1st day of School

This a few days late, but I still thought I'd share. This year has been very different for our family. For the first time our kids are attending the local school and they aren't wearing uniforms. I always knew what a blessing it was to have my children in CMCA (their old school), but I never thought about the convenience of uniforms. I could make one trip to the Lands End website and a stop at the resale and cross almost everything off my list. Now my children have opinions and they want to wear what is in style. How would I know what is in style? Did I mention fighting the modesty war for the first time? It has been a real wake up experience, but it has also been a ton of fun. When taking my kids to the store, I had them try on outfit after outfit, and they really got excited (even Colin!). I was a bit overwhelmed when we began the trip, but it was a blast. I didn't even mind all the "Are all these kids yours?" comments.

Two Months Early

Leslie this post is for you ( I know you've been waiting for this):

Our Reagan is so smart. With the help of her siblings, she colors and writes. She talks like an eight year old and rolls her eyes like a teenager. I should have known she was advanced, but recent events prove it. Last night she cut off a big chunk of her hair. But unlike all of her siblings, she didn't cut anyone else's, she was two months early, and she didn't do a half bad job. What a big girl.Ü

(This is a picture of the hair we found later. If she wasn't asleep I would include one of her Royal Self, but that will have to wait.)

Three White Dresses

This is the video that we played while Mark and Caitlyn were changing. I thought it was too good not to share with all of you.

Cailtyn's Baptism

(as blogged by Mark)

TARA has been working hard all this week to get Caitlyn's Baptism book ready. She has scrapbooked many beautiful pages and produced a wonderful book that will help Caitlyn remember her baptism day. She also put a lot of time on the program, on her talk, and on baking cookies. I can honestly say that the baptism would not have come together without TARA staying on top of it all week long.

Like all good LDS baptisms, we started about 20 minutes late because we were taking pictures in the foyer. We weren't just being extravagent with photos - the first batch hadn't taken due to "operator error" (thanks, Scott!). Grandma and Grandpa Clarke flew into town just for the day, so we were really grateful to have them there. There was a small gathering of friends from the Barton Creek and Lake Travis wards that I have attended since first coming to Austin. TARA spoke first on baptism, and then Caitlyn, Austin, and Reagan sang "I like to look for rainbows". I then got to baptize Caitlyn. It was so neat to lead her down into the water. I don't think that I have ever seen her so happy.

While Caitlyn and I changed we played a small video that TARA found on youtube. And then we did the testimony activity that was done at Colin's baptism where everyone writes down their thoughts, feelings, and testimony while she was getting changed. We collected these and will include them in her baptism book. Grandpa Clarke then gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. The pieces of the talk that Hallie let me hear were very spiritual and uplifting. The men in the room then gathered and placed their hands on Caitlyn's head. I pronounced her a member of the church and invited her to receive the Holy Ghost. I don't remember a lot of what I said, but for the first time in any blessing I have given her, I had a feeling about Caitlyn's next ordinances: those that take place in the temple.

We introduced Grandma & Grandpa Clarke to Rudy's BBQ ("the best gas station meal I've ever had") and went swimming at the pool in their hotel. It was a great end to a very hectic and full week. And in the end, all of the work (let's be honest: all of TARA's work) was worth it.

Breaking Dawn

It's here the new book has been released and people all over the world are hiding in their bedrooms, bathrooms, or closets trying to find out what happens to Bella, but not me. I have better things to do. My house needs to be cleaned, the lawn needs to be mowed, I have Caitlyn's baptism to prepare, the dog needs to be walked, and I my children are in need of some good quality time. I am here for them. No sir, I won't be wasting my time with reading such a fluff book this weekend. Of course it might have been that the stores were completely sold out and the library no longer had any copies, but I like to think I would have made this choice anyway. (Disclaimer: If anyone locally has a copy that they have already completed, call me!)

Beauty and the Beastly Stairs

Last night we visited Zilker park to see the 50th anniversary of musicals in the park. This year's musical is the production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." Being new to Austin, we were excited to see a bit of the local talent and especially excited the whole performance was free. Mark went over early to save us a good spot and I followed with the kids and our dinner picnic. (I am so thankful for mapquest. I have no idea how anyone ever got along without it.) We managed to find the park and even the entrance to the parking lot. We paid our meager $3 for parking and then started the hike to the ampitheater. I'm sure we were a sight; me, five kids, one wagon full of blankets and bags, and one wheeling cooler. I'm starting to think Mark had the easier job.Ü We made it most of the way there easily enough with help from the kids and a few nice strangers. Then we came to the stairs.

I could actually see Mark waving to us at the point but I still had no idea how to navigate them. Luckily Mark ran over to help, taking the cooler and the three older children. That left me the two little ones and the wagon. I sent Reagan on ahead and sat Hallie down on the ground thinking I would pick up the wagon carry it down and then return for her. Why I didn't take her first is anyone guess. It may be that I care more about my purse and the food I was carrying or it may have been because I'm just not that bright, but the second I put Hallie down she decided to walk the stairs alone. And if she was big enough to do that, of course she could take them one foot in front of the other. The world stopped for just a moment as I watched my baby fall onto her head and then flip over. The looks of horror that covered all the onlookers faces said it all, "Oh my, is that baby dead?" (Strangely the looks were not directed at Hallie instead they were all looking at me. I must have been wearing my "World's Worst Mom shirt," though I was sure I had left home wearing my "Can Do it all Clothes.") I put down the wagon and ran down to my baby, Mark was there at my side in no time and we made it down the stairs together. I dug through the cooler and found the first cold thing I could (My diet Coke) and Mark and I took turns holding it on her head. (See mom diet coke is good for you.) After a few minutes she seemed to calm down and was her self again, but the large lump on her forehead is still there to testify against me.

Now I admit that my child care abilities were not at their best that night, but as a chef I still did pretty well. We had a wonderful dinner of crackers, turkey and cheese, carrots with dip, yogurt, pretzels, juice and more. I came stocked for a long night. And it was a good thing with 5 little people to keep busy. In the end Hallie grew bored of sitting and she and Mark did a lot of walking, but all the other kids sat and watched and loved the show. Even Colin said it wasn't bad. "The wolves kept it from being too girly."

We loved the music and the girls held my hands through the sad or scary parts, so I didn't have to close my eyes once.Ü It was a late night but so worth the trip.

Austin has so much to offer! We are thankful to be here and for the chance to spend time together as a family.