Newport Beach

We had nothing planned for Labor Day weekend. Scott had spent quite a bit of time with me through out the week so I figured he would be spending most of the weekend at the library. So on Saturday morning when I mentioned we should just spend the day at the beach, I was quite sarcastic. But Scott thought it was a great idea! It only took us 1/2 hour to grab our suits, and some towels and head out the door!

The past 2 times we have gone out we have gone to Newport Beach. But I am thinking we will start exploring the next few times we venture out. If any of you have a favorite beach - please let me know :)

Scott was burried. Then Jack was burried.

And of course Clara too.

Where is my picture in the sand? Ha. Nope. I don't do the burrying thing.

Clara enjoyed stealing my sunglasses.

And Jack and Scott built an amazing sand castle. They were even complimented by some people passing.

The beach is so fun. Jackson LOVES it. Clara is getting more and more brave with time - although she still steers clear of the water. And I love everything about it. I love the sound of the ocean. I love the kids running around. I don't even mind the crowds.

Jacksons 1st Day of School

Jackson was super excited to start pre-school. The night before we talked and talked and talked about it. He couldn't wait to fall asleep, and wake up and go!

We took pictures.
Clara wanted her own picture.Jack said goodbye to Clara. And off we went. We drove by... there were no cars at his school building - but we were a little early and I had to pay his monthly tuition anyways so we went to the main building first. We went in and as we were paying, the nice man helping me said, "You know his school doesn't start until Wednesday, right?"

Ha. Yeah. I had no idea. I figured it would start on Monday, the start of the week. But no, it started in the middle of the week - Wednesday! Ugh. No wonder there were no cars at his building. Whoops.

So we went home. And waited for Wednesday to come.

So here is Wednesday, his OFFICIAL first day of school.
This day he was lucky and Scott was around to say goodbye. Jackson liked that they both had backpacks on.

I think me messing up the dates, made the drop off a little harder on Jackson that it would have been if we would have gone on the right day. He totally cried when I left - and of course I was so worried about him the whole 3 hours he was gone... thinking... how is he doing? is he getting along with the other kids? does he like his teachers? will he cry every day i drop him off? is he making friends? ugh. ugh. ugh. So when the time came for me to pick him up, I was absolutely thrilled to walk through the door and find him with nothing but SMILES. He loved it!

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER

I went to TARGET today. We had already been to the post office, COSTCO for gas, and the bank... I was a little worried about Clara, but I only needed a few things and I figured if I got the kids an ICEE that would tie them over and we could be in and out, no problem.

We walked in and Jackson found a book in the dollar section and asked if we could buy it. I said "Yes, but no toys, you have plenty at home". At first he was thrilled that I said yes. But about 5 min later he saw a toy that he really wanted and asked if he could get the toy instead. I said, "No, just the book, I said no toys today".

He instantly started to cry and beg for the toy. I stuck to my word, and continued to say no. It quickly turned into a screaming... "but I just want a different toy".

********I could have chosen to take the easy way out and let him pick the toy. OR I could choose to let all of TARGET listen to my child, purchase what we had in our cart and GET OUT ASAP. I chose the second.**********

We got to the register and I gave the lady all that we were purchasing. We still had the orginal book that Jack wanted but with the way he was acting, there was no way I was going to let him get the book, let alone the other toy that he was whinning about. So I handed the lady the book and said "we are not getting this". OH BOY. Jack went hystarical. Like I have NEVER in his 4.5 years of life ever seen him act this way. All of TARGET was staring. And all I could do was pretend like nothing was wrong. I swear we could not get checked out fast enough. And as we walked out very nice lady asked me if I needed help to my car (I must have looked ridiculous and very frazzled). I politely declined, probley mostly out of embarrassment.

I got Jack in the car.... still screaming at the top of his lungs. I got Clara in the car. I grabbed our bags and was about to get in when I noticed a lady in her car smiling at me. She got out and said, "Don't feel bad, you did everything right. Sometimes kids just act out. It's OK, he probley just needs a nap or some food". It was so nice of her to say that - but at the same time, it made me so emotional. I got in the car and could not dial Scotts number fast enough. Luckily he answered and I burst into tears. I was so upset. He calmed me down, and when I told him how I was going to handle the situation he agreed.

We walked in the door. I went straight to his room. I packed up every single toy of his and started to haul them out to my car. It was not easy. He was clawing at me. Grabbing toys out of my hands. Pulling at my shirt. IT WAS ALL VERY DRAMATIC. Some how I stayed very calm, I hardly said one word to him. But as soon as I was done, I looked at him and burst into tears. I could hardly say anything. He went and sat on his bed, and I walked out and shut the door. I don't think much needed to be said at the time. He knew what he had done was wrong, and he knew he was in BIG trouble.

About 10 minutes later we had a talk. I told him that when his dad gets home, they will have a talk and his dad will decided what to do with all of his toys. Mostly I told him that I loved him and that I knew that he was better than everything we had just been through. It was a touching moment. He gave me a huge hug and asked if we could cuddle and watch a movie.

I have NEVER been through anything like that. I would expect that out of Clara but never from Jack. I know that this move has been hard on him, and that could be one of the reasons he acted out the way he did.... really I am not sure. I just hope I handled it the right way, and I really hope that I never have to experience anything like that ever again.

Daddy's Girl

This little girl can get anything from her Daddy. Just look at this "pout face" that she is so good at.

The Coleman Family

I grew up with this couple. They are amazing. They are going through some challenges at this time and their story was shared on KSL news. It is so touching, and will bring a tear to your eye.

Click on the following link to see their story. You can continue on to their blog and follow the instructions to donate if you feel so inclined.

TheColemanFamily

Clara Rose

This is Clara.

She loves her Grandma Rose. The other day we found these leggings and she was freaking out. She loved them. Had to have them. In fact, we put them on in the store and I took of the tag to pay for them. That is how obsessed she is with her "Rose Leggings".

Every time we see an older lady with white hair, she says, "Hi Rose". Over and over again, wondering why she is not saying hi back. She loves to climb into her crib all by herself. But thankfully cannot get out by herself.

She is ALWAYS hungry. And it seems to be at its worst right before bedtime.

This is her little bed. Jackson helps her make it, and she loves to lay in here while I clean.

For the most part she is a bit out of control.

She is loud. She screams until she gets what she wants. She doesn't take "no" for an answer. She is just as tough as Jackson and she lets him know it. She loves shoes. She loves chocolate. She says hi to EVERYONE. She loves to dance. She already knows how to give the meanest "stare down". She jumps off of anything... (a good trait for a future diver). Loves her baby doll. Keeps Jackson up for hours at night (laughing and repeating his name over and over and over again).

We love our baby girl.

A Recent Purchase

This was one happy kid when I agreed to the purchase of these spiderman swim trunks. He couldn't wait to put them on and run around the house!

And yes... he wears them to the pool. :)