fears and took on the challenge.  Although I have a long way to go until I do it as well as my mother-in-law, I was pretty happywith how it turned out.  One down, eleven more to go until I can finish the quilt :).

NEW

Nephew – My sister Heather had a baby boy, Daniel Clayton, on the 29th of August.  He was a big boy, at almost 9 pounds.  We are so happy for them, and hope we don't go too long before we get to meet the little guy.

Haircut – I got a haircut last week and I love it!  Thanks Kristi!!  I tried really hard to get a good picture of myself, but I have never been good with self portraits.  Here's the best I could do before church.   (And yes, I am all serious in the picture, but it was because I was focusing too hard on what I was doing, and even then the picture is all crooked – he he!)

Derek's Ewok Impression– This has got to be the funniest thing I have ever seen.  It is even better than his one of Darth Vader.  I wish I had captured it, but I was on the exercise bike.  Take my word for it though – it is priceless.

Favorite TV Show – Lily and Derek have been excited all week about the premier of  Imagination Movers on Playhouse Disney.  They are watching it right now, which is allowing me to post – he he!  (Periodically the kids run in the room to tell me about what is happening in the show – they crack me up.)

Playgroup – Our ward just started a playgroup, and it couldn't have come at a better time.  Poor Derek misses Lily so much, and so it is great for him to have a chance to play with kids his age.  And I get the bonus of talking to my friends while he plays.  (And Derek only escaped once, and luckily I had help from the other moms to catch the speedy little guy.)

Lily's Pioneer Bonnet – Lily has been asking for a pioneer bonnet for quite some time.  Knowing that I did not have the skills to make her one, Lily asked her Grandma Valerie. 
It arrived the first day of school and she has been wearing it everyday.  She especially likes to wear it with her now dubbed "pioneer apron."  So cute!