I Know Where They're From...

When we were having some new granite counter tops installed in the kitchen, the store told us they were sending the installer out to make some final measurements before they ordered the granite.  They hadn't mentioned a specific time, and as Murphy's Law would suggest, they showed up at the most inconvenient time.  I had a meeting I had to attend at the school.  Scott was away at work, so I had a sitter coming over to be with the boys.  I had gone to pick up the sitter, a little later than I should, and was running late.  When I got back to the house there were five or six Spanish guys who were each covered in tattoos and piercings standing on my porch.  My first reaction, especially since Scott wasn't home, was to turn around and drive away.  They made me very nervous!  But it immediately dawned on me that they were probably there to measure for the counters.  Their timing couldn't have been worse.  But I let them in and all of my boys and the sitter just stood there with huge eyes in complete silence watching this group of what looked like recently-released prisoners do their measuring, which thankfully didn't take long, and they were on their way.  As soon as they were out the door, Asher broke the silence by commenting, "I know where they're from, they're from California."

Words of Wisdom...

While in the car, Asher was asking Eli, "Do you love Mom?", "Do you love Dad?", "Do you love Grandma?", and then, "Do you love Grace?"  to which Eli replied, "You can't marry your cousins or your kids can't speak."

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

As much fun as summer is, I'm always ready back-to-school.  The boys have had about enough of the 24/7 interaction with one another and the fighting never seems to end.  I'm always happy to turn the job of keeping these guys entertained , thus enter the teachers.  You will keep them occupied for 6 1/2 hours a day?  Yes, please!  The boys were as ready as I was to head back to the classroom.

Oakley and Eli will both be attending American Heritage this year.  Montessori Learning Center was the right choice for Oakley for the past three years, but the student body is heavily weighted to the younger crowd, so we knew it was time to look for a new school for him.  Friends who have attended American Heritage were all thrilled with their experience.  Scott and I thought it was a bit odd to mix religion and school (American Heritage also teaches the gospel along with reading, writing, and arithmetic).  Scott was especially hesitant until after a tour of the school.  We both knew it was the right choice for Oakley.  We had planned on having Eli continue at Quail Run Charter School, but both felt it would be a great fit for Eli, too.  We hoped they would both be accepted (was it obvious how crazy the Beesons are?!?!) and were after an academic assessment and interview with a school administrator.  I guess we tricked them, didn't we?

Asher will be attending Leap and Learn Preschool with Miss Shaneen again.  Oh how we love her and look forward to another outstanding year.  Here's to the educational experience of 2011-2012!

On the first day of school, American Heritage has a flag raising ceremony -
complete with firing a cannon!

I stole the idea from a friend to make a
candy bar poster for each of the kids on their
first day of school.  I'm proud of myself for not
having consumed all of the candy before they got home
from school to find only empty boxes taped to their
posters. 

Eli was especially thrilled with the poster and
insisted on taping back the empty boxes onto
the poster after he ate the candy.  He says he's
going to save his poster "forever."  It feels good
to have a child appreciate a small gesture so much.

Asher had to wait an extra week and a half for
his poster since his school started later than his
brothers.  He anxiously awaited the day and also
appreciated that Eli shared some of his candy with him
in the mean time.

Jed Visits...

We loved to have Jed and Sarah come and visit!  Sarah has been even busier than ever finishing up law school.  She will graduate in January, 2012- hurray!  Their visit included a Harley ride for Dad and Jed, Sunday dinner in the canyon, and hanging out together getting caught up.