Time Flies

Wow! Where does the time go? Elizabeth is already a month old! School is back in session!

Everyone always asks how we are doing with a new baby, and I always say that she couldn't be more wonderful! She usually goes 6-7 hours between feedings overnight, waking up around 4:00-6:00 to eat and then going back to sleep for a few hours. She is usually pretty content while awake. Although recently I think she is becoming more aware, and wants to be held more often. I think she realizes that she is left alone on her blanket a lot, and has decided she wants to be a part of the action! I feel like she is getting so big! I put a dress on her yesterday -- it was the 2nd time she's ever worn it, and the last time was about 2 weeks ago. I can definitely tell it is shorter on her and not as loose this time!

Nathan started 2nd Grade 2 weeks ago. For Kindergarten and 1st Grade, I could definitely tell he took a few weeks to adjust socially and to truly feel comfortable. This year, I think he adjusted immediately. He loves his teacher, and he thrives on having the structure in his day that was missing over the summer. The school had a "Character Counts" assembly earlier this week where they focused on Friendship. He was the boy in his class that received an award for being a good friend. With it being only a week into the school year, I thought he was randomly picked, but later he told me a story of how he helped some of the kids stop fighting on the playground. I was so pleased to hear that all the Home Evening lessons and scripture readings are actually sinking in and being applied!

Benjamin started Kindergarten last week. He has been so excited all summer to be in Kindergarten, and he has loved every minute of it. I love his enthusiasm to do his homework every day, and to do his reading. At an assembly he learned of the school program to read 60 books in honor of Provost's 60th anniversary. Later in the assembly they recognized a 6th-grader for reading 105 chapter books. When I talked to him later about reading his 60 books, he said with a huge smile, "No. I want to read 105!" He, too, was chosen as 1 of 2 students from his class to be recognized for Friendship. I've observed him enough in Primary to know that Benjamin is quiet and does not draw a lot of attention to himself, and so I am pleasantly surprised that he was selected after only being in school a total of 3 days!

Joshua is no longer my little boy. He's pretty independent when it comes to playing with friends -- he and the twins next door rule the neighborhood in the morning when their brothers are gone! He insists on pouring his own juice or milk, even when it is too full, and he is the best bed-maker in the house! Now if we could just get him to potty train!! So far he has done really well during the day when it is just me and him (and a sleeping Elizabeth). He plays well on his own, and he is usually pretty cooperative on errands.

Life is good -- we are so blessed!