First day of Preschool

Levi started preschool today. I can't believe it, he was such a big boy. When I told him I was leaving he said bye mom love you and off he went. So for 3 hours it was just me and Emma. What is a mom supposed to do when she goes from 3 kids to 1. Well first she enjoys that this is the first time her 3rd child had gotten "mom" only time since she was born. Next she runs a few errands which seem insanely simple with one child in tote. Next week we start carpool so I will only be driving on Wednesday's so on Monday and Friday I get even more extra time.



Here Levi is where they hang up there bags, can you tell he is already excited?

They walk in and put there names on the board to show that they are at school that day. Good job Levi.
They have lots of little play and learning stations to keep busy minds occupied, Levi will love this as he loves to be busy.
Here is Levi and his friend Alexis taking a quick break for a picture.
Finally here he is walking to the car. Looks like he had a good day.
Levi enjoyed preschool alot. The only complaint he had was that they couldn't play outside today because it was raining. Oh well they will have lots of days to play outside. I can't believe my baby boy is in preschool, they get too big way to fast.

First Day of Kindergarten

Well the day came, my baby started Kindergarten today. It started off well she got up ate a good breakfast and we headed out the door. She had fun with her friends at the bus stop.

Then the bus started coming and Faith got a little sad.
I met the bus at the school since they let parents come in for the first few minutes on the first day. Here she is hanging her back pack and putting her lunch away.
Finally right before I left I got a little smile.
The morning was a little teary for both of us but she did great and I am sure she will have fun.

On a side note this is a poem Faith's teacher gave the parents who were there this morning. I thought it was sweet so I'll share.

The First Day

I gave you a little wink and a smile

As you entered my room today.

For I know how hard it is to leave

And know your child must stay,

You've been with her for five years now

And been a loving guide,

But now alas, the time has come

To leave her at my side.

Just know that as you drive away

And as the tears may flow

I'll love her as I would my own

And help her learn and grow.

For as a teacher, I too know

How quickly the years do pass

So please put your mind at ease

And cry those tears no more

For I will love her and take her in

When you leave her at my door.

-Author unknown, edited by Lori Nichols 2008

Seriously!

Well we got home from our half the country road trip on Saturday and all the kids were sick so we took them in. Turns out that Faith and Levi have a mycoplasma pneumonia causing bacteria and Emma has full blown pneumonia. Talk about a serious bummer. All 3 kids are now getting Zithromax and there fair shares of Motrin. Faith and Levi are doing really well but Emma still sounds awful, she coughs til she can't catch her breath so we are back to the doctor with her tomorrow. Hopefully we will be able to leave the house soon.

Idaho

We had a great time in Idaho. The weather was great and it was cool to see so much family that we hadn't seen in a really long time.

Joe and I got to play each other at Air Hockey. He of course was not easy on me and kicked my butt every time but we had a great time doing it. I think we need one of these for the basement.
Levi also got to practice his climbing skills. Not that he needed it. This was a wall in the house we stayed at. I don't think we'll be getting one of these but I know Levi loved it. On the other hand maybe it would keep him from climbing on things he's not supposed to.I couldn't resist this picture. How can you get mad at this face.Faith is my princess. She can definately pull off a pose.This is me and my Aunt Teresa. Notice the yummy S'more in my hand. Mesa Falls. This was so beautiful. We kept the kids close by, water makes me so nervous but it sure it pretty.
Joe and I at Mesa Falls.
Faith and Levi at Mesa Falls. See the leash on Levi, not that we don't trust him but do you recall the climbing story a few pictures up.
Joe and Emma enjoying the outdoors. We definaely weren't lacking babies at the reunion this year. From left Emma, Logan and Emalie.

Arizona

So we spent our first week of a two week vacation in Arizona. It was nice and boy was it hot. I think that we forget the difference between heat is amazing. Here in Missouri it is sticky hot and in Arizona it is just plain hot. We had a good time though, we went to the zoo and hung out with Joe's family. On a sadder note we attended my Uncle Marc's funeral in Safford. We were sad to see him go but know he is in a better place now watching over his family.

This is what 19 hours in the car does.
Faith, Ashley and Maygen @ the Wildlife World ZooEmma and me at the Wildlife World ZooI live the terrified look on Faith's face.Levi on the other hand would touch anything given the opportunityNana showing the kids the new sting rays that aren't even on exhibit yet.While I was there I got to see some old friends. It was nice to catch up. Hope to see you guys again soon.

4 stiches on that tiny finger

So normally when someone tells me that Levi is bleeding I don't freak because as many of you know Levi is a little accident prone. Well today Faith comes running downstairs and says Levi has a bleeding problem followed by Levi with blood running down his arm. I procedd to rinse it and find that he has sliced his finger to the point that it is hanging on by less than a quarter of skin. I call Michael and he comes to watch the other two while I take him to the ER. Levi did a great job in the ER, he got x-rays first and we found that he had he cut the tip of the bone off. Next they come in to give him some Lidocaine to numb his finger before they stitch it, this was the worst part for him as the needle hurt his little finger. Shortly after the doctor came in and he gave Levi 4 stitched. Now 4 stitches doesn't seem like mouch but on a finger that small its alot. For those of you with week stomachs you might want to skip the next two pictures.
Levi got to come home with a roaring stuffed Lion and a bunch of stickers. The doctor even let him keep the syringe to use to spray water. Remind me send him a thank you. They did say that he was the best patient they had all day. He was even very polite the whole time with lots of thank yous.
As you can see all is well now and we have another hospital trip to write down for Levi. We go back for a follow up on Saturday and the the stitiches will come out in ten days.

Cool Whip Oh my

Joe had Cool Whip last night which Emma got into, well once she got her hand in it Joe decided to just let her have it and this was the result.

Don't worry Joe cleaned up the mess on the rug but I got to bathe the baby.
After her Cool whip fiasco and a nice warm bath she was worn out so she konked out next to Faith while we were watching a movie.

Look what I can do

Emma has learned to sit very well. She loves being able to look around and watch everybody. She even gets mad if she falls over because she hasn't mastered getting herself back up yet.

Summer driving

Faith loves the scooter, thank goodness it doesn't go very fast. She's not a bad drvier though as long as everyone stays out of her way
Emma's first drving experience, she can't reach the pedals but she thought it was fun anyway.

Levi loves to crash into things and it's not that he can't control it he does it on purpose.
At least he looks cool doing it.

Family Photo Shoot

Well we finally got our long overdue family photo shoot. We were a little worried that it was going to be way too windy and cold but when our time rolled around the weather was perfect. It was fun getting us all together and there wasn't even much complaining. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Here we are the four Ball kids. My mom said she can see why people think my kids look like Bradley in this picture because we look alike.

Here's my clan, can you see the mischievious look on Levi. We definately know where he gets that from and it's not mommy.

Joe and I. These were fun since we never get pictures of the two of us.

My mom and dad. They look way too young too be grandparents. Don't you think?

The Martin clan. For the record we sat on these rocks and noone fell in the little pond below us.

The Ball clan. I haven't seen one of these in I don't know how long. My mom wants to hang this one.

All of us. I didn't realize what a big group we were until we were all in one place.

My sweet baby. Isn't she photogenic. The photographer just had to grab some of her.