Maxwell started something funny today. Every once in a while he asks Xander or I, "Where are we going?" When Xander or I have responded, "Nowhere." He says to us like we are crazy, "Hey, that's not a store." Pretty silly. Last night was the boys' first Halloween party of the year. I made them into ghosts which was pretty funny. We moved again on Saturday. I found out we were definitely moving Friday at 5:40 PM. We must have some bad luck because this apartment has a bug infestation issue in the kitchen so we can't use that yet. Once I stop finding dead bugs I have to scrub out all the cupboards and drawers to remove the pesticide.

Hey everyone! Yesterday Elijah had a test in school. Apparently he went all the way to time-out in one move for talking to his friend Jordan during the test. He wasn't talking about the questions though. It was his first time-out of the school year. His excuse was that his testing center was too close to Jordan and he couldn't help but talk to her. I asked him what he had to say that couldn't wait until recess or lunch. He couldn't remember. Looks like he is related to Carey and Ashlee though. The kid is a social butterfly if ever there was one. Love you guys.

Yesterday we got to hang out with Carey and the Bailey kids. It was great. The weather is perfect here right now. All non-Arizonans should be jealous. We went to Pecos Park, picnicked, and let the kids play for hours. Then we came back to my smelly apartment for a little while before Carey and fam left. It was Elijah's last day off of school for Fall Break and the Baileys' first day off. Maxwell was quite intrigued when we told him there was a baby in Aunt Carey's belly. At dinnertime, Jared asked Maxwell how the baby got into Aunt Carey's belly. Maxwell responded, "Magics." Every night before prayers I ask Maxwell questions about his day.

Yesterday I got to go to Elijah's class for the Fall Party. It was a lot of fun to meet his friends and some of the other parents. He has been doing really well keeping his stick at school. That is the discipline system for his class. The other day we were doing scripture study and there was a verse that spoke of the angels praising God. The kids asked me what praising was so I said nice things about each of them. Last was Maxwell who I called my angel. Xander and Elijah asked why I always called Maxwell my angel. They wanted to be called angels too everyday. So now I tell each of them individually that they are my angel and they giggle and smile and it is so sweet.

My baby is three! Ugh, we are getting old around here. His birthday was fun. We went shopping that day for some of his presents and the little stink knew what was up and kept trying to see his presents. His cake had lots of "colors" in it. It was Pilsbury's Funfetti which he chose. The boys and I went to McDonald's for his birthday dinner which is a super special treat since we rarely eat there since we parents find it to be disgusting. They even got Happy Meals. Three year olds are so easy to spoil. He has received walkie-talkies, a sword and gun, and a fake cell phone so far. We plan on celebrating more of his birthday at a later date since Jared was not able to be there.

It's my birthday! Let's party! I actually tried to convince Jared to skip my birthday this year but he wouldn't go for it. I remember when my dad turned 29- so old. The kids wouldn't go for it either. Well, we moved a week ago. Things have been hectic settling in here and checking out of our old place. The new place feels twice as big as the old place. There was a moth in here this morning. Maxwell said he wanted the bug dead. Xander told me to get it or it would eat our sweaters. Elijah tried to catch the moth and inadvertantly squished it. I asked Xander if he even owned any sweaters which he doesn't since it is hot here year round.

Chugging right along on packing. We begin moving in two weeks to our larger apartment. The kids are getting nervous as they observe me getting rid of many things. Xander completed his first official kindergarten homework packet. He did a great job. Most of the time he initiated working on it. Elijah can't wait until we have enough room and are settled enough to invite his friends over. Anyone who would like a full-sized copy of the photos, email me the photo you want and I will email you the full-sized version. Carey is hanging up head shots of the cousins which is why there are so many recent head shots of the boys.

Last night we had something funny happen. We were talking to the boys about their friends at school. Xander said after a few names, "He is my friend." Jared responded, "Heith?" Xander defiantly replied, "I didn't say thhhh or fffff." Jared queried, "What is HIS name?" I said things like, "Who is he?" Xander kept answering, "He." Xander was getting frustrated with his parents so I got out the class list we just received yesterday. And yes, HUY is Xander's friend. Which puts HUY on the top of the list as names parents should be warned about ahead of time when you have a child in Kindergarten.

Xander and Elijah have been in school for two weeks now and they are loving it. Xander's favorite friend is Nicole and he lights up every time you say her name. We are moving the second weekend of September. Just across the street though so our address is only changing by 3 numbers. We will be in a bigger, hopefully better place. Xander starts soccer that same weekend and Elijah will start T-ball the week after. Jared starts school today. He is taking physics, calculus, and Cisco systems. Anytime the phone rings Maxwell runs to answer it. He starts talking and when he is done he says bye and hangs up. I have a race anytime the phone rings to answer it before he hangs up. When I was in the shower my friend called a few times and he kept hanging up on her. She had asked if I was there and he said yes so she kept trying. Today is the day I am going to start packing. Yay. I had funny stories to share but I am at a loss now.

Swim lessons are over. Elijah will start in level 4 next year. We've been going through some crazy times trying to figure out whether or not we are going to move or stay in our current place for the next year. We found a house but decided against it after our application went through. Yesterday Maxwell and I enjoyed our first day just the two of us. He even cleaned up of his own initiative and kept going until it was done.
Elijah and Xander started school yesterday. They are gone from 7:15 until 3:00 PM every weekday except Wednesday when they have a half day. They have been so excited and hyper about school they have had a hard time going to sleep the last two nights. Xander has the same teacher as Elijah did last year. Xander is also blessed with a student teacher for the first semester and a teacher aid the whole year through. Elijah is in a cooperative classroom environment. His teacher is Ms. Denton, but they also do large group instruction with another class, Ms. Critchett's. He will benefit from small group work, individual attention and large group instruction. The two classrooms are divided by a room divider which is open much of the time. Elijah has over 10 friends in his class from last year and even a friend from church that just started at Colina. He is a really lucky boy. At Meet the Teacher night, he was approached by a teacher that just moved down to the first grade that was really hoping Elijah was going to be in her class. It is great to have boys that teachers are excited about and enjoy being around.