Preschool

(Tear, tear) I'm can't believe my baby is now in preschool. Seriously, where did the time go? I decided to sign him up for two days a week of preschool at BYU-Idaho this summer. He really needed an outlet to go and run and play with lots of other kids his age, and this is a perfectly safe environment to do just that. It really is perfect because the teachers are students who are being graded (and watched) on what they teach the kids. There is a GREAT observation booth that teachers and parents can sit and watch their kids socially interact with other kids. I LOVE it and so does he.

The first day of school was really hard for all of us (especially me). Geoffery took work off that morning so that we could go and see him off at school. We walked in and of course he wouldn't let go of my hand. I followed him around for a while and then he just got so caught up in what all the other kids were doing that he just kind of forgot that I was there. So I left without saying goodbye (kind of regret that now, I felt kind of mean). But then Geoffery and I went in the observation booth and just watched him. For a long time he just stood there watching everyone. Then FINALLY a teacher came up and took him to build some blocks. After about 10 minutes of watching his every move, Geoffery and I decided to go and get some breakfast at McDonald's- nice greasy, disgusting breakfast might I add (but that's a different story).

It was seriously ripping my heart out watching him. He seemed so shy and lost and I just wanted to save him. But I knew that he would eventually warm up. So we came back after we ate and watched him some more. And then Geoffery decided he had been away from work too long and he had to go. I felt like I couldn't leave my baby. Like he would coming running back to get me because he needed me (or I needed him, I'm not sure which one). But I left him there and I let him be without me for the rest of the hour.

I went back to pick him up like ten minutes early. I didn't want to be a minute late. Have you ever been the last kid sitting in a room waiting for your parents? That's really the worst feeling out there and I didn't want him to EVER have that feeling. After he got in the car it was a little hard getting information out of him on what he did- which I wanted to know EVERY detail of course. But I'm learning this is his time to do what he wants and if I don't know EVERY move he makes he'll still survive and so will I. It really helps that he LOVES preschool and talks about it constantly and always wants to go back and runs to his teachers when I drop him off in the morning. So all in all it was a good decision to put him in. And it helps that I have 2 hours to myself in the morning where me and Madelyn can have our little alone time.

This is the face he made when I asked him to smile. How do you tell a 3 year old not to smile sooo hard?

Better late than never!

So I'm finally blogging about Easter! Ha! We had a ton of fun and went to my parents house in logan to spend it with family and enjoy general conference in of course in our pj's (see post below!). Grant had a ton of fun with his cousins Grace and Ella. Grace is just the right size where Grant can wrestle her, and run with her, and everything without her being hurt. Poor little Ella doesn't stand a chance! We've (my sister and I) decided that Grant and Grace look more alike like siblings and so do Madelyn and Ella. Their colorings are soo much more alike. It's funny, you know when you get one kid with blonde hair and then the other comes with dark brown hair. It's funny how those gene things work!! You NEVER know what you're going to get.

Anyway... so the easter bunny of couse found us at ju-ju's (my moms name for the kids). The easter bunny also has a funny little tradition of hiding the easter baskets and Gracie's happened to be outside in the tree! Silly little easter bunny. We also had a little easter egg hunt, inside of course as there was 3 inches of snow outside, and then enjoyed a nice little feast thanks to my mom. It was very delightful.

Letting it all hang out...

Yes, I'm willing to admit to the blog world that we here in the Zellers house like to bake, clean, watch TV, play, color, all of the above in our PJ's. That's just how we do it. I have no regrets or am I embarrassed except of course when my neighbors pop by unexpectedly and then I am a little shy about answering the door. Other than that, I have nothing to hide!

Ashley the gorgeous senior

This is Ashley. I know she's gorgeous, right? She's also my sister in law. She asked me to take her senior pictures and we had SO MUCH FUN! We illegally trespassed onto someones property (okay it was a mistake, but we felt rebillous) and then at the end we got some yummy milkshakes! We always have soo much fun together and she is definately a beauty. I feel so blessed to have such great sister in laws! Here are some of my favorites:

Sweet Madelyn

Maddie is now 9 months, tomorrow to be exact. I feel like I've let time gone by without taking pictures of her. I'm a TERRIBLE mother. So I'm working on being better and thought I would take some of her after her bath. She is TRYING to get into everything, but she just can't. She TRIES to pull-up and occasionally she is successful, but most of the time she can't do it. She TRIES to crawl, and can get up on her hands and knees but can't quiet figure out how to move her hands and legs. She is so sweet to have around and she waves at anyone who will look at her. Sweet girl, maybe she'll figure it out soon! We are loving having her in our family!

Funny boy...

Grant: I love temples
Me: Me too.
Grant: Yeah, your a princess aren't you mom?
Me: Thanks, and is baby sis a princess too?
Grant: Yeah
Me: Are you going to marry a princess?
Grant: No, I'm going to be a race car driver. (pause)
After I'm a missionary I'm gonna be a race car driver.
Me: So are you ever going to marry a princess?
Grant: No. I'm just going to be a race car driver, after my mission.
Me: Oh okay.

Welcome to Radiator Springs...

Welp, I'm officially old! I'm am now the mother of a thriving 3 year old. I can't believe how fast time flies. Truly its amazing. We ended up celebrating Grants 3rd birthday 2 weekends ago (I know I'm behind, but better late than never- right?). Anyway, we had a Lightning McQueen birthday party with 10 (yes 10) 3 year olds. It was crazy, fun, tiring, but all worth the while. He had a blast. I think it was pretty magical for him to have all his friends here and the whole house decorated like Radiator Springs. When we brought him down in the morning before the party, you would have thought it was Christmas morning. In fact, I dare to say it was better than Christmas. He LOVED it. All his favorite characters where everywhere. It was a lot of fun (THANKS WALMART!) Walmart has the best party line with all the lightning McQueen decor you could think of. Really it is great. FYI if you're about to throw a party.

So it started off with flag invitations to all the kids. Then when they came up they entered Radiator Springs. We then all had lunch at Flo's cafe, of course. Then it was off for games at Luigi's Tire shop where the kids threw bean bags into a tire. Then they went to Fillmore's sticker shop where they all received tattoo's on their hands and then they could decorate their very own car with stickers. After that they played a Lightning McQueen game where they could choose their favorite character. After games, we had story time where they sat and ate their Cars fruit snacks. And then of course presents and cupcakes.

Grant really had a lot of fun and so did I. I found that I really enjoyed planning a kids, friends party. I spent 3 hours drawing and coloring paper so that it looked like a race car flag because I couldn't find the right paper in the store. I woke up the next morning with this huge pain in my neck, but it was well worth it because it looked great. I don't think I'll do it again until he's 5. I think the family rule will be EVERY OTHER YEAR that you can have a friends birthday party. I do want to have 4 kids, so that's a LOT of work and time and money. But anyway here are some pictures.



Scott and Madelyn- He watched and held Madelyn the whole time! Thanks Scott!



Me running around CRAZY!!