Talk like a pirate day and church schedule

The boys school class had a party for Talk Like a Pirate Day. That night we ate at pirate island.

Brandon also wore his pirate hat and an eye patch all day to school. His class wasn't having a party.

Our church schedule changed to the 1-3pm block. We tried to get the little ones to nap before church but it didn't work. Needless to say there were very tired after church. Yes, Brandon is asleep, very asleep.

Fall Activities

Here are some photos of some of the stuff that has been keeping us busy. We certainly have been busy lately.

We've been lucky to have the Popes come down for BYU football games and spend some time with us. By the way, the adults totally beat the kids at laser tag.

Making cookies

Listening to cool tunes

These shots were taken at the recent benefit concert.

Blake is playing football and he loves it. Everyone seems to have fun at his games.

In the middle of football practice this dropped out of the sky.

Derek is playing soccer and he loves it. He is really good. It is hard to have Blake and Derek playing different sports on different teams but they both really like it.

Katelyn is helping Brandon put his backpack on. She often says "he's my brudder".

Playing around

Preschool Begins and other twin adjustments

We've done it - we've sent "the babies" to preschool. This confirms for the what I hope is the final time that we have got to quit calling them that!

Brandon started last Wednesday and had a great first day of preschool. He loved it and his teachers seemed genuinely amazed with how well he adapted. Everyone was so excited - including Blake and Derek! While he was in preschool, I took Katelyn to her first dance class and she LOVED it! She was soooo cute and I just wish I could've really captured how cute she was.

Katelyn got to go the next day, in spite of Brandon's protesting! He was so funny. I think he would've much preferred keeping the experience all his own. He actually started to try to push her out the door when we got there, saying "No Katelyn." But he quickly got over it and they were playing seconds later as we walked out the door.

Brandon will go 4 days a week for 3 hours and then Katelyn will join him 2 of those days. I still haven't done a whole week of it yet. And the first day they were both gone I did some retail therapy with a friend. I know I can't do that every day, but I think I'm over the hump of the adjustment and I didn't even cry. These adjustments are so hard for me-especially where Brandon is concerned. But preschool is so good for him and I'm excited that he has it. I've never had just 1 kid to take care of, so my time with Katelyn seemed almost inconceivable initially, but I love it of course. I wish I had some with each of my kids. Another first for our twin family is that Blake and Derek are in the same 2nd grade class and loving it. It is because they have a wonderful teacher! This is something that they both wanted to do and it seemed like a good time to try it. They have had Kindergarten and 1st grade to establish who they each are with friends at school so now hopefully they can be a little less competitive and sensitive. So far so good! They came home the other day and thanked me for letting them be in the same class.

The other change for our family is that our boys have chosen different fall sports. Blake has been asking to play football since he started school (like in Kindergarten) but the flag football programs don't usually start until 3rd grade, but this year Provo has 2nd graders! So he is doing football while Derek is doing soccer and while I am sure they would've loved to do both do both sports (especially Blake) I'm just not that crazy. So it is a bit hectic getting them to practices and games in 2 different cities but its only for a month and they are both loving it! It is probably really good for them to not be competing.

They are both really good players. Starting Blake in football feels a little bit like opening Pandora's box to me, but he loves it and as he learns the game I know he is going to be great. He is just so intense. Even the way he looks at the ball is a little scary.